Everest Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp trek

Are you planning a trek to the Himalayas? Have you browsed many options and come up with two of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal? And now you are confused about which one to choose because both seem like the best option.

Don’t worry because we are here to help you decide. Here is everything you need to know about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek, as well as which one is the right trekking destination for you. Let us start with the introductions!

Location of Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

The first thing that differentiates Annapurna from Everest is the location. Annapurna Base Camp is located in the northern part of central Nepal, in Kaski District. Meanwhile, the Everest Base Camp is situated in the eastern part of Nepal, in Solukhumbu district.

The Annapurna Base Camp is part of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and the Everest Base Camp is part of Sagarmatha National Park. Both of which are protected areas of Nepal.

The south Annapurna Base Camp is the gateway for the expedition of Tent Peak, a 5663-meter peak, while the northern side of the Annapurna Base Camp is the gateway for the expedition of the mountain Annapurna I (8,091 meters), which is also the tenth highest peak in the world.

Similarly, Everest Base Camp is the gateway to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8848.86 meters). The south base camp is located in Nepal, whereas the north base camp of Everest is located in Tibet. The first step to the summit of the world’s highest peak begins here.

How can I get to Annapurna Base Camp vs. Everest Base Camp? (Transportation Modes)

As both destinations are located in two different parts of the country, getting there also requires taking planes to two different locations. Annapurna Base Camp, which is located in central Nepal, begins with a 30-minute flight to Pokhara.

The city of Pokhara is the tourist hub of Nepal and also the main gateway to all the treks in the Annapurna region, such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Poonhill Trek.

If taking a flight is not on your agenda, then you can also take a tourist bus, a local bus, a microvan, or hire a private car. Pokhara by road is 201 km and can take anywhere between 7-9 hours to reach from Kathmandu. Then, from Pokhara, it is another 4–5 hour drive to Jhinu Danda, where you will officially begin your trek.

Similarly, for the Everest Base Camp Trek, the first and most popular choice is a flight to Lukla, known as one of the world's most dangerous airports due to its steep landing and a high drop at an elevation of 9,334 feet (2,845 meters) above sea level.

You can take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla during the off-season summer (July, August, and September) and winter (December–February). During the peak seasons of spring (March–May) and autumn (October, November, and December), the flight to Lukla is operated from Manthali. Manthali is a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu.

However, if you do not wish to fly, then you can take a local jeep on a sharing basis or hire a private jeep. On the first day, you drive to Salleri, Phaplu, which is 8–9 hours of drive, and then onwards, 6-7 hours of drive to Tham Danda.

From Tham Danda, you will begin your trek to Paiya, where you will stay for the night. Then, the next day, there is a trek from Paiya to Phakding, which is the official trail of the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Distance of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

The total distance of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles), whereas the distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek is 130 kilometers (81 miles). Therefore, the trek to ABC has shorter days compared to the EBC Trek.

Duration of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

There are different routes you can take for both Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp Trek, which makes the number of trekking days vary depending on which route you choose.

However, the standard route for the Annapurna Base Camp is about 7 days but you can definitely increase the days by adding other places, such as Poonhill Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek, which can range from 12 days to 25 days.

The classic Everest Base Camp Trek is 15 days long, which is twice as long as the ABC Trek. You can, of course, make it longer by adding treks like the Gokyo Lakes Trek and the Three High Passes Trek.

The difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

The difficulty of any trek depends on a person’s perspective, but generally, both treks are considered moderate to difficult treks. However, Everest Base Camp Trek can be considered a bit more difficult than ABC Trek because it has considerably longer days and higher elevations.

And the highest point of ABC is the base camp itself at an elevation of 4,130 meters, while the highest point of EBC is not the base camp, which is 5,364 meters high but the viewpoint of Kala Patthar at an altitude of 5,555 meters.

The EBC trek is strenuous and demands a lot more physical and mental strength during the trek. But of course, both treks require a good level of physical fitness and mental strength to successfully complete the trek without any problems.

Weather in Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp and Best Time to Trek

Both ABC and EBC are part of the Himalayan region in Nepal, which is the high-altitude mountains. That means any place above 3000 meters is cold all year round. However, Everest Base Camp is significantly higher than Annapurna Base Camp, which means Everest is colder than Annapurna.

The lowest temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp during the day can range from 5°C to 10°C and be lower than -10°C during the night. Everest Base Camp can range from 0°C to -5°C during the day and from -15°C to -25°C during the night in winter.

Spring and autumn are the best times for treks in terms of temperature and weather because they are moderate and the sky is clear, presenting you with the best views of the mountains and landscapes. Winter is also a really good time for trekking because you will be guaranteed a clear, crisp sky but the downside is that it is extremely cold.

The summer season, however, can be a bit risky as it is also monsoon in Nepal, which means heavy rain in all parts of the country. However, EBC receives lower rainfall compared to ABC, which increases the risk of landslides and is not overall recommended.

Services and Comfort in Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

Talking about the services available in ABC and EBC, both have pretty similar service facilities in terms of food, water, WiFi, hot showers, and cell phone networks.

Accommodation-wise, EBC offers rooms catering to western standards with more attached bathrooms with western-style toilets in comparison to ABC.

The rest stops and tea houses arrive faster during the trek in ABC than in EBC. Water is a lot more easily available in ABC than in EBC. And the higher you go, the more you will get charged for hot water. Both destinations have their own strengths when it comes to providing services.

