As autumn begins and the monsoon recedes, the skies clear, revealing the stunning snow-capped peaks against a backdrop of towering, rugged mountains. Herds of yak, sheep, and horses descend from the Himalayan pastures.
Thorangla Pass, situated at an altitude of 5,416 meters, offers a unique blend of diverse geography, culture, nature, and adventure. It marks the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, which encompasses the districts of Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, and Kaski in Gandaki Province.
Gyacho Gurung, a member of the District Coordination Committee in Manang and a hotelier in Upper Manang, noted that the onset of autumn has led to an increase in both domestic and foreign tourists traveling from Manang to Mustang via Thorangla Pass.
"The best times to visit Thorangla and Tilicho Lake are autumn and spring," he said. "In the past, most foreign tourists visiting Thorangla were guides and porters, but recently it has become a popular choice among Nepalese travelers as well." In Tibetan, Thorangla means "pass," representing a significant milestone on the journey.
Gurung observed a growing number of groups, including employees, businesspeople, and students, visiting Thorangla and Tilicho during the Dashain and upcoming Tihar holidays. International media have recognized Thorangla as a must-visit destination, highlighting improvements in road transport, accommodation, trail upgrades, communication facilities, and digital marketing.
Julie Shrestha from Kathmandu, who traveled from Manang via Thorangla to Mustang, shared her experiences of the breathtaking snow ranges, diverse geography, rich culture, unique lifestyles, and sacred artifacts. On her journey, she spotted Annapurna I, II, and IV, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and other majestic mountains.
"Thorangla, as part of the Tilicho trek and descent to Muktinath, offers an adventurous experience," Shrestha said. "Being the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, it does come with some risks." Muktinath in Mustang can be reached in a five-day trek from Chame via Thorangla. For those looking for a more extended trek, there is an option for starting from Beshishahar in Lamjung.
Most hikers travel by car to Chame and then trek from there. They often stay in Upper Pisang and Manang, allowing their bodies to acclimatize to the altitude. After about four hours of walking from Upper Manang, trekkers reach Yakkhark, located at an elevation of 4,036 meters.
This area frequently alternates between sunshine and cloudy conditions, accompanied by the sounds of nearby yaks, from which it derives its name, and features hotels and lodges equipped with internet facilities.
After covering 73 kilometers from Yakkhark, trekkers arrive at Thorangla Pedi, the base of Thorangla Pass which is situated at 4,450 meters. A journey of four to five hours from Thorangla Pedi leads to Thorangla High Camp at an altitude of 4,806 meters.
Tourists staying at the high camp typically set out for Thorangla before dawn. Guide Sandesh Adhikari explained that to reach Thorangla in the morning, trekkers must travel overnight due to the winds and adverse weather conditions that often occur in the afternoon.
After approximately 13 hours of trekking from High Camp through Thorangla, travelers arrive at Muktinath, a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, situated at an altitude of 3,762 meters in the Mustang district, which is also accessible by road from the opposite side.
Pramodaraj Regmi, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Jomsom, reported that since its opening for trekking in 1970, Thorangla has increasingly attracted both Nepali and foreign tourists.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, a total of 13,910 foreign tourists traversed Thorangla and visited Mustang via Manang. From July to October of that fiscal year, 2,242 individuals crossed Thorangla. Regmi noted that by the first week of October in the current fiscal year, 1,781 tourists had already made the trek.
Despite some foot trails being disrupted by road construction in other areas, Thorangla remains accessible only by foot, ensuring its long-term tourism potential, according to Rinjin Namgyal Gurung, chairman of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality. He noted that the rural municipality and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project are currently working to upgrade the downhill foot trail from Thorangla to Muktinath. -- RSS