Where on earth
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- Region
- Nepal
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Himalayan (5,416 m)
- Best season
- October – November, March – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Himalayan (5,416 m)
- Best season: October – November, March – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Thorong La Pass
Topic summary
The 5,416-m crux pass on the Annapurna Circuit — highest trekking pass in Nepal.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: October – November, March – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Himalayan (5,416 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Thorong La Pass trip tools
How to get there
Plan the walking approach around Manang on the eastern side or Muktinath and nearby Ranipauwa on the western side. Confirm current transport connections and trail access locally before committing to the crossing.
- Manang
Village in Manang District on the eastern side of Thorong La, connected by the trail across the pass to Muktinath and Ranipauwa.
- Muktinath
Temple in Mustang District on the western side of the pass and a named destination on the trail from Manang.
- Ranipauwa
Village near Muktinath in Mustang District, forming a western-side anchor for the trail over Thorong La.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Thorong La Pass
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Thorong La Pass
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Thorong La PassAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Thorong La Pass
Planning to fish Thorong La Pass, Nepal? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Nepal are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Thorong La Pass?
- A Nepal fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Nepal fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Nepal yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Thorong La Pass
Thinking about hunting Thorong La Pass, Nepal? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Nepal are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Thorong La Pass?
- Confirm the land around Thorong La Pass is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Nepal?
- A Nepal hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Nepal yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A high crossing north of Annapurna
Thorong La, also spelled Thorung La, is a 5,416-metre (17,769-foot) mountain pass in central Nepal. It lies in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, and is the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit. The crossing links Manang District on the east with Mustang District on the west, making it a connection between two sides of the mountains rather than a summit destination. Its elevation should shape the entire plan: allow time to acclimatize, keep the itinerary flexible, and treat deteriorating conditions or altitude symptoms as reasons to turn back. Physical fitness alone does not remove the demands of walking above 5,000 metres. Plan around the high crossing, not simply the distance covered each day.
Manang to Muktinath and Ranipauwa
The trail over Thorong La connects the village of Manang to the east with the temple of Muktinath and nearby Ranipauwa to the west. These are the clearest geographic anchors for understanding the crossing and organizing an onward itinerary. Manang belongs to Manang District; Muktinath and Ranipauwa are in Mustang District. The trail is not used only by visitors: local traders regularly cross the pass as well. Give other trail users room, and approach the temple area with respect for its religious purpose. When arranging a trek, distinguish these villages and the temple from the pass itself. They anchor the approach and onward journey, but should not be treated as interchangeable names for a single arrival point.
Fitting the pass into an Annapurna trek
Thorong La is part of the Annapurna Circuit, described as a 300-kilometre route around the Annapurna mountain range. That length applies to the circuit, not to the pass crossing alone. The wider Annapurna region includes the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the Kali Gandaki River valley, and trans-Himalayan country north of the main ranges. Those northern landscapes are arid, with a stronger Tibetan cultural influence than the more Hindu areas elsewhere in the region. This setting calls for attention to water planning and clothing suitable for changing mountain weather. The Kali Gandaki River Valley trek and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek are other regional routes, not alternate names for the Thorong La crossing. Choose an itinerary that explicitly includes the pass if crossing it is the goal.
Route options
- Thorong La crossingHigh-altitude crossing requiring acclimatization and careful mountain-weather judgment.
Follow the trail connecting Manang with Muktinath and nearby Ranipauwa over the 5,416-metre pass. Build acclimatization and flexibility into the plan rather than treating this as an ordinary village-to-village walk.
- Annapurna Circuit300 km (190 mi)Long-distance mountain trek with a crossing at 5,416 metres.
A route around the Annapurna mountain range, with Thorong La as its highest point. The stated distance describes the full circuit rather than an individual approach to the pass.
Sample itineraries
- Manang: eastern approach orientation · 1 day
Use a day in Manang to prepare for the eastern approach to Thorong La. Review your acclimatization and onward plan before committing to higher terrain. This is a preparation day, not a schedule for reaching or crossing the pass.
- Muktinath and Ranipauwa: western-side visit · 1 day
Focus a day on Muktinath temple and nearby Ranipauwa, on the Mustang side of Thorong La. These places anchor the western end of the trail connection from Manang. Treat a pass crossing as a separate undertaking requiring an altitude-aware plan.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; confirm current high-elevation conditions
Plan for cold at the 5,416-metre pass regardless of milder conditions below. Assess weather and your response to altitude before moving higher; the season alone does not establish whether a crossing is suitable.
Summer
Summer; check mountain weather before departure
Do not assume summer means warm conditions at pass elevation. Carry insulation and weather protection. The arid terrain north of the main Himalayan ranges also makes a dependable drinking-water plan important.
Fall
Fall; confirm conditions along the intended approach
Prepare for cold and changing mountain weather. Clear days can bring views of the Annapurna region's peaks, but visibility should not substitute for checking crossing conditions or assessing acclimatization.
Winter
Winter; verify whether a crossing is advisable
Treat cold exposure as a major planning concern at this elevation. Obtain current local advice before committing to the approach, and keep plans flexible rather than assuming the pass is suitable for travel.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; confirm current high-elevation conditions | Plan for cold at the 5,416-metre pass regardless of milder conditions below. Assess weather and your response to altitude before moving higher; the season alone does not establish whether a crossing is suitable. |
| Summer | Summer; check mountain weather before departure | Do not assume summer means warm conditions at pass elevation. Carry insulation and weather protection. The arid terrain north of the main Himalayan ranges also makes a dependable drinking-water plan important. |
| Fall | Fall; confirm conditions along the intended approach | Prepare for cold and changing mountain weather. Clear days can bring views of the Annapurna region's peaks, but visibility should not substitute for checking crossing conditions or assessing acclimatization. |
| Winter | Winter; verify whether a crossing is advisable | Treat cold exposure as a major planning concern at this elevation. Obtain current local advice before committing to the approach, and keep plans flexible rather than assuming the pass is suitable for travel. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit and entry requirements with the managing agency for your Annapurna itinerary before departure.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- High altitude: Thorong La reaches 5,416 metres. Build acclimatization into the wider trek and do not continue ascending if altitude symptoms develop.
- Cold exposure: the pass's high-mountain setting requires insulation and protection from changing weather, even when lower elevations feel comfortable.
- Dehydration: the region includes arid Trans-Himalayan terrain. Plan drinking-water needs rather than assuming frequent supplies.
What to pack for Thorong La Pass
- Insulating layers
- Weatherproof outer layer
- Warm hat and gloves
- Water-carrying capacity suited to the day's plan
- Water treatment
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Supportive walking footwear
- Navigation materials for the intended route
- Personal first-aid supplies
Thorong La Pass FAQ
- Where is Thorong La?
- Thorong La is in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, in central Nepal. Its trail connects Manang to the east with Muktinath and nearby Ranipauwa in Mustang to the west.
- How high is the pass?
- Thorong La stands at 5,416 metres, or 17,769 feet. Altitude is a central planning concern, not just a feature of the final crossing.
- Is Thorong La part of the Annapurna Circuit?
- Yes. It is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, a route around the Annapurna mountain range.
- How much time should be allowed for the crossing?
- Build the schedule around your approach, acclimatization, current conditions and onward route. The one-day plans here cover preparation or local visits; neither is a one-day pass-crossing recommendation.
- Is the trail used only by trekkers?
- No. Local traders also regularly use the pass. Keep the trail clear when stopping and be considerate of people travelling for work.