Most trekkers who visit Nepal for the first time hope to reach the High Mountain base camp and begin their search there. This blog compares and contrasts the treks to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. The Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are two of Nepal’s most well-known base camp treks.
It can be challenging for a first-time trek planner to decide whether to trek Annapurna or Everest base camp. If you travel to Nepal for the first time to trek to one of the base camps with a professional company team, you will undoubtedly return for another. You keep recalling mountain views, charming people, cultural diversity, landscape, and exceptional care, all of which entice you to return. Here we compare and contrast Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks so you can simply decide which base camp to visit.
Trekking Duration
The trek to Annapurna Base Camp takes between 8 and 12 days. ABC trip is a standard 10-day journey that follows the traditional trekking itinerary. There is no need to remain an extra day on the way for acclimatization.
The Everest Base Camp trek takes 12 days to complete, with two days of acclimatization along the way to Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar. If you are okay with the altitude, you can perform the minimum of 11 days by skipping one day of acclimatization. You can also complete an 8-day Everest base camp trek if you take a helicopter chartered flight back to Lukla or Kathmandu after reaching EBC, but this would increase the expense of your trip.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Accessibility of Everest Base Camp:
There is no vehicular access to the Everest trekking start site. The only way to get there is to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Lukla can only be reached by tiny planes. Only morning flights will be available, and flights may be disrupted due to inclement weather.
Due to its geographical location and mountainous weather, Lukla Airport is regarded as a dangerous airport. It’s only a 35-minute journey, but Lukla’s flight cost is one of the most expensive domestic flights. If you choose for an Everest Base Camp Walk without flying to Lukla, you may expect a 20-day journey and a drive to Phaplu hamlet to begin the trek.
Accessibility of Annapurna Base Camp:
There are various methods to get to the beginning location of ABC trekking. The trek begins at Nayapool or Ulleri, both of which are accessible by car. To get to Pokhara and other destinations, one can use a private car, fly, or take regular buses. It is dependent on your financial situation. It is simpler and less expensive than EBC.
Now there is a route up to Ulleri village, which is 1,960 meters above sea level and where the first day’s overnight will be held. With a private car, the journey from Pokhara to Nayapool takes about one and a half hours. It’s possible that local buses will take two and a half hours. If you begin your journey in Kathmandu, take a morning flight to Pokhara and then drive to Nayapool or Ulleri to reach the first-day camp for an overnight stay.
Accommodation in Everest Base Camp:
The Everest region is relatively well-equipped, with adequate lodging. You can select from a variety of lodging options based on your preferences. The Deluxe Guest Houses chain has developed accommodations for six nights of the trek’s total of 11 nights.
There are just 5 nights available near Everest base camp in modest tourist class guest rooms. (Even at Everest Base Camp/ Gorakhshep, there are new hotel buildings.) You can stay in one of three categories of lodging when staying in Phakding, Namche, Dibuche, and Lukla for six nights. Normal tourist grade guest houses with adjoining toilets, warm dining, a restaurant, and a bar are still available.
A good room with a hot water bath, the hitting system within the room, good eating, restaurant, and bar are all available in the middle category of guest homes. With the same facilities, high-end hotels provide greater service. The cost of high-category lodging has a significant impact on the entire cost of your expedition.
Accommodation in Annapurna base camp:
The entire Annapurna base camp location has nearly the same level of lodging. Three nights on altitude land near base camp, with more modest lodging and shared bath/toilet facilities.
The rest of the accommodations are equipped with tourist-standard rooms located within the toilet bath. Only one night of premium star rated lodging is offered at the end of this hike in Ghandruk.
Cost of EBC Trek VS ABC Trek:
Which trek is more trustworthy and cheap when comparing the costs of EBC and ABC treks? The cost of an Everest Base Camp journey is more than the expense of an Annapurna expedition. Everest base camp trek costs more than ABC because it includes a round-trip flight from Lukla, a permit, food, and lodging.
You can save money on your Annapurna base camp hike by using local transportation. Even hiring private transportation or flying does not come close to covering the cost of climbing Everest. Both hikes have similar costs for meals and drinks along the way.
Everest Vs Annapurna Altitude:
During Kalapather ascending, you will reach a maximum altitude of 5,545 meters, and at Everest base camp, you will reach a maximum altitude of 5,360 meters. When flying from Kathmandu to Lukla, you will arrive at a height of 2,860 meters. The altitude then begins to rise every day until it reaches EBC. This is a fantastic high-altitude trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp journey begins at an altitude of 800-meters and gradually ascends to 4,200 meters at Annapurna Base Camp. You will gain less altitude each day than EBC, therefore there will be no need for an acclimatization day along the route.
