Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek
Differences:
1. Elevation
The elevation is the next significant distinction between the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Annapurna Circuit Trek ranges up to 5,416m at the Thorang La Pass, whereas the Annapurna Base Camp Trek has its highest elevation at 4,140m. As a result, the base camp trip is less difficult than the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Annapurna Circuit's high altitude makes it physically more demanding to accomplish than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You can still complete both trips despite not having any prior hiking expertise.
- Trekking Distance
The Trek Itineraries for the four different Annapurna treks span from 14 to 28 days depending upon your choice for the trek. Your decision will probably be influenced by how much time you have to devote to your Nepalese trekking vacation. The Complete Annapurna Circuit Trek takes 21 days on average to complete, while Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes just 14 days.
- Trails
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an out-and-back journey. On the way up and down, you go twice the length of the trail from Chomrong Hamlet to Base Camp. Walking this trek through Deurali, Hinku Cave, Himalaya, Doban, and Bamboo on the return trip takes two days. The ABC trek can be done in a variety of ways both on the way in and out of Chomrong village. The route taken by the Mountain Company initially passes through Ghorepani and Poon Hill. This is the greatest trail because it allows more time for acclimatization and has breathtaking mountain vistas.
In contrast, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is a journey around the Annapurna range without retracing any steps. This option appeals to many people because you get to experience different sights each day of the hike. During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, groups usually ascend and descend the trail from Chomrong to Base Camp.
- Journey
The Thorung La pass, at 5,416 meters, is where the Annapurna Circuit reaches its highest elevation. While the Annapurna Base Camp trek ascends to 4,100 meters. As a result, the ABC trek's highest point is 1,300 m lower than the Annapurna Circuit's. This implies that there is a lesser risk of altitude sickness on ABC.
- Level of difficulty and grading
We've rated the hikes across Thorong La as more strenuous due to the higher altitudes on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. While Annapurna Base Camp Trek received a grade of ‘Most Demanded’. Manaslu Circuit, Everest High Passes, and Dhaulagiri Circuit are three further strenuous graded treks. Everest Base Camp, Makalu Base Camp, and Langtang are three further difficult treks in Nepal.
- Season
The Annapurna Circuit may only be completed during April, May, October, and November. This is because the Thorong La Pass at a high elevation of over 5,000m has difficult conditions to cross. At this elevation, it gets chilly by December and in the winter. The window of opportunity for travel to Annapurna Base Camp Trek is bigger. Because the highest point is 1,000 m lower than Thorong La's summit, trekking is frequently doable throughout the winter. If you travel in the winter season, you are risky to avalanches and snowfalls.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek is planned by Nepal Vision to provide a variety of experiences with vistas of Mt. Annapurna which is the tenth-highest mountain in the world (8,091 meters). The Annapurna region is in high demand and popularity, which stretches from the Kali Gandaki in the west with Lamjung Himal to Marsyangdi in the east, and is situated at the base of Mount Annapurna, which is found in north-central Nepal. The walk is not just for the mind-blowing natural views of the Himalayas. It also allows you to observe the rich environment and the magnificent fusion of cultural practices.
The journey to the Annapurna Base Camp for Annapurna starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a private car ride to Nayapul, the starting site of the hike. This will be the most suited option for people who have a very limited amount of time and want to walk across varied landscapes and cultures along with beautiful mountain vistas, terraced fields, charming Gurung settlements, and a broad diversity of flora and animals.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Since it was made available to hikers in 1980, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has gradually grown to become one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. The 21-day trip along the Annapurna massif's beautiful routes leads you through the deepest gorge in the world to one of the toughest passes. Across the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m/17,769 ft), you will travel through the Kali Gandaki Gorge (2,520 m/8,270 ft).
Aside from the chance to trek around the tenth-tallest mountain in the world, the Annapurna Circuit Trek provides you with a wide range of experiences. You begin at an elevation of 800 meters and hike up to about 5,416 meters. You will be greeted by a variety of flora, fauna, rivers, waterfalls, cultures, traditions, and lifestyles as you proceed. The kind inhabitants and the stunning mountain peaks are constants along the route.
Hiunchuli, Manaslu, Annapurna I, II, and III, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal, Tukuche Peak, and others are among the mountain peaks of the Annapurna Massif. You can take advantage of the vistas of those mountains from various elevations and angles by participating in the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Annapurna region, which many consider being the world's best trekking trail, will win your heart.
Best Time to Visit the Annapurna Region Treks
The finest times to trek in the Annapurna region are from March to May (spring) and from September to December (fall). The weather will be mild during the daytime and chilly at night with gentle breezes. You can also complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek in January and February if you're willing to brave the cold but it's much more difficult to complete during these seasons due to the extreme cold in the higher altitude. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be conquered in other seasons too. It is one of the best and most demanded treks in Nepal.
Similarities:
1. Nepal's Annapurna area
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project, or ACAP, in Nepal, is the location of both of the treks. To visit ACAP, you need a hiking permit. For foreigners, the permission cost is 3,000 Nepalese rupees, or roughly $30. The cost of the receipt for citizens of SAARC is 200 Nepalese rupees (about $2). The charges are the same for both of the treks.
- Route
Instead of flying like for Everest Base Camp, we drive to the starting points of both treks. We take a two-hour trip from Pokhara to Nayapool to reach Annapurna Base Camp. It takes ten hours to drive from Kathmandu to Jagat for the Annapurna Circuit.
- Accommodation
Both walks include the same lodging since you spend every night in tea house lodges. It's important to note that ABC differs in that you can anticipate dormitory-style living quarters. On Annapurna Circuit Trek, you will get a private room to yourself. Only a few motels are present along the walking path, and the base camp is particularly well-liked.
- Roads
Road construction has a slight negative impact on all treks in the Annapurna region. Roads often have less of an impact on Annapurna Base Camp than they do on Annapurna Circuit. On the first day of the trip to Tirkhedunga, there is a jeep track on the base camp. On the final day of the walk from Ghandruk to Nayapool, there is another piece of the itinerary that is accessible by road. On the remaining eight days of the hike, you avoid traffic by using seasoned hiking routes.
On Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Thorong La pass is surrounded by a road on all sides. There are only two days before the pass before the road reaches Manang settlement. Once in Mustang, the route continues to Muktinath, and it is feasible to drive to Pokhara after over the pass.
Conclusion
Annapurna Region is the most demanded region for Trekking and Hiking in Nepal. The mesmerizing beauty of the place is the extreme beauty that everyone desires. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek are similar in some of the above-mentioned aspects while it differs in a few aspects too. You can check out the blog about the Annapurna Base Camp trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek to get more information about the trek. Check our website and book your dates with Nepal Vision Treks & Expeditions.
