Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi: Conquering the High Pass in Manaslu and Annapurna Trek

22 Jul 2024 Chandra Gurung

The fun part about trekking is making memories on the exciting trekking trails in Nepal. If you talk about Manaslu and Annapurna Trek, they meet at the Thorong La Pass, a challenging crossing, that gives you an adventure and a thrill of a kind. 

The trekking experience from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi, the approximate 6 km journey, is a highlight. Thorong Lass is at the highest elevation of 5416 m in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal. It is reached by following the route from Yak Kharka (4050 m) to Thorang Phedi (4500 m). 

Yak Kharka: The Grazing fields that need no introduction 

Alpine meadow-high grassland ecosystem, that is ideally the yak grazing areas, Yak Kharka, the literal translation, resonates with the story of yaks grazing land. Here, the word “yak” refers to the domestic animal, and “Kharka” refers to the grazing land of yak. 

Yak Kharka (4050 m) is a traditional cultural village with a mix of Tibet and Nepal, with welcoming mani walls and small structural chortens. Yak Kharkha is a small village with settlements of Gurungs, Manangis, and Tibetans, offering a glimpse of local culture. 

You would see many yaks and horses grazing up on the hill. The grazing field of Yak Kharka is an essential part of an ecosystem supporting the livelihood of the communities.

Yak Kharka offers stunning panoramic vistas of peaks surrounded by Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Chulu Peak. The morning views from Yak Kharka, which have a golden glow, provide the perfect transcendence for breathtaking photographs. You would also get the opportunity to see lush pastures where yaks graze and cascading waterfalls that sparkle in the sunlight.

Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi: What can you Expect? 

The route from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi gives you the experience of a rollercoaster through various landscapes. You would be taking an upward slope smoothly.  Along the way from Yak Kharka to Churi Lader, you will cross the Jarsang Khola and Deurali with the help of a long suspension bridge. 

While you are moving to Churi Ledar, you will land on the flattened and foggy trail, making it an easier way to walk. You would encounter the trail sign to follow, as this section can be tricky and mislead your way.

Again, towards the Thorong Phedi from Churi Ledar, the trail is a little more harsh due to the uphill climb. The trails are pebbled with small rocks and snow, which will make it difficult to balance your feet. Moreover, there might be a chance of a landslide as the way is in a rocky section. Weather conditions are also unpredictable, especially in the afternoon so trekkers need to pace faster towards Thorang Phedi.

From Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi, the teahouses or guest houses are limited in their basic amenities. However, they would provide proper lodging and healthy Tibetan food that fit the weather conditions.

Trekkers would get a chance to immerse themselves in the landscape rich in history, culture, and natural wonders when they make their way to Yak Kharka- Thorong Phedi. You would surely be challenging yourself to ascent gradually to high altitude with the reward of witnessing the heavenly mountains and conquering the high passes of the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Treks.

Yak Kharka: Preparing Mind and Body for the Climb

Yak Kharka transcends the role of a mere rest stop, where trekkers make their bodies and minds acclimated and ready to prepare for climbing towards Thorong Phedi and the challenging Thorong La Pass.

To prepare yourself to adjust for higher elevation, you must also prepare your mind and body for a few days in Yak Kharka (4,050 m) by doing early morning yoga breathing exercises while sitting comfortably, crossing your right leg over your left with the spine straight. Use your right hand to close the right nostril and inhale through the left nostril and vice versa, repeatedly for 5-10 cycles.

Yoga poses of Viparita Karani (similar to lunges you do at the gym), which involve laying your back and swinging both legs (as much as possible) against the walls. Also, keep your hips close to the wall, placing your arms at your sides with your palms facing up. Inhale when you fall and exhale while you rise through your belly; continue for 5-15 minutes.

This yoga breathing and pose exercise will make your mind resilient and calm your body muscles to battle against Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS). It gives your heart and lungs to perform well, providing you with the strength and enthusiasm to dare the adventure. If you are not in a state, then you can walk for 1-3 hours regularly to prepare your body and set your mind

When you finally reach Thorong La Pass,  take a deep breath in the crisp and thin air, sensing the achievement of climbing the high pass elevation.

