Nepal is one of the most popular countries for mountain-climbing and trekking in the world. Being the home of the most of the tallest mountains in the world including the tallest one, Mount Everest which ranges up to the elevation of 8,848 meters above the sea level, Nepal is in the list of many adventurers of the world.

In those high Himalayas, there are several groups of people that have been residing for many generations. Their culture and tradition are unlike the city areas. Their isolated living in the hidden valleys and villages of the Himalayas has lived up their cultural uniqueness.

Out of the long list of best trekking destination in the world, Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the best. And, throughout the trekking in Annapurna Circuit, Tharong La Pass is the most famous spot.

Throng La Pass and the reason why it is famous

Throng La Pass falls within the trail of Annapurna Circuit Trek. Annapurna Circuit Trek is a trek within the Annapurna mountain range with the total length 160-230 km. The distance varies depending on which motor transportation you have used.

Thorong La is a mountain pass which is situated at an elevation of 5,416 meters/17,769 feet above the sea level in the Damodar Himal in the northern part of Annapurna Himal. Thorong La Pass is located in the trail of the circuit trek that connects the village of Manang in the Manang District in the eastern part with the Muktinath temple and the nearby village of Ranipauwa, in the Mustang towards the western side.

As the trekking to the Annapurna Circuit is one of the very popular and favorite destinations, throughout the trek, Thorong La Pass is probably the most famous spot of the whole trek. It is because it is the highest point on the while circuit trekking.

Way up to the Thorong La Pass, through Annapurna Circuit Trek

The trekking towards the Annapurna circuit starts from Besisahar, or you can say it the usually the trail taken by most of the trekkers. You can get to Besisahar from Kathmandu by bus or any vehicle in about 5-6 hours of time.

Besisahar is the headquarter of Lamjung. After the long hour drive, most of the trekkers stay in Besisahar, or they go little further from Besisahar to a place called Syange. From Besisahar, you can choose either to trek to Manang or to take the jeep. Most trekkers take a walk to the Manang because the roads are really bad and rough and it can get pretty nasty. However, one advantage of taking a vehicle is you won’t get stuck in traffic, as it is an option which is rarely chosen.

Trekking further from Manang, your paths will be steeper and little rough as well. Moving further, you will reach Yak Kharka and moving there you will see some of the mesmerizing views of Chulu West. When you move on from Yak Kharka, you will also cross a suspension bridge over the Jarsang River. Continuing your walk to the steep-walled canyon, which has a great risk of avalanches during the heavy snowfall in winter, you will finally reach the Thorong Phedi. Thorong Phedi lies at an elevation of 4,540 meters/14,895 feet and it although the first name is similar it is not the ultimate destination.

You can choose to stay the night in Thorong Phedi, or you can do it in Thorong High Camp, which is at an elevation of 4,888 meters. Thorong High Camp lies just in a few hour walk distance from Throng Phedi. It will be best to rest as the next day you will be passing the highest point of the whole trekking, so it is wise to acclimatize in lower elevation regions. While moving towards the Thorong La pass from Thorong Phedi or Thorong High Camp, most of the trekkers choose to go in around 4 am because later in the day the wind of this area gets blustery. Trekking to Thorong La Pass, you will see many magnificent views of the whole Manang and the splendid view of high Himalayas like Gangapurna and Annapurna III. Trekking to the Thorong La Pass takes effort and energy but is about the patience as well. You will see like the pass is just so close to you, and you summon all inside you to grab that victory, but arriving at that point, it is just another hill to a ridge. But, after all the endurance and endeavor, when you finally get to the highest point, you will feel like your patience and effort paid you off. The view you see is just breathtaking, the feeling of achievement and victory of reaching is something you should feel by yourself. And, with all the emotions on your heart and head, you will feel like an ultimate champion.

After your conquest of his highest point, you will move down from the Thorong La Pass and head towards Muktinath. Muktinath is one of the sacred pilgrimage sites of Nepal for Hindus as well as Buddhist which lies at an altitude of 3,710 meters. The holy environment around the temple, the sound of bells, the smell of oil lamps and incense stick, the water running down from the bull face tap, these all small things will light you up. There is also a belief that taking a bath from those water will cure any sickness and disease, so every year the temple is visited by thousands of devotees from Nepal and India as well.

From Muktinath, you can get a vehicle to go down to Jomsom, or you can trek. I guess you will prefer trekking, as it gives more to explore and experience in this amazing circuit trek. From Muktinath, you will trek down to the Kali Gandaki Valley. You will also pass through several small settlement villages like Khingar and Jharkot, which are very rich in culture and tradition especially in Tibetan architecture. Along with those distinctive villages, you will also witness the beautiful mountain views including Mount Nilgiri and Mount Dhaulagiri. Well, now you will arrive at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang district. From Jomsom, you will fly to Pokhara and Kathmandu. Or, from Jomsom you can trek to the beautiful Beni and stay a day exploring town. Then from Beni you can go to Pokhara and to the Kathmandu.