Side by side
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Gokyo Ri Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 10 | 12 |
| Highest point | 4,130 m | 5,357 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | |
| Total distance | 110 km | 100 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to May and October to December |
| Typical cost | $650 to $1,200 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Starts from | Nayapul or Jhinu Danda, near Pokhara | Lukla |
| Permits | 1 | 2 |
Choose the Annapurna Base Camp Trek if
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a 10 day route in central Nepal that climbs through terraced villages and bamboo forest into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m. It starts near Pokhara, needs no flight, and is the best first Himalayan trek for most people.
Long staircase days rather than thin air. The altitude stays low enough that acclimatisation is rarely the limiting factor, but the stone steps above Chhomrong punish unprepared knees.
Choose the Gokyo Ri Trek if
The Gokyo Ri Trek is a spectacular alternative to Everest Base Camp, leading you up the tranquil Dudh Kosi valley to a series of turquoise glacial lakes. The ascent of Gokyo Ri offers breathtaking panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, making it a visual masterpiece.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
