Annapurna Circuit Thorang La Trek: World's Highest Pass

Destination
Nepal
Activity
Trekking
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Tea house
Region
Annapurna Region
Distance
131 km
Start / End Point
Chame/Muktinath
Duration
12 Nights 13 Days
Max. Altitude
5416m
Meals Included
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Group Size
1-50
Nature of Trek
Tea house trek
Best Season
March-May / August-November
Trip Code
AT-ACT
Activity Per Day
5-6 hrs
Transporation
Jeep / bus
Grade
Moderate

Annapurna Circuit Thorang La Trek: World's Highest Pass Overview

Arguably the most popular trekking route in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you around the entire Annapurna Mountain Range. You will begin from 800 meters and reach an elevation of 5416 meters. You will traverse through diverse landscapes and human cultural settlements. On this trek of the Annapurna region, you’ll experience a variety of cultures, traverse through forests, fields, and rocky ridges, and discover many naturally exotic places. The trek will last for about 12 days as you go around the Annapurna Range exploring it from all directions. You’ll also visit popular destinations like Muktinath, Jomsom, and Poon Hill as well. Most importantly, you’ll walk across the Thorang La Pass, one of the highest passes in the world.

Trip Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek
    • Crossing the world’s highest pass, Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.
    • Majestic mountain views of the Annapurna range, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt Macchapuchchhre.
    • Diverse landscapes, rich Tibetan cultures, and astonishing Buddhist monasteries.

     

Discover Diverse Cultures During This Trek

Exploration of Tibetan culture is another important aspect of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. You’ll visit monasteries and Chortens which are some sacred places of Buddhists. In addition, you’ll get familiar with the Sherpa living in the Himalayas and their livelihood. Moreover, you’ll also know about Hinduism as you visit one of their most holy places i.e., the Muktinath Temple.

Muktinath temple is also one of the leading destinations of this trek. The holy temple of Muktinath is a popular destination among the Hindu as well as Buddhist pilgrims. However, other tourists also go there to see the historical and sacred temple.

It is an immensely popular Vishnu temple situated in the Muktinath Valley at the bottom of the Thorang La mountain pass. Around 108 water spouts surround the temple premises.

 Traverse assorted landscapes

Annapurna Circuit Trek passes through four districts of Nepal. We go counter-clockwise around the Annapurna Massif as we move through Chame, Manang, Muktinath, Jomsom, Tatopani, and Ghorepani, among other places. The circuit encompasses forests, rivers, hills, valleys, and mountains across the Midwest to the northern part of Nepal.

Along with Annapurna, the trail also provides some magnificent views of other mountains like Manaslu, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri. Furthermore, places such as Poon Hill provide glimpses of other mountains like Machhapuchhre, Himchuli, and Lamjung Himal. Moreover, this trek can be combined with Tilicho lake, the world's highest lake and Annapurna Base camp. When Annapurna Circuit Thorang La trek Itineraries are reviewed, modifications can be done to cover the Tilicho lake and base camp.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Best Season

The ideal times to visit are the months of September, October, and November. Also, February, March, April, and May are equally good times for the trek.

These months of autumn and spring provide favourable weather to enjoy trekking. During these two seasons, the hills and forests will be covered by green vegetation and Rhododendron flowers and the sky is usually clear so, the best views of the Himalayas can be perceived during this time of the year. However, monsoon seasons are less favourable.

How to Prepare for This Trek?

In order to hike that Annapurna circuit, we should avoid alcohol because it may hamper our lungs as it is very difficult to breathe in higher altitudes. The chances of getting AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or altitude sickness are high so, an emergency first-aid kit and insurance are a must. Hot waters, wet tissues and warm clothes are mandatory because hot showers are barely available in remote areas.

An experienced guide who can cope with any life-threatening incident has a good knowledge of routes and contact with locals is also equally vital. Don't worry our agency will provide such a guide. Annapurna circuit Thorang La Trek's cost may vary as per the agency but guides and services provided by the agencies must be taken into consideration.

Annapurna Circuit Trek in October

Annapurna Circuit Thorang La Trek: World's Highest Pass

  1. day 1

    Drive from Pokhara to Chame

    Flight Hours 4 hours
    Highest Altitude 1860 m

    Early morning at 6 am, we hire a cab to reach local bus station. From there we take a local bus that will take us to Besishahar. It takes about 4 hours to reach there. From Besishahar, we take a 4-hour Jeep ride to Chame. It's a beautiful village lies at an altitude of 2650 m. Overnight stay at Chame village. 

