The Annapurna High Camp Trek is a 10-day trip through the Himalayas with mountain roads, quiet villages and one of Nepal’s best-known high passes. It follows part of the Annapurna Circuit. You drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and on to Chame, then walk through Upper Pisang, Manang and Yak Kharka to the high camp below Thorong La Pass. The crossing of Thorong La, at 5,416m, is the hardest day. After it you descend to Muktinath, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists. From Muktinath you drive to Jomsom, fly to Pokhara and return to Kathmandu.
The route runs through the central Nepal Himalayas, across country that belongs to both the Annapurna and Mustang regions. The walking starts at Chame. From there you climb through Upper Pisang and Manang to the high ground around Thorong Phedi and Thorong High Camp. Crossing Thorong La takes you into Mustang and the Muktinath area.
The scenery changes steadily. The trek starts among green hills, rivers and forested valleys. Around Manang the air gets colder and drier, and the land opens into pastures and bare mountain slopes. Beyond Manang the path climbs to high ground below Thorong La with wide views. Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Pisang Peak and many other peaks are in sight along the way. The descent to Muktinath brings you into Mustang, which has its own landscape and culture.
This trek suits people who want a short Himalayan trip with a serious pass in it. The main stops are mountain villages, an acclimatization day in Manang, the climb over Thorong La and Muktinath. You will need good guides, the right gear, and close attention to altitude and weather. Done properly, ten days is enough to walk one of Nepal’s famous trails.
Main Highlights
Thorong La Pass at 5,416m, one of the highest trekking passes in the world
The mountain settlements of Chame, Upper Pisang and Manang
Views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Pisang Peak and other Himalayan peaks
Scenery that shifts from green valleys to dry high-altitude terrain
An acclimatization day in Manang, with optional short hikes to nearby viewpoints
Barge Monastery and the cultural heritage of the Manang region
Alpine pastures around Yak Kharka and Ledar
Thorong High Camp, where you stay before crossing the pass
Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhist visitors
A flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, if weather and flight operations allow
Trekking Routes
Kathmandu → Besisahar → Chame → Upper Pisang → Manang → Manang Acclimatization Day → Yak Kharka/Ledar → Thorong High Camp → Thorong La Pass → Muktinath → Jomsom → Pokhara → Kathmandu
The trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, then continues along winding mountain roads to Chame. From Chame the trail goes to Upper Pisang and Manang, through valleys and old villages with views of the Annapurna range. In Manang you take a rest day with short walks before climbing to Yak Kharka and Ledar. Next come Thorong Phedi and Thorong High Camp, where you get ready for the crossing of Thorong La at 5,416m. After the pass you descend to Muktinath and drive to Jomsom. The trek ends with a flight to Pokhara and a drive back to Kathmandu.
Trek Facts
Thorong La Pass reaches 5,416m, so altitude preparation and weather checks are essential.
The route moves from green river valleys to dry, open terrain around Manang and Mustang.
The itinerary includes a rest day in Manang, with short hikes, before you go higher.
The trek links the villages around Manang with the pilgrimage landscape of Muktinath.
You stay in local lodges along the route, so teahouse food and hospitality are part of the trip.
The Paungda Danda rock face, on the way to Upper Pisang, is a geological landmark of the route.
Muktinath is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, so the trek has a cultural side as well as mountain scenery.
The 10 days mix road travel, walking and a domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Why Trek the Annapurna High Camp Route?
This trek fits Himalayan views, old mountain villages and a hard high-altitude pass into ten days. You pass through Chame, Upper Pisang, Manang and Yak Kharka, which gives you time to adjust to the changing terrain on the way to Thorong High Camp. The climb over Thorong La is the high point, with open mountain views from the top. Muktinath adds a cultural stop, and the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara ends the trip with a view from the air. If you want a shorter version of the Annapurna Circuit, this one covers the essentials: mountains, villages and local life.
Best Season for the Annapurna High Camp Trek
Spring: March to May
A popular season in the Annapurna region. Temperatures are milder at lower elevations, and clear spells give excellent mountain views. Snow can still affect Thorong La early in the season, so check current trail and weather conditions before you leave.
Autumn: September to November
Conditions after the monsoon are usually good, with crisp air and clear views on fine days. This is a popular time to cross Thorong La, though the weather at altitude can still change fast.
