Featured
Private Trip
Namun La Pass Trek- 10 days
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Accommodation Hotel in Kathmandu / Lodge or homestay and tented camp on the trek
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Duration 10
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Trip Difficulty Moderate to Challenging
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Activities Trekking, Hiking, Sightseeing & Cultural Exploration
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Best Time Spring and Autumn
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Max. Elevation Namun La Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft)
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Group Size Min-1 Pax
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Transportation private vehicle
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Meals Breakfast in Kathmandu; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during the trek
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Start/End Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Overview
For centuries, Gurung traders used a high, windy pass to carry goods between the green hills of Lamjung and the dry valleys of Manang. That pass is Namun La. Trekkers weren’t allowed to use it until 2008, which is why this route still feels so quiet today.
The trek starts in Ghale Gaun, a Gurung village of stone houses at about 2,016 m. From there, the trail climbs through forest and open grazing land to Thorju, the base for two big highlights. One is Dudh Pokhari, or “Milk Lake,” a sacred lake that Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit each August. The other is Namun La Pass itself, at 4,850 m.
The pass gives you wide views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Lamjung Himal, and the Annapurna range. After crossing, the trail drops steeply to Danfe Kharka, then to Timang, a village on the Manang side. You finish on the road to Besisahar and drive back to Kathmandu.
This is not a crowded teahouse trek. Parts of the route have few or no lodges, so camping is common. It suits trekkers who want a remote, high-altitude trip and don’t mind simple conditions.
Main Highlights
- Namun La Pass (4,850 m), an old Gurung trade route that opened to trekkers in 2008
- Dudh Pokhari (Milk Lake), a sacred lake and August pilgrimage site, reached on a rest-day hike from Thorju
- Wide mountain views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Lamjung Himal, and the Annapurna range
- Gurung culture, starting with the stone-house village of Ghale Gaun
- Real quiet. Far fewer trekkers than the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp
- A route that connects two worlds, from green Lamjung to the drier Manang side
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best seasons, with clearer skies, stable weather, and safer trail conditions.
Winter (December–February) is very harsh at altitude, with snow on the high sections and cold nights in camp.
Monsoon (June–August) brings landslides and slippery trails on the lower roads and paths. The one exception is August, when pilgrims walk to Dudh Pokhari. It’s a chance to see a living tradition, but trails are wetter and busier.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 10 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) |
| Highest Point | Namun La Pass, 4,850 m |
| Highest Overnight Stop | Thorju, about 4,080 m |
| Trip Cost | $1,140 per person |
| Best Season | Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and a TIMS card if required |
| Guide | Licensed guide included |
| Accommodation | Hotel in Kathmandu, lodge or homestay in villages, tented camp on remote nights |
| Starting Point | Besisahar, then by road to Kapur Gaon |
Altitude Profile
| Place | Altitude (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Besisahar | 760 m |
| Ghale Gaun | 2,016 m |
| Rabrachu | 3,100 m |
| Thorju (two nights) | About 4,080 m |
| Dudh Pokhari (day hike) | About 4,440–4,620 m |
| Namun La Pass | 4,850 m |
| Danfe Kharka | About 4,000 m |
| Timang | 2,630 m |
| Chamje | 1,430 m |
Heights vary by source and itinerary, so treat these as close estimates.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu | 1,400 m | — |
| 2 | Kathmandu → Besisahar → Kapur Gaon → Ghale Gaun | 2,016 m | Drive, then 2–3 hrs trek |
| 3 | Ghale Gaun → Rabrachu | 3,100 m | 6 hrs trek |
| 4 | Rabrachu → Thorju | About 4,080 m | 6–7 hrs trek |
| 5 | Rest day: hike to Dudh Pokhari and back | About 4,440–4,620 m | 5–6 hrs round trip |
| 6 | Thorju → Namun La Pass → Danfe Kharka | 4,850 m → About 4,000 m | 7–8 hrs trek |
| 7 | Danfe Kharka → Timang | 2,630 m | 6 hrs trek |
| 8 | Timang → Chamje | 1,430 m | About 5–6 hrs trek |
| 9 | Chamje → Besisahar → Kathmandu | 1,400 m | About 9–10 hrs drive |
| 10 | Final departure | — | — |
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Airport transfers
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, with breakfast
- Private transportation from Kathmandu to the trailhead and back
- An experienced, English-speaking, licensed trekking guide
- Porter service
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card where required
- Camping equipment and kitchen team for the camping nights
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
- Basic first-aid kit
- Insurance for guide and porters
- All government taxes and service charges
Excludes
- International airfare
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance, which should cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, except where listed
- Tips for your guide and porters
TripAdvisor Reviews
FAQs
It's rated moderate to strenuous. The route is remote, climbs above 4,000 m, and includes a steep, rocky pass crossing at 4,850 m. It doesn't need climbing skills, but you need good fitness and a steady pace.
Namun La Pass is 4,850 m (15,912 ft). Some websites list a much higher figure, but 4,850 m is the commonly accepted height.
Sources put the lake at about 4,440–4,620 m. Some sites quote 5,300 m, but that appears to be too high.
Partly. There are lodges or homestays in villages like Ghale Gaun, Timang, and Chamje. On the remote section between Rabrachu and Danfe Kharka, we use tented camps, with basic lodges only where they're open.
No. The route stays within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so it needs an ACAP, and a TIMS card if required. A restricted area permit is only needed if you combine this trek with areas like Nar Phu. See our Nepal trekking permits guide.
March–May and September–November. Winter is very cold, and the monsoon brings landslides and slippery trails.
Each August. It's a living tradition, but it falls in the monsoon, so trails are wetter and busier.
It's better for trekkers with some experience at altitude. Beginners with strong fitness can do it with a guide and careful pacing, but it isn't an easy first trek. Our best treks guide can help you compare.
Yes. You sleep at about 4,080 m and cross a pass at 4,850 m. The rest day at Thorju and a slow pace help, and you should tell your guide about any symptoms.
On a clear day, views include Manaslu, Himalchuli, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Pisang Peak, and the Chulu range.
Unlikely. This is one of the quieter passes in the Annapurna region. Read more in our guide to hidden treks in Nepal.
Yes. Some travelers connect it with the Annapurna Circuit side. If you like remote passes, see our Nar Phu Valley and Kang La Pass trek or Kang La Pass and Thorang La Pass trek.
