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Guest Post: The Breathtaking – Thorong la Pass of Annapurna Circuit for 2020

Mountain with spirituality

“I am not going back, either I am going to die or I will see the new world” 

– Long breathing still ticking in my ear  that time I decided not to lose myself.

About a Year ago, me and my friend decided to Trek to Annapurna Circuit to see the Yartung festival in Mustang, a place called Muktinath. Yartung is a Festival celebrated by Thakali people of Nepal during August on a full moon day. This festival is celebrated for the good blessings and good Summer harvest. The celebration goes for three days with lots of fair and Cultural Dance. The major attraction is horse Riding where all male and females took part in this game. 

We decided to Trek from Besisahar, Lamjung. The distance is 175.8 km from Kathmandu. The routes from Besisahar are: Besisahar to Chame (2630m)-6hours walk

  • Chame to Lower Pisang (3,200 m), 6 hrs.
  • Lower Pisang to Braga  (3,450 m) 7.5 hours or Manang (3,540 m); 8 hrs.
  • Trek to Thorung  Phedi (4,420 m).
  • Trek to Muktinath (3,710 m) via the Thorong La (4,420 m).
  • Trek Muktinath (3,710 m) to Jomsom (2,720 m).
  • Trek end: Drive Jomsom (2,720 m) to Pokhara (827m).
  • Drive Pokhara (827 m) to Kathmandu (1,375 m).

We started our Journey with full of energies and lots of excitement. Our Backpack is almost 12 kg with lots of useful stuff like a tent, down jacket, sunglasses, water bottle, first aid box, power banks, Dry foods, maps, tissue paper etc. The first day was fun, no more tiredness. Along with beautiful village and greenery hills it was wow moment till Chame. We found, the majority of the people are Gurung, Chhetri along with others. The Pewter stone house and long dirt road is the only sign of development in this area.

The altitude gradually increases and we are still heading towards our destiny. River Marshyangdi and the tallest waterfalls sounds are boosting our souls to complete our target. After Chame, the snow covered mountain with crystal clear blue sky made our day. The food called Local Nepali Thali is Amazing with local berry juice. We found, People are Friendly, Humble and Helpful.

The Day to Throngla passes (4420m)

We were staying at throng phedi. Early in the Morning, around 4 am everyone started the trek up to the passes. Along with my Friend, we two also started our journey with the group of Go for Nepal Treks Company. It was fun at first, that mountain seems so beautiful under the moonlight. That aura was so amazing, sometimes I still remember that. Gradually we stepped upward then we began to feel heavy breath. We were stepping slowly into the 10 cm snow path. We felt cold and tired at the same time. I saw experienced climbers walking so fast with a ticking of seconds.

After some time we managed to reach around 4000m altitude, then we took a rest, laying on the snowy rock and looking into the sky with a heavy Breath. That time I felt, I can’t move my body due to lack of oxygen. We were running out of time. That was a time I thought I couldn’t make to the passes- I felt helpless and frightened. After some time I opened my eyes, suddenly I felt all mountains looked so shiny with peaceful Mudras (position). Suddenly I decided I have to cross these passes at any cost than we walked. That time I said to myself, “I am not going back, either I am going to die or I will see the new world”-Long breathing still ticking in my ear  that time I decided not to lose myself.

Around 6 hours of struggle we cross the passes and reached Muktinath. That day we rested in Muktinath and made ourselves-ready for tomorrow. It was early in the morning when we drank yak milk with a lot of cheese. I still remember a colorful crowds and extra adventurous horse riding game. We had a dance, chat, cultural exchange and many more. Some time I used to think that good time always comes after hard time. The phase should be passed.

Thorong-la Blog by Yukesh Gurung

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