Side by side
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Tsum Valley Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 10 | 14 |
| Highest point | 4,130 m | 3,700 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | |
| Total distance | 110 km | 100 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to May and September to November |
| Typical cost | $650 to $1,200 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Starts from | Nayapul or Jhinu Danda, near Pokhara | Soti Khola or Machha Khola |
| 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 Tsum Valley Trek if
The Tsum Valley Trek is a cultural journey into a hidden Himalayan valley near the Tibetan border. Known for its ancient Buddhist monasteries, traditional stone villages, and sweeping views of the Ganesh Himal, this restricted area offers a tranquil, deeply spiritual alternative to the busier Manaslu Circuit nearby.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
