Is Thorong La Dangerous? An Honest Answer from a Guide

Thorong La is the high point of the Annapurna Circuit, at 5,416 m. Almost everyone who plans the circuit asks me the same question: is it dangerous?

My honest answer: the pass itself is not a climb. It is a long, steep walk on a clear trail, with no ropes and no technical part. What makes it serious is the height, the cold and the weather. Respect those three and most people cross it well. I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide in Nepal since 2018. This is how I think about the pass.

What the day is like

Most walkers sleep at Thorong Phedi (about 4,450 m) or at High Camp (about 4,880 m) the night before. You leave in the dark, usually between 04:00 and 05:00, with a head torch.

• Up: from High Camp to the pass is about 2 to 3 hours of slow climbing. From Thorong Phedi, add one to two hours.
• The top: prayer flags, a small tea shop in season, and a wide view of white peaks. You stay a few minutes, not long.
• Down: about 1,600 m of descent to Muktinath (about 3,800 m), 3 to 4 hours on loose, steep ground. For many people the way down is harder than the way up.

It is the longest day of the circuit: 7 to 10 hours of walking in thin air.

The real risks

1. Altitude

This is the main one. At 5,416 m there is about half the oxygen of the sea. The danger is not the pass, it is arriving there too fast. Walkers who skip the acclimatisation days in Manang are the ones who struggle. Read my guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks before you go.

2. Cold and wind

Before sunrise it is well below freezing, even in the good months. After mid-morning a strong wind usually rises. This is why everyone starts early: to be over the top before the wind.

3. Weather and snow

Snow can close the pass for days, mostly from December to March, and a sudden storm can come in any season. In October 2014 a blizzard linked to Cyclone Hudhud brought deep snow in a few hours, and about forty people died in the region, trekkers, guides and local people among them. Since then, weather warnings are taken much more seriously, and so they should be.

4. The way down

Tired legs, loose gravel and sometimes ice. Most small injuries on this day happen on the descent, not the climb.

How to cross it safely

• Acclimatise in Manang. Two nights there, with a walk higher in the day and back down to sleep. It is the best thing you can do for the pass.
• Do not go up with symptoms. A bad headache that does not go away, vomiting, or confusion means you do not go higher. You rest or go down. The pass will still be there.
• Check the weather the day before. Lodge owners and guides at Thorong Phedi know when the pass is not safe. If they say wait, wait.
• Start early, walk slowly. Small steps, steady breathing, short stops. Fast walkers often feel worse at the top.
• Dress for the cold. Warm gloves, a hat, a down jacket in your day pack, and a buff for the wind. Your water can freeze: keep a bottle inside your jacket.
• Use poles on the descent. They save your knees on the long way down to Muktinath.
• Know your way out. Your insurance should cover helicopter rescue up to at least 6,000 m. My guide to helicopter rescue in Nepal explains how it works.

The best months

October and November are the most reliable: clear skies and a firm trail. March to May is also good, with more snow on the ground early in spring. In winter the pass is often closed or crossed only in good spells. In the monsoon the pass is usually open, but the way to it is wet and the views are often in cloud.

Is it right for you?

If you walk for several hours at home, can keep a slow pace, and are willing to turn back when your body says so, you can cross Thorong La. You do not need climbing experience. You need patience.

The full walk is on my Annapurna Circuit trek page, day by day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need crampons for Thorong La?
Usually not in October and November. After fresh snow, or in winter and early spring, light microspikes help a lot, mostly on the way down.

Can I cross it from Muktinath to Manang instead?
It is possible, but much harder: you climb about 1,600 m in one day with no time to adjust. Almost everyone crosses from Manang, and I recommend it.

Should I sleep at High Camp or Thorong Phedi?
High Camp makes the pass day shorter, but you sleep higher. If you felt the height in Manang, Thorong Phedi is the kinder choice.

Is there a road over the pass?
No. Roads reach both sides of the circuit now, but the pass itself is crossed only on foot.

If you are planning the circuit and want to cross Thorong La at a calm pace, write to me. Tell me your dates, and I’ll tell you honestly how many days you need.