Valleys of Naar and Phu trek

 

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Day 11 Naar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACAP information sign at the entrance of Naar

 

Naar

 

 
 

House in Naar

 

 

Ladder in a courtyard

 

 

The village of Naar

 

 

Naar lady in the gompa

 

 

Day 12 Naar to Kang La Phedi

 

Today is a short walk to the highest point on out trek. Kang La Phedi is located on an old moraine at 4700m. The area is fairly desolate (well above the tree line) but offers great views of Pisang Peak rising just above us as well as Kangguru to the East,

As the walk takes only 2 hours you might decide to leave late and spend the morning exploring Naar.

In theory it might be possible to walk all the way from Naar to Ngawal over the Kang La but these extra two hours would turn what is already a challenging day into an extremely long walk. And the night at 4700m helps with acclimatization as well.

 

The village of Naar

 

 

Leaving the village of Naar

 

 

Kang La Phedi camp

 

 

Heading for the Kang La

 

 

Day 13 Kang La Phedi to Kang La and Ngawal

 

We make an early start so as not to have to rush during the day. The morning is rather cold but clear and the ascent to the Kang La takes about 3 hours. There is a fair amount of snow on the northern side of the pass but fortunately a yak caravan passed yesterday and left good tracks.

On the way up I spot snow leopard tracks in the snow...at least something if you can't get to see the real thing.

The altitude at the top of the pass is 5340m, The south side of the pass is more or less free of snow and the views are stupendous: far below we can see the Annapurna Circuit trail and make out the airstrip at Humde. Rising above the valley you see Annapurna II, IV, III, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak.

The start of the descent is very steep and loose but we are lucky as there is no snow. Still, you need to take care at the beginning. After a little while it becomes easier but the descent is very long (it's a 2000m drop) and hard on the knees.

We decided to stop at Ngawal. It would be possible to walk another 2 hours to Braga or even 2 and a half hours to Manang but it would make it an extremely long day.

 

 

 

Heading for the Kang La

 

 

Heading for the Kang La

 

 
 

Snow leopard footprints in the snow

 

 

Heading for the Kang La

 

 

Heading for the Kang La

 

Reaching the top of the pass

 

 

Start of the descent towards the Marshyangdi valley and Ngawal

 

 

The view from the Kang La: Annapurna II, IV, III and Gangapurna

 

 

The view from the Kang La: Annapurna II, IV, III and Gangapurna

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The start of the descent is steep!

 

 

Above Ngawal

 

Heading towards Manang with the Kang La clearly visible near the top left of the ridge (snow free area)

 

 

Day 14 Ngawal to Manang

 

We didn't initially plan to stop at Manang but our cook needed to buy many supplies so was very keen on stopping for the night. I think that there is good chang at Manang too so that might have been another compelling reason.

The walk from Ngawal to Braga takes about 2 hours.. First you descend gently through a sparse forest. On your right hand side you see the ridge formed by Chulu East, Kang La and Pisang Peak and wonder how you managed to come down so quickly from such a height.

We rejoin the Annapurna trail and it comes as a bit of a shock to see other trekkers walking on what is more or less a road into Braga. Shops offering all sorts of worldly goods, German bakeries etc... we are back (briefly) into civilization.

The monastery at Braga is perched on a small hill and well worth a visit. If it is closed try to find the keeper so that you can take a look inside.

Finally by noon we reach Manang. It's never been one of my favourite places but at least in November it is not very busy. Camp site is noisy and dusty as usual.

 

A traditional bridge near Braga

 

The monastery of Braga

 

 

The monastery of Braga

 

Manang viewed from a higher point

 

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