Nar Phu Philanthropy Trek
Kathmandu, Nepal
5.0 (7 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Rebuild Schools and Health Clinics in Nepal
- Join Forces with BACKPACKER
- Himalayas' Massive Mountains
- Local Cuisine & Culture
- Build Community & Make a Difference
- Embark on a World Class Trek
- Giant Rivers & Glacial Valleys
Description
Join BACKPACKER Magazine and Wildland Trekking on a life-list trek in Nepal and help with earthquake recovery and pandemic recovery efforts. BACKPACKER and Wildland Trekking are partnering to send multiple teams to Nepal in 2022 and beyond. We hope you will join us!
Participants will:
- Join a BACKPACKER Ambassador and BACKPACKER readers on a special trip combining volunteer work and world-class trekking.
- Support communities in need. After a 2015 earthquake devastated Nepal, thousands of schools, health clinics and villages were damaged or destroyed. Long after the disaster faded from the news, the recovery efforts continue. The global pandemic has also created a new need for new health infrastructure. We’ll spend a week helping with the building efforts of a health center in a small village called Kakani — no skills required; training will be provided.
- Automatically donate to the project. (Wildland donates $500 for each guest that signs-up for this trip)
- Trek through the world’s highest mountains on a 9-day journey on the little-known Nar Phu route in the Annapurna region, where we’ll visit remote villages and ancient monasteries. After the service project, we’ll spend a layover day in Kathmandu, then depart for the trek.
*If you or someone you know would like to join the volunteer work portion of this trip, but are not a level 5 difficulty hiker, no worries we have you covered. We would love to have the extra hands out at the service project. Please contact our Adventure Consultant Team for a special trip rate that includes the first 11 days of this trip’s scheduled itinerary and options for joining our Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which is a level 4 difficulty trek.
Read Note from BACKPACKER
On a steep hillside above Manang, one of the highest villages on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, a lone monk lived in a one-room dwelling made of stone. Locals said he’d taken a vow of silence more than two decades earlier and hadn’t spoken a word since. I climbed up to see the monk when I trekked the route—apparently, he had a sweet tooth and appreciated visitors who brought him cookies. I found him sitting in his hut, and he grinned brightly when I deposited the treat on his small wooden table. He raised his hands to bless me, we smiled some more. Not much happened, really, but I remember the moment clearly 30 years later.
I’d learned about the Annapurna Circuit from an article in this magazine. The story extolled the unequalled beauty of the Himalaya and the people who lived there. It contained a photo of 26,545-foot Annapurna. I was sold.
I wasn’t the only one. Since 1973, BACKPACKER has run more than a dozen articles on Nepal, always saying: Go. Go have the experience of a lifetime. Go meet people you’ll never forget. It worked for me and it worked for generations of trekkers before and after.
So when an earthquake devastated Nepal in April 2015, it felt like a friend was in crisis. We at this magazine had a special obligation to help a country that had long helped us. We championed ways to give back, everything from donating to relief funds to traveling there to help restore the tourism industry. But one fact quickly became apparent: The damage was so extensive that the recovery would take years and require continued efforts long after the disaster faded from the news cycle.
That’s why we’ve launched this special project to put teams of BACKPACKER readers on the ground, in places where help is needed most. This time, we’re not asking for donations; we’re asking for volunteers. It’s time to put some sweat equity into a place that needs safe schools and new health clinics as well as a trekking tourism economy.
Of course, trekking is also on the agenda. We’ll spend the first week working in a rural area. The second week, we’ll go on a trek in the mountains. Think of it as closing the circle between lifesaving aid and life-list adventure. I’ll bet that monk would approve, even if he couldn’t say so.
– Dennis Lewon, BACKPACKER Director of Content
$280 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
On this trip the single supplement includes single rooms in the hotels we stay at before and after the trek. Once on our trek we will not have the ability to put guests in single rooms. Please be prepared to share rooms, huts, tea house accommodations..etc. with other guests and hikers once we’re on the trek. Different sexes will never be asked to share a room unless they are traveling together or we are in communal lodging with several people in one room. During the service project bunk beds or tents will be provided in a communal setting.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
Hiking Distances:
Up to 12 mi
Backpack Weight:
15-25 lbs
Terrain:
Significantly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 4,000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Extreme
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 15-25 lb backpack for 8-10 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking at elevations of 15,000+ feet
- Hiking with occasional, extreme heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Nepal hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
BOOKING FLIGHTS
For our Nepal treks you will need to arrive in Kathmandu on the day the trip begins before 5 P.M. Your guide will rendezvous with you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. An orientation meeting, dinner and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled for the final day of the tour. Flights to and from Kathmandu are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Kathmandu, but there are no direct flights from U.S. or European cities. Most flights connect through Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar), New Delhi (India), Seoul (South Korea). The duration of these multiple-stop flights, including layovers, is normally between 29 and 35 hours.
