If you dream of venturing off to Nepal in search of the most exciting trekking experience, filled with beautiful and stunning trekking destinations, you may be questioning which trek is best for you. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and Everest Base Camp (EBC) are two of the most popular Nepali treks, each with their own wonder and awe. While you’ll find yourself in breathtaking moments (literally and figuratively) on both trails, there are a few details you’ll need to consider before booking your tickets.
Season Selection
Both of these trekking destinations lie in the heart of Himalayan mountain ranges in Nepal, which ultimately means they bear cold temperature in winter. The Everest will often be colder due to higher altitude as compared to Annapurna. Meanwhile, both have four seasons; Summers are warm and manageable; however, summers coincide with monsoon season, making trekking more difficult and dangerous. Many tour operates run limited treks throughout this season. Spring and Autumns are mild and are favorites among trekkers. However, in the cold weather, temperature along the EBC trek can drop below -20 degrees F (we experienced -10 and -20 during our finals night on the trek in December) compared to Annapurna’s temperature that stay typically above zero, passing only slightly under. So if you want to schedule your trekking in winter, ABC can be your trekking destination.
Spring and Autumn are mild, and most of the tourists try their luck then causing much crowding along the trails and in the tea houses. Being at the lower altitude, Annapurna tends to be very crowded in these seasons, so if you want to trek without interruption and peacefully, you may want to embrace the coldness and opt for a winter trek.
Level of Difficulty
Altitude sickness is a major problem for trekkers when attempting for both EBC and ABC, but due to lower altitude and less steepness, ABC trekkers are less likely to experience its effects. Altitude sickness can impact anyone, but physical fitness and improved stamina will be useful in coping with the altitude sickness. Regardless of training, you are almost certain to experience the impacts of the high altitudes – limited appetite, headaches, difficulty sleeping. These come with the territory. If you have much anxiety about these challenges, you may want to start with ABC to see how the altitude impacts you at lower altitudes.
On both treks, there are situations when narrow ridges, thick snow, and slippery ice can be troublesome, so you should have physical preparation months before embarking the trekking destinations.
Cost-Effectiveness
Comparatively, Annapurna Base Camp is more affordable than EBC. Gear cost can be mostly the same, but for the tea houses, guides, transportation, and food, you will find EBC to be more expensive than ABC.
Accessibility
Both EBC and ABC is accessible to through roadways and airways. However, for EBC, you will almost certainly have to take a terrifying flight to Lukla airport, the starting point of the EBC trek. This airport is known to be one of the most dangerous airports in the world, and it is not for the faint of heart. Our team still shutters with the thoughts of the landing and takeoff at Lukla.
Pokhara is the starting point of the ABC which can be reached by an easy, 25 minutes flight a half-day bus drive from Kathmandu.
Altitude is no Joke
Places along the EBC are much higher than the ABC. It is advised to not gain much height in a single day and to add in acclimation days, where you don’t make it further along the trek, but instead give your body a chance to acclimate to the high altitudes. Because of this, the trek can be longer – EBC up to two weeks, whereas ABC can be completed in just over one week.
Mesmerizing Scenery
Both of these treks are in the heart of the Himalayas and feature absolutely outstanding vistas. But, because of the higher elevation of EBC, it offers unique landscapes, mountains, and lower rainfall making for crisper sights. The view from Kala Patthar (a common stop along the EBC trek) gives the splendid scenery of nature as you sit face-to-face with the Everest herself. You are unlikely to get quite this level of exquisite views from anywhere other than the Everest valley. So in terms of scenic views, EBC is gold.
The Choice is Yours
If you have no prior trekking experience and you’re a mountaineer aspirant, you’ll want to build up your skills and gear at home before journeying to Nepal. For those new to the world of trekker, you may want to start with the ABC trek, which is not as technical, less steep, lower in altitude, and shorter duration than EBC. Advanced trekkers claim that for the success in EBC, the ABC trek is a great pre-requisite (although not formally required). With proper training and appropriate planning, both of these magnificent treks can be within your reach.