Thorong La Pass: Highest Point of Annapurna Circuit

You have probably read that Thorong La Pass is the toughest part of the Classic Annapurna Circuit. That is mostly true!

But what most articles skip is the full picture and today, we are going to cover just that here on Everest Trekking Routes.

We’ll provide you with details about how high Thorong La Pass actually is and whether beginners can realistically cross it. Also, we’ll cover what summit day really feels like and whether you can reach the pass from the Muktinath side instead.

What Is Thorong La Pass?

Thorong La, also called Thorang La, is a high mountain pass sitting at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) above sea level in the Damodar Himal range, north of the Annapurna range in central Nepal. It is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the most demanding single day of the entire route.

Geographically, the pass connects Manang District to the east with Mustang District to the west in around total days of 7 to 15 days, depending on the Annapurna Circuit itinerary.

On one side, you have the green alpine valleys and stone villages of Manang, heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture. On the other side, the terrain shifts completely into the dry, windswept landscape of the Kali Gandaki valley. It’s almost desert-like compared to where you came from. That shift in a single day is part of what makes the crossing so memorable!

Historically, the pass was not a tourist trail. Actually, traders and locals used it for centuries to move between the two regions. Today, it forms the backbone of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, one of the most well-known high-altitude trekking routes in the world.

Where Is Thorong La Pass Located?

Thorong La pass lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in central Nepal and is roughly 380 km northwest of Kathmandu. It sits between two mountains: Khatung Kang (6,484 m) to the north and Yakawa Kang (6,482 m) to the south, forming a natural saddle between them.

More practically for planning purposes, Thorong La connects Manang village (3,540 m) on the east side with Muktinath (3,800 m) on the west.

The standard crossing starts from Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) or High Camp (4,880 m) and descends all the way to Muktinath after reaching the summit. That is a total crossing distance of roughly 15 to 20 km, depending on your start point.

Is Thorong La the Highest Pass in Nepal or the World?

This comes up a lot, and it is worth clearing up directly!

Thorong La Pass stands at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet). At that elevation, the available oxygen drops to roughly 50 to 55 percent of what you breathe at sea level. This is not a number to take lightly!

Coming to the answer, Thorong La is not the highest trekking pass in Nepal. Several passes in Nepal sit higher!

For example, Kongma La on the Everest Three Passes Trek reaches 5,535 m. Cho La on the same route is 5,420 m, just slightly above Thorong La.

It’s just that Thorong La was once marketed as the highest trekking pass. But fast forward to today, it no longer holds that record!

It is also not the highest pass in the world. Some passes in Tibet, Ladakh, and other Himalayan zones sit considerably higher, including several that are accessible by road!

What Thorong La genuinely is, though, is the most famous and most-crossed high mountain pass in Nepal. In the Annapurna Circuit route, Thorong La is the summit day. Also, it’s the physical and emotional peak of the entire trip.

How Difficult Is Thorong La Pass?

Thorong La is officially categorized as a challenging, strenuous crossing. But the difficulty is not technical. You do not need ropes, crampons (in most seasons), or any mountaineering equipment.

The challenge is almost entirely a product of three things: altitude, endurance, and weather.

The crossing day is long. Most trekkers walk for 7 to 10 hours from start to finish. The ascent from Thorong Phedi to the summit involves a gain of around 966 m over steep, switchbacking terrain.

And after you reach the top, you still have a 1,600 m descent to Muktinath ahead of you, which is hard on the knees by the end of a long day.

Can Beginners Cross Thorong La?

Yes, beginners can indeed do the Annapurna Circuit Trek by crossing Thorong La Pass. However, doing that requires choosing the right direction and building in proper acclimatization days. On top of that, you need to be honest about your fitness level to your guide and picking the right tour operator (like Everest Trekking Routes) will always help.

The recommended approach is anticlockwise: starting from Manang on the east side and descending to Muktinath on the west.

This direction allows you to gain altitude gradually over several days. And you can even spend extra time in Manang for acclimatization and tackle the steepest climb early in the morning when you still have energy.

Thorong La Pass Crossing Day: What It Actually Looks Like?

Most trekkers spend the night before the crossing at Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) or at High Camp (4,880 m). Each option has a trade-off.

Staying at Thorong Phedi means a longer ascent the next morning but a somewhat better night of sleep at a lower elevation. High Camp shortens crossing day considerably, but sleeping at 4,880 m means worse sleep quality for most people and a higher AMS risk overnight.

Our guides at Everest Trekking Routes generally recommend Thorong Phedi for first-time high-altitude trekkers, unless there is a specific reason to go higher. After this, here’s how the Thorong La crossing looks like:

The Early Start: Before Dawn

The crossing day starts before dawn. Most trekkers wake between 3:00 and 4:30 AM. The reason is simple: afternoon winds on Thorong La can be extremely strong, with gusts reaching 60 to 80 km per hour by midday.

Trekkers who aim to reach the summit before 9 AM consistently have a better experience than those who start late!

You will be walking under stars initially, with a headlamp, on a trail that climbs relentlessly. The first two hours feel manageable. The third and fourth hours are where altitude fatigue starts to settle in.

Even experienced trekkers find themselves slowing down significantly in the final stretch before the pass.

