Everest Base Camp vs. Annapurna Circuit: What I Learned Trekking Nepal’s Two Most Popular Routes
by Addie Duchin
When it comes to trekking in Nepal, two names dominate nearly every list: Everest Base Camp (EBC) and the Annapurna Circuit. They’re popular for a reason. Both are jaw-dropping, relatively accessible, and still among the few routes you can hike solo, no guide required.
I hiked both back to back, and while each trail brought something different to the table, one ultimately stood out. Here's how they compare, along with the gear that helped me get through.
Everest Base Camp (Plus the Three Passes)
I started with Everest Base Camp and the three passes, which gave it a bit of an unfair advantage. The Everest region is famous for a reason. The trails twist up incredible valleys lined with prayer flags and charming villages perched on cliffsides. The views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest rise behind it all. It feels like you’re trekking through a National Geographic spread. I was hooked before I even reached the first teahouse.
But the trek comes with its challenges. Everything in the Khumbu is expensive: food, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and especially the flight into Lukla (a 20-minute thrill ride that costs a few hundred bucks). You can jeep in through the valley, but that adds two long, bumpy days to your itinerary.
Crowds can be heavy in peak season, but I went in early spring and only waited a few minutes to get a photo at the famous base camp rock. I’ve heard that in October, people wait in line for over an hour.
For a deeper and more rugged version of the region, I added the Three Passes Trek, a loop that crosses three major high-altitude passes and takes you off the standard EBC route. It’s tougher. Quieter. More dramatic. You trade some comforts for bigger climbs and far fewer people.
Gear I relied on: The weather flips fast in this region. Blazing sun, cold wind, and snow sometimes hit all before lunch. My Coalatree Suray Sun Shirt quickly became my go-to layer. It’s lightweight and breathable, perfect for climbing under the intense sun, while also offering reliable UV protection on exposed ridges. I paired it with Coalatree’s Trailhead Pants, which were light, breathable, and easy to layer over merino tights at high altitude. When afternoon storms rolled in, I could slide rain pants right over without needing to stop and change.
A quick warning about altitude: this trek is no joke when it comes to elevation. EBC sits at 17,600 feet, and the passes go even higher. Even if you're in great shape, altitude sickness can hit unexpectedly. Give yourself plenty of time to acclimatize, and listen to your body.
Annapurna Circuit
Annapurna felt different. Still beautiful, still challenging, but with a more social, slightly younger vibe. A lot of trekkers here are budget-conscious backpackers avoiding the more expensive Everest region, and that gave the trail a kind of community feel. I met more solo travelers here, and people were quick to form trail friendships, share tea breaks, or split a room to save cash. I think the lower cost and flexible itinerary draw in a different kind of crowd.
The views during Annapurna were gorgeous, but a little less jaw-dropping, at least for me. Peaks ring Annapurna, so instead of one or two standout mountains, you’re surrounded by a panorama. Stunning in its own right, but it didn’t hit me in the same way as seeing Ama Dablam rise like a blade from the Khumbu Valley.
Crossing Thorong La Pass was my favorite day. It snowed the night before, which turned the whole climb into something magical. Compared to the high passes on the Three Passes loop, this one felt gentler. Long and cold, but steady and scenic.
The downside was the roads. A good chunk of the lower section follows a jeep track, which kills the remote feeling fast. You can skip those sections by starting higher up, but it still pulls you out of the wilderness mindset now and then. You also miss some of the classic Himalayan touches like yak trains and porters hauling impossible loads.
Final Thoughts
If I had to choose, I’d recommend Everest Base Camp and the Three Passes. The scale, the difficulty, the atmosphere, it all felt a little more raw and unforgettable. But Annapurnahas its perks: it’s cheaper, more flexible, and surprisingly social.
Both treks left a mark. And both made me want to keep chasing mountains, even if my legs begged me not to.
