There’s no wrong answer, only the trek that fits your time, your fitness and what you want to see.
Most first-time trekkers in Nepal choose between the Everest and Annapurna regions. Both deliver giant mountains and warm teahouses, but they feel very different on the ground. Here’s how the three classic routes compare.
The three classics compared
| Everest Base Camp | Annapurna Base Camp | Annapurna Circuit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of our trip | 14 days | 11 days | 14 days |
| Highest point | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m | Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m | Thorong La pass, 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Challenging | Moderate | Challenging |
| How you get there | Mountain flight to Lukla | Drive to Pokhara, then a short jeep ride | Drive to the start of the trail |
| Scenery | Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and glaciers | A ring of peaks inside the Annapurna Sanctuary | Subtropical valleys to high desert in one trek |
| Culture | Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries | Gurung villages and terraced hillsides | Gurung, Manangi and Thakali villages; Muktinath temple |
Choose Everest Base Camp if…
…you want to stand beneath the world’s highest mountain. The Khumbu is high, bare and spectacular, and Sherpa culture is everywhere, from the bustling market town of Namche Bazaar to the monastery at Tengboche. The catch is altitude: you spend several nights above 4,000 m, and the flight to Lukla depends on the weather.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Explore this trip →Choose Annapurna Base Camp if…
…you have less time or want a gentler introduction to altitude. The trail climbs through rhododendron forest and Gurung villages such as Chhomrong into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheatre surrounded by Annapurna I, Annapurna South and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre. There are lots of stone steps, but the altitude stays lower.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Explore this trip →Choose the Annapurna Circuit if…
…you want variety. The circuit circles the Annapurna massif, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m. You start among rice terraces and waterfalls, climb through pine forests to the Tibetan-style villages around Manang, and descend to Muktinath, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. It’s a big journey and needs good fitness for the long pass day.
Fitness and time
All three are walking treks with no climbing. If you can manage five to seven hours on hills, day after day, you can do any of them. Build in spare days: one for Lukla flights on the Everest trek, and one for weather on the Thorong La.
Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek
Explore this trip →Choosing a trek
Which trek has the best mountain views?+
Each is spectacular in its own way. Everest has the highest peaks, the Annapurna Sanctuary surrounds you with mountains, and the circuit has the greatest variety of landscapes.
Which is best for a first trek?+
Annapurna Base Camp: it’s shorter, lower and doesn’t depend on mountain flights. If you have under a week, try Ghorepani Poon Hill or Mardi Himal.
Which is busiest?+
Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp are the busiest in October, November and April. The Gokyo Lakes and Manaslu treks are quieter alternatives.
Can I combine two regions in one trip?+
Yes, if you have three weeks or more. Tell us your dates and we’ll suggest a combined itinerary with a rest day in Kathmandu or Pokhara between treks.
Which trek is better if I’m worried about altitude?+
Annapurna Base Camp, at 4,130 m, stays well below the Everest and circuit high points. Whichever you choose, our itineraries include acclimatisation days.