Known as a trekker’s paradise, Nepal is the land of the Himalayas and features several vibrant cultures and unique landscapes. A blend of all of Nepal’s highlights is included in the several trekking routes that the country boasts.
Among these numerous treks, each of them is equally enticing given the adventures and the enthralling experiences that await you throughout.
The Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit trek are the top names in the list of such trekking jewels. With both featuring a thrilling experience, these options sometimes make it difficult to pick your next adventure.
Therefore, in this blog, we make a detailed comparison between these iconic trekking routes to help you make your pick.
At a Glance: Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit
| Aspect | Everest Base Camp Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek |
| Location | Khumbu region, Sagarmatha National Park | Central Nepal in the Annapurna Conservation Area, along the Marshyangdi River valley |
| Highest Point | Kalapathhar at 5,555 m (18,225 ft) | Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m (17,769 ft) |
| Length | Approximately 130 km | Approximately 160-210 km |
| Permits | TIMS, Sagarmatha National Park Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality entrance card | ACAP, TIMS |
| Difficulty | Higher altitude with rapid ascent and limited oxygen | Gradual ascents and descents with well-built and marked trails |
| Cultures | Sherpas following Tibetan culture and Buddhism | Gurungs, Thakalis, and Manangis with Tibetan influence |
| Seasons | Preferred during Spring and Autumn. Open all year round | Spring and Autumn. Open all year round |
| Amenities | Basic trekking trail with teahouse accommodation and limited facilities at higher altitudes | Access to road, well-facilitated, and modern lodging with other amenities |
| Trekker’s Traffic | Crowded due to popularity, Everest adventure, and no restriction | Crowded due to good facilities and no restriction |
| Mountain Views | Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Pumori, Thamserku | Annapurna I, Annapurna II Manaslu, Dhaulagiri I, |
Trek Overview
Everest Base Camp Trek
An epic journey to the foothill of the highest peak in the world, the Everest Base Camp trek is a name for beckoning trekkers from all over the world every year.
This iconic trek traverses through serene landscapes and takes you to the Sherpa homeland.
Creating unforgettable life experiences for the trekkers, this is one of the best treks in the world for beginners and intrepid trekkers alike.
Spanning around 10 to 12 days, this adventure takes you closer to mountain beauties like Ama Dablam and Mt. Everest.
Giving you the true essence of the Himalayas, the trek explores the best corners of the Khumbu region and Sagarmatha National Park.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Another best hike in the world, the Annapurna Circuit trek is an adventure circumnavigating the Annapurna Massif including the 10th highest peak in the world- Annapurna I (26,545 ft).
This trek takes you through river valleys like the Marshyangdi River Valley and the Kali Gandaki River Valley while traversing through a variety of landscapes, pilgrimages, and spectacular views of the towering Himalayan giants.
An accessible yet iconic trek, this is the perfect adventure for beginner trekkers stepping into the world of trekking as well as for seasoned trekkers wanting a new feather on their hat.
Location and Distance
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is located in the Sagarmatha National Park in the heart of the Khumbu region of Nepal.
This legendary journey begins and ends with a scenic flight to and from Lukla Airport – the most dangerous airport in the world.
From there, the Everest Base Camp trekking unwinds through several picturesque Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep, and finally reaches the Everest Base Camp after a journey of around 65 kilometers.
This challenging trek features gradual elevation gain and then retraces the same route to reach Lukla. The total distance of the Everest Base Camp trek is around 130 km or 80 miles which is covered within 10 to 12 days.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Located in the lap of the Himalayas, the Annapurna Circuit trek lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area and circumnavigates the entire Annapurna massif to form a loop, unlike many other treks.
Starting at Syange, the Annapurna Round trek traverses through several Tamang and Tibetan villages like Chame, Pisang, Manang, and Yak Kharka before reaching one of the main attractions of the trek at the Thorong La Pass.
The Annapurna Circuit trek encompasses the highest accessible mountain pass in the world at Thorong La and then starts descending towards the holy town of Muktinath followed by the charming town of Jomsom.
As you continue the trek, you reach the natural hot springs at Tatopani and then get a chance to witness sunrise from one of the best sunrise viewing points at Ghorepani before returning back to Pokhara through the Kali Gandaki Valley.
Accompanied by the fantastic views, your entire journey at the Annapurna Circuit trek ranges somewhere around 190 km to 210 km depending on your itinerary and it is covered within 14 to 16 days.
Altitude and Acclimatization
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is a high-altitude adventure that takes you to the foothills of the highest peak in the world at the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters.
However, the challenge doesn’t stop here as a famous detour on the EBC trek takes you at an altitude even higher at Kalapathhar at 5,555 m which truly shows the majesty of the Everest region in all its might.
