Accessibility
You can easily access the starting point of the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit trek by various means like airways and roadways. You can start your Everest Base Camp trek with a 35 min flight to Lukla from Kathmandu 1400m. Whereas, you will reach Bhulebhule about 850m after a scenic bus ride from Kathmandu.
You will also have the option to start your Everest base camp Trek trek from Jiri. You can access Jiri via a merely 8 hours drive from Kathmandu. The vehicular journeys offer great views of the surrounding hills, terrace farms, villages, forests.
Likewise, you need reach the starting point of Annapurna Circuit trek via a local bus or Private Jeep, You will have the option of a 7 hours drive to Bhulebhule from Kathmandu.
Altitude
Before you plan your trek holiday in Nepal, you need to check the travel itinerary for both of the trek expedition. It will allow you to be aware of the altitude gain along the way. So, you can plan and customize the trip according to tour your comforts and preference.
You will gain altitude significantly higher along Everest Base Camp trek in comparison to Annapurna Circuit trek. So, you will spend a couple of days more for acclimatization in certain places on your Everest Base Camp trek.
Thus, it is obvious that you are more prone to altitude sickness on EBC trek than on Annapurna Circuit trek. However, proper training and a gradual slow hike will ensure your prevention from altitude sickness.
Everest base camp Trek route Map
Trekking Duration
Trekking Duration is another major factor you need to consider while choosing between Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit trek. You will spend a slightly longer amount of time on Annapurna Circuit Trek than on Everest base camp Trek. The number of trek days is lesser on Everest Base camp Trek.
You will spend 12 days trekking the foothills of the Himalayas to the Everest Base Camp and return to Kathmandu. Whereas, you can spend the Annapurna Circuit trek in 17 days to complete the whole Annapurna Circuit Trek. In addition, you will have the option to shorten your Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp.
Although the option to customize your trek might be tempting, it is equally necessary for your body to acclimatize. Moreover, alternative treks like Everest Base Camp from Jiri will elongate your trek to 22 days.
Difficulty
You will face a moderate level of difficulty on both of these splendid trek expeditions. You will need comparatively more strength training for the Everest Base Camp trek than on Annapurna Circuit trek.
You will climb the steep hills and hike the trails over 5000 meters in both of these treks. So, you are more prone to altitude sickness during both of these trek expeditions. On the other hand, anyone with proper training can comfortably complete the high-altitude trek comfortably.
However, the Everest Base Camp is relatively difficult as you walk longer of days in the steep high-altitude terrains of the Everest region. So, you will need to dedicate yourself to build up your core strength and shoulder muscle for the EBC trek.
Accommodation: Everest Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek
The facility of Accommodation throughout the trek route is similar on both of these treks. Yet, you will distinguish certain aspects like the bathroom service between the to of the trek. The tea houses on the Everest Base camp trek features a shared indoor bathroom.
Whereas on the Annapurna Circuit, you will use the services of an attached bathroom beside the interior corridor. In addition, you won’t come across western toilets on the Annapurna Circuit trek. On the other hand, almost all of the tea house on the Everest Base Camp trek features a western style toilet.
The Cost for the accommodation is usually the same on both Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit trek. It will usually cost you around $5-$10 dollars for booking yourself a room at the tea houses. However, the accommodation on the Everest is slightly higher as the cost might range between $5-$15.
Food and Drinks: Everest Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek
Similarly, the food you enjoy along both of the Annapurna and Everest regions is quite the same. The tea houses on both of these treks serve you a variety of good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
In the morning, the tea houses will serve you oatmeal, pancakes, Tibetan bread, boiled eggs and hot drinks like milk and coffee for breakfast. Furthermore, you will have other meal items like momo, pizza and sandwich on the teahouse menu for lunch.
You will have dinner in the tea houses during your overnight stay at the establishment. The tea houses will serve you with traditional Nepali staple foods like Dal, Bhat and tarkari for Dinner. It is an excellent source of energy to boost your burnt calories after an exhausting hike.
On a daily basis, you will spend around $14-$18 dollars on food daily during both of these treks. However, the cost will also depend on your food preferences and choices at the tea house. On the other hand, you must be aware that the varieties of foods are available at a lower price in the Annapurna region compared to the Everest region.
