Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek?

If you have plans for the Annapurna Region trek in 2025 and are still deciding between the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek) or the Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT), we’ve got you covered. This blog highlights the most notable aspects of both treks, providing recommendations for each topic. By the end, you’ll gain valuable information regarding individual treks and decide which one is suitable for you.

Myself, I’m an avid trekker, landscape photographer, and trek leader at NepTrek Adventures. I have led multiple groups in both these treks over the years. Thus, I’m writing this blog so that you can have some valuable insights about the two beautiful Annapurna region trekking.

What to expect on this blog?

• Detailed information regarding the trek

• Overview of each trek

• Trek Cost

• Trek Highlights

• Pros

• Cons

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek, novice trekker’s favourite adventure, is doable in many ways via Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, and Mardi Himal.

The shortest is five days ABC Trek from Pokhara, and the longest is 10 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill. And if you combine this trek with Mardi Himal Trek or Khopra Danda Trek, it becomes 11-12 days. Whichever you prefer, it’s among the spectacular and rewarding Annapurna region trek.

What has made Annapurna Base Camp Trek a popular adventure is the scenic mountains, ethnic cultural experience, accessibility, and affordable trek cost. Moreover, this trek progresses through mid-hills and vantage points, making it a moderate trek. And since it’s not an extreme altitude trek, novice trekkers find it a go-to Annapurna region trek.

The closeup view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, South, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli is the heart stealer. Furthermore, the overnight stay at Ghandruk, Ghorepani, and Chhomrong presents a timeless Gurung cultural experience.

The starting points for this trek, Birethanti or Jhinu Danda, are a few hour’s drive from Pokhara, making it accessible. With quality lodges, meals, and comfortable overnight accommodation, you’ll have great hospitality along the trek.

Due to accessibility, better lodges, and low-altitude trek, many trekkers embark on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek every season. Thus, you must expect the number of trekkers during the season.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost (2025/2026 season)

Should you consider trekking to Annapurna Base Camp for 10 days with us, here’s the trip cost. Moreover, we’ve listed all the services included in this trek cost.

Here’s our most affordable pricing for this trek in the 2024/25 season.

Cost Details

Trek Overview

Key Takeaways

• Stunning close-up sight of Annapurna I, South, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna III, etc.
• Cultural experience at Ghandruk, Chhomrong, and Ghorepani.
• Diverse landscapes, from terrace farmlands at humid lowlands to rhododendron forests of mid-hills and snowy high-altitude.
• Accessible from Pokhara.
• Tea house-based accommodation along the trek.

Pros

• Easy to moderate-grade trek, suitable for novice trekkers.
• Stunning mountains sight without trekking to extreme elevation.
• Diverse landscape at relatively short distances.
• Quality lodges, good meals, and comfortable overnight accommodation.
• Room for itinerary customization.

• Can complete the trek in short duration, best for time bound trekkers.

Cons

• Not an ideal trek if you’re seeking an extreme elevation and crossing a high mountain pass.
• Gets crowded during the peak trekking season, not ideal for peaceful trekkers.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek doesn’t involve the base camp trek. It’s an extreme elevation adventure that takes you around the Annapurna Conservation Area, from the arid valleys of Manang to Mustang. It can run for 13-18 days with a maximum elevation of 5,416 meters at Thorong La Pass.

You’ll start this trek with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and Dharapani and end in Pokhara via Jomsom. The spectacular weather of March-May and September-December is the most suitable time for this trek.

Tilicho Lake is among the highest altitude seated glacial lakes in the world, nestled in Annapurna Conservation Area, right next to Manang, in Annapurna Circuit. Most trekkers miss out on the adventurous visit to this lake during their circuit trek. What you can do is combine circuit and lake trek on a single go, Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake. This trek runs for 15 days.

Due to extreme elevations, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is more demanding than the base camp trek. Also, the long trek itinerary builds up fatigue and tests you to the limits. Moreover, you’ll need adequate trek preparations and must build up your physical fitness.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost (2025)

For the 2024/2025 season (Spring and Autumn), Annapurna Circuit Trek costs USD 1050 per person in a group of at least two trekkers. However, the entire trek cost varies for individuals and trekkers in groups.

Here’s what we’ve decided to put the cost for this 13-day trek in the 2024/25 season.

Cost Details

Once you pay us the complete trek cost, here’s what you’ll get and won’t. Please check the “cost includes and excludes section” before confirming the trek.

Overview

Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights

• The spectacular sight of Annapurna II, III, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, etc.
• Wholesome cultural experiences, influenced by Thakali, Gurung, Tamang, and Tibetan cultures, are found in these communities.
• Visit Tilicho Lake, Gangapurna Lake, and Ice Lake.
• Adventurous crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.
• Vibrant landscape with cascading rivers, arid valleys, gorges, dancing waterfalls, and high-altitude desert.
• Opportunity to embark on side treks like Tilicho Lake Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, and Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Pros

• Ultimate adventure should you dare to take on the extreme-altitude trek with surreal mountain views.
• Diverse landscape, from steamy lowlands to surreal freezing high-altitude.
• Cultural experience at every stop with a visit to the sacred Muktinath Temple.
• Luxurious accommodations at tea houses, WiFi, attached toilets, hot showers, etc.
• Budget-friendly and among the most affordable extreme elevation treks in Nepal.

Cons

• The trek is long and involves extreme elevations, not suitable for novice trekkers.
• Physically demanding, particularly the walk to Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass.
• The risk of altitude sickness is high.
• Complex trek logistics due to a lengthy itinerary, which demands detailed planning.
• A crowd of trekkers during the season with tea house all occupied.

Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit: Which one to choose?

Here are certain things you must consider before choosing one of these two treks.

• Time Availability: If you’re on a tight schedule and can’t embark on a long itinerary, the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is for you. However, those with extended vacations can embark on the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
• Physical Fitness: Physical fitness is a must for the base camp and circuit trek. However, the extreme elevation of Annapurna Circuit makes it more demanding.
• Trek Experience: Previous high-altitude trek experience is a plus should you consider both treks. However, for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you don’t need prior trek experience.
• Extreme Altitude: If you’re an adventure junkie who loves extreme elevation treks, Annapurna Circuit is best. For those seeking a wholesome walk without exposing themselves to high altitude, ABC Trek is best.
• Mountains and Culture: Annapurna Base Camp Trek is best for close-up mountain views. The ACT is popular for its timeless culture, vibrant landscape, and serene mountain sights.
• Altitude Sickness: If you fear getting altitude sickness, avoid the circuit trek with extreme elevations. At low altitudes, ABC Trek is safe and has a lesser chance of getting altitude sickness.

My recommendation

Each trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, the trek to embark on depends on your preferences and situation. As a novice trekker, embarking on the Annapurna Circuit Trek can be demanding at times, and end up getting altitude sickness. However, if you’re an experienced trekker, I would recommend the circuit over the base camp for a diverse experience.

I recommend you read this blog in depth to get a clear picture of your preferences and decide the best fit for you. It’s you who is trekking and thus, your trek experience has to be perfect.

Travellers Review

The reviews below are from our clients who did wholesome trekking and tours in Nepal with us. All the reviews here reflect how we run the trekking, treat our clients, and organize the trek and tours. Below listed reviews are from TripAdvisor, which is the most accurate and trusted review platform among travelers.

Have a read at what our clients say about us!!