Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

Introduction

“Anyone who has been among mountains knows their indifference, has felt a brief, blazing sense of the world’s disinterest in us. In small measures, this feeling exhilarates. In full form, it annihilates.” - Mountain Movie

Everest Base Camp (EBC) and the Annapurna Circuit Trek are two of the most popular destinations in the world, both of which are located in Nepal. But how are the treks different? And which option should we choose?

To be honest, we have been leading treks to both trails since years, and both are unquestionably beautiful; but in very different ways with its unique features. We will compare and contrast these treks based on their length, cost, preparation needed, level of difficulty, highlights, food, culture, and other factors.

We are not trying to compare the two spectacular sites; rather, our goal is to offer you an in-depth understanding of how to determine "your ideal choice."

Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

These topics will help you decide between the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Let's take a look at these options and see which one works best for you.

1. Trip Duration

While the trek to Everest Base Camp is 130 kilometres long, the average trek to Annapurna Base Camp is 110 kilometres. As a result, Annapurna Base Camp is considerably shorter than Everest Base Camp. Nonetheless, the number of days required to complete either of these treks can be adjusted by taking alternate routes.

At Hidden Treks Nepal, we offer three different Everest Base Camp trek packages

At Hidden Treks Nepal, we offer four different Annapurna Circuit trek packages

Note: The listed durations of the treks might not always reflect the exact time you'll spend on the trail. For example, while the Everest region is geographically farther from Kathmandu than the Annapurna region, that doesn't necessarily mean every Everest trek has to be a longer trek. We can still create a shorter, well-paced Everest (aligning with our guidelines) itinerary if you're short on time.

The packages we listed above are not the only ones that can be made. You can change them in many ways to suit your needs. Tell us what you're interested in and when you can do it, and we'll make it work for you.

2. Accessibility

Interesting Fact: Annapurna Circuit itineraries are lengthier than Everest Base Camp itineraries, despite the fact that the distance between Kathmandu and Everest Base Camp is greater. This is due to the fact that it takes more time to reach the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Of course, both go to different but equally beautiful parts of Nepal's Himalayas and require a lot of high-altitude trekking. But in many other ways, they are very different, such as how easy it is to get to them and accessibility to be back again.

Accessing the Everest Base Camp Trek Route

The Everest Base Camp Trek begins and ends at Lukla's Tenzing Hillary Airport. A major factor that makes Lukla accessible to travellers is air travel. There is a regular flight from Kathmandu airport to Lukla, and all of them get there before noon because of the weather in the area. 

But cancelled flights, delays, and traffic on the highway all make trekking in Nepal's Everest region a new adventure. If your flight is cancelled, you can also take a jeep ride to and from Everest Base Camp Trek. If you want to trek on a budget or avoid problems with flights, you can also choose the jeep option.

But once you get to Kathmandu, you only need to take a short 25-minute flight east to Lukla, which is where the EBC trek starts. If you take the jeep, it will take you two more days to get to Lukla (Kathmandu-Salleri, Salleri-Tham Danda/Surke).

Important note

Started from 2022, you cannot fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu (during peak seasons). You need to drive south to Ramechhap and then fly to Lukla from there. However, the itinerary aims to complete this on the same day, it might add an extra day of travelling on both sides of the EBC trek due to the situations.

Hidden Trek Nepal arranges the drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap early at 3-4:00 am, aiming to reach Lukla the same day.

Accessing the Annapurna Circuit Trek Route 

Typically Beshisahar is the trailhead for most of the Annapurna circuit trek. Beshisahar is 182 Kilometers away from Kathmandu and 107 Km from Pokhara and is only accessible by road transportation. 

After a night in Kathmandu, we have two days of driving in front of us to reach the trek’s starting point. The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes around 7-10 hours, and Pokhara to Besisahar drives take about 4-8 hours depending on local traffic and season. 

The reason we drive is that you cannot fly to the start of the Annapurna Circuit, as with the EBC trek. While you could fly to Pokhara, you would still then need to hire transport to drive you a long way to Besisahar to start off the trail.

However upon returning, you have an option to choose a flight from Jomsom to reach Pokhara at the end of the trek. Off-road jeep drive from Jomsom to Pokhara is also available.

3. Trekking Difficulty & Altitude

Before you panic-Google “how to become a Sherpa overnight”, don’t worry, no superhero training required. You just need reasonable fitness and strong mental dream determination to successfully complete both destinations.

