Yak Kharka is a high pasture settlement on the Annapurna Circuit, at about 4,000 m, a day above Manang. It has a handful of lodges, and yaks graze here in the warmer months. Most trekkers use it as a night stop on the way to Thorong Phedi or High Camp before the pass.
Altitude: about 4,000 m. Heights quoted for villages and camps vary by source, so treat this as a guide.
Where Yak Kharka is and why trekkers stop
Yak Kharka lies on the climb out of the Manang valley toward Thorong La. The name means yak pasture, and the place suits it. Coming from Manang, it is the first big gain in sleeping height after the rest days, so it is a logical overnight. Our route pages link it with Chame, Dharapani, Upper Pisang, Thorong Phedi, Muktinath and Jomsom, since it sits on many ways of walking the Circuit. A typical plan is two to three days with a night here and another at Thorong Phedi or High Camp.
What to expect at Yak Kharka
Expect open, treeless slopes, grazing animals in season, and a short line of lodges rather than a village with a bazaar. The surroundings are wide and dry, with views along the valley and, on clear days, the peaks above. There is little to do besides rest, eat and prepare. That quiet is part of the appeal, as the days either side are longer. Wind can be strong in the afternoon, so keep a windproof layer within reach. The trail beyond climbs again, so use the evening to sort your pack for the pass.
Altitude and how you may feel
This is a serious altitude, and the sleeping height here is clearly higher than Manang. Many trekkers notice shortness of breath on gentle slopes, a mild headache or lighter appetite. These can be normal adjustments, but they can also signal altitude illness. Walk slowly, drink often and do not skip rest. If a headache worsens, you feel confused, or you struggle to walk straight, descend and tell your guide immediately. A rest day or an extra night here is better than forcing the pass while unwell.
Lodging, food and practical tips
Lodges are basic, with small rooms, shared toilets and a heated dining room in the evening. Menus are short and everything is carried up, so be patient and flexible. Bring cash, a warm sleeping bag and spare layers, because nights are cold. Boiled or treated water matters more than ever at this height. Hot showers, where offered, are limited. Treat the pass day as the real test: after this stop it takes roughly five to nine hours, varying with pace and conditions, and the effort is rated hard.
Stage guides that pass through Yak Kharka
These day-by-day guides start or end at Yak Kharka, with walking times, ascent and where to sleep.
- Chame to Yak Kharka trek: stages, altitude and time
- Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi trek: altitude, time and route
- Dharapani to Yak Kharka trek: stages, altitude and time
- Yak Kharka to Jomsom trek: stages, altitude and time
- Manang to Yak Kharka trek: altitude, time and route
- Yak Kharka to Muktinath trek: stages, altitude and time
- Yak Kharka to Thorong La Pass trek: stages, altitude and time
- Upper Pisang to Yak Kharka trek: stages, altitude and time
Common questions
How high is Yak Kharka?
It is at about 4,000 m, noticeably higher than Manang. That makes it a proper step up in sleeping height, so go slowly and watch for signs of altitude illness during the evening.
Is Yak Kharka a village?
It is better described as a high pasture settlement with a handful of lodges. Yaks graze there in the warmer months, and there is no large village or bazaar, just trekkers' lodges and open slopes.
Where do people go after Yak Kharka?
Most walkers continue to Thorong Phedi or High Camp, then cross Thorong La on the following day. Timings vary with pace and trail conditions, so keep some flexibility in your plan.
