Annapurna Circuit Trek,
Annapurna Circuit Trek is the most popular trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trek is famous for amazing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Thorong La pass, 5416 meters is one of the major highlights of the trek. You will be trekking through amazing lush jungles, splashing rivers and waterfalls.
Walking through the diverse settlements in Annapurna, rounding the Annapurna base camp is a great feeling. Exploring settlements and discovering the unique culture and traditions of diverse ethnic groups is even more amazing.
On the 12 days Annapurna Circuit trek, you will see the amazing Himalayas like Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Fishtail mountain, and several others.
Everest Base Camp Trek,
Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular trek route in Nepal. The trek is well-known in the world for its natural as well as cultural wellness. Trekking to the amazing place from where you can see the highest peak in the world rising is more than amazing.
Kalapathar, the best viewpoint of Mt. Everest is one of the major highlights of the trek. Some of the other highlights of this trek are Namche Bazaar, Tengboche monastery, Everest Base Camp, amazing Sagarmatha national park, and several others.
Trekking to Everest base camp is also about exploring the unique Sherpa culture and traditions in the Khumbu region. Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Thamserku, and several others are the spotlights of this trek.
Trip Highlights: Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp
Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Thorong La Pass, 5416 meters
- Mesmerizing Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges including Mt. Annapurna, Macchapuchre Himal, and others.
- Muktinath Temple, a popular pilgrimage site of Hindu and Buddhists.
- Amazing villages like Chame, Pisang, and Manang.
- Visiting Kaligandaki river george, the deepest river george in the world.
- Walking through the amazing Annapurna Conservation Area.
- The vibrant city at Jomsom.
Everest Base Camp Trek
- Kalapathar, 5643 meters
- Astounding Everest massif, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and several others.
- Tengboche monastery, the biggest monastery in Khumbu.
- Amazing villages like Khumjung, Dingboche, Lobuche, etc.
- Visiting the amazing Khumbu Glacier and icefall.
- Walking through the amazing Sagarmatha National Park.
- The amazing town at Namche.
Transportation on Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp
Annapurna Circuit Trek,
The Annapurna circuit trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule. You can drive on a local bus, a jeep, or on private buses. From there, you will trek through the amazing trekking trails of Annapurna Circuit.
After the trek, from a place called Tatopani, you will drive to Pokhara on a local or a private vehicle. From Pokhara, you can drive back to Kathmandu. Or, you can fly to Kathmandu airport from Pokhara.
Everest Base Camp Trek,
The trek to Everest base camp begins from Lukla. There are several ways to reach Lukla from Kathmandu. The most popular one is Kathmandu-Lukla flight. The flight is a 45 minutes thrilling flight. There are some routes connecting Kathmandu and Lukla via road transport as well. There are some trekkers who prefer driving to Lukla.
From Lukla to Everest base camp and back, you will be trekking purely. In some cases when trekkers return due to health issues, the mules and yaks carry them. From Lukla, you can fly to Kathmandu in a plane.
Can you fly in a Helicopter? Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp
Annapurna Circuit Trek,
The pinnacle of Annapurna Circuit is Thorong La at 5416 meters. There are no helicopter flights that take you to Thorong La pass. This is because of the high altitude, air pressures, and difficulties in helicopter flight operations. But yes, you can fly in a helicopter to Manang. Also, there are helicopter tours to Muktinath, a pilgrimage of Hindus and Buddhists.
Everest Base Camp,
Everest base camp is the most popular travel destination in Nepal. And yes, there are several helicopter tours that will take you to the base camp of Mount Everest. The helicopter flight to Everest base camp is the most popular helicopter tour. There are lots of tourists who come to Nepal and do the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour with landing.
The EBC helicopter tour lands at Everest Base Camp, Kalapathar. You will also be landing at Everest View Hotel. This hotel is the highest placed hotel in the world. You can have breakfast at the hotel on your helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp.
Also, there are several other heli tours in Everest region. You can fly in and off a helicopter at several places like Namche, Tengboche, Lobuche, Khumjung, and Gorakshep.
Altitude: Annapurna Circuit Trek Vs Everest Base Camp
The highest altitudes on both the treks are similar. But the altitude gain in the Annapurna circuit is more gradual than in Everest base camp trek. Here, we will compare the starting altitudes and altitude gains in individual days on the treks Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp.
Annapurna Circuit Trek,
The Annapurna Circuit trek begins at Kathmandu (1350 meters). On the first day, we will trek to Bulbule at 860 meters. On the second day of the trek, you will trek to Chamche to reach 1385 meters. On the next day, you will cross 3000 meters. Walking through Timang village at 3400 meters, we will make a slight descend and trek to Dhikurpokhari (3240 meters). From there, you will gain nearly 400 meters trekking to Nawal (3600 meters). Next overnight spot is at Manang (3540 meters). You will have an acclimatization day at Manang.
On the following day, you will gain 2000 meters altitude climbing Thorung La pass (5416 meters). After reaching such a high altitude, you will descend to Ledar (4200 meters) for an overnight stay.
On the next day, you will stay overnight at Phedi (4400 meters) or at the High camp (4600 meters). On day 10, you will stay overnight at Muktinath (3800 meters). On the following days, you will descend to Marpha village, Tatopani, and to Pokhara (1400 meters).
