It’s very important to know Annapurna Circuit Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek which are the two most popular trekkings in Nepal which lies in Annapurna Region. Nepal is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on the planet. With the imposing Himalayas and a constantly changing natural system, Nepal provides a great setting for all nature and adventure lovers. Regardless, Nepal has a thriving social culture. Aside from that, Nepal features a lot of mind-boggling travel battles. The gorgeous Annapurna region of Nepal is one such exceptional trekking place. People must choose between two major treks: the Annapurna Circuit Trek (AC) and the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a true challenge compared to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. By the way, the geological area you start the two travels from subtropical zones, walkthrough deciduous trans-Himalayan forests, and ascend near snow-covered regions is where the parallels appear between the two voyages.
Trails to Thorong Phedi are part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, which runs via Manang. Most trekkers change to the Circuit Trek at Manang to prepare for the Thorong La Pass later in the journey. If all else fails, swashbucklers can begin the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Pokhara, the Annapurna’s unique target from where a major section of the area’s headquarters adventure begins.
The Annapurna Base Camp way travel track appears at the true headquarters, which is reached after passing through notable ethnic Sherpa and Gurung cities such as Ghorepani, Dovan, and Deurali. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you through high snow-covered towns and to the vantage point of Poon Hill, where the Annapurna Circuit Trek leads you to high mountain routes and revered locations like Muktinath.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek -Altitude
The height difference between the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the most significant. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek will take you to a height of roughly 13780 feet, while the Annapurna Circuit will take you to a height of around 17770 feet.
In that cutoff, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is more challenging than the basecamp excursion. The Annapurna Circuit’s great elevation necessitates even more real bodily roundness to complete; nonetheless, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek does not. Nonetheless, the two expeditions can be completed without any accompanying data.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek-Highlights
The most important consideration while deciding between the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the differences in their components and aspects. Both excursions have unique viewpoints that make traveling beneficial.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek journey leads you to Ghorepani, a regal ethnic village perched high above the Kali Gandaki Gorge. In addition, the ABC Trek brings you to Poon Hill, a vantage point from which you can overlook the entire panorama of Mount Annapurna.
Fundamentally, the Hinku Cave in Deurali, another well-known destination of the head office adventure, may be compared. The headquarters trip is through and through more green, with farmlands, farms, and trans-Himalayan rhododendron flowers, due to its equivalently lesser ascent when diverted off the Annapurna Circuit.
Similarly, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has a variable area height. On the way, places like Thame and Jagat have thick woodlands and a wooded ambiance. The scene shifts as you approach Manang and the enthusiasm is rapidly replaced with treeless nasty qualities. The trek begins at Muktinath, one of Nepal’s most revered Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
When you think about it, they are a big part of the difference between the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek should also be achievable during the cooler season month of December; however, the Annapurna Circuit Trek may be difficult to complete during the winters due to the mountain pass being blocked by snow.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a good choice for a long and exhausting trek. In any case, if you’re looking for something a little easier, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a good option.
Similarities between Annapurna Circuit Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Lies in Annapurna Region
Both treks are part of the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) in Nepal. The trekking permit is required to visit ACAP. Foreigners must pay a permission charge of 3,000 Nepalese rupees (about USD 30). The permission charge is 200 Nepalese rupees (about $2) for SAARC nationals.
We drive to the start of both treks and don’t need to fly to Everest Base Camp as we do for Everest Base Camp Trek. We travel 2 hours from Pokhara to Nayapool for Annapurna Base Camp. The Annapurna Circuit is a 10-hour trip from Kathmandu to Jagat.
Accommodation
Both treks have the same lodging since you will be staying in tea house lodges every night. One distinction to be aware of is that ABC will provide dormitory-style lodging. On the other hand, on AC, you will get your private room. ABC is quite popular, and there are only a few lodgings along the hiking path.
Construction of roads
Road construction influences all treks in the Annapurna area. Roads have less 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 ABC. On the last day of the trip from Ghandruk to Nayapool, there is another stretch of the route with a road. The last eight days of the expedition are spent walking along ancient hiking routes away from traffic.
On the other hand, on AC, the Thorong La pass now has a road on both sides. Only two days before the pass, the route reaches Manang settlement. The route continues to Muktinath after crossing the Mustang pass, and it is feasible to drive to Pokhara. Despite this, the route is frequently obstructed, particularly during the monsoon season. In practice, because there are Natural Annapurna Trekking Routes “NATT” trails to follow, one does not go on the road as often these days.