Yak Kharka to Churi Ledar

After taking the lead from Yak Kharka and walking for 1 kilometer, slowly ascending uphill at 150 m elevation, you would reach Churi Ledar (4200 m). The additional elevation can help your body adjust to thin, crispy air, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.

You would be hiking through flat fields with majestic mountain views and horses roaming around the fields. Each side of the trail will be covered with huge hillocks with drizzling snow on top, as if you are walking on the red carpet.

Churi Ledar is also one of the alternative places to Yak Kharka for acclimatization before attempting Thorang La Pass, given the basic availability of guesthouses. Even though the settlements are in remote areas, guest houses provide essential amenities such as meals, hot beverages, and comfortable beds for you to move to a higher altitude and be healthy.

When you wake up from your morning sunshine, come out to see the tranquil mountain views while having breakfast. It would recharge and soak you in the stunning beauty of the Himalayas, such as Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Chulu Peak. 

Interact with guest house owners and learn their way of life in a high-altitude environment. You can also share your story of leading in the place and ask for some tips for climbing the high pass of Manaslu and Annapurna Trek.

Churi Ledar to Thorang Phedi

As you leave after breakfast from Churi Ledar, you will again be taking the gradual uphill of 250 m at an elevation of roughly 4.5 kilometres. Then, you would reach Thorong Phedi, situated at an altitude of 4450 m, after crossing the Jarsang Khola and Deurali with the help of a suspension bridge. 

Thorang Phedi is the final stop and gateway to Thorong La Pass. Thorong Phedi is the crucial resting point for being adaptable to the high passes of the Manaslu and Annapurna Treks. On the way, trekkers will encounter small rocks that make the terrain unsafe and cause them to lose their footing. So be extra careful with the small stones, as they can be slippery. Try to avoid footing your feet on the rock.

You would be ascending moderately through the alpine meadow and sparse vegetation. This part of the trek offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, providing ample opportunities to capture the magnificent views with your memory and camera. Clearer views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Chulu Peak can be seen as you elevate higher.

Thorang Phedi is a habitat with fewer tea houses or guest houses and fewer basic facilities. Trekkers can encounter horses and yaks on the way to Thorang Phedi. Likely, you can rest and do some warm physical exercise with all the necessary gear prepared to set your way to the highest passes of the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Conquering the High Pass: Thorong La Pass

Thorang La Pass is situated at an elevation of 5416 m. One of the high passes and centric points of attraction for trekkers of the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek. It’s the most challenging spot and typically needs an early start to avoid afternoon winds and potential weather changes. 

As you steep for the Thorang La Pass from the Thorang Phedi, the air thins even further, making it a more deliberate effort to breathe. Snow begins to blanket the path, in contrast with the rocky terrain below. But at the same time, your reward starts to unfold with dawn paints of the majestic peak of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and countless other Himalayan giants piercing the clear sky.

Finally, after 3-4 hours of steep, persistent walking from Thorang Phedi, you will reach the top of Thorang La Pass. Standing at the gateway between the Manang and Mustang districts will give you immense accomplishment in conquering physical and mental challenges. Himalayan range views of 360° and glaciers on the top of the pass would let you forget all the challenges and relay the satisfaction of achievement on conquering.

Conclusion

The journey from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi offers stunning panoramic views surrounded by Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Chulu Peak, and other high-elevation mountains. Then, reaching Thorang La Pass, the highest peak in Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek will make you witness the 360° views of a mountain surrounded by the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

It’s challenging to make your journey to Thorang La Pass from Yak Kharka but the views with a golden glow provide the perfect transcendence for breathtaking photographs. You would also get the opportunity to see lush pastures where yaks graze and cascading waterfalls that sparkle in the sunlight. 

To make your way to the safest trail full of adventure, you can count on the Manaslu Guide for your journey to the high pass of the two-circuit trek, i.e. Manaslu and Annapurna.