At the Summit of Thorong La

The summit of Thorong La is marked by prayer flags, small stone chortens, and a signboard. On a clear morning, the views include Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,156 m), and Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). The wind is almost always present and often biting.

Most trekkers spend only 10 to 20 minutes at the top. At that altitude, staying still gets cold very quickly, and the long descent still lies ahead.

The Descent From Thorong La

From the summit to Muktinath, you descend roughly 1,600 m over 8 to 10 km. The upper section is steep and rocky.

And by the time you reach Muktinath, your legs will have earned their rest. So, make sure to budget for at least 3 to 4 hours of descent after the summit.

Altitude Sickness Risk at Thorong La

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is a very common medical concern on the Thorong La section of the Annapurna Circuit. That’s because trekkers often begin feeling early symptoms around Manang (3,540 m) and above, especially if they are ascending faster than their bodies can adjust.

Early AMS symptoms include headache, disturbed sleep, low appetite, and unusual fatigue. These are warning signs, not reasons to push on.

At Thorong La itself, oxygen levels are around 50 to 55 percent of what is available at sea level. If you are already showing symptoms at Thorong Phedi, do not attempt the crossing the next day. Rest, descend slightly, hydrate, and assess. The pass will still be there.

The October 2014 Storm in Thorong La Pass

It is worth mentioning this event directly, because it reshaped how the entire trekking community understands risk on Thorong La.

On October 14, 2014, the remnants of Cyclone Hudhud merged with a Himalayan weather system and hit the Annapurna region without adequate warning.

In roughly 12 hours, the pass received close to 1.8 meters of snowfall. Over 200 trekkers were caught on and around the pass. At least 43 people died and more than 400 were rescued by helicopter!

Most of those who died had left their shelters to descend and became disoriented in whiteout conditions. Many lacked a guide, lacked appropriate gear, or pushed on despite early warning signs that had been building for days.

The 2014 disaster does not make Thorong La inherently deadly, as tens of thousands of trekkers cross it safely every year.

However, it is a hard reminder that weather in the high Himalaya changes faster than most people expect, and that ignoring early warning signs at altitude is a serious mistake.

Best Time to Cross Thorong La Pass

Autumn (late September to early November) is the most popular window for the Annapurna Circuit, and for good reason.

Skies are clear after the monsoon, visibility is excellent, and daytime temperatures are manageable. Mid-October through early November is in fact the sweetest spot!

However, early October in Annapurna Circuit carries some residual monsoon instability. That 2014 storm hit on October 14th we shared about above is also a useful reminder that even the peak season can produce dangerous weather.

Spring (late March to May) is the second-best option. Temperatures are slightly warmer, rhododendrons bloom through the lower sections, and the trail sees fewer trekkers than autumn. Late April and early May are particularly reliable.

Winter (December to February) is possible but involves crampons and significantly colder temperatures. High Camp can drop well below -20°C. The pass may also close temporarily after heavy snowfall. This window is best left to experienced high-altitude trekkers.

Monsoon (June to September) brings lush lower trails but frequent clouds and reduced visibility. The pass itself is often wet and slippery. It is doable, but not the ideal choice if mountain views are your main motivation.

Permits for Thorong La Pass and the Annapurna Circuit

The primary permit required to trek the Annapurna Circuit, and then cross Thorong La, is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 25) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals as of 2026.

The TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) card situation has become less important in 2026, with some checkpoints no longer enforcing it in the Annapurna region.

If you’re already planning to book with Everest Trekking Routes, note that we handle all permit paperwork. That is in fact a part of your package, so you do not have to take the hassle.

Acclimatization Strategy For Thorong La Pass in Annapurna Circuit Trek

The single most important factor in a successful Thorong La crossing is acclimatization and not fitness! Trekkers who are physically strong but ascend too quickly consistently have harder crossings than less fit trekkers who take their time.

The standard approach involves at least one full rest day in Manang (3,540 m). Use that day for a short hike to higher elevation (Ice Lake at 4,600 m is a good option), then return to sleep lower.

From there, move gradually through Yak Kharka (4,050 m) and Ledar before reaching Thorong Phedi, arriving early in the afternoon rather than rushing the stage.

The “climb high, sleep low” principle applies throughout. Also, carry a pulse oximeter if you have one!

At Manang, a blood oxygen reading below 80% SpO2 at rest is a serious warning sign. If your reading drops below 70% at any point, treat it as a mandatory rest signal before proceeding.

Why Thorong La Pass Is Worth It?

Finishing the crossing is one of the more complete feelings you can have on a Nepal trek. It is not just the altitude, though 5,416 m is genuinely impressive. It is also the transition, the physical shift from the green, cold valleys of Manang into the golden, dry landscape of the Mustang side, all accomplished in a single long day on foot.

Muktinath, your destination after the crossing, is a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of real significance, with temples that have been active for centuries. After the physical effort of crossing day, arriving here feels like genuinely earning something!

And the views from the summit itself, on a clear morning, stretch across half the major peaks in Nepal.

Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhre all visible from a single vantage point. That combination is hard to replicate anywhere else on a non-technical trek!

So, if you are planning the Annapurna Circuit in 2026/27, reach out to our team at Everest Trekking Routes on WhatsApp. We will build an itinerary around your available dates and fitness level, ensuring the acclimatization schedule gives you the best possible shot at the crossing.