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The popular Annapurna region of Nepal hosts two most celebrated treks in Nepal: the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek. Each trek boasts its own set of unique features and awe-inspiring experiences, promising an adventure of a lifetime. Oftentimes, trekkers grapple with the common challenge of choosing between these two treks. Therefore, we have curated this comparative guide that presents the contrasting features of these treks, providing insights to help you choose the best one.
If you have a window of 10 days, opting for the Annapurna Base Camp trek would be the best choice. The Annapurna Circuit trek typically takes 18–22 days due to the extensive route that circumnavigates the Annapurna massif, covering Thorong-La Pass, Tilicho Lake, remote villages, and alpine meadows. Due to the circuitous route, this trek spans twice the duration of the Annapurna Base Camp trek. In short, the Annapurna Base Camp is shorter than the Annapurna Circuit trek, usually lasting 10 days.
The highest elevation reached on the Annapurna Base Camp trek is the Annapurna Base Camp itself, at 4,130 m. If reaching greater heights is your ambition, the Annapurna Circuit trek is the ideal choice. Thorong La Pass, at an exhilarating altitude of 5,416 m, is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Circuit trek with the arduous ascent to the Thorong La Pass-one of the highest mountain passes in Nepal-demands both mental and physical commitment with proper acclimatization. In this sense, the Annapurna Circuit trek is more challenging than the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Trekkers must navigate long distances, cover high altitudes and spend a few nights above 4000m.
On the other hand, the journey to the Annapurna Base Camp entails a shorter distance and lower maximum altitude with moderate altitude gain. The trek is usually considered more accessible to a wider range of trekkers, including those trekkers with little to no experience in trekking.
The main highlight of the Annapurna Circuit trek is crossing the challenging Thorong La Pass, which boasts awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, Manaslu, Paungda Danda and Manaslu. Lonely Planet hails the Annapurna Circuit trek as the best trek in Nepal for its scenery and cultural diversity.
Similarly, the highlight of the Annapurna Base Camp trek is reaching the base camp, a natural amphitheater surrounded by the majestic mountains including Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Huinchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Tent Peak.
The Annapurna Circuit trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek reward incredible views of the Annapurna mountain range. Determining the best between the Annapurna Circuit trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek in terms of scenery and the views of the Annapurna is a matter of personal preference. It isn’t easy to ascertain which trek offers stunning scenery of the Annapurna.
The Annapurna Circuit trek is best known for its diversity in scenery, ranging from terraced fields to alpine forests and mountain deserts with rocky terrains and glaciers. In short, the Annapurna Circuit trek offers a diverse landscape and expansive mountain views. On the other hand, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is celebrated for up-close mountain vistas surrounding Annapurna Sanctuary. If you seek close-up views, choose the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and if you prefer a diverse range of landscapes, the Annapurna Circuit trek is the best trek for you.
In terms of cultural experiences, the Annapurna Circuit trek offers a diverse and enriching cultural experience, primarily because of its extensive route and the areas it covers. On the Annapurna Circuit trek, en route are culturally diverse villages like Manang, Lamjung, and Mustang and communities of diverse ethnic groups like Gurung, Tamang, and Thalakis. The trail is dotted with ancient monasteries, chortens, and Hindu temples Like Muktinath, offering insights into the spiritual and religious practices of local people.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek offers a slightly less diverse cultural experience in comparison to the Annapurna Circuit trek. The trail to Annapurna Base Camp is shorter and takes a direct path to the base camp. The trek primarily passes through the villages of concentrated communities of Magar and Gurung ethnic groups. However, the opportunities for extended cultural immersion are somewhat limited.
The general rule of thumb for the best time to do all treks, including the ABC trek and Annapurna Circuit trek, is during the spring and autumn seasons. March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are the prime time of the year for both the Annapurna Circuit trek and the ABC trek. During this time, the weather remains favorable, with mild temperatures and clear blue skies. The trails are adorned with colorful rhododendrons and the mountain views are exceptionally clear. Choosing to trek in autumn or spring allows you to eat up the experience with optimal trail conditions, perfect weather and incredible mountain views.
An adventurous trek which will leave you feeling deeply connected to Nepal. Combination of forests, gorges, temples, culture and mountains on a circuit walk.
read moreClearly, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is more accessible compared to the Annapurna Circuit trek, and for good reasons. Firstly, it is a shorter trek spanning 10-12 days, making it more manageable for those with short time in hand. Similarly, in terms of altitude, it covers 4,130m, which is significantly lower than that of the Annapurna Circuit trek; lower altitude can be more accessible and less challenging for many trekkers. Likewise, in terms of difficulty, the ABC trek is more accessible than the Annapurna Circuit trek. ABC trek is suitable for trekkers with little to no experience in high-altitude trekking.
Both the trek offers similar food options, including local and international dishes. Along the route of the Annapurna Circuit trek, you’ll find a diverse array of food options, from dal bhat and momo to pizza and pasta. For beverages, hot drinks, including tea, coffee and hot chocolate, are available. It’s important to note that as you ascend higher, the food menu becomes more limited and more expensive.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek offers a variety of food options, but it may be slightly limited compared to the Annapurna Circuit. Meals like dal bhat, momo, and noodles are readily available. You may find pasta, pizza, and other international cuisines in developed areas. The ABC trek’s beverage options closely resemble those found on the Annapurna Circuit trek.
The route of the Annapurna Circuit trek is dotted with teahouses, lodges, and community lodges catering to thousands of trekkers. The teahouse is the most common accommodation option on the Annapurna Circuit trek, featuring basic facilities like a twin bed with blanket and pillow, a common bathroom and a communal dining area. Lodges, on the other hand, offer a wider range of amenities and better facilities like a private room with an attached bathroom. In remote areas, teahouses are simple, offering only the bare essentials for trekkers.
Accommodation along the ABC trek route is similar to that of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The trail is lined with enough well-established teahouses, lodges, and guesthouses. Teahouses are the popular accommodation option, offering basic yet comfortable facilities. You will typically find twin-sharing rooms, communal dining areas and shared bathrooms. As you ascend higher, the density of teahouses and lodges diminishes, and the facilities become more modest.
In general, the Annapurna Circuit trek is more expensive than the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is longer in duration, almost double the itinerary of the ABC trek, which naturally incurs higher costs for accommodation, food, permits, and guide/porter services. The Annapurna Circuit trek takes you through a more remote and diverse route, and the cost of lodging may be higher in remote areas. On the other hand, the ABC trek is shorter and is a budget-friendly trek.
While it’s totally on you, we can help you decide between the two based on three main factors: time, budget, and your trekking experience. The ABC trek is best for individuals with time constraints. If you have less than 12 days, you can’t embark on an adventure to Annapurna Circuit. The ABC trek is a more budget-friendly choice. Let’s look at the cost of these two treks offered by Take On Nepal; the all-inclusive price of Annapurna Base Camp trek starts from AUD 1750 per person, and it’s AUD 2990 per person for Annapurna Circuit trek. If you have never done any high-altitude treks, we recommend ABC trek for you.
By now, you probably have decided on the trek and are prepared for an exciting adventure. We offer both fixed-date group treks as well as the flexibility of tailor-made options, all guided by our experienced and skilled male or female guides to ensure you have the best trekking experience possible. If you still have questions, just email us, WhatsApp us, or text us on social media. You are just a click away from a dream adventure!
