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Dreaming of the Himalayas but not sure where to start? Both Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp deserve a spot on your Bucket List – here’s your guide to choosing which to tick off first.
If you’ve landed here you’re obviously thinking of embarking on the trek of a lifetime in Nepal and found yourself facing a mountainous conundrum: should you trek to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp first?!
It’s a rather delicious dilemma, like choosing between a date with a celebrity or a unicorn; booth seem equally elusive and you’ll probably end up with an amazing story either way.
Only… these days getting to the Himalayas is as simple as making small, manageable monthly payment instalments and letting your favourite adventure travel company do the rest. But before we get to all that – let’s help you choose where you’re going first; Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp?
Your choice will obviously depend on the things that are more important to you, so let’s break down these two awe-inspiring, totally life-changing treks into a few simple questions to help you decide…
Which Is More Crowded – Everest Base Camp Or Annapurna Base Camp?
Embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek is like stepping into a realm of both challenge and beauty. The trail winds through rugged terrain and ancient Sherpa villages, leading you to the foot of the mighty Everest.
But with its fame comes a caveat— that path to glory can sometimes be bustling with fellow adventurers, while the trail to Annapurna Base Camp paints a different picture.
It’s a journey into serene seclusion, where each step unveils lush forests, terraced fields, and the grandeur of the Annapurna massif. This trek offers a more intimate communion with nature, free from so many fellow travellers as on the Everest Base Camp route.
If your goal is to escape the masses and find solace in the lap of the Himalayas, the Annapurna Base Camp trek beckons with its tranquil trails and breathtaking vistas, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a quieter, more introspective adventure.
Who comes out on top for avoiding the crowds? Annapurna Base Camp, for sure
Which Is More Iconic – Everest Base Camp Or Annapurna Base Camp?
Beginning the Everest Base Camp trek is akin to stepping into the realm of legends. For decades that path has echoed with the footsteps of pioneering mountaineers who dared to conquer the world’s highest peak.
The journey leads you through Sherpa heartlands, across suspension bridges, and through breathtaking valleys, all while tracing the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
On the other hand, the Annapurna Base Camp trek offers its own brand of allure, as it winds through diverse landscapes, from lush forests to alpine meadows, culminating in the shadow of Annapurna’s towering peak.
For the budding mountaineer, Everest Base Camp offers the chance to follow in the path of giants and stand in the shadow of the world’s highest peak. But if your dream is simply to embrace the beauty of the Himalayas, the Annapurna Base Camp trek presents a unique opportunity to witness their magnificence, a feat equally worthy of a place on any serious Bucket List.
Our pick? EBC’s the more iconic, but put both on your Bucket List!
Which Is More Challenging – Everest Base Camp Or Annapurna Base Camp?
Venturing to Annapurna Base Camp or conquering Everest Base Camp is a bit like choosing between a sizzling duel with a dragon and a poetic tango with a yeti. Both offer incredible experience, but both come with their own flavours of challenges for budding mountaineers too.
While it’s not a walk in the park, the Annapurna Base Camp trail tends to be more forgiving in terms of altitude. The path gradually leads you to the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, where the views of Annapurna I, Machapuchare, and other peaks are simply awe-inspiring.
The trek’s manageable altitude and shorter duration make it the better choice if you’re new to high-altitude treks, providing a great opportunity to acclimatize without overwhelming challenges.
Meanwhile Everest Base Camp offers a slightly higher dose of challenge, flaunting its altitude like a badge of honour.
With more rugged terrain, thrilling (or…terrifying!) suspension bridges and a more substantial altitude gain, you’re more susceptible to altitude sickness on the Everest Base Camp trek than you would be on the Annapurna Base Camp trail.
If you like to feel exhilarated by your day’s trekking, you’ll get that feeling in spades on the Everest Base Camp trek (though let’s face it, the views on the Annapurna route aren’t exactly going to leave you down in the dumps).
Which will you find harder? It’s got to be Everest Base Camp!
Which Has Better Views – Everest Base Camp Or Annapurna Base Camp?
Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp is one beautiful battle, with stonking views on both treks. Each showcases different aspects of the Himalayas (another reason why you need BOTH on your Bucket List!).
The Annapurna Base Camp trek offers incredibly diverse and up-close views of some of the world’s most stunning peaks, including Annapurna I, Machapuchare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and others. These mountains surround you as you trek into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, it’s like a natural amphitheatre of majestic peaks.
But on the Everest Base Camp Trek you’ve got insane views of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest itself, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, among others.
The views from Kala Patthar (a popular vantage point along the trek) are particularly famous for their breathtaking beauty. The trek also offers glimpses of the dramatic Khumbu Icefall and the legendary Everest climbers’ memorial.
In terms of “better” views, it’s got to be a matter of personal preference. If you prefer up-close and diverse views of multiple peaks, the Annapurna Base Camp trek might be more appealing. If your heart’s set on witnessing the world’s highest peak in all its glory, then the Everest Base Camp Trek is the obvious choice.
Where will you get better views? That totally depends on you! But if you want to see Everest… It’s got to be EBC.
Which Is More Expensive; Annapurna Base Camp Or Everest Base Camp?
This one’s not quite as simple as it might first appear, because while you’ll save yourself about £50 by tackling the Annapurna Base Camp trek with The Bucket List Company, your trip will be 3 days shorter.
So in terms of days for your dollar, you’ll get more value on the Everest Base Camp trek, with 18-day adventures starting from £2,195 (or from £2,395 if you want to throw in the Gokyo Lakes and – if you’re really serious – from £3,295 to tick Island Peak off your Bucket List in 21 days too).
But then again… If taking two weeks of annual leave suits you better than three, then you could say you’ll get the best value out of the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Whichever one you go for, you can rest assured that you’ll receive incredible value when you adventure with The Bucket List Company. We don’t just organise everything for you and sort out your flights and transfers, we give you UK and local guides too, to make sure you’re totally at ease and fully informed throughout your trip.
Where will you get most value? In terms of days for your dollar, it’s Everest Base Camp.
In Summary: Which Base Camp Should You Do First: Everest or Annapurna?
Now it’s over to you. What’s most important to you? Doing something totally iconic, seeing the highest mountain in the world and challenging yourself more than you ever have before? Best go for Everest Base Camp.
But if you want tranquil trails through lesser-known but equally-incredible natural beauty (and the satisfaction of ticking something off your Bucket List that no-one else on your Facebook feed’s ever done before)… Go for Annapurna.
Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a life-changing trip, and we’d LOVE to be part of the journey. Hit the links below to find out more about our Base Camp itineraries, or click HERE to discover why it pays to travel with The Bucket List Company.
Just remember, if you don’t book it now, perhaps you never will. See you in Nepal.
