Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass

The Annapurna region of Nepal is the most popular place full of mesmerizingly beautiful villages. Among several places, Manang valley and Mustang valley are two jewels of the region. These two valleys are probably the cornerstone of the Nepalese tourism industry. The presence of mountains, diverse landscapes, multi – ethnic people, and diverse flora & fauna makes these valleys enticing. Therefore, thousands of people from across the globe including Nepalese people visit these valleys. Today’s blog is about the journey from Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass. You can also refer it as the section of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Let’s find out answers of the questions related to the journey from Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass in detail via this blog. Note down that the blog is focused in providing information about the trek section of the Annapurna Circuit Trek after Pisang and until Muktinath Kagbeni. If you wish to know more about an entire Annapurna Circuit Trek, then feel free to contact the travel planners of bloggers of the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.

Ways to reach Mustang from Manang

For now, let’s learn about the ways to reach Mustang from Manang. These two valleys are not connected by the road network directly. If you wish to do the overland tour from Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass, then it is impossible but you can take the detour road. Taking a road to Mustang from Manang, you have drive to Besisahar and continue traveling in the Prithivi Highway until you reach Pokhara. After Pokhara, you have to take the Baglung Higway and eventually the Muktinath Highway to reach Mustang Valley. It requires at least 2 days of road trip to reach Mustang from Manang or vice versa.

Therefore, the best ways to reach Mustang from Manang are by trekking (walking), horse riding, cycling (adventurous way), and helicopter flight.

• Trekking or Walking
• Horse Riding
• Cycling from Manang to Mustang
• Helicopter Flight to Mustang from Manang

Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass: Annapurna Circuit Trek Distance

As mentioned above, the journey of the Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass is the part of the great Annapurna Circuit Trek. Therefore, you need to understand about the trek distance of the Annapurna Circuit Trek before finding out more about the Manang – Mustang section via Thorong La Pass (5416 m). Total trek distance of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is about 160 kilometers to 220 kilometers depending upon the route. However, Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass is about 30 kilometers to 45 kilometers. Note down that it is the distance between Manang village and Muktinath temple.

How hard & how long does it take to reach Mustang from Manang?

Well the hardest section of the trail to reach Mustang from Manang is the crossing of the Thorong La Pass. Travelers have to spend overnight in the places like Yak Kharka/Ledar and Thorong Phedi/Thorong High Camp before entering Mustang via Thorong La Pass. Until you reach the Thorong Phedi, the trail is gradual uphill where you can do comfortable walking. However, the crossing of the pass requires lots of physical fitness level and stamina including the cardio – vascular abilities. You have to start the journey of crossing the pass early in the morning before dawn at around 4:30 am. Therefore, you can say that the difficulty level is challenging for the journey of Manang to Mustang via Thorong La Pass.

Are there alternative route to reach Mustang from Manang?

Yes, there are alternative routes to reach Mustang from Manang. These two valleys are separated by the massive mountains and snowy hills. Therefore, you need to cross the high – altitude passes. Taking on the alternative and lesser known trail to reach Mustang from Manang can be dangerous and fatal. Therefore, you need to take the well – trodden trail. There are many trails that connect these two valleys but the safer alternative route to reach Mustang from Manang avoiding the Thorong La Pass is the Meso Kanta La Pass route.

Reach Mustang via Tilicho Lake and Meso Kanta La Pass

If you are trying to take the Meso Kanta La Pass route, then you have to first visit the world’s highest situated lake, the Tilicho Lake (4919 m). From Manang Village, you have to trek to the Tilicho Lake via Yak Kharka, Siri Kharka, and Tilicho Base Camp. It takes about 2 nights and 3 days to reach Mustang from Manang while taking the route of the Tilicho Lake Meso Kanta La Pass. Interestingly, you can also choose to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake and reach Jomsom via Meso Kanta La Pass.

Mystical legends: Manang to Mustang through cave of Ngawal Village

In the Ngawal Village of the Manang Valley, there are caves which are turned into the monastery for locals to worship. It is believed that the caves present in the Ngawal Village have endings in the Mustang Valley. Lots of locals claim that the people of Manang used to travel to Mustang using the cave route but it has not been proved by the officials. Therefore, you can call this as the mystical myth or legends. The geographical structure of the region also helps to believe in this legend.

Which is the most beautiful and accessible village: Manang or Mustang?

There is no comparison between the Manang and Mustang in terms of beauty.  Both the valleys are the pillars of Nepalese tourism industry due to its multi – cultural beauty and natural wonders. If you ask this blogger about the most beautiful places in Nepal, then the answer is obvious and it is these two valleys. However, Mustang is far better than Manang in terms of the accessibility options. People can easily reach the Mustang Valley by road or by flight. Nowadays, Manang valley is also connected with the road network but the road is accessible during dry seasons only.