Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek

Nepal is a heaven for trekking and hiking adventures. The presence of diverse landscapes and mountains make it an ideal place for mesmerizing trekking holidays. Among several trekking routes in Nepal, the trekking trails of the Annapurna region are considered as diverse and wholesome. Interestingly, there are two trekking trails in the region which are the commercial trekking routes and face of the Nepal Trekking industry. They are the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. In today’s blog, we are comparing these two trekking trips. Let’s find out more about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Where in the world that you would find the wonders of Mother Nature and splendors of multi – ethnic culture in one place? Yes, Nepal is a tiny nation but the country is full of surprises with lots of blessings from gods and goddesses. Here, you get to spend diverse holiday activities ranging from cultural to Himalayan encounters. Therefore, the country surpasses all in terms of magical holiday moments. There are countless mesmerizing places to visit in Nepal. To top it all, the trekking is the best holiday activity to do in Nepal. Additionally, the Annapurna region alongside the Everest region, Langtang region, and Manaslu region are the cornerstone and pillar of Nepalese trekking tourism.

Before we delve deeper into finding out the comparisons on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek, let’s know more about the Annapurna region itself.

Popular Trekking routes of Annapurna region

The Annapurna region of Nepal is probably the oldest permitted trekking region of Nepal. When Nepal opened its door for foreigners to come; the region had two of the iconic trekking routes. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek are the pillars of the region. However, the Annapurna Circuit Trek acted as the cornerstone of Nepalese tourism as it was opened in 1976. Earlier, the trail used to be raw, unchartered, and rugged but now the trail tops among the commercial trekking routes of Nepal.

Here is the list of the popular trekking routes of the Annapurna region of Nepal:

1. Annapurna Circuit Trek
2. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
3. Mardi Himal Trek
4. Annapurna Base Camp Trek
5. Mohare Danda Trek
6. Tilicho Lake Trek
7. Nar Phu Valley Trek
8. Annapurna Royal Trek
9. Australian Camp Dhampus Sarangkot Trek
10. Mulde View Point Trek
11. Karapu Danda Trek

These trekking routes have different itineraries and trail heads. Even if they have different trail heads, they are slowly becoming the face of Nepalese trekking industry. It is because the popularity of these trekking routes are not limited to foreigners but Nepalese domestic hikers are also trekking in these trekking routes.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek: Comparison

Let’s compare on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek in terms of various variables required for amazing trekking trips. We are comparing between these trekking routes in terms of trekking difficulty, ideal trekking season, overall Himalayan experiences, possible side trips, risk of altitude sickness, lodging – meal options, cost comparison, and permits.

Trekking Difficulty

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek route has steep uphill and downhill sections in comparison to the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The hardest part on the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the crossing of the Thorong La Pass (5416 m) otherwise majority of the trekking trail of the round trek is on the road and gentle flat terrain. The trekking section of the ABC Trek in Nepal has many uphill – downhill sections. For example, trekkers have to trek uphill to reach Ghorepani Poon Hill then they have to descend all the way to Chhomrong before continuing to trek uphill until they reach Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m). It is not same with the Annapurna Circuit Trek. If trekkers take the route of the Ngawal and Upper Pisang route, then only they have steep uphill besides the Thorong La Pass.

So, in terms of trekking difficulty the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is more arduous than the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Best Trekking Season

Interestingly, both of these trekking trips are ideal during the months of spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November). However, trekking in the monsoon and winter season is equally possible in both the trekking routes. The Annapurna Circuit Trek route is in the rain shadow region of Nepal which is ideal during monsoon as well but the lower altitude place hinders the trek in this season. So, the verdict is that both of these trekking trips are best during spring and autumn season in Nepal.

Himalayan Experiences

The journey of the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal is joyous Himalayan adventure collecting activity. Therefore, you can’t judge these trekking routes in terms of the Himalayan experiences. The sight of the mountains during the Annapurna Circuit trek is higher and the experience of crossing the Thorong La Pass adds value to the Himalayan experiences.

Possible Side Trips

The possible side trips from the Annapurna Circuit Trek route are as follows:

1. Tilicho Lake Trek
2. Meso Kanta La Pass Trek
3. Nar Phu Valley Trek

Various side trips possible from the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route are as follows:

1. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
2. Mardi Himal Trek
3. Mohare Danda Trek
4. Annapurna Royal Trek
5. Mulde View Point Trek

Risk of Altitude Sickness

The risk of altitude sickness is comparatively higher during the Annapurna Circuit Trek than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Trekkers have to stay overnight in places above 3500 m altitude more than in the ABC Trek. During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal, trekkers stay overnight for a day only in the place above 3200 m altitude which is in the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m).

