Cho La vs Thorong La: which pass is harder?

The Cho La and the Thorong La are almost the same height, about 5,420 m and 5,416 m. The Thorong La is a long walk on a clear path. The Cho La is shorter in distance but more technical, with steep rock, loose scree and a short glacier crossing. In fresh snow or ice the Cho La is clearly the harder and riskier of the two.

Cho La and Thorong La at a glance

• Height. Cho La: about 5,420 m. Thorong La: 5,416 m.
• Region. Cho La: Everest (Khumbu), linking Gokyo and the base camp trail. Thorong La: Annapurna, linking Manang and Muktinath.
• Terrain. Cho La: boulders, scree, a glacier section. Thorong La: a well-used path throughout.
• Time. Cho La: 6 to 8 hours, Thaknak to Dzongla. Thorong La: 7 to 10 hours, Phedi to Muktinath.
• Equipment. Cho La: microspikes strongly advised. Thorong La: microspikes only after snow.
• Optional?. Cho La: yes; the Everest trek can avoid it. Thorong La: no; it is the only way through on the circuit.

The Cho La

Going east from Gokyo you first cross the Ngozumpa Glacier to Thaknak. The pass day climbs a valley, crosses a boulder field and goes up a steep, loose gully to the edge of a small glacier. You walk across the ice, usually on a trodden line near its edge, to the pass and descend steep rock slabs towards Dzongla. Crevasses are generally few and visible, but in poor visibility or on hard ice a slip is the real danger. See the Cho La guide.

The Thorong La

The Annapurna pass has no glacier and no scrambling. Its difficulty is the altitude, the cold and the sheer length of the day, with 1,700 m of descent after the top. See the Thorong La guides.

Acclimatisation going in

Trekkers reach the Cho La after nights at Gokyo, about 4,790 m, and often after climbing Gokyo Ri, so they are usually well adapted. Thorong La trekkers come from Manang at 3,540 m, and those who cut rest days there are the ones who struggle.

When each is closed

Both are often shut by snow in mid-winter. The Cho La is also awkward early in spring, when old ice is exposed, and after any fresh snowfall, which hides the route across the glacier.

Guides

A guide matters on both and most of all on the Cho La, where the line across the glacier changes from season to season.

What to carry

For both: warm layers, a windproof shell, gloves, sunglasses, a head torch, water and food. For the Cho La add microspikes and, ideally, a trekking pole in each hand for the scree. A guide may carry a short rope for nervous walkers on the slabs.

Views

From the Cho La you look back to Cho Oyu and down towards Cholatse and Ama Dablam, a dramatic, enclosed scene of rock and ice. From the Thorong La the view is wider and barer, with the brown hills of Mustang ahead and Dhaulagiri in the distance.

Which is more often done?

Far more people cross the Thorong La each year, because it is part of the main circuit. The Cho La is chosen by a smaller share of Everest trekkers, those adding Gokyo or doing the Three Passes.

Choose Cho La if

• You are in the Everest region and want to link Gokyo with base camp.
• You are sure-footed on rock and scree.
• Conditions are dry and settled.
• You have microspikes and a guide.

Choose Thorong La if

• You want a high pass without technical ground.
• It is your first pass above 5,000 m.
• You are walking the Annapurna Circuit.
• You prefer a busy, well-marked trail.

Plan it

See the three Everest passes compared and Mesokanto La vs Thorong La, or ask us which trek suits you.

Common questions

Is the Cho La technical?

Not in the climbing sense, but it has a glacier section and steep loose ground, and needs care.

Do I need crampons for the Cho La?

Microspikes are usually enough in season. Full crampons are rarely needed.

Which is colder?

Both are very cold before dawn. Wind on the Thorong La is often stronger.

Can the Cho La be avoided?

Yes. You can reach both Gokyo and Everest Base Camp without it, by walking round through Phortse.

Heights, days, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current details with us before you book.