Trek planning
Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp? How to Choose
A side-by-side comparison of Nepal's two most famous base-camp treks — altitude, difficulty, days, scenery, logistics and cost — to help you pick the right one.
By Shiva GiriPublished 6 min readFacts checked
Both treks end at the foot of giant mountains, both use comfortable teahouses, and both are achievable for fit beginners with a good guide. But they feel very different. Here is how they compare, using our own itineraries.
| Everest Base Camp | Annapurna Base Camp | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 14 days from Kathmandu | 12 days from Kathmandu |
| Highest point | 5,545 m (Kala Patthar) | 4,130 m (base camp) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging | Moderate |
| Nights above 4,000 m | Several | One |
| Getting to the trail | Mountain flight to Lukla | Bus or flight to Pokhara, then a short drive |
| Permits | Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu municipality | ACAP + TIMS |
| Scenery | Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, glaciers, Sherpa culture | Annapurna I, Machapuchare, forests, terraces, Gurung villages |
| Starting price | From $1,500 per person | From $1,200 per person |
Choose Everest Base Camp if…
- Standing beneath the world's highest mountain is the dream.
- You want high-alpine scenery: glaciers, moraines and 8,000 m peaks all around.
- You are interested in Sherpa culture, monasteries such as Tengboche and the mountaineering history of Namche Bazaar.
- You have two weeks and are comfortable with the extra altitude.
Choose Annapurna Base Camp if…
- You want big-mountain views without spending nights above 5,000 m.
- You enjoy variety: rhododendron and bamboo forest, terraced farmland, villages and hot springs.
- You'd like to add the Poon Hill sunrise on the way (our itinerary includes it).
- You have a little less time, or prefer to avoid the Lukla flight.
A note on Lukla flights
Flights to Lukla are weather-dependent and are often delayed by cloud. In the busy spring and autumn seasons, many Lukla flights have been operated from Manthali airport in Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu, which adds an early-morning drive of roughly four to five hours. We tell you which airport your flight uses when we confirm your trek, and recommend keeping a spare day in Kathmandu before your international flight home.
Still unsure?
If this is your first trek, or you are worried about altitude, the shorter Poon Hill trek is a wonderful introduction. Tell us your fitness, dates and what you most want to see, and we'll recommend the trek that fits.
Frequently asked questions
Which is harder, EBC or ABC?
Everest Base Camp is harder mainly because of the altitude — you spend several nights above 4,000 m and climb to 5,545 m. ABC has plenty of steep stone steps but tops out at 4,130 m.
Which has better views?
Both are spectacular. EBC is surrounded by the world's highest peaks and glaciers; ABC is a dramatic 360° amphitheatre of peaks with greener, more varied scenery on the way.
Can beginners do Everest Base Camp?
Yes, if they are reasonably fit and follow a sensible acclimatisation schedule. No technical climbing is involved.
Sources
Fees and regulations change. These are the references we checked on 17 October 2026 — confirm current details with the official source before you travel.
