Thorong La Pass

Thorong La Pass is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, sitting at 5,416 metres (17,769 feet) in central Nepal. It connects the village of Manang on the eastern side with the sacred temple town of Muktinath on the western side.

Where Is Thorong La Pass Located?

Thorong La Pass lies in the Damodar Himal range of Manang District, Gandaki Province. It is positioned between Thorung Peak (6,144 m) and Yakawa Kang (6,482 m), forming a natural link between two very different landscapes.

Province	Gandaki Province
District	Manang District
Region	Annapurna Circuit
Elevation	5,416 m (17,769 ft)
Latitude	28.802° N
Longitude	83.941° E

Why is Thorong La Pass Popular?

• Highest point on the Annapurna Circuit

  Thorong La Pass marks the highlight and turning point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, with the widest mountain panorama of the entire route from its summit.

• Higher than Everest Base Camp

  At 5,416 metres (17,769 feet), Thorong La Pass sits higher than Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres (17,598 feet), without requiring any technical climbing skill.

• A culturally significant crossing

  The summit is marked by a chorten and prayer flags, and the descent leads directly to Muktinath, a temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

What can you see from Thorong La Pass?

From the summit of Thorong La, trekkers get a wide, high-altitude panorama of some of Nepal's best-known peaks, along with prayer flags and small stone chortens marking the top of the pass.

Mountains visible on a clear day:

• Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m). The world's seventh-highest mountain, visible across the valley to the west.
• Annapurna II (7,937 m). A prominent peak of the Annapurna massif, visible along much of the approach to Thorong La.
• Annapurna III (7,555 m) and Annapurna IV (7,525 m). Both peaks are visible during the final stages of the ascent to Thorong La.
• Gangapurna (7,455 m). Rising above the Gangapurna Glacier, it is visible from Manang and along the approach to Thorong La.
• Chulu West (6,419 m). One of the main peaks visible on the Manang side during the ascent to Thorong La.
• Thorung Peak (6,144 m) and Khatung Kang (6,484 m). These two peaks rise on either side of Thorong La, forming the dramatic mountain setting around the pass.

Looking east, the view stretches back over the Marsyangdi Valley and Manang.

Looking west, the land drops sharply toward the brown, treeless hills of Mustang, a stark contrast to the greener country behind you.

At the summit itself, the main landmark is a stone chorten wrapped in prayer flags, along with stacked stone cairns left by trekkers.

How to Reach Thorong La Pass?

Thorong La Pass is reached entirely on foot, as part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, approached only from the Manang side.

 

• By Road to the Trailhead

Kathmandu to Besisahar Route: Kathmandu → Besisahar

From Kathmandu, Besisahar is about 175 km away and takes around 6 to 7 hours by road.

Pokhara to Besisahar Route: Pokhara → Besisahar

From Pokhara, Besisahar is around 106 km away and takes approximately 4 hours by road.

Road construction has extended jeep access further up the valley in recent years, with vehicles now reaching as far as Chame or even Dharapani, cutting several days off the approach for trekkers short on time.

• On Foot to Thorong La Pass from Besisahar

Route: Besisahar → Chame → Pisang → Manang → Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi / High Camp → Thorong La Pass

Distance: Approximately 160 to 170 km from Besisahar to Thorong La Pass.

Time: 10 to 12 days, including acclimatization in Manang.

From Besisahar, the route passes through Chame, Pisang, and Manang, before continuing to Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi (4,450 m), and High Camp (4,880 m). The final ascent to Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) begins from either Thorong Phedi or High Camp.

Trekkers usually begin the final ascent between 3:30 and 5:00 AM to reach Thorong La before the winds become stronger later in the morning. The climb is steady and demanding, particularly at high altitude, so maintaining a slow, consistent pace is important.

Is Thorong La Pass Difficult?

Yes, Thorong La Pass is difficult, but the difficulty comes from altitude, distance, and cold rather than technical climbing.

• Thin air affects everyone: At 5,416 metres, oxygen levels are roughly 50% of sea level, so even very fit trekkers can feel breathless and slow.
• Watch for altitude sickness: Headache, breathlessness, and fatigue are common above 5,000 metres. Confusion, loss of coordination, or a persistent cough mean it is time to descend immediately.
• A long, demanding day: The crossing involves a steep ascent to 5,416 metres followed by a long descent to Muktinath, making it physically demanding from start to finish.
• The descent is harder than the climb: Tired legs and a steep, unstable surface make the descent tougher on the knees than the climb up.
• Weather turns quickly: Mornings are calm, which is why crossings start before dawn. Wind picks up by mid-morning, and conditions can turn sharply colder after around 10 AM.

None of this makes Thorong La inaccessible to beginners. Most people who prepare properly, physically and in terms of acclimatization, complete the crossing without serious trouble.

Best time to reach Thorong La Pass

Thorong La Pass can only be crossed when the trail is open, and spring and autumn are the two seasons that offer the most reliable conditions for doing so.

Spring (March to May)

Spring brings warmer daytime temperatures to the Marsyangdi Valley, with rhododendrons blooming across the lower sections of the trail.