Mountain you will see during Everest Base camp trek:
You will reach the heart of the mountains on both treks. From the second day of the EBC journey, you will be able to see mountains. Other ranges can be explored with two mountains exceeding 8,000 meters (Mount Everest, 8,848 meters, and Mount Lhotse, 8,516 meters). Various views of the mountains can be seen along the journey.
Almost every day on this trek, Amadablam (6,812 meters) becomes more gleaming and appealing. From Kalapathar and Gorakshep, Mt Pumori (7,161) appears to be higher and more closed. The best view is from Kalapather, which requires an early morning climb for sunrise or an evening trek for the best sunset.
Mountain View during Annapurna Base Camp:
The hike begins with a view of the peak on the first day. Ulleri provides the first vista of Annapurna south and Himchuli. The all-mountain range surrounding you on the second-day journey to Ghorepani.
This journey can take you to two summits over 8,000 meters: Annapurna I (8,091m) and Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m). Mount Fishtail (6,993m) shines even brighter on this climb, with its best shape. The nicest mountain views in this walk may be seen at Poonhill (3,210m) and Annapurna base camp (4,200m).
Everest Vs Annapurna Best season:
Spring and autumn are the finest seasons for trekking to Everest Base Camp. The warmest months in this region are March, April, May, and September through November. The best view of the region is on sunny days with a blue sky. Even so, the months of June and December are still suitable for an Everest base camp hike. During the rainy season, the Himalayan range is mostly shrouded in fog.
The best time to trek to Annapurna base camp is during the spring and autumn months. This journey is still better ideal in the winter months of December, January, and February, despite the fact that rainy months of June to August are challenging because to sleeping paths, landslides, and leeches.
Local Peoples and Cultures:
The Everest region, as well as Annapurna base camp, are culturally rich. Sherpa homage and traditional traditions can be explored almost entirely throughout your trip to EBC. Sherpa people pay honor to the Everest region. Tibetans and Sherpas have a lot in common. Their habits and language are Tibetan-influenced. The majority of people follow the Buddhist religion. During the major celebration, you may witness the traditional rites.
The Annapurna base camp is populated by a diverse group of people. They are also Nepalese indigenous peoples. Gurung people make up a large portion of the population in this area. One of the most important Gurkha tribes. In the evenings, local people perform traditional dances with folk songs in the main villages, which is a memorable experience on this Trek.
Annapurna vs Everest Base Camp Trek Safety:
The treks to Everest base camp and Annapurna base camp are both safe. Because of the high altitude, it is necessary to trek with someone to keep an eye on you. Trekkers must have high-quality trekking equipment.
It’s also a good idea to hire a porter to carry your belongings and a guide to lead these safer hikes. Do not set out on your journey alone.
Group Joining Trek:
In both treks, a group trek is not required. It is considerably easier to customize your itinerary if you bring your own guide and porter. It is simple to alter your plan according to your preferences and circumstances. Joining a small group tour instead of trekking alone will save you money on your trip.
Alpha Adventure treks also offers a small group Everest Base Camp trek. A group trek of up to ten persons is more pleasant. When it comes to offering quality services, groups of more than ten people are not encouraged. A small group hike to Annapurna base camp is another excellent option. The benefit is that you may communicate with folks from different nations and share diverse experiences.
Communication facilities in EBC and ABC Trek:
Up to Everest base camp and Kalapathar, internet and phone signals are available. The signal is a little tough one day at Lobuche and another day at Pheriche. To use the phone and access the internet, it is preferable to purchase a Nepali sim. Only up to Namche in Ebc hiking is local telephone and internet connectivity readily available.
Similarly, for a better communication experience on ABC journey, bring your own local SIM card. There is a scarcity of local telephone and internet cyber services. The telephone signal may not reach Deurali after a two-day trip.
Everest vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek FAQs:
The Everest Base Camp trek is more challenging than the Annapurna Circuit trek since it is a much longer route overall.
Annapurna is a somewhat less difficult circuit if you’re doubtful of your mountaineering abilities. The average altitude is substantially lower, and there are less hard climbs. You can also choose from a number of pathways, some of which do not surpass 2000 meters in altitude, rather than being funneled into the Khumbu Valley on Everest.
When compared to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp is far more affordable for budget-conscious trekkers. The reasons are threefold: the location, the cost of transportation, and the time it takes to get there. Getting to the ABC trailhead is substantially less expensive in terms of transportation because it is accessible via roadway.
The journey to Annapurna Base Camp is not regarded difficult because it is highly adventurous and the main components of the trip are to walk slowly and carefully. As a result, this journey is classified as moderate.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trip is not the most expensive trek in Nepal due to its typical time and difficulty. Prices range from 700 USD to 1000 USD (600 EUR to 900 EUR).
Nowadays, commercial operators charge a wide range of rates for climbing Mount Everest, but a guided trip with bottled oxygen on the south side will cost roughly US$45,000, and on the north side would cost around $35,000. However, this is a broad average.