It’s a choice every trekker faces eventually as both Annapurna and Mt.Everest are the popular destinations in Nepal. These both places offer an enchanting view of lush surroundings and mountains, and they differ from each other. Though Mt.Everest is world-famous, people flock to trek in this region as most people do Everest base camp because they have heard about it. Still, many have not heard about Annapurna, and it has a variety of options because it’s a diverse trek.
Annapurna is less high in altitude compared to Mt.Everest with gorgeous rhododendron forests. So here are the reasons why I liked Annapurna more than Mt.Everest.
Bragging rights for extreme altitudes
The trail to Mt.Everest trek offered high altitude and was surrounded continuously by knife-like peaks. In contrast, Annapurna is a less taxing circuit with few steep and world’s most comprehensive passes plus you can choose from a variety of trails which don’t exceed 2000m In altitude. Trekking to the Annapurna circuit you get to see new landscapes, new surroundings, every day with views of greenery to gushing water streams to dried out valleys without a plant in sight and trekking in Annapurna circuit one can experience the hot springs and dense forests.
Price
Compared to Everest base camp, Annapurna base camp is much cheaper for a total number of days in a package, and if you are a price-conscious person, then Annapurna base camp is much budget-friendly. The reasons why Annapurna stays at the top is due to three-fold: location, transportation cost, duration.
Reaching the starting point of the Annapurna base camp is less expensive compared to Everest bar camp as one can get quickly by the road where one can book a cheap bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from there they can hire a cab to Nayapul to start the trail. And Annapurna offers budget-friendly remote lodge locations as their trailhead is entirely accessible by road and offers pocket-friendly menu.
Scenery
Annapurna offers a perfect backdrop as you still find the snow-capped mountains as the circuit begins with low fertile hills, passes through the terraced rice fields, rhododendrons galore in dense forest as one can get to view the sites of Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare with stunning views.
Acclimatisation
You might have heard about Acclimatisation whenever you read about trekking as one needs a fair amount of time in adapting to the climate as the primary key to reach greater heights is taking slow at each point where your body needs to adjust the changes in altitude as experiencing altitude sickness can be a deadly experience perhaps why Annapurna circuit has a good point at 982m which slowly rises day by day, on the other hand, Everest base camp has a massive jump in altitude. Hence, one needs to avoid altitude sickness and plan accordingly.
Communities
The Annapurna circuit offers a trial through the rural settlements on the side of valleys. It gives a more local flavour to the trek to experience the Gurung people’s culture in the Ghandruk village, which offers a different vibe than Everest base camp.
One of the vital things to note is the Annapurna circuit has the same path as EBC, but it has a smooth circuit loop where the crowds are not much. You get to experience a peaceful trek as Everest base trek has many people either climbing the summit or going down we’re getting a spot in tea houses, and guest houses are limited.
Annapurna has a long loop
One can finish their trail in the Annapurna circuit soon and cut short the final days of the course by driving to the nearby towns to visit and explore the whole Annapurna circuit as it is flexible and offers ample time to experience the different side of Himalayas without the much rush of crowds and get to have the entire region of Himalayas to yourself experiencing like never before.
Pokhara city near the Annapurna base circuit is nestled among the mountains beside the Phewa lake, making to feel vibes just like if you are in goa as often people paraglide in the nearby mountains and passing the trail through this city feels calm and rejuvenate your soul in the Hot Springs.
