Side by side
| Annapurna Circuit Trek | Makalu Base Camp Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 16 | 18 |
| Highest point | 5,416 m | 4,870 m |
| Difficulty | Challenging | Strenuous |
| Total distance | 210 km | 145 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to November | March to May and October to November |
| Typical cost | $900 to $2,200 | $1,450 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) | Num (via Tumlingtar flight and jeep) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
Choose the Makalu Base Camp Trek if
The Makalu Base Camp trek is an 18 day wilderness route in eastern Nepal leading into Makalu Barun National Park to the base of Mount Makalu at 4,870 m. Trekkers journey from subtropical cloud forests over rugged Shipton La pass into the dramatic sheer granite amphitheatre of Barun Valley.
Demanding high-altitude crossing of Shipton La at 4,210 m with steep climbs and descents. The upper Barun valley is remote with simple teahouses and unpredictable mountain weather.
