Everest Base Camp Trek vs. Annapurna Base Camp Trek

6th March 2019

It’s the most common problem that all the avid trekkers throughout the world faces whether choose Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek? Among the many popular Trekking destinations in Nepal, Everest Region and Annapurna sees the high number of trekkers, annually. These are the two most extensive trekking in Nepal. Both of these trekking are incredible, remarkable and the most desired one. Everest Base Camp Trek is an adventurous and strenuous trekking route among the entire trekking route in Nepal. This is an ideal trekking for adventure seekers and experienced trekkers. Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is most popular trekking in Nepal after EBC trek. This is comparatively less difficult and favorable for the beginners. This can also be taken as the preparation for Everest Base Camp Trekking. The route of Annapurna Region is famous for astounding natural beauties and boundless opportunities to explore the cultures of local communities. Both the trekking routes take you to the high altitude, more than 5000 m altitude from sea level. Both Annapurna Base Camp Trekking and Everest Base Camp Trekking trail offers the diverse terrains. The rich biodiversity of Annapurna Region is what tourists’ desires to explore. As mentioned above, Annapurna Base Camp is an ideal trek for novice trekker while Everest Base Camp Trek is challenging and is little bit tough for first time trekkers.

Getting there

Everest Base Camp Trek

There are several routes and trails to reach EBC, Tenzin Norgey Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hilary (first summiteers of Mount Everest) climbed the peak on foot from Kathmandu in 1950s, taking the route from Jiri. No proper transportation facilities were available then. Another easy and often-used route to Everest Base Camp is from Lukla. It takes only 45 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu in a domestic airplane. Everest Heli Tour is also a shortest and easiest way to reach Everest Base Camp. You can choose group joining EBC heli tour or solo helicopter tour to Mount Everest. By heli ride, you can explore EBC just in one day.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The starting point of Annapurna Base Camp Trek is Pokhara or any nearby towns or cities that are easily accessible by bus from Pokhara. Pokhara can be reached in approximately 25 minutes by flight or 6 hours in a ground transportation i.e. bus or jeep. Another best and short way to explore Annapurna Base Camp is chartered helicopter tour that let you complete the Annapurna Base Camp Tour just in one day. This is perfect for time bounded peoples.

Locals and ethnic communities

Everest Base Camp Trek

While trekking to Everest Region, you won’t find the variation in ethnic communities. The similar type of traditions, culture and lifestyle is found among the locals in Everest Region. Whole Everest Region is the habitat of Sherpas, one can find Tibetan influence in their tradition and culture. The locals of this region totally depend upon tourism. These days, tourism has contributed so much to uplift their economic standard. The Chortens, maniwalls, prayer flags and Buddhist monasteries are the most common things you get to explore during EBC Trekking route.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Unlike Everest Trekking trail, Annapurna Region has much diversity of local ethnic communities. The ethnic tribes of Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Thakalis, Brahmins, and Chhetris reside in Annapurna Region, with the maximum population of Gurung communities. With the variance in communities, culture and religions also differs. A trekker can observe Hinduism, Buddhism, and Animism in this region. A unique gesture of welcoming and greeting visitors with respect is the good part of the people living in Annapurna Region.

Foods available in trekking route

Everest Base Camp Trek

As EBC Trek is the most popular trekking, you can get any kind of foods in the hotels and mountain lodges on the route, ranging from local cuisines to multinational cuisines. Since this is the remote area, locals or mules carry the food materials to the higher elevation from lower towns. Though, it costs more as you get in the upper elevation. Though you can get different varieties of food, fresh meat and veggies are not available in the higher elevation.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

You can get the wide variance of cuisines in the towns of lower altitude, as these are nearer to the city area. Almost all the teahouses in the trekking route offers you breakfast, lunch and dinner. As you get to higher elevation, the foods item in menu becomes less. The most common cuisine is local Dal (lentils), Bhat(rice), and Tarkari (vegetables). If you want to order anything more, check the Menu and order if available.

Accommodation

Everest Base Camp Trek

You will get best quality mountain lodges and hotels in this trekking route as this is the most popular trekking destination in Nepal. Most of the hotels and lodges offers hot water shower and electricity service. If you are trekking in the busy season, you must book a hotel earlier, if not so, you may not get the hotel room or it’s very hard to find. If you are trekking with agencies, they will book the rooms for you.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

There are numbers of lodges, guest houses and tea houses available in Annapurna Region trekking trail that offers best hospitality. Most of the hotels offers breakfast, lunch and dinner facility also, along with hot water shower and internet facility. Though there are so many hotels, it gets pre-booked in peak trekking season so it’s good idea to book hotels before you reach the place. Trekking with agencies makes you easier in finding the hotels.

Costs

There is no much variance in costs of these two regions. According to the quality and service, costs are somehow similar.

Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is pretty expensive, because it is more remote than Everest Region. As the altitude rises, the cost of foods and accommodation also increases. Moreover, the trekking permit and other costs in Everest Region is also pretty expensive.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The cost of Annapurna Base Camp trek is more affordable in comparison to EBC Trek. The area is less remote and it makes the cost of foods and accommodation reasonable. Here also, the cost increases as you reach higher elevation.

Conclusion

Both the reasons are equally beautiful and offer breath-taking views, Annapurna Base Camp is ideal package for beginners while adventure seekers can go for Everest Base Camp Trekking. Both the trekking is best during the autumn and spring season. Contact us for further more information.