The Annapurna Region is one of the best trekking destinations in the world. There are two major trekking destinations in the Annapurna region. Today, we will discuss them as Annapurna Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit Trek. These two are the two best treks not only in the Annapurna region but also in Nepal.
Both take you to different landscapes, from subtropical to temperature to alpine, where other vegetation and animals are spread out. During this trek, you will also come across various kinds of Himalayan culture, excellent blooming flowering trails, panoramic views, Sherpa culture and tradition, monasteries, Ghumbas, mani walls, shortens, paintings in caves, etc. The Annapurna Region has a variety of trails, from short treks to longer routes. Each journey promises natural beauty, cultural experiences, and unforgettable memories. Whether you want luxury or an eco-friendly trek, our services ensure your adventure is safe and enriching.
Table of Contents
Difference Between Annapurna Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit Trek
| Feature | Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek |
| Duration | 7-12 days | 18-21 days |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderately challenging | Moderate to strenuous |
| Highest Altitude | 4,130 meters (Annapurna Base Camp) | 5,416 meters (Thorong La Pass) |
| Focus | Reaching the base camp of Annapurna | Circumambulating the Annapurna massif |
| Landscape | Diverse, including forests, rhododendron valleys, glaciers, and mountains | Diverse, including lush valleys, arid landscapes, high mountain passes, and Tibetan-influenced villages |
| Highlights | Annapurna Base Camp, Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail Mountain), Poon Hill sunrise | Thorong La Pass, Tilicho Lake, Muktinath Temple, Tibetan villages |
| Acclimatization | Important, but less critical due to lower altitude | Essential due to higher altitudes and multiple high passes |
| Fitness Level | Good overall fitness is required | Excellent physical fitness and endurance are needed |
| Cost | Generally less expensive | Generally more expensive |
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region. It takes you to the mountains of the Annapurna region. The trek provides fantastic opportunities to explore the Himalayas, from where you can see stunning mountain views like Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and Fishtail mountains. This fantastic trek takes you to the corridor of the Annapurna Conservation Area, where you can see or meet rare and endangered species of floras and faunas.
Starting from Pokhara, a calm lakeside city and gateway to the Annapurnas, the trek leads through forests, fields, and mountain villages. One of the highlights is the lively village of Ghandruk, known for its traditional houses and rich culture. Another highlight is Chhomrong, which provides stunning mountain views. The path gradually goes up through the Modi Khola valley, entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, famous for its biodiversity and considered a sacred sanctuary.
Highlights
- Explore the beautiful tourist zone in Pokhara.
- There are magnificent views of the mountains in the Annapurna range, including Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Fishtail.
- Indulge yourself in the relaxing hot water Springs in the Jhinu Danda.
- Visit Ghandruk, which is the stunning hill station in the Annapurna region.
Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp
Trekking at Annapurna Base Camp is quite fun and a bit challenging, but you can make it more fun and eliminate some of the difficulty factors during your ABC trek if you book or plan your trek in the ideal trekking season. Nepal has two ideal trekking seasons and two off-seasons, so let’s check them out.
Spring
Spring is a popular season for trekkers to trek in Nepal and visit the Annapurna Base Camp. During Spring, you can see clear views of the skies and mountains. The weather is stable and quite sunny during the day, and the temperature is mild, which means it is not too hot during the day but not extremely cold at night, although sometimes it reaches closer to the freezing point at high altitudes.
Autumn
Autumn is another ideal time for trekking in Nepal. The Autumn season starts in September and ends in November. The early part of September still falls under the post-monsoon area, meaning it receives rainfall for most of the early part of September. Still, as the days progress to the later end of September, the month reaches October, and the trekking conditions become ideal. This means the weather is stable, the temperature is mild, and the surrounding atmosphere becomes equally suitable for trekking. The views of the mountains and skies are clear, especially during sunrise and sunset, making the ideal condition to click stunning photos.
Difficulty Level
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered an easy to moderate-level trek in Nepal. For veteran, experienced trekkers, it may be easy; however, for beginners, it may become moderate as they need to familiarize themselves with the trekking conditions of the Himalayan region. To make their trek less challenging and fun, they must be familiar with the factors of trek difficulty, such as altitude, weather, acclimatization, distance and duration, trails and terrains, etc.
