Deck: A practical decision guide that compares time, altitude, difficulty, access, scenery, permits, and costs, so you can pick the Nepal trek that fits your goals.
Table of Contents
The short answer
- Choose Everest Base Camp (EBC) if you want iconic big mountain views, a higher altitude goal, and a longer journey that feels expedition like without technical climbing.
- Choose Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) if you want a shorter plan, dramatic amphitheater views inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, and gentler acclimatization.
Time and distance
- EBC: 12 to 14 trekking days, about 120 to 130 km total. Most travelers plan 15 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu with one buffer night at the end.
- ABC: 7 to 9 trekking days, roughly 70 to 100 km depending on the start point. Plan 11 to 12 days door to door including travel to and from Pokhara.
Highest altitude and acclimatization
- EBC: Everest Base Camp 5,364 m, 17,598 ft; most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar about 5,545 m, 18,192 ft. Two acclimatization days, Namche and Dingboche, are standard.
- ABC: Annapurna Base Camp about 4,130 m, 13,549 ft. The profile naturally steps up, so extra rest days are less common.
How hard it feels
- EBC: Moderate to strenuous because of altitude and duration. Expect 4 to 8 hours of hiking most days.
- ABC: Moderate with steady ups and downs and a lot of stone steps. Expect 4 to 7 hours most days.
Scenery and highlights
- EBC: Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khumbu Glacier, Sherpa villages, Tengboche Monastery, the famous Lukla airstrip.
- ABC: A 360 degree cirque of peaks, close views of Machhapuchhre, terraced hillsides and rhododendron forests, hot showers available more often than on EBC.
When to go and crowd levels
- Best seasons for both: March to May and October to November.
- EBC: Busy on the main corridor in peak months; quieter early March and late November.
- ABC: Busy near Ghorepani and inside the sanctuary; route options spread people out more than on EBC.
Access and flights
- EBC: Fly to Lukla. In busy seasons many flights operate from Ramechhap, Manthali, not Kathmandu, so plan an early road transfer for flight day.
- ABC: Start near Pokhara, usually Nayapul, Kimche, or Siwai. Fly or drive to Pokhara, then drive to the trailhead. No Lukla flight required.
A printable day by day plan for both routes, with typical walking times and elevation gains, is available for the Everest Base Camp Trek and for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Permits at a glance
- EBC: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Carry passport and cash in Nepali rupees.
- ABC: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, plus a TIMS card where enforced locally. Carry passport and cash.
Accommodation and food
- EBC: Simple teahouses with twin rooms and shared bathrooms. Hot showers, charging, and Wi-Fi are often paid, and less predictable as you gain altitude. Menus repeat, dal bhat, soups, rice bowls, potatoes, noodles, and momos.
- ABC: Similar teahouses, hot showers available more often, charging and Wi-Fi widely available for a fee. Menus are more varied in lower villages, simpler higher up.
Cost drivers
- EBC: Lukla flights, permits, more days on trail, paid charging and Wi-Fi, bakeries in Namche, guide and porter fees if you hire support.
- ABC: Transport or flight to Pokhara, permits, fewer days on trail, frequent hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi, optional porter and guide.
Tip: Prices rise with altitude on both routes, so plan a comfortable daily cushion for meals and extras.
Safety, health, and buffers
- EBC: Higher maximum altitude means stricter pacing and hydration. Keep the two acclimatization days and add a Kathmandu buffer night at the end to protect your international flight.
- ABC: Lower altitude reduces risk, yet do not rush. Weather can turn quickly inside the sanctuary, so carry warm layers and a headlamp.
Training that helps for both
- Three sessions a week of hiking or stairs; add one longer weekend hike.
- Two short strength sessions for legs and core.
- Weighted stair sessions give the best carryover.
- Practice hiking with your daypack, then trim what you do not use.
Packing differences in a sentence
- EBC: Warmer layers and a slightly warmer sleeping bag, 0 to minus 10 degree Celsius rating is common.
- ABC: Similar kit, a three season bag is often enough in spring and autumn; confirm with your operator.
Sample door to door outlines
EBC, 15 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, gear check, permit prep
Day 2 Flight staging or road transfer to Ramechhap if required
Day 3 Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Day 4 Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 5 Namche acclimatization
Day 6 Namche to Tengboche
Day 7 Tengboche to Dingboche
Day 8 Dingboche acclimatization
Day 9 Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 10 Lobuche to Gorak Shep, visit Base Camp
Day 11 Kala Patthar early, descend to Pheriche or Pangboche
Day 12 Down to Namche
Day 13 Namche to Lukla
Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu, buffer night
Day 15 International departure
ABC, 12 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2 Fly or drive to Pokhara
Day 3 Drive to trailhead, trek to Tikhedhunga or Ulleri
Day 4 To Ghorepani
Day 5 Poon Hill sunrise, to Tadapani or Chuile
Day 6 To Chhomrong
Day 7 To Himalaya or Deurali
Day 8 To Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp
Day 9 Down to Bamboo or Sinuwa
Day 10 To Jhinu or Ghandruk
Day 11 Drive to Pokhara, afternoon buffer or fly to Kathmandu
Day 12 International departure
Who should pick which
Choose EBC if you want the Everest story and the Khumbu Glacier as your backdrop, a higher altitude goal, and a longer trek that rewards patience.
Choose ABC if you want a shorter commitment, a dramatic high mountain amphitheater, and flexible access via Pokhara.
Booking checklist for 2025
- Confirm departure airport for EBC season by season, Kathmandu or Ramechhap
- Pick dates in spring or autumn; add one buffer day at the end
- Buy insurance that covers the maximum altitude of your route and helicopter evacuation
- Prepare two passport photos; carry cash in Nepali rupees for permits and teahouse extras
- Trim pack weight to match airline limits; keep essentials in your daypack