Your flight on the final day can depart anytime.
We require a minimum of 4 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, or be refunded your payments in full. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
On this Nepal hiking tour, we will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal and transport you to our hotel in Thamel (tourist section of Kathmandu). We will have some down time to rest, have showers and eat. This evening we will meet for team introductions and questions. Subsequently, we will go out to dinner at our favorite local Nepali restaurant. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water in route, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Self care begins immediately.
Day 2
Today is set up as a rest day to recuperate from your long travels and enjoy the wonderful culture and sites of Kathmandu. An optional city and temple tour is organized for the group today starting after breakfast. This tour includes a guide and transportation to visit multiple sites around Kathmandu. The only extra costs during this tour are for the entrance fees to the world heritage sites we visit; the Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple), the Pashupatinath Temple, and the Boudhanath Stupta. Meals outside of breakfast, included at the hotel, are planned on your own to give maximum flexibility to explore the city, relax and shake off your travels and jet lag.
Day 3
Today we will leave Kathmandu and travel to the project site in the village of Kakani District. This is approximately a 2 hours drive to from Kathmandu. Once we arrive to Kakani we will get settled into our tented accommodations and get oriented to the area and the service project.
Days 4-8
These days we will be working on the building project for 8-10 hours each day. Training and tools will be provided. All meals are included during this time.
Day 9
Today we will pack up, say our goodbye to the building project team and head back to Kathmandu. Dinner today is on your own.
Day 10
This day is a rest day set aside for sightseeing, relaxation, and recuperation in Kathmandu. Lunch and dinner today will be on your own. Tonight you will meet your trekking guides and they will conduct an orientation meeting with a thorough briefing your route and answer any last-minute questions you may have.
Day 11
Today we transfer to Koto Village in jeeps. It is an 11-12 hour drive along one of the most unique and scenic roads in Nepal. One part of our route takes us along an incredible road blasted out of a cliff, and we drive by waterfalls, deep gorges and amazing views. After our arrival in Koto we will get settled in our tea house accommodations for the evening, and enjoy a classic Nepali dinner.
Day 12
- Lowest Elevation: 8,592 feet
- Highest Elevation: 11,748 feet
- Hiking Distance: 12.7 mi (20.5 km)
- Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
Today we embark on our trek with an initial stretch to the town of Meta. We begin by crossing the river and entering the Nar and Phu Valleys. Today’s hike takes us through majestic forests, through a narrow canyon, under a broad waterfall, and out into the open for big mountain views. The last stint into Meta ascends a steep hill, where we earn jaw-dropping views of some of the giant glaciated peaks in the region.
We will check into our tea house, have some time to relax and/or sight-see, then meet for a much-deserved dinner.
Day 13
- Lowest Elevation: 11,748 feet
- Highest Elevation: 13,464 feet
- Hiking Distance: 11.5 mi (18.5 km)
- Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
After breakfast we’ll depart Meta, and begin to see some of the iconic, spectacular Tibetan Buddhist chortens for which Nar and Phu are known. Our hike meanders along a ridge with a wonderful view of a magnificent monastery. We’ll continue hiking through breathtaking canyons and gorges, then up a steep ascent to the village of Phu.
After getting settled into our tea house we’ll go on a short hike up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa to honor Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche who arrived in Nepal with the Dalai Lama in the late 1950’s. We’ll return to Phu for a wonderful hot, Nepali dinner.
Day 14
- Lowest Elevation: 13,464 feet
- Highest Elevation: 16,075 feet (optional hike)
- Trekking Duration: Optional up to 5 hours
Today is a layover day to acclimatize in Phu. You’ll have the option of exploring the village and relaxing/recuperating, or hiking up to the Himlung Himal base camp. Phu is a fascinating village, and a day of exploration here is well spent. Opportunities abound to be around the villagers as they spin wool (sheep and yak), crush seeds into oil paste, and engage in other daily activities.
