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
Manangयाक खर्क
Yak Kharka
A cluster of lodges in high yak pasture above Manang, the usual first stop on the climb towards Thorong La.
This is Yak Kharka above Manang on the Annapurna Circuit, not the Yak Kharka pasture above Marpha on the Dhaulagiri Circuit or other pastures of the same name.
- Altitude
- 4,018 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Manang, Gandaki
- Permit
- Permit required
Why go
Yak Kharka, meaning yak pasture, is a small settlement of lodges at about 4,000-4,100 m in the open upper valley of the Jharsang Khola, north-west of Manang. Above the tree line, it sits among juniper scrub and grazing land where yaks and blue sheep are often seen, with views back to Gangapurna and the Annapurna range.
On the Annapurna Circuit it is the standard first stop after Manang, chosen because the walk is short, about 3-4 hours, and the height gain of about 500 m suits acclimatisation. Trekkers returning from Tilicho Lake can also reach it directly from Shree Kharka via Old Khangsar, rejoining the main route here. Ledar, a little higher, is an alternative stop.
History and culture
Yak Kharka grew from a herders' summer pasture into a lodge stop as trekking traffic increased. It belongs to the grazing lands of the upper Manang villages, and herding families still move animals up in summer. There are no old temples here; prayer flags and small cairns mark the trail. In winter most lodges close or run with minimal staff.
Things to do in Yak Kharka
Take an acclimatisation walk
Climb a hundred metres or two on the slopes above the lodges in the afternoon, then return to sleep.
Watch for wildlife
Blue sheep and occasionally Himalayan griffons can be seen on the open hillsides.
Weather and the best time to visit Yak Kharka
Weather in Yak Kharka
Forecast for 4,018 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)
- September to November is the main season, with the clearest skies in October and November.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold and snowy; some lodges close and the pass beyond is often shut.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is the second season, with milder days; early spring can still bring snow higher up.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings rain and landslides on the road below Chame, although upper Manang lies in a drier rain shadow.
Where to stay
TeahousesLodges
A handful of basic lodges; rooms are cold, and dining rooms are heated in the evening.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reached only on foot, from Manang or from Shree Kharka on the Tilicho Lake route.
Nearest hub: Manang
- trekFrom Manang, about 3-4 hours and 9 km via Tengi and Gunsang.
- trekFrom Shree Kharka via Old Khangsar, about 4-5 hours.
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.
- Previous stop:
- Manang (or Shree Kharka from Tilicho)
- Next stop:
- Thorong Phedi
- A typical day:
- From Manang, about 3-4 hours and roughly 500 m of height gain on an open trail through scrub and pasture.
Practical tips
- At about 4,000 m altitude illness is common: walk slowly, drink plenty and do not go higher with symptoms. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Mobile signal is weak or absent; do not count on it.
- Charging and hot showers usually cost extra.
- There is no ATM; bring cash from below.
Treks through Yak Kharka
Questions about Yak Kharka
How high is Yak Kharka?
About 4,018-4,110 m depending on the source. Altitude illness is a real risk from here on.
How long from Manang to Yak Kharka?
About 3-4 hours. The day is kept short on purpose to help acclimatisation.
Can I reach Yak Kharka from Tilicho Lake?
Yes, a trail from Shree Kharka via Old Khangsar reaches Yak Kharka in about 4-5 hours without returning to Manang.
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
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: Annapurna Circuit, Wikivoyage, Thorong La, Wikipedia, Yak Kharka, OpenStreetMap