Maybe you have a big question about which one is more difficult to weather. In short, both the Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp treks are challenging but still doable with a decent level of fitness and perseverance.

You must remember that the Mountains are high and challenging, but not all on the Trekking Trail. Yes, the Himalayas trekking route has some difficulty but not beyond our physical capacity. With the support of our trekking guide, porters, and friends, you can achieve both Himalayan trekking in Nepal.

Both the Annapurna Circuit and the EBC trek are difficult, but still totally doable if you have reasonable levels of fitness and perseverance.

However, Some parts of trekking trails are challenging, which will test your physical endurance. Similarly, the thin air due to high altitude makes you feel difficult. All our activities are not like in our home garden. But slow and steady pace cope with trek difficulty of Everest Base Camp Trek vs. Annapurna Circuit.

4. Food & Accommodation

Plenty of lodges and teahouses on the trails provide refreshment where trekkers enjoy the services of a hot meal and refreshing tea. The only thing to remember is that the price of the food items keeps on increasing as you walk higher.

Trekking the Annapurna Circuit

The food services on the Annapurna trail are moderate. The lodges and teahouses on this trail provide you with food ranging from pancakes and oatmeal for breakfast. 

Likewise, typical lunch and dinner for Nepalese cuisine including local foods such as Dal Bhat and Tarkari are available, as are foreign foods such as pizza, burgers, oatmeal, sandwiches, spaghetti, and many others. There are options for other international cuisines at most places on the Annapurna trail.

The accommodations in the Annapurna circuit are fairly adequate. You will be given extra blankets to keep you warm. However, the restrooms are pretty poor. The majority of teahouses may not have appropriate restroom facilities. As a result, it is preferable to carry your own toiletries.

Trekking the Everest Base Camp 

There may not be as many teahouses and eateries along the route to Everest Base Camp as there are on the Annapurna Circuit. Most teahouses close during the off-season trekking season, making it difficult to find a suitable teahouse or lodge.

Although there are fewer teahouses along the route to Everest Base Camp, you will be astonished at the amenities they give even in such a remote location. The accommodations are simple yet enough for a decent night's sleep. Breakfast staples such as eggs, oatmeal, and bread are popular, as are typical national foods for lunch and supper. 

During high seasons, you may also have to share a hotel if you hike to Everest Base Camp. As a result, it is preferable to reserve your dining and lodging facilities ahead of time.

5. Views & Landscape

Annapurna Circuit Trek

The epic Annapurna Circuit trek has been often considered as the most beautiful trek in the world, not without a valid reason. Above all, its landscape is very diverse. 

The trek leads initially through subtropical forests and authentic villages just to reach the spectacular and often snowy Thorong La Pass. After crossing the pass, you will have a chance to visit the Muktinath temple – a mystical pilgrimage destination for both Hindus and Buddhists. 

Eventually, you will walk through the remote and arid Lower Mustang region, which due to its dry climate reminds of the mysterious land of Tibet. Moreover, you’ll pass through the deepest gorge in the world – Kali Gandaki Gorge as well as apple orchards. Ultimately the trek route encircles the Annapurna Massif, passing two other eight-thousanders – Manaslu (8,163 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 m).

Everest Base Camp Trek

Reaching the world’s highest mountain base camp is the final goal of the EBC trek. For that reason some will not need more explanation than that. In case you do, you should know that there are plenty of attractions on the way as well.

Firstly, the Everest Base Camp trek goes through the beautiful Sagarmatha National Park.  Secondly, you will come across many interesting sites: Namche Bazaar – a charming Sherpa village with narrow cobblestone alleys, beautiful Buddhist monasteries, magical white stupas and a hidden yeti skull. 

In addition, one of the most characteristic and beautiful mountains in the world – Ama Dablam, as well as the majestic south face of the fourth highest mountain in the world Lhotse (8,516 m) and the famous Khumbu glacier will be your frequent companions during the EBC trek.

6. Weather

Himalayas' weather is highly variable, and even in some cases, it becomes dangerous. However, the Annapurna circuit trail is in central and Everest in the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal but comes with similar weather patterns, seasons, and intensity. Because Nepal is a small country and the Himalayas share some weather features.

The two significant seasons trekkers have to plan perfectly and care intensely are the Monsoon and winter. On the other hand, spring and fall are the best trekking seasons for Nepal, whether Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Best Seasons for Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek

Spring and Autumn seasons are the peak seasons for both the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp trek. Moderate temperature, longer days, blue sky, flowers and greenery, festivals feature, and snow-white peaks make the spring and autumn seasons best for trekking in Nepal.