For those participants interested in an extra challenge, we offer a trek up to Himlung Himal base camp (16,075 feet). Himlung Himal (23,379 feet) was recently opened for climbing, and the route to its base camp takes us through a stunning glacial valley and past herds of blue sheep grazing on steep cliffs.
Day 15
- Lowest Elevation: 11.517 feet
- Highest Elevation: 13,464 feet
- Hiking Distance: 10.3 mi (16.5 km)
- Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
Today we retrace our steps back toward Meta, but deviate at the Nar Phedi monastery, which is our accommodation for tonight. Amazingly, the monastery is all that Nar Phedi consists of.
The monastery accommodations are neat and clean, and the nuns are exceptionally gracious and welcoming. We’ll join them in the kitchen and help/watch them cook dinner on a rustic fireplace. In the evening the nuns often do a blessing (“puja”), which we are welcome to observe. A modest donation box exists for visitors to contribute to the health of this wonderful, friendly place.
Day 16
- Lowest Elevation: 11,517 feet
- Highest Elevation: 13,563 feet
- Hiking Distance: 3.7 mi (6 km)
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
Today is a relaxing hike. We ascend from Nar Phedi and hike along a winding trail up a hill toward Nar. We hike past a line of colorfully painted chortens on the way into the ancient village of Nar around lunch time. Nar is not very far from the famous, very popular Annapurna Trail, but it is off the beaten path enough to be rarely visited by trekkers and is as stunningly picturesque as Nepal gets.
The rest of today is set aside to explore and enjoy Nar. We’ll reconvene for dinner at our tea house.
Day 17
- Lowest Elevation: 13,563 feet
- Highest Elevation: 17,292 feet
- Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km)
- Trekking Duration: 11-13 hours
Today is a strenuous hike so we’ll wake before sunrise, have a quick breakfast and begin trekking towards Kang La Pass, which connects us to the popular Annapurna Circuit. Kang La Pass is not a technically difficult pass, but the high elevation (17,292 feet) will take its toll on us. From the pass we will soak up views over Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, Annapurna II, and other towering Himalayan giants.
*Important Note: In spring the pass can sometimes be impassable, in this case an alternate route will be used.
We’ll descend from the pass and make our way to Ngawal, which sits along the Annapurna Circuit. You will immediately notice the difference of being on the Circuit, as the tea houses are larger, the menus much more extensive and access to cell signals and wifi are again available.
Day 18
- Lowest Elevation: 11,748 feet
- Highest Elevation: 15,003 feet
- Hiking Distance: 5 mi (8 km)
- Trekking Duration: 4 hours
- Driving Duration: 6 hours
Today is the last day of our amazing trek. We’ll notice the temperatures rise and the flora become much greener as we descend more than 6000 feet from where we were yesterday, at Kang La pass. We pass a beautiful lake and arrive in Pisang, where we get picked up by jeeps and driven to Besisahar, where a comfortable lodge awaits.
Day 19
- Driving Duration: 6-7 hours
Today we board jeeps and drive back to Kathmandu and check into our hotel. Tonight we will have a final farewell dinner together at one of our favorite Nepali restaurants.
Day 20
This is the departure day for which to schedule your outbound flights. As a group we will make our way to the airport and say our fond farewells. What an amazing 2+ weeks it’s been!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- $500 direct donation to the service project
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the trip
- Hotel lodging in Kathmandu, lodging during service project, and tea house lodging during the trek
- The majority of meals (Day 9 dinner & Day 2 & 10 lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included)
- TIMS Card and fees (please bring 2-4 passport photos and copy of passport)
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and emergency communication device
What's Not included
- Transportation to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Backpack and trekking poles
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- Day 9 dinner & Day 2 & 10 lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Trip insurance that includes at least $200,000 in evacuation, repatriation coverage (required in Nepal). Additional travel medical coverage is strongly recommended.
- Gratuity for tipping your guide(s) and local crew. Tipping is optional but appreciated; the industry recommendation is 10-20% of total trip cost split between all staff, based upon the quality of your experience. USD is recommended.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This Nepal hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guides.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail snacks* (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, & cookies) to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
*Common trail snack brands and items found easily in the US are not readily available in this destination. (i.e. protein bars, trail bars, beef jerky, etc…) We recommend guests that prefer these types of trail snacks to bring a few of their own choice items from home.
