‘a high altitude adventure of great thrill and spirits to experience’
The top Five Himalayan High Passes of Nepal, an adventure traverse from one scenic area to another beautiful valley. Most high passes in Nepal above 5,000 m, form a boundary from one district to another.
An enjoyable full of exciting thrills crossing over top five Himalayan High Passes of Nepal. All the top five passes are located around the region wise the most famous and popular is Thorang-La 5,416 m / 17,700 feet. Including Kang-La 5, 322 m
/ 17, 461 feet around Annapurna Circuit and Nar Phu Trekking.
The next high popular pass is Cho-La in Khumbu and Everest region at 5, 367 m. Includes all three high passes of Khumbu around Everest areas, as follows Kongma-La 5,535 m, Cho-La 5, 367 m, and Renjo-La 5,340 m.
Likewise, another famous crossing is Larke-La Pass on Manaslu Circuit Trekking at 5,106 m / 16, 752 feet. Leads you from Manaslu Valley around Gorkha district towards Manang areas.
The other popular high pass is crossing Gosainkunda-La or East Laurabinaya-La Pass at 4,610 m and 15,126 feet high.
Besides the main popular passes around Nepal Himalayas, there are countless high passes. Likewise, the Tashi Labtsa, Amphu Labtsa, French Pass and Sherpani Col pass, Lumba-Sumba with many high above and below 5,000 m passes.
In this text, we have focused on only five main passes which are much more popular than other passes. Other high passes are located around remote corners of Nepal the Himalayas, where few groups of trekkers and adventurer seldom ventures.
Thorang-La Pass:
Located between Manang valley and the district with Mustang areas.
A popular and famous adventure destination Annapurna Circuit leads to cross this high pass from Manang valley towards Mustang. A steep climb of 2-3 hours to the top of Thorang-La at 5,416 m high.
The pass leads to a long descent towards Muktinath around the Mustang district.
A full Annapurna Circuit of more than two weeks leads to Kaligandaki River, the world’s deepest gorge.
Kang-La Pass:
Located Nepal Far North West around the upper Manang district, a restricted area requires a special permit to enter Nar- Phu valley. Walking on a similar trail of Annapurna Circuit, from the village of Koto near Chame town. The route diverts heading due north to visit the remote windblown villages of Phu and Nar.
After exploring the remote villages, then crossing high Kang-La Pass at 5,322 m high, then reaching Manang valley.
Kongma-La, Cho-La, and Renjo-La, the three high passes of Khumbu / Everest:
Kongma-La, Cho-La, and Renjo-La of Everest Three Passes Trek are the most popular adventure viewpoints around the Everest and Khumbu region. Crossing and traversing all these three passes requires more than two weeks of trekking days.
The three passes with options either starting or crossing Renjo-La first from the west end of Khumbu. As well start from Chukung and Dingboche from the eastern side of Khumbu. The most popular is from Chukung and Dingboche, which involves a trek to Everest base camp and climb of Kalapathar high hill.
After crossing the first high pass of Kongma-La at 5,535 m, and then heading towards, crossing over Cho-La at 5,367 m. completing the second pass of Cho-la leads to the beautiful valley of Gokyo and its glacial scenic lakes.
From Gokyo, head towards the last final climb over Renjo-La at 5,340 m, and then downhill to Namche Bazaar. Finally ending the trek at Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu.
Larke-La Pass:
Falls within Manaslu Circuit trek which is a restricted area requires a special permit to enter Upper Manaslu Valley. A high pass at 5,106 m / 16, 752 feet.
The Larke-La separates the boundary of Manang Valley and Gorkha district with Manang district. A climb of 3-4 hours with a long descent of 3-4 hours to reach the other end of Larke-La pass at Manang areas.
Gosainkunda-La / East Laurabinaya-La Pass:
A popular trekking region north of Kathmandu around Langtang Himal areas of Rasuwa district. The trek leads to holy Gosainkunda Lake and then traverses over Gosainkunda-La or East Laurabinaya-La Pass at 4,610 m and 15,126 feet high.
An enjoyable adventure combination with Langtang Valley and Gosainkunda, and then crossing over the pass towards the Helambu area. Finally, the trek ends at the eastern rim of Kathmandu valley, a trek of two weeks duration.