Differences between Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp
The trip’s length
As mentioned in the introduction, the four different Annapurna treks have itineraries ranging from 14 to 31 days. Your decision will most likely be influenced by the amount of time you have available during your trekking vacation in Nepal. Annapurna Base Camp is the shortest walk at around 15 days, and the Complete Annapurna Circuit is the longest at around 31 days. The trails’ lengths are as follows:
74km to Annapurna Base Camp
128km Half-Annapurna Circuit
197km Annapurna Circuit
Road or trekking trails:
The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is an out-and-back. On the way up and down, you walk along the portion of the path from Chomrong village to Base Camp twice. This trek takes two days to walk back through Deurali, Hinku Cave, Himalaya, Doban, and Bamboo on the way back.
For the approach and exit to/from Chomrong hamlet, there are various versions of the ABC trip. The Mountain Company’s route begins by passing via Ghorepani and Poon Hill. This is the greatest path since it allows for longer acclimatization time and provides excellent mountain vistas. On the way out, we take the shortest path to Nayapool by following the Modi Khola River.
The Annapurna Circuit, on the other hand, is a walk that rounds the Annapurna range without retracing any steps. This is an appealing option for many individuals since each day of the walk offers different sights. Another downside of ABC is that there are usually groups climbing and descending the path from Chomrong to Base Camp.
Highest Altitude Reached:
The Thorung La pass, at 5,416 meters, is the highest point reached on the Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Base Camp walk reaches a height of 4,100 meters. As a result, the ABC trek’s highest point is 1,300 meters lower than AC’s. This implies that altitude sickness is less likely on ABC, but you should still ascend gently.
Level of difficulty and grading
We have classed the treks crossing Thorong La as Strenuous due to the higher altitudes on the Annapurna Circuit. We gave Annapurna Base Camp a Difficulty rating, whereas we gave Annapurna Base Camp a Difficulty rating. Strenuous is the fourth of five levels, and Demanding is the third. Manaslu Circuit, Everest High Passes, and Dhaulagiri Circuit are among the other strenuous hikes. Everest Base Camp, Makalu Base Camp, and Langtang & Laurebina La are among the more difficult treks.
Season of the Year
The Annapurna Circuit can only be done in April, May, October, and November. This is due to the difficult conditions of traversing the Thorong La Pass at nearly 5,000 meters. By December, it’s becoming chilly at this height, and the route is frequently closed by thick snow throughout the winter.
The travel window for Annapurna Base Camp is longer. Because the greatest altitude is 1,000 meters lower than the peak of Thorong La, trekking is typically doable in the winter. You should be mindful of the avalanche risk at Hinku Cave and Deurali if you are walking during the winter months.
Villages are diverse.
The Annapurna Circuit begins in Hindu communities with a diverse ethnic caste population. Buddhist communities like Manang (3,500m) and Pisang (3,200m) may be found further up after entering the Nupri zone (3,190m).
Chomrong, at 2,170 meters, is the highest town on the Annapurna Base Camp route. Many Gurungs, as well as a variety of Hindu castes, have settled in Nepal’s Annapurna middle hills.
Challenges and Risks of Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Stone pathways with a steep gradient
The nature of the journey to ABC is that you will be walking on steep stone trails for a substantial portion of the trip. For example, near the commencement of the walk, there is a stone route that climbs from Tirkhedunga (1,540m) to Ghorepani (2,750m). On the way to and from Chomrong, there are also difficult ascents and descents on stone trails.
Most individuals find walking on stone stairs more difficult than walking on a natural route. The distance between steps is frequently greater or lesser than one’s natural gait. Many of our ABC trekking groups have said that this was one of the most difficult difficulties they faced. The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is more physically challenging than many guidebooks suggest!
Avalanches
When I was climbing Mount Everest from the Tibetan side in the Spring of 2001, I learned about the possibility of avalanches at Annapurna Base Camp for the first time. We met the Army Alpine Association Tenix Everest 2001 trip at Base Camp. They informed us that before going to Tibet, they went on a family trip to ABC in Nepal. An avalanche struck their group on March 25th, killing three members of their party, including an 8-year-old daughter. On CNN, you can learn more about this tragic event.