Trip Logistics
Pre-trip Communication
BACKPACKER and the Wildland Trekking team will communicate directly with the group approximately 45 days before the trip to allow any last minute questions from guests and establish a direct line of communication until the start of your trip.
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet you at the airport on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel, where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting the first evening (your flight should arrive in Kathmandu before 5PM).
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join this trip
- Anyone younger than 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Trip Insurance Requirements
Field evacuation and repatriation insurance (at least $200,000) is required on all Nepal trips as a condition of partnership terms with our Nepali vendors. Additional travel medical coverage is strongly recommended.
If you need to purchase field evacuation, repatriation and medical coverage insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance and policies meet all Nepali requirements. Their Travel LX policy fully covers all Nepali requirements.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: [email protected]
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have the required insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions (of particular note for Nepal is to check field evacuation elevation limits).
Please bring a copy of your insurance policy to provide to your guides at the orientation meeting.
Weather in Nepal
Nepal is home to the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. Kathmandu is at an elevation of 4600 feet, but the high points on our Nepal Treks are very high between 13,000 to 18,000 feet. Because of these significant elevation changes and the general unpredictability of mountain weather systems, the temperatures and weather can vary wildly and change rapidly during trips. Higher elevation will mean cooler temperatures.
The chart below shows the temperature and precipitation averages for Kathmandu & Everest Base Camp. This allows a comparison of both the low elevation and high elevation temperature and precipitation averages that one may experience on their trip depending on the highest elevation reached on a specific itinerary and the month(s) visiting Nepal.
The average temperatures and precipitation in the Himalayan region are:
| Kathmandu (4.6K ft) |
Everest BC (17.6K ft) | |||||
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip | Hi | Low | Precip |
| March | 78° F | 49° F | 35 mm | 43° F | 12° F | 5 mm |
| April | 82° F | 55° F | 60 mm | 47° F | 19° F | 12 mm |
| May | 84° F | 61° F | 125 mm | 55° F | 23° F | 27 mm |
| June | 85° F | 67° F | 235 mm | 66° F | 41° F | 43 mm |
| September | 83° F | 66° F | 200 mm | 59° F | 34° F | 63 mm |
| October | 80° F | 57° F | 50 mm | 48° F | 18° F | 8 mm |
| November | 75° F | 47° F | 8 mm | 45° F | 9° F | 3 mm |
| December | 67° F | 40° F | 13 mm | 36° F | 2° F | 3 mm |
Accommodations
APSARA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
5 NIGHTS
We love this hotel and it is one of the original, well-known and best 3 star boutique hotels in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is perfectly situated close to the Tribhuwan International Airport and is located in the exciting district of Thamel; making it very enjoyable and convenient to our guests. We know you will love the view from the rooftop!
(wifi)
NEPALI TEA HOUSES
8 NIGHTS
Tea houses are inns/guest houses with sleeping rooms and home cooked meals. They vary depending on their remoteness. Lower ones have more amenities, such as flush toilets, showers and nicer dining rooms. As we ascend, they get more rustic with simpler “squat” toilets and more basic amenities. Rooms are communal with 2 or 3 beds.
SERVICE PROJECT
6 NIGHTS
Nights spent during the service project portion of this trip will be in provided glamping style tents in a commercial campground within short walking distance to our project’s location. Full bathroom and shower amenities are available. Limited WIFI will be available. Please plan ahead with sim card and data plan purchases if dependable WIFI is needed.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Cherie R
Amazing and Challenging
THis trip is a must!! The humanitarian work and then the trek was life changing! The trek alone was challenging and so gratifying!! The daily treks definitely prepared for our big trek over Kang-La Pass! Well done! The Nepalese people are so gracious and some of the nicest people I have ever met! I made life long friends.
Lawrence B.
Utterly Outstanding Trip
An utterly outstanding trip. The wider experience of volunteering, pre hike cultural excursions and the hike itself slotted together brilliantly to leave a lasting impression on us of Nepal, it’s landscapes, people and culture.
Hayley T.
Trip of a Lifetime!
This was definitely a trip of a life time! Everything was extremely organized and taken care of. Jeevan was very helpful pre-trip while I was in Kathmandu and made sure we had the best experience possible. Shyam and Jangbu are extremely knowledgeable and excellent local guides. Seth really creates an environment where all of the guest treated our porters and our chef like part of the trekking family which you could tell was not the norm for the other trekking groups. That helped create a solid team for the hike.
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