Weather
You will experience extreme cold on both of these treks as they lie in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Therefore, you must prepare yourself with the right equipment and clothing to protect yourself from the extreme cold.
You will hike to the max elevation of 5,416m at thorong la pass on your Annapurna Circuit trek. Whereas, you will reach the similar altitude of 5,465m on the of the Everest Base Camp trek. So, you will experience relatively the same weather condition during the Winter season.
The season of Spring and Autumn are the perfect seasons to trek for both of these expeditions. The weather condition during the season of Spring and Autumn is perfect for a beautiful trek. You will overlook the glorious mountain peaks along the trail on a crisp sunny day.
On the other hand, the summer season brings in the monsoon rains so the trails are wet and slippery. However, most of the trek routes on both of the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit trek is relative dru. The trails lie at a higher altitude of the Himalayas, so you will experience less rainfall during your trek.
Trekking terrains
The Annapurna Circuit trek is a moderate trek through distinctive easy terrains from Lamjung, Myagdi to the highlands of Manang, and Mustang, you will hike for 4-6 hours on a daily basis through the rhododendron forests, dry landscapes and beautiful gorges throughout the trail.
You will cover a total distance of 160–230 km depending on the route you take on the Annapurna Circuit trek. However, it is a moderate hike as you will rest for acclimatization mid-trek during your long exhausting walk. So, you will be able to keep your body at a stable fitness level on the high-altitude trek.
Likewise, on the Everest Base Camp trek, you will hike through villages, monasteries and caves. You will also enjoy the and beautiful mani walls occasionally on the trail. The route to the highest mountain in the world takes you through steep and rocky terrains. So, you need to maintain a stable hike as you cover 130km of total distance on the Everest Base Camp trek.
Scenery
The Annapurna Circuit Trek offers you the view of the lush green hills, forests, and splendid mountain peaks along the trail. Furthermore, you will spectate the beauty of charming mountain peaks like Annapurna 8,091m, Dhaulagiri 8,167m, Gangapurna 7,455m, Machapuchare 6,993m, and Manaslu 8,156m.
The Everest base camp trail !
The trails lead you through a diverse landscape of the Annapurna region including the dry desert region of Mustang 3,810m and Manang 3,519m. You will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful, sandstone caves, cliffs, canyons, gorges on the Annapurna Circuit trek.
The Everest Base Camp takes you on a journey with the breathtaking views of Everest 8,848m, Kantega 6,782m, Tawoche 6,542m, and Ama Dablam 6,812m. So, you can enjoy the morning sunrise with a magnificent view of these surrounding mountains.
Further ahead, you will explore the ancient monasteries, lifestyle, and culture of the Sherpa in the Khumbu region. In addition, the viewpoint of Kala Patthar 5,555m is a major highlight of the Everest Base Camp trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Trail
You can spectate the mesmerizing view of the Mt. Everest 8,848m and the surrounding mountain peaks from Kala Pathar. So, in term of natural, Everest Base Camp is a tad better than Annapurna Circuit trek.
Trekking Permits
Trekking permits are necessary documents important for the success of your trek. These documents will allow you to pass through restricted areas of the trekking region. It will also help maintain rules and regulation among travelers to the respective travel destination.
To complete the Annapurna Circuit trek, you require the following permits:
- TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) card
- Restricted Region Entry Permits (Upper Mustang or Tsum valley)
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit)
You also require certain permits to do the Everest Base Camp trek. They are as follows
- Local Entry Permit
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
- TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) card
Conclusion
Both of these treks have their own unique ambiance and aura to the world of the remote mountain lifestyle, natural beauty and culture. So, you won’t be left disappointed during your travel to any of this trek destination.
However, you need to plan your schedule and prepare yourself accordingly to enjoy the best moment of these treks. In addition, you should ensure the reliability of your travel insurance prior to the start of the trek.
For a traveler with no trek experience Annapurna Circuit trek will be the most suitable for you. Whereas, with proper training and guidance, you won’t face many difficulties in the Everest Base Camp trek either.
Hence, you must consider the factors above and weigh in their impacts on you to decide the best trek you want to be a part of and contact us for planing and arrnagement for your trek in Nepal.
