Thorong La Pass | Besisahar

Thorong La Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass in the Damodar Himal (part of the Nepalese Himalayas), standing at an elevation of 5,416 meters (17,769 feet). It is the highest and most challenging point of the world-famous Annapurna Circuit.

Visual Characteristics

The pass is a wide, rocky saddle situated between the peaks of Khatung Kang (6,484m) and Yakawa Kang (6,482m). The summit is marked by hundreds of multicolored Buddhist prayer flags, several stone chortens (stupas), and a metal signboard. To the east, the view looks down into the green valleys of Manang; to the west, it reveals the arid, lunar-like landscapes of the Mustang region and the distant Dhaulagiri range.

Location & Access Logistics

Coordinates: 28°47′36″N 83°56′20″E.

Trekking Route: Traditionally crossed from East to West (Manang to Muktinath). This direction allows for better acclimatization.

Starting Points:

Thorong Phedi (4,525m): The lower base camp.

High Camp (4,880m): A steep 1-hour climb above Phedi, used for a shorter "pass day" ascent.

Pass Day Timing: Trekkers typically depart between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM to reach the summit by sunrise and descend before strong afternoon winds (which can exceed 80 km/h) begin.

Descent: A grueling 1,600-meter vertical drop to Muktinath (3,760m), which usually takes 4–6 hours after reaching the summit.

Historical & Ecological Origin

For centuries, the pass was a critical high-altitude trade route for salt and yak caravans moving between the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki valleys. It marks the geographic transition between the lush, monsoon-affected southern slopes of the Himalayas and the dry, Tibetan-influenced rain shadow of Mustang.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Summit Tea Shop: A legendary (though seasonally operated) small hut at 5,416m that occasionally sells hot tea to trekkers-likely the highest "cafe" experience many will ever have.

Panoramic Views: Unobstructed sights of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, and the massive Dhaulagiri I (8,167m).

Cultural Transition: Crossing the pass is a cultural bridge, moving from the Gurung and Manangi Buddhist culture in the east to the Thakali and Hindu/Buddhist mix in Mustang.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no permanent shelters or facilities at the summit itself. High-speed satellite Wi-Fi is occasionally available at High Camp, but mobile signals (Ncell/NTC) are highly unreliable at the pass. Emergency services are limited to helicopter evacuation, which is weather-dependent.

Best Time to Visit

Autumn (Sept–Nov): The most stable weather and highest visibility.

Spring (Mar–May): Warmer, but with a higher risk of lingering deep snow and afternoon cloud cover.

Winter/Monsoon: Crossing is highly dangerous or impossible due to avalanche risk (notably the 2014 blizzard disaster) or landslides.

Facts & Legends

A technical reality of Thorong La is that oxygen levels are approximately 50% of those at sea level. A local "legend" warns of the "wind demons" of the afternoon; in reality, this is a meteorological phenomenon caused by the temperature differential between the Mustang desert and the Manang valleys, creating high-velocity wind tunnels through the pass after 10:00 AM.

Nearby Landmarks

Thorong Phedi – 3.5km East

Muktinath Temple – 15km West

Tilicho Lake – Located on a high-altitude detour to the South

Kali Gandaki Gorge – The deepest gorge in the world, visible during the descent into Mustang