Compare Annapurna Circuit Trek by Epic Adventures vs Gokyo to Everest Base Camp by Travel Max Guide
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 17 days | 19 days |
| Price From | $ 999 | $ 2,450 |
| Price Per Day | $ 59 | $ 129 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
19 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches and 15 Dinners |
| Description |
Annapurna Circuit Trek, one of the most well-known classic treks in the world. The region is also rich in terms of unique culture, tradition and lifestyle of people. Magnificent scenery, assorted cultures, forests, lakes and glaciers combine to make it one of the most charming areas for the travelers. |
Is Everest Base Camp Trek everything when you are trekking or when you are thinking actively? The answer to this question is no. Although Everest Base Camp Trek is phenomenal, its trekking trail does not help you to explore the Everest Region entirely. Because the region has so many beauties; the region is also vast, and the beauty with the vastness will entangle your mind and eyes and takes you away from a usual trekking trail that most of the trekkers follow. Therefore, many trekking guides and solitary trekkers have switched to the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes. This trek is perfect for them because the trek comes in his or her radar because the trek has a solitude trekking trail. Further, the trekking trail is off the typical trekking trail and has a lot of snow-clad mountains which you yearn for more and more as you head deeper and deeper into the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site with a collection of towering peaks. |
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Epic Adventures. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Epic Adventures display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing & Preparation for the Trek
Meals: Breakfast
Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. The day will also be for finalizing official procedure and other necessary arrangements. You will be also briefed on the nature of the trek, equipments and team composition. Some of landmarks we visit include the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhu Nath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddha Nath). In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items as you will be flying to the Himalayas tomorrow.
Day 3: Drive Kathmandu to Syange/ Jagat [1100m/3608 ft]: 8 to 10 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight stay at Syange or Jagat Guesthouse.
We begin our journey at dawn as we have an 8 to 10 hour drive to arrive at our trek starting point at Syange or Jagat via Besishahar. While enroute we see the beautiful countryside Nepal has to offer – rivers, villages, farms and spectacular mountain scenery. The road to Besishahar is coal-tarred road, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and rough, though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding scenery go by.
Day 4: Trek Syange or Jagat to Dharapani [1,960m/6,430ft]: 7 to 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight stay at Dharapani.
After breakfast we begin our trek. We enter the Manang district after crossing a large bridge near Tal. Our upcoming trail continuously traverses through barley, rice and potato fields to the village of Kodo to Dharapani. Dharapani is one of the large villages in the Manang valley.
Day 5: Dharapani to Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Chame.
Today we trek on steep forest ridges. Don’t forget to look up though as we will be treated to some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Small hot springs add relief on our long day of hard trekking.
Day 6: Chame to Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Lower Pisang.
A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to a dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we welcome the surrounding views of the majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in the U-shaped valley of Manang between two giant snow peaks. After walking through these wonderful sites we reach Pisang.
Day 7: Upper Pisang to Manang [3,500m/11,482ft]: 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Manang.
Today we will have the choice of two routes. If we take the upper route (highly recommended), through Upper Pisang via Geru, we will be treated to outstanding Himalayan sceneries. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely tempt us. We experience our first contrast with the landscape and vegetation today, the cold and dry climate creates a much harsher, barren environment. Our short visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang will be memorable.
Day 8: Manang: Rest Day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Today is our scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay still so a short walk to higher altitude is suggested to help get acclimatized with the altitude. The next two days will be very challenging and tiring, with a significant gain in altitude. We should always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake are sights worth visiting for acclimatization and offer beautiful views. We have an easy excursion to a village called Vraga, where we will see the village’s monastery. At this site, we also visit at the Himalayan Rescue Association where we receive important information about Mountain Sickness.
Day 9: Manang to Yak Kharka [4,110m/13,484ft]: 3 to 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight stay at Yak Karka.
From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to the village of Tenki above Manang and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest along the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail continues northward, through pastures and a scrub of juniper trees as it steadily gains elevation. The trail passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead and passes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes the ancient Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka.
Day 10: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3 to 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Thorong Phedi.
Today we make our way to the foot of the pass, Thorong Phedi. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers use this point as a Base Camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today to assist in acclimatization and help make the next day easier. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we have the best chance of a good night sleep rather than a risky sleep at the higher altitude of High Camp.
Day 11: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5416m/17764ft) to Muktinath [3,800/12,467ft]: 7 to 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Muktinath.
We reach the climax of our Annapurna circuit trek today. It will be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime – crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La (5416m/17764ft). An early start is important to complete the task ahead and ensure the best of the day’s weather. Each moment we have to work hard through the icy high-altitude trail but the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are so mesmerizing, that our eyes watch more over the horizon than on our trail. Once we have reached the top of Thorong La we are rewarded with panoramic Himalayan views. From here we begin the slow decent to Muktinath. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, the area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the harmony of religions throughout Nepal.
