Why I Liked Annapurna More Than Everest

However, you have Mt. Everest. It’s world-famous and has a lot of trek cred and few of your friends will most likely imagine that you’re summiting the thing and planting a flag on the top. Then again, you have Annapurna: more assorted, less high, with exquisite rhododendron woods and fewer crowds. Whose scene reigns supreme? It’s hard to choose…

It’s the decision each adventurer faces ultimately: Annapurna or Everest Base Camp? Most voyagers end up trekking both in the end because Nepal is one of those nations it’s difficult to just do once.

Trekking

Everest Base Camp

Trekkers usually climb the Everest trail to get to the hovering prayer flags of Basecamp, where numerous endeavors wait until their big treks in May. The actual route is likely the most classically ‘Himalayan’ option in Nepal. The altitude is higher (you’ll arrive at 3420 meters in Namche Bazaar on Day 2), and you’re continually encircled by blade-like peaks. Gyoko Lakes and the lesser-trekked passes at Cho La are incredible diversions from the standard trail, and Island Peak will get you probably the best views in the Himalayas.

Annapurna

In case you’re uncertain of your mountaineering abilities, Annapurna is a slightly less taxing circuit. There are fewer steep treks and the normal elevation is a lot lower. Besides, rather than being piped into the Khumbu Valley on Everest, you can choose from a variety of trails, some of which don’t surpass 2000m in height. The descents on Annapurna are likewise somewhat gentler, which can help the knees over the long run. 

Getting there

Everest Base Camp

Hillary and Tenzing needed to schlep it by walking all the way from Kathmandu in the 50s. No roads existed at that point. Nowadays it’s a little easier, and explorers can take a short (and spectacular) departure from Kathmandu to the small airstrip at Lukla. The views on the way in transit in, and the way out are worth the journey alone.

Annapurna

The gateway to the Annapurna’s is the cool little town of Pokhara, sitting on the shores of the perfect Phewa Lake. It’s a laid-back place where you cheerfully go through seven days of Zenning out with a decent book, and you can arrive at it by transport or plane from Kathmandu, Simple.

Scenery

Everest Base Camp

In case you’re coming simply to the mountains, for the greatest, wildest, most precipitous mountains you can discover, Everest is the best approach. It’s a high altitude trek across the absolute most breathtaking landscape in the entirety of the Himalayas. Trekking across the Gyoko Lakes, they literally encompass you on all sides. In any case, know, you pay for these views with sore calves and aching thighs.

Annapurna

Annapurna is a very surprising side of the Himalayas. You actually get immense, snow-covered peaks; however, they’re to a greater extent a backdrop. The Circuit starts in the fertile lower regions, twisting through terraced rice fields, oak woods, and rhododendrons aplenty (come in April for the full blossom). Furthermore, mountain-lovers, don’t stress, there are still the incredible destinations of Machapuchare and the 8000m monster Dhaulagiri to keep you upbeat. Annapurna simply has a greater variety to go with its dazzling views.

Communities

Everest Base Camp

The valleys around Everest are generally the home of the Sherpa public and Buddhist religious monasteries, and you can feel the strong feeling of spirituality as you go through. Tibetan traders actually visit the town of Namche Bazaar, as they’ve accomplished for quite a long time, and indeed the word Sherpa really signifies ‘east individuals’ (the Sherpas migrated east from Tibet long ago). In case you’re trekking the Everest trail in March or April, you’ll most likely come across expert groups looking to make their summit climb in May.

Annapurna

The Annapurna Circuit passes through a ton of rural settlements where little farming communities cling to the sides of valleys and life is practically as it was a hundred years prior. You’ll meet the Gurung individuals here, particularly in the village of Ghandruk. Alongside the Buddhist chants that overwhelm the Everest region, there are hints of Hinduism and Animism in the Annapurnas, which give the trail a different vibe. In case you’re looking for more local flavor from your trek, Annapurna is probably the stronger decision.

In case you’re into mountaineering and still haven’t tried climbing Annapurna, well, you ought to. At the point when you accomplish something that is undoable, the delight and pride that you feel are incredible.