A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Manangथोरोङ फेदी
Thorong Phedi
The lodges at the foot of the Thorong La, where Annapurna Circuit trekkers sleep before the pre-dawn climb to the pass.
- Altitude
- 4,540 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Manang, Gandaki
- Permit
- Permit required
Why go
Thorong Phedi, phedi meaning the foot of a hill, is a small group of lodges at the head of the Jharsang Khola valley at about 4,450-4,540 m, directly below the steep climb to the Thorong La. It is the last overnight stop on the eastern side of the pass for most trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit.
From here the climb to the pass at 5,416 m usually takes 4-5 hours, starting before dawn to cross before the wind rises. Some trekkers walk on for about an hour to Thorong High Camp (about 4,800-4,880 m) to shorten the pass day, at the cost of sleeping higher. The evening atmosphere is busy with trekkers preparing gear and checking the weather.
History and culture
Thorong Phedi has no village history; it grew from herders' shelters into a lodge stop serving the pass. The Thorong La has long been a trade and pilgrimage route between Manang and Muktinath, used by herders and pilgrims before trekking began. In October 2014 a severe blizzard linked to Cyclone Hudhud trapped many trekkers around the pass, and dozens of people died, which led to more attention to weather warnings and shelter on both sides.
Things to do in Thorong Phedi
Prepare for the pass
Check the weather with lodge staff and other groups, pack warm layers and a headlamp, and plan an early start, usually around 4-5 am.
Short acclimatisation climb
Walk partway up towards High Camp in the afternoon and come back down to sleep.
Weather and the best time to visit Thorong Phedi
Weather in Thorong Phedi
Forecast for 4,540 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are the most reliable months for crossing the pass.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold; heavy snow often closes the pass and some lodges shut.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is the second season; snow can linger on the pass in March and early April.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is drier than the lower valleys but cloud, rain and fresh snow on the pass are possible.
Where to stay
TeahousesLodges
Two or three large lodges that fill up in peak season; arrive early. High Camp has one or two more.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reached only on foot, usually from Yak Kharka.
Nearest hub: Manang
- trekFrom Yak Kharka, about 3-4 hours and 6-7 km via Ledar, crossing a landslide-prone slope.
- trekFrom Muktinath on the western side, a very long and steep ascent over the pass, not recommended.
Permits and fees
Permit required
Inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an ACAP permit is required.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Required throughout the conservation area; checked at trail checkpoints.
- TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
- Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP).
On the trail
On the Annapurna Circuit, Tilicho Lake trek (when continuing over the pass).
- Previous stop:
- Yak Kharka or Ledar
- Next stop:
- Muktinath via Thorong La
- A typical day:
- From Yak Kharka, about 3-4 hours and about 450-500 m of height gain; the following pass day is 7-9 hours.
Practical tips
- At about 4,500 m altitude illness is common. If you have symptoms, do not go up to the pass; descend instead. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Do not cross the pass in bad weather or fresh snow; wait or go back down.
- Mobile signal is weak or absent; satellite or lodge phones may be the only contact.
- Bring a warm sleeping bag; rooms are unheated and well below freezing at night.
Treks through Thorong Phedi
Questions about Thorong Phedi
How high is Thorong Phedi?
About 4,450-4,540 m depending on the source, roughly 900-1,000 m below the Thorong La.
Should I sleep at Thorong Phedi or High Camp?
Phedi is lower, which is better for sleep and acclimatisation; High Camp shortens the pass day by about an hour. Choose based on how you feel.
What time should I leave for the pass?
Most groups leave between about 4 and 5 am to cross before the wind builds around midday.
More in Manang
All of Manang
Valley or region · 4,150 m
Nar Phu Valley
A restricted high valley north of the Annapurna Circuit, with two old Tibetan Buddhist villages, Nar and Phu, reached through a narrow gorge from Koto.
Lake · 4,919 m
Tilicho Lake
A glacial lake at about 4,920 m beneath the ice walls of Tilicho Peak, reached on a demanding side trip from Manang.
Trek stop · 2,670 m
Chame
The district headquarters of Manang, a road-head town in fir and pine forest where most Annapurna Circuit trekkers spend a night.
Trek stop · 1,900 m
Dharapani (Manang)
A Marsyangdi valley village where the Manaslu Circuit joins the Annapurna Circuit road.
Trek stop · 2,600 m
Koto
A small village in pine and fir forest on the Annapurna Circuit, just below Chame, and the start of the trail into the Nar Phu valley.
Trek stop · 3,660 m
Ngawal
A stone village high on the north side of the Manang valley, on the upper Annapurna Circuit route and at the foot of the Kang La from Nar.
Trek stop · 3,300 m
Pisang
Twin villages in the upper Marsyangdi, where the old stone houses of Upper Pisang look across to Annapurna II.
Trek stop · 4,070 m
Shree Kharka
A small lodge stop in high pasture west of Manang, on the trail to Tilicho Base Camp and Tilicho Lake.
Nearby
Mountain pass · 5,416 m
Thorong La
The 5,416 m pass between Manang and Muktinath, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,762 m
Muktinath
A high temple complex below the Thorong La, sacred to Hindus as Mukti Kshetra and to Buddhists as Chumig Gyatsa.
Town or village · 3,519 m
Manang
A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Thorong La, Wikipedia, Annapurna Circuit, Wikivoyage, Thorong Phedi, OpenStreetMap