Avalanches have claimed the lives of several people in the same area. Six persons were killed in the most recent avalanche, which occurred in January 2020. More information on the accident may be found on BBC News.
Avalanches are most likely to occur between Hinku Cave (3,100m) and Deurali on the Annapurna Base Camp path (3,200m). An avalanche will be funneled down many steep gulleys from Mount Hiunchuli (6,441m). Snow and ice will impact the walking route because the valley is small at this point.
Do not trek to Annapurna Base Camp if there has been recent snowfall. Before our groups set out on their hikes, we checked the weather predictions. We will detour alternative hikes in the Annapurna region if there is a significant risk of an avalanche. In the mountains, it’s crucial to be adaptable to your plans.
Challenges and risks of Annapurna Circuit Trek
Altitude sickness
There’s a chance you’ll suffer altitude sickness if you climb too quickly before passing the 5,200m Thorung La pass. Our hiking routes have been planned to allow for progressive acclimatization to the high altitude. For example, we spend three nights in Manang village, which is located at 3,500 meters, although most other trekking organizations only spend two nights there. We’ve found that staying an additional night helps our trekkers acclimate and safely traverse the high mountain to Muktinath.
Heat at lower elevations
On the Annapurna Circuit, we travel from Kathmandu to Jagat (930m), where we begin our journey. The months of April, May, and October will be hot and humid at this height. It’s critical to pack lots of water, wear a sun hat, and use sunscreen. We drive to the trek start site in Nayapool for Annapurna Base Camp (1,070m). It will also be hot, but by hiking the steps up to Ghorepani, we will gain altitude faster than AC. The temperature will drop, and there will be a stronger breeze along the ridgeline to Tadapani. AC, on the other hand, follows the Marsyangdi River and the elevation is more gradual, therefore it will be hotter for longer than ABC.
Descending from the Thorong La pass
Crossing the Thorong la High Pass is the most difficult day on the Annapurna Circuit. If there is ice, the descent from the pass might be difficult because the slope is extremely steep in parts. Micro crampons, two trekking poles, and gaiters are included in our equipment list for your safety.
Avalanches, there has been a recent big snowfall there will be an avalanche risk on the slopes around Thorong La. As a general rule, it’s preferable to wait a few days following a snowfall for the snowpack to stabilize.
As a result of Cyclone Hudhud, there was a significant blizzard on October 14, 2014. Many trekkers were ignorant of the storm and attempted to cross Thorong La during it. Avalanches and hypothermia claimed the lives of 21 hikers along the pass on this day. This is the deadliest hiking tragedy in Nepal’s history. Read the Wikipedia article for additional details on this accident.
Safety major to apply while traveling across the Annapurna Region
When it comes to a weekday hike, prevention is better than cure. You go on vacation to have fun and discover as much as possible without being troubled by troubles; here are some suggestions:
Valid Actual Exam: Before embarking on an adventure, it is important to complete a proper exam and consult with an expert. When you have your health checked by a professional, you will feel more at ease and have less anxiety about it.
Fitness:
Your body must acclimate to the real climbing strength required. Make it a point to walk for at least six to seven hours each day. It would be beneficial if you walked on a difficult, downhill path; after that, it would be fantastic if your body and mind were suitably prepared for the voyage. As ascending at an elevation misses the suitable amount of oxygen, you should have reliable knowledge of managing your breath.
Maintain Hydration:
Staying hydrated when traveling is an indisputable essential. You will lose a lot of water via perspiration, so drink at least 4 to 5 liters of water every day to keep up with your body’s hydration level. Being at a high height makes your body feel awkward; also, drinking water helps your body acclimatize to the temperature and be silent.
Hustling And Attire:
Make it a point to get a small sack full of essentials. Carrying a large and heavy backpack while traveling to high altitudes is quite difficult.
Keep yourself warm by layering your clothing, as your internal heat level rises when traveling and you may feel more comfortable with fewer layers. Your clothing should have a delicate and pleasant feel. If you’re going to be outside, bring a coat.
Comfortable hiking or trekking boot:
It’s tough to walk a long distance. While strolling, it is critical to select casual boots or shoes that do not make you feel self-conscious. Wear shoes that are the correct size for you, and try to avoid shoes with a shoestring because tying them can cause you to waste time.