Although the elevation gain on the Everest Base Camp trek is gradual and broken down into several sections, the starting point of this trek is itself at a relatively high altitude of 2,840 m which can be daunting for people ranging from low altitude areas.
Also, the EBC requires you to sleep at high altitude after reaching the base camp as you will be spending the night at Gorakshep at 5,140 meters which can be more challenging than crossing a high altitude and descending towards lower region for sleeping.
Therefore, acclimatization is of high importance during the EBC trek to prevent altitude sickness while you continue your journey towards the Everest Base Camp covering an altitude difference of 2,715 m.
The standard itinerary of this trek has two acclimatization stops, usually at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, owing to its challenging conditions. The best part is acclimatization days feature fun hikes too.
While acclimatizing at Namche Bazaar, you can hike to Hotel Everest View and while acclimatizing at Dingboche, you can hike to the nearby Nangkartsang Peak. Both these hikes are scenic experiences giving you stunning views of peaks like Ama Dablam.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
When it comes to altitude, the Annapurna Circuit trek is also an equally challenging adventure as it takes you to the highest mountain pass in the world at 5,416 m at the Thorong La Pass which is even higher than the Everest Base Camp.
You start at an altitude of 1100 m (3,609 ft) and go on to cover an elevation gap of massive 4,316 meters (14,160 ft) as you reach the pinnacle of the trek and then come back all the way to Pokhara at 900 meters.
However, what makes it a tad bit easier is that you don’t start at a very high altitude and the elevation gain is very gradual with constant ascents and descents throughout the trek.
Acclimatization is extremely important during this trek too as chances of altitude sickness are very high during the trek. While a day of acclimatization should be enough, you can extend the duration based on the presence or absence of symptoms.
A standard Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary includes a day of acclimatization, usually at Manang, where you can go for an acclimatization hike to Gangapurna glacial lake.
If you have time, combining the Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake is another fun way of acclimatizing.
Difficulty and Preparation
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek presents a more achievable challenge as opposed to the Annapurna Circuit trek as this trek covers around 130 km in total.
Therefore, it is also known as a good option for beginners and welcomes trekkers of all ages.
However, preparation is highly important to spend your 10 to 12 days of trekking more comfortably as reaching an altitude of 5,555 m with around 600 to 800 meter elevation gain every day is not a small feat.
Trekkers will walk for 5 to 6 hours every day on average which makes a basic level of fitness a must-have. While preparing for the Everest Base Camp trek, it is important to focus on your cardiovascular health and leg strength.
Altitude sickness is one of the difficulties of the Everest Base Camp trek along with other issues like sunburn, food poisoning, overexertion, and soreness of muscles. However, they can be tackled with proper precautionary measures.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trek has an upper hand over the EBC trek in terms of difficulty, especially when it comes to the length, as you will be covering a distance of 190 to 210 km based on your itinerary and spending around three weeks amidst the trekking landscapes.
Altitude is also an equally challenging factor as you will be going as high as 5,416 m into the realms of thin air with long hours of walking every day amidst the rugged landscapes of the trek.
However, it is also a unique experience and the difficulty can be managed as the Annapurna Circuit trek features dirt roads going deep inside the trail allowing you to shortcut your walking hours.
The ascents are gradual in most of the sections and you will find lots of teahouses allowing for a perfect relaxation spot during your long walk. The unpredictable weather can be tackled with a thorough packing list.
Preparations and exercise should be started well in advance to deal with the soreness due to long hours of walking. If anything goes wrong and you are met with an injury, rescue, and treatment are much easier to organize due to the road access.
Accessibility
Everest Base Camp Trek
In terms of seasonal accessibility, the Everest Base Camp trek is open all year round with each season giving a different perspective to the region. Being a well-maintained trail, trekking the EBC during monsoon or winter too is not much of a problem.
However, the preferred seasons to trek the Everest Base Camp are spring and autumn as these seasons are also considered the best time to visit Nepal. You can pick the best time for the EBC trek based on your preferences.
Coming to transportation, after a flight from Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla, the trail is all about trekking and it doesn’t feature much of a transportation access nor a dirt road thus making it a trek without shortcuts.
Accommodation on the EBC trek includes local teahouses with basic amenities which are comfortable and warm despite not being lavish and the services like wi-fi and internet accessibility and shower and laundry services on the EBC trek are available from time to time.
The food on the EBC trek is delicious local cuisine with options for English breakfast for those wanting to stick to their regular diet.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit presents a slight contrast as this trail is not just a trekking route but also a famous shopping and sightseeing spot. Therefore, it features a dirt road access to some deep parts of the trek for increased accessibility.
It also features advanced lodging facilities, especially in lower altitudes, with several familiar luxuries like western toilets, hot showers, laundry, wifi, and a lot more.