Food and accommodation of Annapurna Base Camp Trek Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

One of the major differences between the Annapurna Base Camp trekking trail and the Everest Base Camp Trek is that Annapurna is a vegetarian trail. In fact, meat is not allowed entirely due to the religious beliefs of the people residing in the Annapurna trail.

Meat is available on the EBC trail but is not recommended because it is often not fresh and can cause stomach problems.

The popular food during the ABC trek is Gurung Bread and Thakali Thali Set, and in the EBC trek, it is Thukpa, Thenduk, Momo, etc. Each has its own unique flavor and cuisine you can try; the taste reflects the culture of each community, no matter what the destination.

The package you purchase will give you three meals a day, which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Anything you decide to have will be charged extra, which means it will come from your personal expenses. Personal expenses ultimately depend on how you spend money, but on average, anywhere from 20 to 30 dollars per day will be more than enough.

As for accommodation, ABC has a limited number of tea houses, which is why you will have to share rooms with your groups. The room will be dormitory-style, with twin sharing beds or even more.

While EBC also offers rooms with twin beds, you do not have to share with friends or group members unless there are no other options available.

Mountains of Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp and the Everest Base Camp are both part of the Himalayan region, which extends from the east to the west of the upper belt of Nepal and even further to other neighbouring countries.

Some of the famous mountains of the Annapurna region include Annapurna I (8091 meters), II (7937 meters), III (7855 meters), IV (7525 meters), Annapurna South (7,219 meters), Himchuli (6,441 meters), Gangapurna (7,455 meters), Machhapuchhre (6,993 meters), Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), Tilicho Peak (7,134 meters), and Pisang Peak (6,091 meters). Among them, Annapurna I is the tenth-highest peak in the world.

Some of the famous mountains of the Everest region are Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Makalu (8,485 meters), Cho Oyu (8,188 meters), Nuptse (7,855 meters), Pumori (7,165 meters), Ama Dablam (6,812 meters), and Thamserku (6,623 meters), as well as other lesser-known peaks. Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the world, while Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu are the fourth, fifth, and sixth tallest peaks in the world, respectively.

Cultural Differences of Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp

The  Annapurna region and the Everest region are both rich in culture and traditions, each with their own unique flair. Where the Everest region is heavily dominated by the Sherpas, the Annapurna region is a bit more diverse, with Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis, Tamangs, Bhramans, and Chhetris.

The communities of the Annapurna region follow Buddhism, which is interlinked with Hinduism; meanwhile, the communities in the Everest region follow Tibetan Buddhism.

If you want to see unity in diversity, where different ethnic groups come together to form a cohesive society full of love and respect, Annapurna Base Camp or the Annapurna region is the best option. But if you want to immerse yourself in the singular culture and lifestyle of the Sherpas, Everest Base Camp is the perfect destination.

The popularity of Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation)

The chart represents the number of tourists that visited Annapurna Conservation Area and Sagarmatha National Park every year for the past decade.

The chart clearly shows that Annapurna Conservation Area has a greater tourist influx than Sagarmatha National Park. This shows the aggregate data rather than the specific data for ABC and EBC.

There are multiple reasons as to why ACA has a higher tourist influx than SNP, one of which is that ACA covers more area than SNP.

The Annapurna Conservation Area covers an area of 7,629 sq. km., while Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1,148 sq. km. So in comparison, Annapurna Conservation Area offers more trekking destinations and is comparatively more affordable than Sagarmatha National Park.

It can be said that Annapurna Conservation Area is more popular than Sagarmatha National Park, not because ACA is better but because it is more accessible, customizable, and affordable.

Note: The downfall in the trend during 2015–2016 and 2020–2021 is because of the earthquake and COVID-19, respectively.

Costs for Annapurna Base Camp Trek Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

When it comes to cost, we have to keep in mind that these are two different places in two different regions. There are many factors that come into play when determining the cost of any destination package. From the accessibility of the place to the number of days required for trekking and the elevation,.

The higher you go, the more money you have to pay. The average price for ABC Trek starts at $800, while for EBC, it is $1200, so there is a significant difference.

Transportation Cost for Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

The table shows the cost for transportation for both ABC and EBC through different modes. It is a one-way cost per person in USD.

Guide and Porter Cost

The cost for guides and porters is predetermined by the government of Nepal. The standard payment for trekking guides is $35 per day, while for porters, it is $25 per day. The cost is same regardless of destination. However, tipping is highly appreciated and entirely dependent on your generosity.

Permit Cost for Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp

These are the permit costs required for the ABC and EBC trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): $25

Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS Card): $20

Everest Base Camp Trek Permits

Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS): $20

Pasang Lhamu Municipality Fee: $20

Sagarmatha National Park Fee: $30

Conclusion

You cannot really say one is better than the other, as both trekking destinations have unique features of their own, which makes saying ABC is better than EBC or vice versa a completely subjective opinion that depends on your own experience. However, you can make a list of things you want to enjoy and compare which destination suits you better.

If you are looking for a trek with shorter days and relatively moderate difficulty, then Annapurna Base Camp is recommended, but if you want to challenge yourself and want to spend longer days amidst the mountains, Everest Base Camp offers you the perfect scenario.

Not only that, but it also comes down to cost, and ABC is significantly more affordable than EBC. Landscape and cultural differences can also be something that sets the two apart, but ultimately, it is your decision at the end.

We suggest ABC for someone who is trekking for the first time, as it is short and easy compared to the EBC trek, which is recommended for people who already have experience with altitude trekking.

So, if you are planning to go to either of the destinations in the future, do not hesitate to contact us! We will plan out the perfect trek for you! With formidable years of experience under our belt, you are guaranteed the best trekking experience.