Side by side
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Manaslu Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 10 | 16 |
| Highest point | 4,130 m | 5,106 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Challenging |
| Total distance | 110 km | 177 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $650 to $1,200 | $1,400 to $2,800 |
| Starts from | Nayapul or Jhinu Danda, near Pokhara | Soti Khola (700 m) or Machha Khola |
| Permits | 1 | 3 |
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 Manaslu Circuit Trek if
The Manaslu Circuit is a 14 to 18 day restricted-area trek in the Gorkha District of western Nepal, circumnavigating Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth highest mountain. The route crosses the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m and offers a rawer, less-crowded alternative to the Annapurna Circuit with comparable cultural depth and mountain scale.
The route is long and the Larkya La crossing demands proper acclimatisation. The trail is well-worn but involves some exposed rocky sections and glacier moraines near the pass. A restricted area permit and mandatory guide are required.
