Altitude, duration, difficulty and scenery compared, so you can choose the right base camp trek for your time and fitness.
Table of contents
Both are classic Himalayan treks that end in a ring of giant peaks. They feel very different on the ground, though, and the right one depends on how much time you have and how you handle altitude.
At a glance
| Everest Base Camp | Annapurna Base Camp | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical duration | 12–15 days | 7–11 days |
| Highest point | 5,545 m (Kala Patthar) | 4,130 m |
| Getting there | Flight to Lukla | Drive from Pokhara |
| Grade | Moderate to challenging | Moderate |
| Culture | Sherpa, Tibetan Buddhist | Gurung, Magar |
Choose Everest Base Camp if…
- You want to stand beneath the world's highest mountain
- You have two weeks and are comfortable with long days above 4,500 m
- Sherpa culture, monasteries and expedition history appeal to you
Choose Annapurna Base Camp if…
- You have around ten days, or this is your first Himalayan trek
- You'd prefer to avoid mountain flights and very high altitude
- You like variety: rice terraces, bamboo forest, hot springs and then glaciers
Our take
For a first trek with limited time, ABC gives you the full Himalayan experience with less risk from altitude. If Everest is the dream, it is very achievable with a well-paced itinerary — just build in the acclimatisation days and a spare day for Lukla flights.