Crossing the Thorong La is the highlight of the Annapurna Circuit: a long, cold, breathtaking day that takes you from Manang's valley over a 5,416 m pass and down to the sacred temple of Muktinath.
Quick answer: Thorong La is at 5,416 m. Trekkers usually sleep at Thorong Phedi (about 4,450 m) or High Camp (about 4,850 m), start before dawn, cross the pass and descend about 1,600 m to Muktinath, a long day of 7–10 hours. Good acclimatisation in Manang is essential, and the pass can be closed by heavy snow, especially from December to March.
Acclimatisation
Spend at least one extra night in Manang, with a hike higher during the day. Ascend slowly through Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi or High Camp.
The crossing
- Start very early, often around 4–5 am, to avoid afternoon wind.
- Climb steadily through switchbacks and false summits to the prayer-flag-covered pass.
- Descend a long, steep trail to Muktinath; trekking poles help.
Dangers
- Altitude sickness: turn back if symptoms worsen.
- Cold and wind: temperatures before dawn are well below freezing.
- Snow: after heavy snowfall the pass can be impassable; in October 2014, a blizzard caused a tragedy. See our 2014 report.
What to pack
Down jacket, warm gloves, hat, headlamp, sunglasses, microspikes in snowy conditions, and plenty of water and snacks.
Best time
October–November and March–May. Read our Annapurna Circuit guide.
Thorong La at a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 5,416 m |
| Start | Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) or High Camp (about 4,880 m) |
| Finish | Muktinath (about 3,800 m) |
| Ascent | About 970 m from Phedi, or about 540 m from High Camp |
| Descent | About 1,600 m to Muktinath |
| Time | About 7–10 hours from Phedi; 6–8 hours from High Camp |
| Usual direction | Anticlockwise, from Manang to Muktinath |
An acclimatisation itinerary for the pass
| Day | Sleep at | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Pisang or Ngawal | About 3,300–3,660 m | The upper route helps acclimatisation |
| 2 | Manang | About 3,540 m | |
| 3 | Manang (rest day) | About 3,540 m | Hike to Ice Lake or Gangapurna viewpoint; HRA altitude talk |
| 4 | Yak Kharka or Ledar | About 4,050–4,200 m | Short day |
| 5 | Thorong Phedi or High Camp | 4,450–4,880 m | Many sleep at Phedi and climb to High Camp for acclimatisation |
| 6 | Cross Thorong La to Muktinath | Pass 5,416 m; sleep about 3,800 m | Very early start |
Adding a side trip to Tilicho Lake before the pass, as many trekkers do, improves acclimatisation. See Annapurna Circuit altitude profile.
Phedi or High Camp?
Thorong Phedi, at the foot of the climb, has more lodges and is lower, which usually means better sleep. High Camp, about an hour higher, shortens the pass day considerably but is colder, more basic and higher for sleeping, so altitude symptoms are more common. Many guides prefer Phedi for the night, with an afternoon walk up to High Camp and back for acclimatisation. If you feel strong and well acclimatised, High Camp gives you a head start. Lodges at both fill up in peak season, so book through your guide or company.
Pass day hour by hour
| Time (approx.) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3.30–4.00 | Wake up, hot drink and light breakfast |
| 4.00–4.30 | Start walking from Phedi by headtorch |
| 5.30 | Reach High Camp; short tea stop |
| 6.00–9.00 | Long, gradual climb over moraine and snow, with false summits; a small tea shop on the way in season |
| 8.30–10.00 | Reach Thorong La: prayer flags, the pass sign and huge views; photos and a short rest |
| 10.00–14.00 | Steep, long descent to Charabu and Muktinath; knees take a beating |
| 13.00–15.00 | Arrive in Muktinath; hot shower and celebration |
Aim to be over the pass by about 10 am, before the strong winds that usually pick up from late morning.
Dangers in detail
- Altitude sickness: Thorong Phedi and High Camp are high places to sleep. Any signs of worsening altitude sickness, such as severe headache, vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest, mean you should not attempt the pass; descend to Yak Kharka or Manang. See altitude sickness.
- Weather: storms can bring heavy snow and whiteouts. In October 2014, an unseasonal blizzard linked to a cyclone killed more than forty people on and around the Annapurna Circuit, many near Thorong La. Always check forecasts and follow local advice.
- Cold and wind: temperatures before dawn can be −10 °C to −20 °C with wind chill. Frostbite is possible without proper gloves and boots.
- Snow and ice: in winter and spring, the trail can be icy; microspikes are useful.
- The descent: long and steep on loose ground; trekking poles help.
What to pack for pass day
- Down jacket, fleece, base layers and windproof shell.
- Warm hat, buff, warm gloves and liner gloves.
- Sunglasses (category 3–4) and sunscreen: snow glare is intense.
- Headtorch with fresh batteries.
- At least 2 litres of water in insulated bottles (a flask of hot water is ideal), plus snacks.
- Trekking poles and, in snowy seasons, microspikes.
- A small first-aid kit, including blister care.
Best time to cross
| Season | Conditions |
|---|---|
| October–November | The most reliable: clear, stable weather; cold mornings |
| March–April | Good, with snow on the pass early in the season |
| May | Warmer, with more afternoon cloud |
| December–February | Often snowbound or closed after storms; for experienced trekkers with flexible plans only |
| June–September | Monsoon; the upper valley is drier, but the pass can be cloudy, and lower trails are wet |
Why most people go anticlockwise
From Manang, the climb to Thorong La is gradual, and you sleep progressively higher over several days. From Muktinath in the other direction, the pass involves a climb of about 1,600 m in one day from 3,800 m, with no safe place to sleep higher in between except a basic high camp, which is a much greater altitude risk. For this reason, almost all trekkers cross from east to west. See Annapurna Circuit guide.
After the pass: Muktinath
Muktinath is one of the holiest sites in Nepal for both Hindus and Buddhists, with a temple surrounded by 108 water spouts, an eternal flame burning from natural gas, and views back towards the pass. Many trekkers rest here before continuing to Kagbeni and Jomsom. See Muktinath temple.
Alternatives if you can't cross
If the pass is closed by snow, or someone in your group isn't well enough to cross, there are options. You can wait a day or two at Manang or Yak Kharka for conditions to improve, if your schedule allows. You can retrace your steps down the Marsyangdi valley and take a jeep from Manang or Chame back to Besisahar, then travel to Pokhara. Or you can fly or drive around to Jomsom and Muktinath to see the other side. Helicopters can also fly from Manang in an emergency. Your guide will help decide; never attempt the pass in bad weather or with altitude symptoms.
Horses and porters on the pass
At Thorong Phedi and High Camp, it is sometimes possible to hire a horse to carry you up to the pass for a fee, which some trekkers use if they are tired or feeling the altitude. Horses can't descend the steep western side safely with a rider, so you will walk down. Porters cross the pass with heavy loads; make sure your porter has proper boots, warm clothing, gloves and sunglasses, as a responsible trekking company will provide. See porters and guides.
Our tips for a successful crossing
- Take the rest day in Manang and the side trips that help you acclimatise.
- Drink plenty the day before, and eat a good dinner and breakfast.
- Prepare everything the night before so you can leave quickly in the dark.
- Walk slowly and steadily; don't race the people ahead.
- Keep water from freezing by carrying it inside your jacket or in an insulated bottle.
- Celebrate at the top, but don't linger more than 20–30 minutes.
- Take the descent slowly to protect your knees.