Annapurna Base Camp VS. Everest Base Camp Trek Which One To Choose?

Annapurna Base Camp VS. Everest Base Camp Trek which one to choose? It can be quite confusing and difficult to take the right and perfect options to choose from. As both treks lead in the heart of a towering Himalayan range of peaks and have their beauty and charms.

The only difference between these two giant mountains is the height and location and accessibility to reach the destination.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek against Everest Base Camp, quite a difference even though located in around the same Himalayan range. Where Annapurna Himalayas is situated in the Far North Mid-West and Mt. Everest towards Far North Mid-East Nepal.

Both Mountains are at a distance of 307 km. / 191 miles apart, where Kathmandu is in the center. Between these two world’s highest peaks, can be viewed from both high viewpoints of Kathmandu valley.

The climate, vegetation, people, cultures, and landscapes also differ between the two great regions of Annapurna and Everest Base Camps. However, the trek around these two beautiful leads to an amazing adventure of great life experience.

The other great difference is the duration of walks to the base camps, where Annapurna Base Camp is shorter. Where Everest Base Camp treks take much time and are quite far from the starting point from Kathmandu.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek VS. Everest Base Camp Trek To Choose From:

Annapurna Base Camp:

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the shortest 8,000 m mountain base camps in the whole Himalayan region. One can cover a distance of approx. 110 km. both ways in a week, walking for six hours. Covering an average of 10 km per day to designated overnight stops before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp. On return, the journey can trek more than 15 to 18 km. downhill and lose height every hour.

Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderate to adventurous, without a problem of catching High Altitude Sickness or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Where elevation gains gradually and gets acclimatized as you stop for an overnight stop at certain heights.

Eventually walk leads to the highest spot at Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m / 13, 550 feet high. One special about Annapurna Base Camp is the only base camp that has a facility of a nice cozy lodge. Located right beneath the world’s 10th highest Mt. Annapurna-I at 8,091 m / 26,545 feet. Most trekkers are unaware that Mt. Annapurna-1 was the first 8,000 m peaks ever conquered in the history of mountaineering. In the year 1950 before Mt. Everest was climbed by Tenzing and Hillary on May 29th, 1953.

The beauty of the Annapurna base camp trek is the diverse landscapes and climatic conditions. Where the walk leads from low warm sub-tropical to cooler hills and ends at an arctic zone of ice and glaciers. Reaching Annapurna base camp enclosed within massif towering peaks of Annapurna-I and its series of mountain ranges.

The walk also takes you through a beautiful forest of pines, rhododendron, and bamboo grooves. On reaching Annapurna Sanctuary, tree lines disappear for mountainous barren landscapes, enclosed by towering snow-capped peaks.

The walk takes you around the mountain villages of Jhinu and Chomrong inhabited by the Gurung, the main tribes of the Annapurna Himalayas. Follows Buddhism religion as well Bon sect of pre-Buddhism, worship of nature and mountain spirits.

Annapurna Base Camp trek involves a short drive both ways to and from the scenic and renowned tourist city of Pokhara.

Everest Base Camp:

Everest base camp trek is a dream adventure for millions of people in the world to stand beneath the world’s highest peak. Mt. Everest is one of the most famous and popular adventure destinations in the Himalayas.

Mt. Everest is about 160 km or 99 miles air distance from the capital Kathmandu, which involves short flights both ways.

The walk to Everest base camp starts and ends in Lukla Town at 2,820 m high. Covering a distance of about 62 km. or 39 miles one way, taking more than 11 days both ways. Including acclimatization days on the way up to Everest base camp and reaching Everest base camp. Which is at a height of above 5,364 m / 17, 598 feet high, Everest base camp is a scenic walk.

On Everest base camp one needs to take care taking things at a slow pace due to the gain in altitude. Where acclimatization days are required as well as walking slowly and having enough short rest to fight against the high altitude symptoms.

A great adventure facing grand views of towering giant peaks on daily walks through lovely Sherpa villages. An interesting trek from Lukla and Namche Bazaar onwards encountering Buddhist monuments, and visiting monasteries of great religious interest. The wonderful walk takes you above the tree lines to scenic valleys to reach the highlight at Everest base camp.

Everest Base Camp also shares the base of Mt. Lhotse world’s 4th highest peak, an arctic type of landscape. Standing beneath the world’s highest Mt. Everest and observing the massif Khumbu Ice-fall and glaciers.

In the high season of mountaineering, the base camp is flooded with tented camps for expeditions from various countries. The Everest base camp will not be complete without the climb of the popular and famous Kalapathar hilltop. Kalapathar is also the highest point of the adventure on the Everest base camp trek. Where trekkers can catch the closest views of Mt. Everest along with a glorious panorama of surrounding giant peaks.

After a great time visiting all the main highlights heading down and short ups to Namche Bazaar. Finally ending the walk in Lukla for a short sweeping flight back to Kathmandu, after an amazing time on Everest Base Camp Trek.

Conclusion Between Annapurna & Everest Base Camps Treks:

Both base camps offer special charm and delightful moments, whereas the Annapurna base camp is short with easier accessibility. Where Everest base camp takes longer days involves flight both ways, the problem is for the Everest base camp trek.

If the weather is unfavorable and bad the flight gets delayed or leads to cancellation for some days. Overall Annapurna and Everest camps treks are worth visiting, offering different types of interest with ever-lasting memories and experiences.