Altitude sickness is one of the significant difficulty factors that every trekker or mountain climber must face during their trek to high altitudes. Altitude sickness occurs when the oxygen level in the outer surroundings decreases. As a result, the oxygen level inside the body also decreases, which causes a variant of illness. The symptoms of altitude sickness are nausea, fever, headache, shortness of breath, etc.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is famous for its stunning natural features and cultural sights. The trek starts from Bhulbhule after a scenic drive from Kathmandu. The route follows the Marsyandghi River Valley and takes you through Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, and Pisang. One night is spent in each of these places. After reaching Manang, a day is spent acclimatizing before continuing the trail to Yak Kharka. The next stop is at Thorong Phedi, where another night is spent. On the ninth day, the trek continues towards Muktinath, the highlight of which is the crossing of Thorong La Pass, the trek’s highest point.
Highlights
- Relax and rejuvenate in the unique hot springs of Jhinu Danda.
- Visit the headquarters of Manang district in Jomsom.
- There are stunning views of the mountains, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Tukuche Peak, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna I and IV.
- Visit the sacred place of Hindus and Buddhists in Muktinath.
- Get the majestic panoramic views of the mountains from Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Best Time to Trek Annapurna Circuit
The best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit Trek is Spring or Autumn. The spring season in Nepal lasts from March to May, whereas the Autumn season lasts from September to November. During both these seasons, the temperature is mild, the weather is generally stable, and most importantly, the views of the surroundings, skies, and mountains are beautiful and ideal for clicking some fantastic photos.
In Nepal, winter and monsoon seasons are considered the off-season as they have less ideal conditions for trekking. During monsoon season, the trails are wet and slippery, and giant insects and mosquitoes infest the trails of jungles and forests. On the other hand, the winter season is frigid, and continuous snowfall and snowstorms might block the route, injure the trekkers, or damage their property.
Difficulty Level Of Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek is relatively moderate and much more challenging than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. ACT takes you to an altitude of over 5000m in the Thorong La Pass. The Annapurna Circuit trek is longer, and you must cover a longer distance to reach it. Furthermore, throughout ACT, you will be traveling in the wilderness of the Annapurna region from beginning to end. Hence, during your trek, you will face many complex factors, like altitude sickness, a significant cause of concern for the trekkers, just like in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Pros and Cons of Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Pros
- Stunning view of the mountains and natural beauty.
- Chance to meet new people and learn about their culture and traditions.
- Trekking through a variety of terrains and exploring remote villages.
- Visiting Annapurna Conservation Area to see rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
- Appropriate for beginner-level trekkers.
Cons
- Huge chance of Altitude sickness.
- Rugged trails and terrains to scale.
- Trails are crowded, so you don’t get a peaceful trekking experience.
- It is an expensive place than other trekking regions.
Pros and Cons of Annapurna Circuit Trek
Pros
- Trek throughout the wilderness of the Annapurna region.
- Reach the majestic peak of the Thorong La Pass for physical adventure.
- Meet local people, learn about new cultures and traditions, and have a chance to immerse in them.
- The people are pretty welcoming and friendly.
Cons
- You require proper acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness.
- Extremely crowded trails and the teahouses for less ideal facilities.
- It is a very demanding trek and could be better for beginners.
Conclusion
Hence, Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trek are two of the best trekking regions in Nepal. The Annapurna region is one of the most beautiful trekking destinations, and it has attracted millions of people worldwide. Although these trekking destinations are somewhat similar, they are also equally different.
Hence, if you have yet to experience this trek, we hope you try them out. You can try the base camp trek and proceed to the circuit trek. We hope our blog guides you on the best trek in the Annapurna region.
FAQs
What kind of permits do you need for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
You need one permit, the Annapurna Conservation Area permit. A TIMS card was also mandatory a few years ago, but it only became personal recently.
Does Annapurna Circuit Trek fall in the restricted area region?
Annapurna Circuit Trek does not fall under the restricted area, so you don’t need a restricted area permit to explore the region.
What is the highest elevation of Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The highest elevation of the ABC Trek is 4,130 meters, which is the base camp itself, whereas the highest elevation of the ACT is Thorong La Pass at 5416 meters.
Can you get altitude sickness during your Annapurna region trek?
Yes, since you have to trek over an altitude of over 4000m in ABC and above 6000m during the ACT, there is a high chance of getting altitude sickness.
What is the accommodation during your Annapurna region trek?
During your Annapurna region trek, you will first stay in budget or luxury hotels at low altitudes, whereas at high altitudes, you will stay at teahouses or homestays.