Food options are also scattered across a wide menu. However, Thakali cuisine is a must-have when on the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Due to the availability of the dirt road, the emergency services and transportation of necessary goods also become comparatively easy on the circuit.
Cultural Encounters
Everest Base Camp Trek
Cultural encounters on the Everest Base Camp trek are an experience unmatched as along with enjoying the spectacular beauty of the Himalayas, you get to become face-to-face with the guardians of Himalayas- the Sherpas.
Sherpas are known to have a unique quality of speed climbing and navigating the Himalayas unlike anyone else as they have adapted to physiological changes because of staying in the region for long.
Along with this, they are also warm and hospitable, and interacting with the Sherpas also instills a sense of respect towards nature within you. Tibetan culture is most prevalent in the region.
Most villages like Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Pheriche are Sherpa villages and feature lots of mani walls and chortens.
The trek also takes you to one of the highest and most ancient monasteries in the world: the Tengboche monastery.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trek too is rich in terms of culture and this region is home to several different cultural groups like Thakalis, Magars, Manangis, Chettris, and Gurungs, while Tibetan Buddhism is predominant in this region.
The mouth-watering Thakali cuisine is truly to die for and the authentic culture and warm hospitality of the Manangis is also a joyful experience.
Traversing through the quaint Gurung villages, you will be able to witness several local traditions.
However, the Circuit has been modernized lately due to high popularity as most of the locals are engaged in the hospitality business. But in the inner depths of the trek, you can still experience a true cultural odyssey.
Scenery and Landscapes
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is known for the scenic treat that it offers giving the trekkers a closeup view of Mt. Everest and its neighbors along with a tour of the glacial landscapes of the region like the Khumbu glacier and Khumbu icefall.
The experience is majestic as you traverse along the Dudh Koshi River to cross the treeline with pine and rhododendron forests to enter a more rugged and rustic landscape at higher altitudes.
The views from Kalapathhar as well as EBC are breathtaking as you see Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Thamserku, Mt. Everest, Pumori, as well as surrounding uncountable peaks.
However, the landscapes of the Everest Base Camp trek are highly dominated by Mt. Everest and glacial and snowy landscapes with much less variety as compared to the Annapurna Circuit.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit offers much more variety when it comes to landscape as it features everything from lush forests and quaint valleys to alpine meadows and challenging mountain passes amidst the snow-blanketed mountains.
Along with that, trekkers can also experience unique landscapes like high-altitude arid deserts and be in the rain shadow of the Annapurna range in the northern sections of the trek along with even seeing the backside of Mt. Annapurna.
You meander alongside the Marshyangdi River as well as the Kali Gandaki River while crossing some of the world’s bests like the highest accessible mountain pass at Thorong La and the world’s deepest gorge at the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
Besides that, the trek also holds other surprises like the natural hot springs at Tatopani which are springs with natural healing properties to help with the soreness of muscles from the trek.
The mountain majesty is also a worthy competitor to the EBC trek as you get stunning views of Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri range, Manaslu, as well as the iconic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail mountain).
What is unique about the circuit is that as you will be going around a loop, you can get views of the same mountains from both front and back, making your experience enhanced.
Trekker’s Traffic
Everest Base Camp Trek
Being the iconic trekking route that it is, the Everest Base Camp trek experiences a huge influx of trekkers from all over the world with each of them wanting to experience the majesty of Everest.
Therefore, one must be prepared to share the trail with lots of trekkers. However, you can avoid the trekker’s traffic by trekking the trail during shoulder seasons like monsoon or winter.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trek too is beaming with tourists because of its popularity, good amenities, as well as the accessibility of the trek. It can be done by people of any age as it features a dirt road option.
Besides that, the Annapurna circuit also sees lots of pilgrims traveling to the holy town of Muktinath. Due to the reputation of the trek, the facilities are good and readily available too.
Catering to national and international trekkers, the Annapurna Circuit features good guesthouses, a variety of cuisines, western toilets, a good facility for showers and laundry, as well as Wi-Fi.
Therefore, be prepared to get accompanied by countless back of rucksacks as you trek in this tourism hub amidst the Himalayas.
Conclusion
Be it finding reasons to trek the Annapurna Circuit or knowing if the Everest Base Camp trek is worth doing, you will always find lots of answers all saying that these iconic treks are a must-do for any adventure enthusiasts.
The Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit comparison has been prevalent for ages and picking one of the two depends on what you are truly looking for from your trekking adventure. Each of these treks is best in its own way.
For those with the desire to stand in the shadow of Everest and dive into the glacial beauty of the region, the Everest Base Camp trek is the best fit. And for those looking for an elaborate experience across landscapes, our best pick is the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Whichever one you choose, make sure to enjoy the experience thoroughly and come back for more!
