Everest Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Which Trek Is Right for You

Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit are challenging and adventurous treks you must try in Nepal. They will give you a great experience and a lifetime memory. 

7 days EBC short trek has always been a popular choice among the people. Located at the world’s highest altitude, people tend to go on this trekking. On the other hand, Annapurna Circuit is also a great way to fulfill your adventure desire. 

Since both of these trekking provide fantastic memories and experiences, you should try both. However, many people often show their confusion regarding which one is right for them. 

In the below segment, I will be talking about features, danger levels, and the whole trekking of the Everest Base Camp trek and Annapurna Circuit. So, kindly scroll down to learn more about them.

Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest base camp trekking

The Everest Base Camp trek is normally completed in 14 days. This journey starts with taking a flight to Kathmandu. Interestingly, you don’t need any special type of mountaineering skills to be a part of the EBC short trek. 

First of all, you should land in Kathmandu from your homeland. After roaming around the cultural and historical sites of Kathmandu, you will join other trekking members to take a flight for Lukla. 

After landing in Lukla, you along with the team will trek to Phakding. It takes several hours of walking. The route is extremely difficult as the landscapes are rocky and many ups and downs in the path. 

Then, you will be taken to Namche Bazaar. Reaching there also requires many hours of trekking. The temperature there is extremely cold so you need to put on thick jackets, gloves, and clothing layers. 

Walking up and down hills in such a difficult landform, you will finally reach Tengboche. As you walk upwards, the temperature drops and you may feel difficulty in breathing. To avoid this shortness of breath, you should carry oxygen supplements with you. 

Soon after, you will reach Dingboche and Lobuche. These places located at higher altitudes require good preparations and precautions to avoid the risk of accidents and altitude sickness.  

Finally, you will reach Everest Base Camp. Your hard work of many hours will give you a pleasant result there. The mesmerizing beauty of the place will literally leave you awestruck. 

Despite the amazing view of our dream destination, the challenges that come across this journey need proper preparations. Many people have lost their lives while trekking in this area, so you have to be very careful about your safety. 

Altitude sickness, shortness of breath, extremely cold, unpredictable weather changes, snowy wind, difficult topography, and nausea can make this trek difficult. 

However, with the proper guidance, and enough preparations, and good instructions from guides and tour operators you can make this journey smooth and luxurious. Also, you must have a fit and healthy body for the EBC short trek.

Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna circuit is also a popular trek that is within the mountain range of Central Nepal. If you do not have enough time for trekking, then Annapurna Circuit is the best option for you. This trek is completed within a few days and you will be free to visit other places in Nepal.

Normally, short Annapurna circuit trek is completed in 12 days. However, it can also take about 20 days, if you explore every part of this circuit. You may find this trek a little easier than Everest as it is at a height of 5000 m whereas Everest Base Camp is at a height above that. 

Though Annapurna Circuit is at a lower altitude than Everest Base Camp, the route and temperature make this trek quite difficult. To start this journey, you should arrive at Kathmandu at first. 

After that, you need to move towards Besisahar in the Annapurna region. From there you will move towards Lower Pisang and then towards Upper Pisang. 

Now, you need to trek for around 6 years to reach the regional hub of Manang through the historic village of Nyawal. There you get a chance to have a round trip to Kicho Tal. This trek also takes around 6 years. 

From there you will hike to a nearby place called Gangapurna Lake. Amazingly, Yak Kharka and ThorungPhedi will be your next destination in this trekking. Soon after that, you will reach Thorung La. Trekking in the town of Ranipauwa is a beautiful part of this trek. 

Though it takes many hours of walking, you will experience a fantastic scenario at your destination. This will be a memory for a lifetime that you will love to trek again. 

Completing the whole journey of the Annapurna Circuit trek requires walking for about 6-7 hours every day until you finish the trekking. 

The extremely cold climate, unpredictable weather conditions, altitude sickness, continuously upward path, fitness requirement, and difficult landscape make this trekking absolutely difficult. 

Both the above trek are good so it is better to trek both Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp. I suggest you go on the EBC short trek if you are an adventurous trekker. Similarly, it is better to trek in Annapurna Circuit if you want easier and cheaper trekking.

Everest Base Camp Trek Or Annapurna Circuit, Which Is Suitable For You?

Both the treks have challenging situations being located at higher altitudes. There are high chances of altitude sickness, weather changes, and health issues due to cold. Besides, they require fitness both physically and mentally. 

Considering the trekking routes, weather conditions, extreme climate, and landscapes, Everest Base Camp trekking looks more difficult. It is at a higher altitude so there is more chance of altitude sickness. 

Both trekking contain their unique features and difficulty levels. You will experience variation in their natural and cultural aspects in both trekking. So, I suggest you go on both trek. You will get the best adventure trips for your lifetime. 

Which is better, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna?

If you are a beginner trekker, then you should start with an easier journey. So, it is better to get started with the Annapurna Circuit trek. It is at a lower altitude than Everest Base Camp and hence there is less chance of altitude sickness and coldness issues in comparison to the EBC trek. 

Not just that, Annapurna Circuit trekking can be done in fewer days than the Everest Base Camp short trek. You will get to see various towns and villages in the Annapurna region and the path looks slightly easier than that of EBC trekking. 

Considering all these things, it is better to start your journey by trekking in the Annapurna Circuit. Once, this journey ends and you make yourself fit enough for trek, you can proceed for the Everest Base Camp trek. 

Why do people love Annapurna more than Everest?

People prefer to go on Annapurna Circuit trekking more than Everest Base Camp trekking because the EBC trek requires a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, whereas it is possible to drive towards Annapurna region. This makes your trekking happen at a low price. 

Not only that, the Annapurna journey is completed in fewer days than EBC trekking so you can save some time to explore other parts of Nepal. Being located at a lower height than the Everest region, you will feel a little easier on the trekking. 
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Also, the people can explore more villages and places in the Annapurna region than in the Everest region. There will be higher chances to have fun on the way as you get many options for markets and shops. You can easily find drinks, chocolates, and light snacks to make trekking more exciting.