THORUNG PHEDI - The base

The name Phedi in Nepali means 'base of a hill'. It is a two lodge affair. Thorung base camp is the larger lodge and Hotel New Phedi is the smaller one. In peak trekking seasons even the dorms might not be enough according to the lodge owners who see a large flow of trekkers every trekking season. But the truth is, foreigners are always given first priority when it comes to good accommodation. So if you are a non-Nepali then you will be on the priority list during trekking seasons.

This place is where you have to make a decision of either staying at Thorung Phedi for the night or Thorung High camp. This decision will be crucial as you will be sleeping above 4500 m. To give you a brief overview, the altitude difference between these two places is 350 m approximately (which is a lot at high altitude). Your decision should be based on how you feel about yourself and how well your fellow trekkers are. If you are having difficulties dealing with the thin air and the high altitude then Thorung Phedi is where you should spend the night. But if there are no signs of Altitude sickness and you feel completely fine then you have the option of climbing to Thorung high camp and spending the night there. Remember, it's an option, not a compulsion. Read our altitude sickness chapter in the safety section to know more about the symptoms and cures of altitude sickness. If however, you have severe symptoms of altitude sickness like vomiting then the only option is to descend to a lower altitude. No ifs and buts there. It is absolutely important that you get constant weather updates since tomorrow is the big and risky day after all. You surely don't want to get caught in a bad snow storm. Also, make sure you treat or boil your water up here as sanitation in Thorung Phedi and Thorung high camp has not won many appreciations.

This is also your best place to see snow leopards as they have been reported to appear magically on the icy rock slopes. But before you start fantasizing, please note that this is extremely rare. However, Blue Sheep sightings are more common.