If you’re new to the world of high altitude trekking, it can be intimidating to think about a big multi-day trek. After all, if you’re never done an expedition before, you might be a little worried about how hard it is, or if you’ll be able for it. That’s why, when most people do their first expedition, they opt for one of the beginner friendly routes. The treks to both Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal are perfect for beginners. But which is harder, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp? This blog post will break down the main differences…
Which is harder, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp?
The short answer? The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is ever so slightly easier than Everest Base Camp. There are a variety of different factors at play here. The route to Annapurna is generally at lower altitudes, with fewer steep climbs. It’s generally considered to be a slightly less taxing route. Our expedition to Annapurna Base Camp is a level 3 trek, and the trek to Everest Base Camp is level 4. Let’s get into the differences a little…
Everest Base Camp
This trek is a level 4 trip, which means you can expect to trek average of 5 to 7 hours per day at altitudes not usually exceeding 5,500 metres. EBC is 5,364m, with a starting point of 2,610m in Phakding. We take a slow and steady approach to this route, with plenty of rest days and time for exploration and acclimatisation. This means it’s a great choice for a beginner trek.
Annapurna Base Camp
As a level 3 expedition, you can expect to trek an average of 4 to 6 hours per day at altitudes not exceeding 4,500 metres. The final destination of ABC is at 4,130m. Again, this is a slow and steady route and we have plenty of time for exploration along the way. There’s also a varied landscape, which makes the trek a fascinating experience for those who’ve never been to Nepal.
Do I need to train?
It doesn’t matter what trek you’re going on – you still need to train! And for both the Annapurna and Everest Base Camp treks we would recommend a similar training schedule. You can read up about how to train for Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp by clicking the links. But the general advice would be to combine cardio workouts with hillwalking. Any multi-day trek is infinitely improved the fitter you are!
To read all about our expedition to Annapurna Base Camp, click the link. You can read about our expedition to Everest Base Camp here. For even more info, read the Ultimate Guide to Everest Base Camp. Or the Ultimate Guide to Annapurna Base Camp!