Day 12: Drive Muktinath to Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6 to 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight stay at Tatopani.
Today, as there are vehicles available (bus or jeep), we take advantage of it to drive along a plateau above the Kali Gandaki – the world`s deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles the Tibetan Plateau. We have to adjust ourselves in a public vehicle on a sharing basis. Along this route the road can be rough and dusty and at some point we’ll have to change vehicles. On arrival at Tatopani, we relax our weary muscles with a dip in some of the hot spring pools.
Day 13: Tatopani to Ghorepani [2,850m/9,350ft]: 7 to 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight at Ghorepani.
While walking, we see the lifestyle of the people in the midland villages of Nepal. Ghara and Sikha are the villages with terraced and inclined farmlands. We gradually walk up the steep ascent to Ghorepani. Passing through Phalate and Chitre, we walk through a non-inhabited area, through rhododendron, birch, magnolia forest and meadows. As we reach the top of our climb, the peaks ahead look spectacular. We stay at Ghorepani as we have a climb to reach Poon Hill early tomorrow morning.
Day 14: Ghorepanito Tadapani [2,710m/8,891ft]: 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight stay at Tadapani.
At dawn, we ascend to Poon Hill (3,210m/10,531ft) to catch the moment of the spectacular sunrise over the whole Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs and surrounding rice terraces. Poon Hill is a photographer`s paradise with incredible panoramic views. After breakfast we continue along the up and down trail trek to Tadapani through the rhododendron forests. Be sure to keep one eye on the horizon as the scenery is equally dazzling throughout the day along the trek.
Day 15: Tadapani to Ghandruk toPokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 6 to 7 hrs trek and 1 hr drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Overnight in Pokhara
Through the Rhododendron forest, we trek down today to Ghandruk, the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. Gurung is one of the most popular and culturally rich ethnic groups in Nepal. After lunch, we continue to Nayapul where we finally conclude our trek followed by a short drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. Pokhara is a peaceful city of lakes with the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas.
Day 16: Pokhara to Kathmandu: 6 hrs drive
Meals: Dinner.
After breakfast, we start our drive back to Kathmandu. It will be better to sit on the left side of the bus to enjoy the scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel and we spend a leisurely afternoon, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, in the evening, there will be dinner and Cultural show hosted by Epic Adventures.
Day 17: Farewell Friend
Meals: Breakfast
We are saying good bye to the mountains as journey in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organise the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight a representative from Epic Adventures will take you to the airport. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m)
Welcome to the contrasting mystical city of the temple, Kathmandu. Begin your Nepal explore. Your representative is waiting for you in the customs area. From the airport, you will traverse through the busy streets to the center of the city in order to check-in a hotel. If you have time, you can stroll in the streets of Thamel.
Overnight at a Hotel. No meals included.
Day 2: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek preparation
On this day you will receive the TMG’s staff and move to the Kathmandu valley sightseeing with the private vehicle.
During sightseeing, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are in Kathmandu. Their names have been given below.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is located at the heart of Kathmandu. It was a palace, and the locals call it Hanuman Dhoka. It was a palace where kings were crowned and have spectacular Nepali architectures. Now, this palace is a museum, and the monuments that you see here such as temples and statues date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Some are older than these.
Swayambhunath is more than 2,000 years old. It is also known as Monkey Temple and located on the top of the hill. It’s four sides bear the faces of Lord Buddha. It is also a stupa which has statues on its base, and they represent five Dhyani Buddhas – Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, and Aksobhya. Each of these represents the five qualities of Buddhist wisdom.
Pashupatinath is the temple of Lord Shiva and located not far away from the heart of Kathmandu. It is one of the holiest temples of the Hindus. Only Hindus are permitted to enter from the main gate to Pashupatinath Temple. As a visitor, you will enjoy the rich architectures of the temple from a distance. Inside the temple, there is a sacred Linga or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. If you are lucky, then you might see the Hindu Cremation taking place on the bank of the Bagmati River.
Bouddhanath is also a stupa. It is one of the holiest pilgrimages of the Buddhists. It has a white doom just like Swayambhunath and contains the bones of Kasyapa Buddha (Buddha incarnation), while others say it contains the bone of Lord Buddha. Around the base of the stupa are 108 small images of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha.
As your request, you can make it happen by the private vehicle, cycling, rickshaw, by walk near the hotel. Other you need to take the vehicle or by cycling.
Overnight at a Hotel. Breakfast included
Day 3: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,652 m) Duration: 3 hours trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Today, after breakfast, head to the domestic airport. Enjoy a scenic mountain flight to Lukla. See the wonderful Himalayas, including Everest. Next, we trek to Phakding along with a trekking guide. As you trek, you see Mt Nupla (5,885 m) Kusum Kanguru (6,367 m) and Mount Kwongde Range. Enroute, you come across Dudh Kosi Valley.
Overnight at a Guesthouse.
Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, you enter the Sagarmatha National Park. See the cascade of waterfalls. Follow the trekking trail that goes uphill and downhill. Villages are widely prevalent with flowers, such as Rhododendron, Magnolia, and fir. Intermingling with nature, you head to Namche. On the way, you get an ample opportunity to see the mountains.
Overnight at a Guesthouse.
Day 5: Acclimatization Day: Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Acclimatization means an adaptation for tomorrow's higher altitude. For the ultimate view of the mountains, head to the Everest View Hotel. This is a short hike, and hiking is always strenuous in the Everest Region. The view of the mountain is impressive. You will see a 180-degree view of the mountains, and you will not regret.
Day 6: Trek to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m) Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
If you are hungering for Chorten and believe in the reincarnation of Lama, you find today is the perfect day. If you have the dream of the latter, explore Mohang, the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to have introduced Buddhism in the Everest Region, en route.
Day 7: Trek to Machherma (4,470 m) Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The trekking trail begins from Phortse Thanga by descending and extending to rhododendron forest, waterfall, Tongba Village, Dhole, Labarma and Luza villages, and Machhermo. The trail also takes you to Chorten and offers you the fine view of the Dudh Kosi River. Most part of the trail runs by this river.
Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m) Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today's highlights are Cho Oyu (8153 m), Ngazumpa Glacier, and lakes such as Longpongo and Gokyo. The trekking trail condition is tougher than the previous ones. Gokyo Lake is as blue as the sky and displays full of calmness. It glimmers in the sun rays. Unmaintained steep trail above the lake requires caution.
Day 9: Gokyo Valley: Acclimatization Day- Optional Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You can customize to meet your needs. Acclimatization means an adaptation for tomorrow's higher altitude. For the ultimate view of the mountains, hike to Gokyo Ri, viewpoint. This is a short hike, and hiking is always strenuous in the Everest Region. The view of the mountain is impressive. You will see a 180-degree view of the mountains, and you will not regret.
Day 10: Gokyo to Thagnak (4750 m) Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The trekking trail today also offers you an option to hike to Gokyo Ri if you had missed yesterday. Follow the trekking trail that takes you to the Ngozumpa Glacier. Later, walk along the edge of the mountain, and the meandering trail takes you to Thagnak. Today's main highlights are Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori.
Day 11: Thagnak to Cho La Pass (5,367 m) to Dzongla (5,420 m) Duration: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The upper part of the trekking trail is tough; it is steep, and it is unmaintained. The top of the pass is decorated with colorful Buddhist flags. It also offers the view of the pyramidal geometrical shape of Ama Dablam, and soaring Cholatse, Lobuche and Baruntse. From the top, the trail extends downhill.
Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4,940 m) Duration: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin walking until you reach the river bed. TMG believes that trekking should be more enjoyable. It feels that you have walked more than your capabilities in the pass. If you desire an easy walking, today is the day. The part of the trekking trail that you are walking is grassy.
Day 13: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170 m) visit Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, our top priority is to visit the Everest Base Camp. Hit to the narrow and rocky path. Next up is an area from where you can detour. Your guide will tune with the original trekking trail. Pay a visit to the Italian Pyramid. You also hit rocky dunes, moraines, and streams. After you swallow the beauty of Everest Base Camp, you say farewell to it.
Day 14: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) to Pheriche (4,288 m) Duration: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
When you reach the top of Kalapathar, you will find it full of life because it is the only place in the world for every Everest Lover. Kalapathar is a well-defined viewpoint. Above all, you will see 360-degrees panoramic view of Mt Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and so on.
Day 15: Trek to Namche Bazaar Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Follow the same trekking trail, you are once again heading to Namche, the largest Sherpa Village in Nepal. With this in mind, visit Everest Photo Gallery and the Sherpa Culture Museum. In the evening return to your hotel. In the hotel, you might see the trekkers of all genres.
Day 16: Trek to Lukla (2,800 m) Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Retrace and find out the steps that you have covered. Why not become overwhelmed and cherish at the distance that you have covered? Why not also take the last photo of the Everest Region? You might find this last scene as the awesome scenery of your life, after all, Everest Region is the iconic region, incomparable.
Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast
Leaving Lukla, you fly to Kathmandu where you can treat yourself with the facilities of urbanisation. Find yourself in the midst of something that you have missed. Splurge along the streets of Thamel. Soak up the best cuisines that Kathmandu offers before you bid farewell to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Leisure Day and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This day will be the day of leisure and take relax, roam to the narrow street of Thamel. Make some spare time to buy some souvenir for your friends. Taste the food offered by the Thamel restaurant and much more entertainment stuff. At the evening time, we will have a farewell dinner together. Share the experiences of the trip and many more.
Day 19: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
From the haphazard city, as well as from nature's dramatic set, you fly out from Nepal. The proceedings of your flight begin by picking you up from the hotel. Where your trek was a paradise, and where you head is your native land. Prior to 4 hours, we pick you up from the hotel and take you to the international airport.
