Thorong La — Local services in Barhagaun Muktikhsetra

I attempted the Thorong La pass in beginning of December. I only got up to Phedi High camp, I got AMS there and had to descend. Thorong-La Pass is a very popular trek in Nepal, also going by the name of Annapurna Circuit. Its a tea house style trek and takes you through an altitude ranging from 870m in Besishahar to 5416m at the Thorong La pass. You can see breathtaking views of the Annapurna range throughout the trek. Its length varies anywhere from 12-28 days and also has a lot of side treks like Tilicho and Ice Lake enroute. You need a TIMS and ACAP permit to do this trek. You see a lot of solo and group trekkers from different nationalities on this trek. Teahouses can fill up quickly during peak trek season. You get to experience authentic Buddhist culture as you pass through all villages enroute the trek. The whole of Manang region, which Thorong La is located in, is sparsely populated and predominantly Buddhist. Try out the local delicacies like seabuckthorn juice, yak cheese and yak meat. Visit beautiful and pristine Buddhist Gompas, see majestic peaks and mountains enroute, feast on Nepali Dal Bhat, cross suspension bridges at dizzying heights over gushing rivers and also push yourself to the limit while trekking in high altitudes. The Annapurna Conservation area is also home to rare animas like Himalayan Blue Sheep, Pallas' cat, Snow leopard etc. Marvel at these beasts that exist at high altitudes where human inhabitants are very few in number. If you're looking for beautiful treks that take you through lush green forests, arid desert like regions and through snow laden trails all in one single trek, this is the apex of it. I am headed there again to finish what I started and cross the elusive...

Thorong-La Pass is one of the highest and most spectacular passes in the world, and on the Annapurna Circuit which is often praised as the holy grail of trekking. The views of all the surrounding Himalayan snow capped mountain peaks from here is breathtaking and for many, this will be a life changing experience! However, at 5416 meters (17,769 feet) which is higher than both Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp, this infamous pass can be difficult for some: unpredictable climatic conditions, cold icy-winds and possible blizzards, altitude sickness, headaches, insomnia, and nausea etc! It can also get extremely crowded during peak trekking seasons! So the message is, plan well and be prepared. If you haven't been to high altitude before then best that you acclimatize at Thorong High Camp (4,880 metres or 16,010 ft) or for more comfortable accommodation, at Thorong Phedi (4,540 metres or 14,895 ft) and you'll conquer the challenge of this amazing high...

The highest point in Annapurna circuit trek. Best if you cross the pass before noon. Best of you approach from Manang side. You can camp at base camp or High camp. It takes around 3 hours for average person to climb up from high camp and around 5 from base camp. If you want to have proper sleep then you can stay at base camp. It helps to acclimatize if you've already been to Tilicho lake or other aide treks from Manang. Then you can directly push from Base camp to thorong la with ease. However, if you've haven't been to around 5000 m on the trek then it's best if you stay at high camp as well after base camp to help you acclimatize. It's a long way down to Muktinath from Thorong la. You can also bike down from here. High camp to thorong la is not very difficult like tilicho base camp to tilicho lake. Muktinath has better road connectivity, you can take vehicles and reach Jomsom from there and then take a bus to Pokhara. Enjoy your time in the Annapurna...