Which trek do you prefer: Everest Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek? Approximately, every fresh enthusiastic trekker is confused, about which one is best, EBC or ABC? Amusing, this journey is not only about conquering mountain climbs but also boosting yourself for many other challenges.
Well, it’s the often asked question by most travel junkies and the reply is that neither should be avoided. I advise you to trek both. Oh, the big question ‘WHY’ might have crossed your mind. While both journeys have their aromas and distinctiveness, picking one and neglecting the other is a folly you’ll come to regret later. Both of the trekking is admirable and everyone’s fantasy vacation spot.
Annapurna Base Camp was classified as a “Once-in-lifetime experience excursion” by National Geographic and Tripadvisor, while Everest Base Camp was featured as a “Travel location” in 2020 by National Geographic and Tripadvisor. Since then, the majority of adventurous junkies end up hiking both. Adhere, exploring Nepal just once isn’t enough; you want to go back and discover more.
How to get there? – Everest vs Annapurna
How to go to Everest Base Camp?
Lukla is the starting point for a tour of the Everest Region. To begin your Everest hiking journey in Nepal, fly from Kathmandu to Lukla via the picturesque Tribhuvan International Airport. This is the most usual way most trekkers pick to get to the Khumbu region, to explore the stunning Everest view.
Alternatively, you might take the typical 8-hour trip from Kathmandu to Jiri to begin your dream journey. This long though exciting way to reach Everest Base Camp takes you across the route of Tenzing and Hillary. You may continue your Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri to Lukla by walking. However, if you opt to trek over this ancient path, you would require an extra week to reach Lukla or Namche. How long you stay at Everest base camp depends on the path you take.
How to go to Annapurna Base Camp?
Nayapul is the starting and ending location of the Annapurna Trek. To begin, fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara on a picturesque flight. From TIA, it takes about 20 minutes to get to Pokhara, Nepal’s most popular tourist destination. The breathtaking view of the mountain panorama, hills, and basin from above is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The other way to reach the Annapurna region is to take a 6 to 8-hour drive to Pokhara. Following 45 min of driving from Pokhara, you will arrive in Nayapul or Tikhedhunga, where you can commence your trek to the Annapurna region. You may alternatively begin your Annapurna Circuit hike in Besisahar, about an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.
Scenic:
Everest Base Camp Trek view:
The Kathmandu to Lukla flight allows passengers to float over the landscape and take in its breathtaking grandeur. Hiking to the peak of Everest is without a doubt the most popular hiking destination in the world. In addition, Kala Patthar is the perfect point from where you can spectate the greatest dawn or sunset and vista of the big Himalayas, including Mt. Everest.
If you’re just visiting Nepal for the highlands, the Everest Base Camp Trek will pique your interest. Every backpacker’s primary goal is to acquire a close-up photo of Mt Everest, the world’s highest peak. Also, this trek allows you to view the wowed vistas of Mt. Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lhotse, and other adjacent peaks. Hikers are also enticed to do the Gokyo Valley Trek by the valley’s calm lakes.
Thousands of holidaymakers are welcomed each year by fluttering devotional flags, suspension bridges, Mani walls, and historic monasteries on campgrounds. The trail runs past the little hamlet of Sherpa communities. You can get to see the large number of trekkers prepping to reach the pinnacle of Mt. Everest in peak season.
- View of Mt.Everest during the Everest trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek view:
The stunning mountain views during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek will never cease to astound you. From the early day of this Annapurna Base Camp journey, you will be able to witness the staggeringly beautiful Himalayan panoramas. You’ll pass through woods, terraced rice fields, oak trees, rhododendron groves, and local folk’s small and major village valleys.
You’ll pass via woods, terraced rice fields, oak trees, rhododendron groves, and local folk’s small and major village valleys. During the spring season, the woodland of blossoming flora will delight you all along the walk. Following a few days of trekking, a dawn hike to Poonhill delivers the best picturesque vista. The golden glory snow-capped mountains i.e. Annapurna Himalayan range, which includes Mt. Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, and many other unrecognized summits can be glimpsed.
