Nepal’s Other Side
Most people come to Nepal thinking of just Everest. That’s famous, yes. But Nepal hides many more trails. Deep valleys, big passes, quiet villages—not many go there. That’s where the real beauty lives. From Nar Phu to Makalu, there are hidden gems waiting. No big crowd. Just silence, sky, snow, and stories.
This journey is not about comfort. It’s about feeling. These treks are not easy. But they are worth every step. Four treks—Nar Phu Valley, Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake, Manaslu Circuit in 10 days, and Makalu Base Camp—all different, all magical. Let’s walk them, one by one.
First Step: Nar Phu Valley Trek
Nar Phu Valley is not like other treks. You don’t see many people there. It starts from Koto, near the Annapurna trail, but once you take a turn toward Nar Phu, everything changes.
The trail became wild. The forest is quiet. Big cliffs rise. You walk next to the river, cross old bridges, and enter a world where time is forgotten.
Villages like Meta, Chyakhu, and Kyang—small, silent, and real. Houses made of stone. People wear thick clothes and live simple lives. No tourist shops. Only yaks, kids playing, and prayer flags dancing in the wind.
Phu village is old and strong. Stone houses stacked on hills. The monastery is watching from above. In the morning, sunlight hits snowy peaks and turns the sky orange. It feels like a dream.
Then you walk to Nar village. It’s quiet, beautiful, and surrounded by a wide valley. People are kind and smile warmly. After that, you climb Kang La Pass—5,306 meters. Tough climb. Snow sometimes. But the view from the top—Annapurna, Chulu, and Pisang—all shouting without sound.
You come down and join the Annapurna Circuit again. But you already touched something deep. Nar Phu changed your idea of trekking.
Bigger Trail: Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake
The Annapurna Circuit is classic. Everyone knows it. But with Tilicho Lake, it became a legend.
From Chame to Manang, the trail is wide open. Mountains stand close. Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, and Gangapurna—white giants beside you. Villages like Pisang and Braga come with gompas and smiles.
Manang is the heart of the trail. It’s a good place to rest, drink tea, and eat apple pie. From here, you take a side trek to Tilicho Lake. It’s not an easy path. Landslides are tricky. One wrong step can send rocks rolling. But you walk carefully. Sky clear, mountain sharp.
Tilicho Lake sits at 4,919 meters. Blue, still, surrounded by ice walls. No noise. Only wind. Some people feel emotion here. It’s more than water. It’s a mirror of the soul.
Back to base, then up to Thorong La Pass—5,416 meters. Hardest day. Wake at 4 AM. Wind strong. Steps slow. But the top gives a reward—360° of the Himalayas. And prayer flags everywhere.
Then downhill to Muktinath, a holy place. Temple, flame, and spring. After that, Jomsom, or even Tatopani if you continue.
Annapurna Circuit is long, but Tilicho makes it unforgettable. Not just beauty, it’s a test of mind too.
Quiet Strength: Manaslu Circuit Trek in 10 Days
Manaslu is the quiet brother of Annapurna. Not many go. But those who go never forget.
Manaslu Circuit trek in 10 days, you walk around the eighth tallest mountain in the world—Mt. Manaslu. You start from Soti Khola. The trail follows the Budi Gandaki River. Many bridges, jungles, and waterfalls.
Villages like Machha Khola, Jagat, and Deng—small, real, and full of smiles. You eat dal bhat, sleep in a wooden lodge, and hear the river at night.
As you climb, the air gets cold. Namrung, Lho, and Samagaon—Tibetan culture has become strong. Monks walk past. Yak bells ring. You see Manaslu peak from Lho. Pure white, like the moon in the morning.
Samagaon is a big stop. People rest here. Some hike to Manaslu Base Camp. Some just enjoy the village. Next is Samdo, then Dharamsala, and then the big pass—Larke La (5,160 m).
Crossing Larke La is hard. Snow. Wind. But when you reach the top, everything makes sense. You feel strong. Not just the body, but inside.
Downhill to Bimtang, trail change. More trees, more life. The trek finishes in Dharapani. From here, you can join the Annapurna route or head back.
In 10 days, Manaslu shows you everything—forest, river, mountain, culture, and silence. It’s a complete circle.
Far Wild: Makalu Base Camp Trek
Makalu Base Camp Trek is not famous. But maybe it should be. It goes to the base of the fifth highest mountain—Makalu (8,481 m). But the way is long, wild, and wonderful.
Start from Tumlingtar. Then drive to Num. From Num, the trail drops, climbs, and drops again. Like a mountain laughing at your legs.
