High Pass Treks in Nepal: 16 Crossings Above 5,000 m

High Pass Treks in Nepal: 16 Crossings Above 5,000 m

For trekkers who have done the basics and are hungry for something serious, the high passes are where Nepal really opens up. Sixteen major trekking passes in this country sit above 5,000 metres. Each one is a different test of legs, lungs and nerve, and the views from the top — when the weather holds — are unforgettable. Some are crossed by thousands of trekkers each year, others by perhaps a few dozen. Here is the complete map from our senior guides, with elevation, region, difficulty and the trek each one belongs to.

Why cross a high pass

A 5,000 m pass is not just a higher viewpoint. It is a physiological and logistical commitment: weeks of acclimatisation feed into a single morning where you are walking on snow or scree at altitudes where helicopters can barely operate. The rewards are commensurate. You see the geographic structure of the Himalaya from above. You stand on a saddle between two distinct valley systems, often watching weather come in from one and out the other. You earn views that no day-hiker on the same range will ever see.

The sixteen passes, ranked by altitude

The classics every trekker has heard of

Thorong La (5,416 m) — Annapurna Circuit

The most famous high pass in Nepal, crossed by thousands of trekkers each year on the Annapurna Circuit. The 4 am start from Thorong Phedi or High Camp, the slow climb over scree, the prayer flags at the summit, and the long knee-breaking descent into Muktinath are an iconic Himalayan experience. Now safer than ever thanks to dedicated weather forecasting after the 2014 snowstorm tragedy.

Larkya La (5,160 m) — Manaslu Circuit

We genuinely believe Larkya La has the best summit view of any commercial trekking pass in Nepal. Manaslu, Himlung, Kang Guru and distant Annapurna II all line up around you. The eight-hour day from Dharamsala to Bimtang is brutal but earned. Part of our Manaslu Circuit Luxury Trek.

Cho La (5,420 m) — Everest Three Passes

The connector between Gokyo Lake and Lobuche on the Everest Three Passes Trek. Glacier crossing on the east side requires care in fresh snow. Reasonably moderate by Three Passes standards.

Renjo La (5,360 m) — Everest Three Passes

The easiest of the three Everest passes, but the view is arguably the best — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu all visible from one ridge.

Kongma La (5,535 m) — Everest Three Passes

The highest of the three Everest passes and the most demanding. Boulder-strewn ascent and descent, no clear trail in places.

The serious technical crossings

Amphu Lapcha (5,845 m)

Nepal's highest "trekking" pass, though calling it a trekking pass is misleading — it requires ropes, ice axes, harnesses and proper mountaineering technique. Crossed only by experienced expedition trekkers connecting Mera Peak with Island Peak. We run it as a supported climbing trip only.

Tashi Lapcha (5,755 m)

Connects Rolwaling Valley to the Khumbu via a glaciated, crevassed crossing. Used by serious adventurers wanting an alternative approach to EBC. Demands experience.

Kang La (5,306 m) — Nar Phu

The crossing into the hidden Nar Phu Valley from the Annapurna Circuit. Snow and ice cover much of the year. Part of our Annapurna Circuit with Nar Phu.

Mesokanto La (5,099 m)

The alternate route from Tilicho Lake to Jomsom, used by trekkers wanting to bypass Thorong La. Long, exposed and weather-dependent.

The Dolpo passes

Four of the sixteen sit in the trans-Himalayan rainshadow of Dolpo, and they are some of the loneliest crossings in the country.

• Numa La (5,310 m) and Baga La (5,070 m) anchor the Lower Dolpo circuit
• Nagdalo La (5,240 m), Shey La (5,100 m) and Saldang La (5,200 m) thread the full Upper Dolpo circuit
• Jeng La (5,100 m) offers stunning views toward Kanjiroba and Dhaulagiri

These passes carry far fewer trekkers than the Khumbu or Annapurna alternatives, but they require longer acclimatisation, full camping support, and serious fitness.

The other classics

French Pass / Dhampus Pass (5,258 m) — Dhaulagiri

Part of the Dhaulagiri Circuit, one of Nepal's most demanding non-restricted treks. Snow-covered most of the year.

Ganja La (5,106 m) — Langtang

A wild, less-trekked pass connecting Langtang Valley to Helambu. Rebuilt route after the 2015 earthquake. Requires camping and a strong group.

Best season for high passes

The acceptable windows are narrow:

• Spring (late March to May): the most stable conditions. Snow on passes melts steadily through April.
• Autumn (late September to early November): crisp, clear, cold. The most popular window.

Avoid monsoon (June-August) — passes are dangerous and visibility nil. Avoid winter (December-February) — most passes block with snow and avalanche risk spikes.

Permits

Every high pass trek requires permits, processed by registered agencies. Specifics by route:

• Everest Three Passes: Sagarmatha National Park + Khumbu Rural Municipality
• Annapurna Circuit (Thorong La) / Mesokanto / Tilicho: ACAP + TIMS
• Nar Phu (Kang La): ACAP + Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit
• Manaslu (Larkya La): Manaslu RAP + MCAP + ACAP
• Langtang (Ganja La): Langtang National Park + TIMS
• Dolpo passes: Shey Phoksundo NP + Upper/Lower Dolpo RAP
• Tashi Lapcha / Amphu Lapcha: mountaineering / restricted permits required

Preparation requirements

High-pass trekking is not "harder hiking." It is altitude-medicine territory. Our requirements:

• 3-4 months structured training before departure
• Acclimatisation days built in — no shortcuts
• High-quality cold gear — down jacket, four-season sleeping bag, mountaineering boots for technical passes
• Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover to at least USD 100,000
• Trekking poles (mandatory in our view)
• A licensed guide who has crossed the specific pass multiple times
• Weather monitoring — we delay or abort pass crossings if conditions worsen

Which high pass should you choose?

• First high pass ever: Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit. Best infrastructure, best acclimatisation profile, well-documented.
• Best view for the effort: Larkya La (Manaslu) or Renjo La (Everest).
• Most adventure for fit veterans: Kang La (Nar Phu) or Numa La + Baga La (Lower Dolpo).
• Technical / mountaineering crossover: Tashi Lapcha or Amphu Lapcha — book as a guided climbing trip.
• All three Everest passes in one trip: the classic Three Passes Trek, 17-21 days.

Plan your high pass trek

These are not trips to take lightly, and they reward booking with an experienced operator. We run small groups with senior pass-crossing guides and emergency cover end-to-end. Browse our Nepal trek packages or contact our Kathmandu team to plan your 2026 high-pass crossing.