When you reach the peak of Annapurna, spin 360 degrees and you will be encircled by the spectacular Himalayas on all sides. Furthermore, high-altitude mountain lakes such as Tilicho and Ice Lake give a memorable trekking experience in the Annapurna region.
Required Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
Everest Base Camp Trek Permits:
Trekkers induced to trek to Everest Base Camp require two permits:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. (NRP 3000)
- Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Khumbu Entry Permit. (NRP 2000)
Annapurna Base Camp Trek permits:
Trekkers who are compelled to trek to Everest Base Camp must get two permits:
- Trekkers Information Management System(TIMS). (NRP 1000)
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit. (NRP 3000)
Annapurna Vs Everest Difficulties:
Both the Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are categorized as moderate to difficult grade trek in Nepal. You must be physically and mentally prepared to trek these popular trekking destinations.
EBC Trek Difficulty:
If we look at the trek in terms of the height of EBC vs ABC, the Everest Base Camp Trek is the most difficult. As you have to travel multiple days above the elevation of 4000m, it might cause head, shoulder, and knee pain. So, don’t rush to climb too high because you’ll suffer altitude sickness as you climb higher in height.
On the first day at Lukla, the trail ascends to a height of 5364 meters. You will hike up to a high-altitude location like Kala Patthar from where you can get to see a clear view of Mt. Everest. In addition, while trekking from Gokyo to EBC via Renjo La Pass you will step up to 5360m altitude.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek Difficulty:
Compared to two great Himalayan treks Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it is considerably easier to trek at ABC. Because you should not have to spend more days at a greater altitude like the EBC trek. We will be ascending to an elevation of 4130 meters above sea level on the Annapurna Base Camp Journey.
Residents:
Accommodations in Everest Base Camp Trek:
The Sherpa people and Buddhist monasteries have long resided in the foothills of the Everest region. You can sense their mysticism as you travel across the upper region of Everest. People in this region are known as Sherpas, and they are known for their mountaineering skills and stamina. From a young age, Sherpas have relied on tourism to supplement their income.
Tibetan merchants continue to frequent Namche Bazaar, as they have for millennia, and the moniker Sherpa signifies “eastern folk”. Sherpas folks migrated east from Tibet long ago and settled in this region.
Accommodations in Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
Annapurna region is the settlement of Brahmins, Chhetris, Gurungs, Thakali, and Magars communities. The majority, of Gurung people, are mostly found in this area, particularly in the Ghandruk hamlet.
If you want to learn about different cultures and traditions, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is ideal for you. Because, along the journey to ABC in the Annapurna region, you might witness the lifestyle and culture of many different ethnic populations.
Cuisine (Everest Base Camp Vs Annapurna Base Camp):
You won’t notice much of a variation in the meals on any of the excursions. On both of these treks, you will be able to sample basic Nepalese cuisine. In some tea houses, you can find Thukpa, yak cheese, and varieties of vegetable soups. However, Dal, Bhat, and mixed veggies are common Nepali dishes.
You may stop at many tea establishments along both walking pathways for lemon drinks, green tea, hot water, and ginger tea, all of which are beneficial to your health. However, because the majority of people in the Annapurna region work in agriculture, veggies are more likely to be found there. In addition, non-vegetarian options are also available on the cuisine menu in both regions, although it is best to avoid them.
Hospitality and Communication:
When comparing Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna offers more basic lodging options than Everest. There will be plenty of hot water, a nice shower, and a restroom nearby. During peak hiking season, you must acclimatize to sharing a room with other hikers and pay additional fees for extra facilities.
In the Everest Base Camp walk, there is a well-built teahouse, and in the Annapurna Base Camp trek, there is a well-established teahouse. Furthermore, both walking pathways offer excellent wifi, mobile data networks, and telephone services.
Independent or With the guide:
The popular high-altitude treks in Nepal can be done with or without a guide. There’s a strong chance you’ll suffer altitude sickness on this trip because it leads you above 4000m.
Talking about Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit, the Everest trip will take you to Kala Patthar, which is located at an elevation of 5545 meters in the Everest region. On the other hand, the peak of Annapurna reaches a height of 4130 meters. Although the Annapurna is lower in elevation than Everest, we recommend you hire a professional trekking guide. Because you may experience severe alpine illness.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