• Spring Season: March, April, May till mid-June
• Autumn Season: Mid-September, October, November to mid-December

Monsoon Season for Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek (June - Mid September)

Nepal is affected by the Indian monsoon, the world’s most prominent monsoon system. The monsoon brings lots of rain, high temperatures and humidity to the Himalayas from June to September. Nepal receives 80% of its rainfall during summer.

While parts of both treks take you into the rain shadow of the high Himalayas, the lower parts of the trek routes are very much affected by the monsoon rains, and so make summer a bad time for trekking.

Winter Season for Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek (December to February)

The winter monsoon brings cold temperatures, wind and snow from northern Asia to Nepal between December and February. Some intrepid souls choose to hike the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp trails in winter, but they are by far the minority.

The trails are certainly much quieter in winter, and the views often crisp, but the temperatures are icy, and night-time temperatures can drop to around –20° C. Also, the wind chill can drop the temperature by a further 10 degrees. Further, the chances of high passes being closed as a result of snowfall mean you can become stranded. Finally, certain passes (like the one to Gokyo Lakes) are routinely closed in winter, leaving only certain routes open to winter trekkers.

Note: It’s arguably wiser to only take on Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit route in winter if you’re a very experienced trekker and know that you know you have all the necessary equipment and clothing.

7. Cost of Trekking 

How much you spend on your treks depends upon personal preferences. However, as EBC treks are more remote and last longer, you can safely assume that the ABC trek is relatively cheaper. As a rule of thumb, the higher you get, the more the cost of food and accommodation. The exact trek cost also differs according to the trek group size. If you have a bigger group, you can get higher discounts.

The cost of the trek depends mainly on a few factors: permits, transport, accommodation and food as well as any additional expenses.

Because of the high price of flight between Lukla-Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp trek cost much more than the Annapurna region. While in the Annapurna circuit trek, a newly constructed road network is almost in all big towns along the trail.

8. Attractions and Highlights

The Himalayas peaks around the range of Annapurna and Everest are significant attractions and highlights of the trek. So let's make it simpler to understand what you can expect and experience as unique parts of each tour.

Attractions and Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek

• Journey to the base of mighty Mt. Everest – Everest Base Camp.
• Fly into the high-altitude Hilary Tenzing Airport at Lukla, an experience in itself
• Wilderness of Sagarmatha National Park.
• Namche Bazaar, the gateway and cultural heart of the Everest region.
• World’s legendary massive Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Icefall.
• Authentic Sherpa villages, their culture, and glorious landscapes.
• Follow the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and many other famous mountaineers.
• Stunning scenery of the sparkling peaks of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Amadablam, Nuptse, Pumori, Thamerku, Lingten, Lhola, Khangtenga, Tauche, Cholatse and many more.

Attractions and Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek

• Two distinct Himalayan regions – Manang and Mustang.
• Legendary Thorong La Pass (5,416m), one of the highest trekking passes in the world.
• The deepest gorge, Kaligandaki Gorge.
• Sacred Muktinath Temple, home to 108 water spouts and an eternal flame.
• Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area
• Great cultural insight – Gurung and Magar Community (believed to be descended of Tibetan)
• Astonishing view of Mt. Manaslu, the world’s 8th highest mountain, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and numerous 6,000m+ & 7,000m+ peaks.

Conclusion: Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp Trek, Which to Choose?

When comparing the two treks, there are several factors to consider, including trek difficulty, duration, costs, crowds, and highlights. The Everest Base Camp Trek is generally more challenging and more expensive than the Annapurna Circuit Trek, with higher volumes of trekkers during the peak season. On the other hand, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is more diverse and slightly less crowded, with lower costs and fewer altitude sickness risks.

Regardless of which trek you choose, it is essential to be prepared physically, mentally, and logistically. Some additional tips and advice include training and acclimatizing before the trek, packing appropriately for the weather and terrain, bringing proper trekking gear and equipment, and following trekking regulations and guidelines.

In conclusion, both trails offer a fabulous taste of Nepal trekking, but both are busy in high season and reward a bit of research into the excellent alternative trails and side trips which, for me, make these treks stand out. 

If avoiding the crowds is important to you, consider something different completely: the wonderful Manaslu Circuit teahouse trek, or an adventurous rough-and-ready trek out to the base of Kangchenjunga in the far east. Whatever you choose, your first trek in Nepal will almost certainly not be your last.