Villages like Seduwa and Tashigaon come with green hills and kind hearts. After Tashigaon, the trail goes straight up to Khongma Danda. This climb is a beast. Thousands of stone steps. But the view is good.
Then you cross passes—Shipton La, Keke La. Cold wind blows. Ice underfoot. But Barun Valley waits on the other side. That valley is heaven. Wild, clean, untouched.
You walk through forests, rocks, and glaciers. Camp or stay in a simple lodge.
Makalu Base Camp—4,870 meters. No one else. Just you, Glacier, and Makalu. So close, it feels like God is standing. Sometimes avalanches echo from ice cliffs. You feel small.
No Wi-Fi here. No signal. But the sky is full of stars. You see the Milky Way and think about life.
Return the same way. Hard, yes. But it was worth it. This trek is not for comfort. It’s for discovery.
What All These Treks Teach
Each trek is different. But they share the same soul. They are not about hotels, not about luxury. They are about walking, seeing, and feeling.
Nar Phu teaches silence.
Tilicho shows beauty.
Manaslu gives balance.
Makalu offers wilderness.
Together, they are Nepal’s secret trails. Less crowded, more heart.
People on these trails still live simply. They smile big, share food, and say “Namaste” with both hands. You sleep in their homes, eat what they cook, and learn what mountain life means.
You carry a backpack, but you leave behind many things—stress, noise, and ego. Trail clean you.
Food and Accommodation
Nar Phu Valley Trek offers basic teahouses in villages like Meta, Phu, and Nar. Expect simple meals: dal bhat, noodles, soups, and Tibetan bread. Accommodation is modest, often shared rooms with warm blankets.
Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake features well-established lodges in villages like Manang and Yak Kharka, offering a wide food variety—dal bhat, pasta, pancakes, and even yak cheese. Rooms range from basic to mid-range comfort, some with attached toilets in lower areas.
Manaslu Circuit Trek (10 Days) is less commercialized. Teahouses serve standard Nepali meals and some Tibetan items. Lodging is simple but cozy, improving each year as popularity grows. Electricity and Wi-Fi may be limited in higher places.
Makalu Base Camp Trek is remote. Accommodation is mostly in homestays and basic lodges until higher altitudes, where camping is necessary. Meals are basic—rice, lentils, and local vegetables. Trekkers should be self-sufficient or join organized tours with crew support.
Weather and Temperatures
Nar Phu Valley Trek sees cold winters (Dec–Feb) with temperatures dropping to -15°C. Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are ideal, with day temperatures around 10°C–15°C and nights much colder.
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake experiences temperate days (12°C–20°C) in autumn and spring. Nights at higher altitudes, especially Tilicho Lake, can fall below -10°C in shoulder seasons.
Manaslu Circuit Trek (10 Days) has similar alpine conditions—spring and autumn are best. Daytime temps range from 10°C to 18°C; nights in places like Lho or Samdo can dip to -6°C or lower.
Makalu Base Camp Trek endures harsh weather. Spring and autumn offer clearer skies with 5°C–15°C days, but nights at base camp drop to -10°C or colder. Monsoon (Jun–Aug) is unsuitable due to landslides.
Not Easy—But Real
These treks are not easy. You need good boots, strong legs, and warm clothes. Sometimes there is no hot shower. Sometimes there is no electricity. Sometimes you walk in rain, snow, or both.
Altitude sickness is real. Go slow. Drink water. Rest. Don’t rush. Mountains always win.
Guides and porters help a lot. Especially in Nar Phu and Manaslu—you need a permit and guide. In Makalu, camping is best, so I need a crew.
Food is simple—dal bhat, noodles, soup, and chapati. But after a long day, it tastes like heaven.
Why Choose Hidden Trails?
If you are tired of crowded places, come to these trails. They show you mountains but also show you yourself.
No fancy hotels. No crowd taking selfies. Just nature, sky, stone, and soul.
You meet a few trekkers, but everyone has a story. They come for peace, for challenge, for connection. You walk alone sometimes but feel full.
Final Words: Step by Step
Nepal has many faces. Everest is one. But these hidden trails—Nar Phu, Tilicho, Manaslu, Makalu—are the deep ones.
They don’t ask you to come. But if you do, they are welcome with the sky open.
You leave dust, you gain memory. You carry blisters, you gain strength.
Next time you plan a trek in Nepal, think about these names. Whisper to them:
Nar.
Phu.
Tilicho.
Larke La.
Barun.
They are not places. They are paths to something more. Something real.