March can still have lingering snow from winter, particularly early in the month, while April and May generally bring clearer trails and more comfortable conditions for crossing Thorong La Pass.

Mornings tend to offer the clearest mountain views before clouds build in the afternoon.

Spring is also one of the two busiest seasons on the Annapurna Circuit, so travelers can expect steady activity along the trail and a lively atmosphere at popular stops such as Manang, Thorong Phedi, and High Camp.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is widely considered the best season to cross Thorong La.

The monsoon clears by mid-September, leaving the trail drier and the mountain views some of the clearest of the year through October and November.

This is also peak season on the Annapurna Circuit, so teahouses fill quickly, and the trail sees its heaviest foot traffic.

Even so, the payoff- stable weather and consistently visible peaks- is why most experienced guides recommend autumn above every other season.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is the quietest season at Thorong La, with far fewer trekkers on the trail and calmer teahouses at Manang, Thorong Phedi, and High Camp.

Heavy snowfall can close the pass entirely for a few days at a time, and temperatures at the summit can drop to -20°C or lower, so this season suits trekkers who are flexible on timing and prepared for serious cold rather than those on a tight schedule.

Clear days can offer excellent mountain visibility, but conditions can change quickly, so trekkers should keep their schedule flexible.

Monsoon (June to August)

Monsoon brings the heaviest rainfall of the year to the lower approach through Chame and Manang, and cloud cover regularly hides the surrounding peaks near the pass itself.

Heavy rain also raises landslide risk on the lower trail, which is why most trekking companies steer clients toward spring or autumn for the crossing.

Despite the challenging weather, the monsoon months bring fewer trekkers and lush green landscapes across the lower valleys, creating a quieter experience along the trail.

Season	Daytime (at the pass)	Nighttime (Phedi/High Camp)
Spring (Mar–May)	-5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)	-15°C to -8°C (5°F to 18°F)
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	-5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)	-15°C to -10°C (5°F to 14°F)
Winter (Dec–Feb)	-15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F)	-25°C to -15°C (-13°F to 5°F)
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)	0°C to 8°C (32°F to 46°F)	-5°C to 0°C (23°F to 32°F)

Where to stay near Thorong La Pass?

There is no accommodation at the pass itself, so trekkers stay at the villages and high camps on either side before and after the crossing.

On the Manang side, Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) and High Camp (4,880 m) are the two standard overnight stops before pass day.

Phedi has more teahouse options and tends to offer better sleep quality, since the lower altitude means milder symptoms overnight, while High Camp shortens the climb on pass day itself at the cost of a rougher night's sleep.

Both offer basic twin-share rooms, simple bedding, and shared dining halls with hot food.

On the Mustang side, trekkers descend to Muktinath (3,710 m) after the crossing, where accommodation is noticeably more comfortable.

As the largest settlement near the pass, Muktinath has a wider range of teahouses and lodges, along with better food options and more reliable Wi-Fi and charging facilities than anywhere closer to the pass itself.

During peak season, both High Camp and Thorong Phedi fill up quickly, so arriving early in the day or booking ahead through a guide is worth doing.

What to Pack for Thorong La Pass?

• 4-layer clothing system: A moisture-wicking base layer, fleece mid-layer, down jacket, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell.
• Category 4 sunglasses or glacier goggles: Glare at this altitude is intense enough to cause snow blindness without proper UV protection.
• Insulated gloves or mittens, plus a warm hat and buff: Wind chill at the pass can be severe even on clear days.
• Buff or face mask: Protects against wind chill during the early climb.
• Headlamp with spare batteries: Every crossing starts hours before sunrise.
• Water, snacks, and a thermos of something warm: There is nothing to buy beyond a small seasonal tea stall, if it's open at all.
• Personal first-aid kit: including any altitude medication, such as Diamox, prescribed in advance by a doctor.

Tips for Trekking Thorong La Pass

• Cross east to west, from Manang to Muktinath, never the other direction. This is the only route that allows proper acclimatization.
• Spend at least two nights in Manang before attempting the crossing. Acclimatization here matters more than fitness alone.
• Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day in the days leading up to the crossing, and avoid alcohol.
• Watch for symptoms of altitude sickness in yourself and others, and descend immediately if symptoms worsen rather than pushing through.
• Choose Thorong Phedi over High Camp if it is your first night above 4,800 metres. Better sleep quality on the night before matters more than saving an hour on summit day.
• Hire a licensed guide through a registered trekking agency. A licensed guide can assist you with the route, permits, accommodation, and other arrangements throughout the trek.

FAQs

What is the altitude of Thorong La Pass?

Thorong La Pass sits at 5,416 metres (17,769 feet) above sea level, making it the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit and higher than Everest Base Camp.

How long does it take to cross Thorong La Pass?

Most trekkers take 8 to 10 hours from Thorong Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath, including breaks, though this varies with fitness, acclimatization, and weather.

Can beginners cross Thorong La Pass?

Yes, with proper preparation. The trail itself is non-technical. The real challenge is altitude and endurance, not climbing skill, and most reasonably fit beginners who acclimatize properly complete the crossing without serious difficulty.