Everest Base Camp Trek,
The Everest Base camp trek begins from Kathmandu (1350m). After a 45 minutes flight, you will reach Lukla (2800m). This altitude is already a high altitude for those who come from sea levels. From Lukla, you will trek to Phakding (2652 meters).
On day three, you will trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) gaining nearly 800 meters altitude. You will have a rest day in Namche followed by an altitude gain of 400 meters at Tengboche (3870 meters). You are close to 4000 meters now. From Tengboche, you will trek to Dingboche (4360 meters) and will take a rest day there again.
On the eighth day, you will gain 600 meters trekking to Lobuche (4940 meters). On the next day, you will reach Everest Base Camp (5364 meters) via Gorak Shep (5170m). On the next day, you will reach the highest point on the trek at Kalapatthar (5643 meters).
You will retrace your way back via Pheriche, Pangboche, Tengboche, Namche Bazaar, Lukla, and to Kathmandu.
Unique Socio-Cultural Exploration: Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp
Both these treks are highly diverse in nature and culture. You can have wonderful memories of walking through amazing remote settlements. Life is really hard at remote villages in both the Annapurna and Everest regions. Let’s have a look at a contrast between social and cultural lives at Annapurna circuit Vs Everest Base Camp.
Annapurna Circuit trek,
At Annapurna, you will see much diverse villages and communities. You will see diverse ethnic races like Gurung, Magars, Tamangs, Brahmin, Chhetri, and others. Walking through their settlements experiencing diverse cultures and traditions is an amazing experience.
Everest Base Camp,
So, the Everest region is basically the region of Himalayan Sherpas. You will see and trek through several Sherpa communities here. The way of life of Sherpas in Everest is inspiring. How they earn, what they wear, how they earn their livelihood is really interesting.
On the 14 days Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll have chances to explore amazing lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the Sherpa people.
Outline Itinerary: Annapurna Circuit Vs Everest Base Camp
Annapurna Circuit Trek,
- Day 01: Drive to Bhulbhule
- Day 02: Bhulbhule to Chamche
- Day 03: Timing to Dhikurpokhari
- Day 04: Dhikurpokhari to Nawal
- Day 05: Nawal to Manang
- Day 06: Manang - Acclimatization day
- Day 07: Manang to Ledar
- Day 08: Ledar to Phedi or High camp
- Day 9: Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath
- Day 10: Muktinath to Marpha Village
- Day 11: Marpha to Tatopani
- Day 12: Tatopani to Pokhara By drive Vehicles
Everest Base Camp,
- Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1350m)
- Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2800m) and trek to Phakding (2652m)
- Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
- Day 04: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar
- Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3870m)
- Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4360m)
- Day 07: Acclimatization at Dingboche
- Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4940m)
- Day 09: Trek to Gorak Shep (5170m) - Everest Base Camp (5364m) and Back Gorak Shep
- Day 10: Morning Kalapatthar sunrise and trek down to Pheriche (4280m)
- Day 11: Trek down to Pangboche-Tengboche-Namche Bazaar (3440m)
- Day 12: Trek down to Lukla (2800m)
- Day 13: Fly Back to Kathmandu
- Day 14: Departure to International Airport
Some Common Things About Annapurna Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek
Both the treks being the remote treks in Nepal are similar in many ways. Here are a few things that are common about Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp.
High Altitudes and Altitude Sickness
The highest altitudes on both the trek are nearly equal. Since you are going to high altitudes, you should be very careful of altitude sickness. If you are thinking of going on any of these treks, you should check the trek itinerary first. Make sure that there is enough number of acclimatization days on the trek.
Also, remember to bring medicines for altitude sickness. Practicing exercise and training starting a few months earlier will also help. Practice some aerobic exercises, learn holding breathe, do cycling, swimming, jogging, and several other exercises.
(According to trekkers, altitude on Annapurna Circuit is more gradual than on Everest Base Camp. The risk of altitude sickness is already there when you start off from Lukla during EBC trek. However, with adequate preparation and training, you can beat the altitudinal challenges.)
Best Time to Trek
The best time of the year to trek on Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp is during Autumn and Spring.
Annapurna Circuit Trek in Autumn (September, October, and November) will reward you with crystal clear skies, great visibility of enthralling mountain and Himalayan scenery. You will have a great experience crossing the Thorong La with less snow and chances of wind or snow blizzards at the top.
Annapurna Circuit trek in Spring (March, April, and May) are also equally popular. You will have an incredible time trekking in the Annapurna Circuit in this time as well.
Likewise, Autumn in Everest is the most popular travel activities in Nepal. The trekking trails in Everest keeps really busy during this time of the year. You will see mesmerizing Himalayan panoramas including several snow giants, so bright and so clear in Autumn (September, October, and November).
Likewise, Everest Base Camp welcomes thousands of trekkers from around the world in Spring (March, April, and May). You will have wonderful trekking memories while trekking in Everest in the best time of the year.
Food and Accommodation
Food and Accommodation on both the treks aren’t as luxurious as in the advanced hotels in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. The facilities for food and accommodation are basic.
Food and accommodation in the Annapurna circuit are much good at lower regions. With the hike in altitude, the services become more basic. The case is the same in Everest Base Camp as well. However, since EBC is the most popular trek in Nepal, the food and accommodation are better
Don’t worry, you will find plenty of lodges and teahouses where you can stay and have food. However, if you are going in the peak seasons, remember to book the teahouses earlier.