      • Overnight stay at Trekkers Lodge
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  2. day 2

    Chame to Upper Pisang

    Highest Altitude 3300 m
    Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

    We follow a narrow path through dense forest and then along a steep rocky trail. We pass through Telekhu, Bhrathang and cross a bridge to reach the south bank of the Marshyangdi River. We then walk along a gentle climb northward with the view of Annapurna 2 at our backs. We finally reach the town of Upper Pisang, where we spend the night.

      • Overnight stay at New Trekkers Hotel (room with attached bathroom)
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  3. day 3

    Upper Pisang to Nagwal to Manang

    Highest Altitude 3540 m
    Trek Duration 7-8 hrs

    After breakfast, we ascend towards the typical Tibetan-styled village called Ghyaru. From the top of the Ghyaru the panaromic view of Annapurna range looks astounding. After 1.5 hours walk we reach to Nagwal village to take lunch and rest for moment. On the way to Manang we have to pass through Braka village. At this place there is a Gumba that is quite stunning, also it is the largest one in the district. After walking for about 7 hours from morning, we finally reach Manang.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel 
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  4. day 4

    Rest and Acclimatization day at Manang

    Highest Altitude 3519 m
    Trek Duration 2-3 hrs

    It is crucial to acclimatize at higher altitudes treks. So, we spend the day exploring the town as there are several places worth visiting.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel 
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  5. day 5

    Manang to Yak Khraka (4110m) 3-4 hrs

    Highest Altitude 4050 m
    Trek Duration 4 hrs

    It is a gentle climb to the village of Tenki, and we continue to climb out of the Marsyangdi valley. The route further passes through the village of Gunsang. After that, you will walk across grasslands that are the grazing places of yaks. After crossing a bridge and walking for some time, we will reach the village of Yak Kharka.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel 
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  6. day 6

    Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi

    Highest Altitude 4525 km
    Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

    After walking uphill for a while, we cross a suspension bridge and then reach the village of Ledar. We climb upward further until we reach Thorang Phedi.

      • Overnight stay at Thorong High Camp Hotel
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  7. day 7

    Thorung Phedi to Thorang La Pass to Muktinath

    Highest Altitude 5,416m / 17,756ft
    Trek Duration 9 hrs

    We will walk up a steep slope towards one of the highest passes in the world; Thorang La pass. After reaching the pass, we walk downhill to the Muktinath valley where we spend the night.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel in Muktinath (room with attached bathroom)
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  8. day 8

    Muktinath to Jomsom-Marpha

    Highest Altitude 2670 m
    Trek Duration 4-5 hrs

    In the morning, we visit the popular Vishnu Temple and also the Gumba nearby. Then, we start descending down for about 4 to 5 hours until we reach Marpha.

    • Overnight Stay at Hotel

      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  9. day 9

    Drive to Tatopani

    Flight Hours 3 hrs Jeep
    Highest Altitude 1200 m / 3940 ft

    We get on a Jeep from Marpha and drive to Tatopani which takes approximately 3 hours.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel 
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  10. day 10

    Tatopani to Ghorepani

    Highest Altitude 2860 m / 9383 ft
    Trek Duration 8 hrs

    We walk uphill across terraced farmland with endless views of the mountains. We pass through the villages of Shikha, Chitre and across forests of rhododendron. After hiking uphill for about 8 hours, we reach the beautiful village situated on the ridge.

      • Overnight stay at hotel (room with attached bathroom)
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  11. day 11

    Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Nayapul-Pokhara

    Flight Hours 2 hrs
    Highest Altitude 2860 m / 9383 ft
    Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

    We start early to catch the sunrise from Poon Hill. It is about an hour walk to the top of the hill. After enjoying the view, we return back to Ghorepani. We then have our breakfast and start descending. We pass through Ulleri, Tikhedhunga, Birethanti and finally reach Nayapul after 7 hours. From there, we take a ride back to Pokhara, which takes about 1.5 hours.

      • Overnight stay at Hotel in Pokhara
      • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch)

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Trail Map

everest base camp trek map

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