Annapurna Base Camp Vs Everest Base Camp Trek

The one very question that always pops back in the mind while planning a trip to the Himalayas is the trekking trail you want to hike. Most people find it hard to choose between the famous route of Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp.

Plus, there an added confusion when you find tons of information as you walk the jam-packed avenues of Thamel with signs promoting both equally, and bloggers with their own arguments over which is the best, ABC or EBC?

Google adds more puzzles to the issue as well, providing compelling information on both destinations. Nevertheless, these are two trekking trails in the Himalayas, among the numerous treks in Nepal that stand out from the rest, and are the most famous for both amateur and experienced trekkers.

Here, today, I will provide some aspects for both trekking trails, and hope it will help to decide which might suit your interests for the time being. This article will cover aspects such as difficulty, the best time to visit, accommodation, scenic beauty, days required, accessibility, and a few other factors to consider.

Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp: General Information

1. Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit both the trails to Annapurna and Everest Base camps is during Autumn (Sep – Nov) and Spring (Mar-May). The climatic conditions of both regions are particularly good with bright and warm days and no possible rain. A view of blooming rhododendron flowers can be seen as soon as you get past the 2500-meter mark, on both trails. 

Everest could be a bit crowded in May as this is a peak expedition season, and some fascinating events could be observed at the moment. This month also marks the remembrances of the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. Thus, a time for celebration!

On the other hand, Annapurna Base Camp is accessible throughout the year, while climbing Everest, and trekking to the trail is difficult from December to February.

2. Days Required

The trek to Annapurna base camp is typically 14 days to and from Kathmandu in general. Everest Base Camp trek can also be around 14 to 21 days, depending based upon your customization (add an extra day in Namche or if you choose multicountry packages combined with Tibet or Bhutan). 

A short trek to Everest will lead you only up to Tengboche Monastery, which will be around 8 days, and the Everest View Point Trek is 13 days. Days for both the trails can be customized as per your fitness level and vacation schedule.

Some other factors that determine the length of your trek are side trips, rest days, and refreshing time in Kathmandu and Pokhara, before or after the trek.

Himalayan Trekkers has a wide range of packages if you would like to extend your trip one step further. Check out our Everest Base Camp Trek with Tibet tour as well as the Everest Base Camp with Bhutan Tour.

3. Trek Starting Points

Annapurna Base Camp trek starts from Nayapul near Pokhara. You can choose between a 7-hour drive or a mere 30-minute flight from Kathmandu, which lands you in the city of lakes. Pokhara.

For the Everest base camp trek, you fly to Lukla, a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu. If you are looking for a longer trek in the Everest region (18-20 days), you can follow the path of Hillary and Tenzing via Jiri.

4. Accommodation / Facilities – Annapurna versus Everest Base Camp

With more rest stops, cafés, and Western toilets available to you, the Annapurna base camp trek feels progressively 'true' versus the EBC.

Both the trekking trails have a small family-owned guest house, but the Annapurna base camp trek passes through more dense settlements and has more guest houses and accommodation options. You may come across some very luxurious hotels and guest houses in the Everest region, though.

In terms of facilities, both are comparable, as you can access WIFI, hot showers, and quality food in both regions.

5. Cost

Pricing is a very relative topic, so we are comparing just the basics here. Since the Everest base camp trek involves a flight to Lukla, it will cost you more than the ABC trek, which doesn’t necessarily require flying.

The longer duration also contributes to the higher cost of the trek in the Everest region. You will pay around USD 1200 for a typical Annapurna base camp trek (excluding international flights), whereas you will be paying around 400 more for a typical 16-day Everest Base Camp Trek.

6. Crowd

Both trails can have plenty of tourists during the peak season. Everest is more crowded during the spring. But you will have solitary moments on both treks if you walk in the right place.

7. Social Experiences – ABC versus EBC

The Everest region is dominated by Sherpas with a very vibrant and interesting culture and traditions. On the other hand, the Annapurna Base Camp trek has varied settlements throughout the trail.

The Annapurna region is home to Gurungs, Puns, Magars, Thakali, Chhetris, Brahmins, and other ethnicities. So you will get a more diverse cultural and social experience trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.

8. Difficulty level

Everest base camp is definitely a winner here, as it goes more than 5000m. Some landmarks, such as Kala Patthar, can go as high as 5600m.

The trails of the Annapurna region reach up to altitudes of 4700m. Though not an excessively big difference in the Himalayas, altitude can affect the speed and duration of the entire journey.

9. The X factors in the Everest and Annapurna base camp trek

The Everest region is famous for Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth, as well as Lhotse, Makalu, and various other peaks, some of which are the highest on earth.

Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you closer to the 10th-highest Mount Annapurna, Mt Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu; the other peaks, such as Mt Fishtail ( Machhapuchre), are not as high as the others but are definitely very popular.

I could compare some of these topics, but one thing that is incomparable is the immense love that Nepalese people will give you on both trekking trails. If you are still finding it difficult to decide between these treks, then visit the detailed itinerary of the Everest base camp trek and the Annapurna base camp trek.