Accommodation and Meals

Trekkers don’t need to worry about the availabilities of the accommodation and meals in both of these trekking routes. These trekking routes are the commercial trekking routes of Nepal where you get to choose various cuisines options and accommodation styles. Both the trekking routes offer the best services in terms of lodging and food options. If you choose to do luxury trekking activities, then it is possible in both the routes. However, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has more luxury lodges than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route.

In terms of the meals availability, trekkers can get the options of cuisines from different parts of the world. While comparing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal, it is noteworthy to understand about the possibility of food and lodging options. Enjoy the Indian, Chinese, continental, and Nepalese local cuisines while trekking in these trekking routes of the Annapurna region of Nepal.

Cost comparison

You can get the Annapurna Circuit Trek package at 950 $ per person and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek package at 650 per person. Please note that the cost of the trekking package depends largely according to the preferences of trekkers. In addition, the price is also dictated by the number of the group size. The more is the size of the group, the less is the price. Therefore, if you are planning to do either of these trekking trip in Nepal then trek in a group to get more flexible and cheaper rates. Overall, in comparison to the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is way cheaper.

Permits

The Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are not listed under the restricted trekking regions. Therefore, trekkers can do the trek with the single trekking permit. Trekkers have to take the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit to do trekking in the region. However, if you are doing the Nar Phu Valley Trek, then you must acquire the special restricted area permit.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek after Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek

The itinerary of the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek includes the journey of the famous Ghorepani Poon Hill (3210 m). Therefore, it is possible to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek after the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek. Please surf through our classical Annapurna Circuit Trek package to know more about the various aspects of the detour trekking trip. The itinerary of the regular Annapurna Base Camp Trek includes the visit of the Ghorepani Poon Hill and the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek also uses the Ghorepani Poon Hill section in its itinerary. Therefore, it is fair to say that you can do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek after the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal.

Outline Itinerary of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

• DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1,300M/4,264FT) TRANSFER TO HOTEL
• DAY 02: KATHMANDU TO POKHARA BY TOURIST BUS 7 HOURS
• DAY 03: DRIVE TO NAYAPUL AND TREK TO ULLERI (2050M.)
• DAY 04: TREK TO GHOREPANI (2860M) 5/6 HOURS
• DAY 05: CLIMB TO POON HILL (3210 M) AND TREK TO CHUILE (2430M) 6-7 HOURS
• DAY 06: TREK TO SINUWA (2340M) 6-7 HOURS
• DAY 07: TREK TO DEURALI (3200M.) 6-7 HOURS
• DAY 08: TREK TO ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (ABC) (4130M) 5HOURS
• DAY 09: TREK TO SINUWA (2340M.) 6-7 HOURS
• DAY 10: TREK TO JHINU DANDA 3 HOURS AND 3 HOURS DRIVE TO POKHARA
• DAY 11: POKHARA TO KATHMANDU
• DAY 12: FINAL INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Map of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek Outline Itinerary

• Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Besi Shahar via Jagat (1100m.) 7-8 hours
• Day 02: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani (1950) 5-6 hour
• Day 03: Trek from Dharpani to Chame (2650m) 5-6 hours
• Day 04: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,250 m) 4-5 hours
• Day 05: Trek from Pisang to Ngawal (3650 m) 5-6 hours
• Day 06: Tre to Manang (3,519 m) 5-6 hours
• Day 07: Acclimatization in Manang
• Day 08: Trek to Yak Kharka (4200m) 6-7 hours
• Day 09: Trek to Thorong Phedi or High Camp (4800m) 5-6 hours
• Day 10: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La (5,416 m.) 8-9 hours
• Day 11: Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni (2800m) 4 hours
• Day 12: Trek to Tatopani (1120m.) 4 hour drive
• Day 13: Trek to Ghorepani (2860.) 8-8 hours
• Day 14: Climb to Poon Hill (3210m) and trek to Nayapul 6 hrs and drive Pokhara 2 hours
• Day 15: From Pokhara drive to Kathmandu 8-9 hours

Map of the Annapurna Circuit Trek