Head to head
Annapurna Circuit vs Everest Three Passes Trek
Annapurna Circuit is the more approachable option (Strenuous, max 5,416 m), while Everest Three Passes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Strenuous, max 5,545 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Annapurna: Strenuous
vs Everest: Strenuous
Max altitude
Annapurna: 5,416 m
vs Everest: 5,545 m
Duration
Annapurna: 14 days
vs Everest: 19 days
Choose
Annapurna Circuit
if you want…
- Shorter trip - 14 days vs 19
- Lower max altitude (5,416 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Annapurna region
Choose
Everest Three Passes Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (5,545 m) for bigger mountain views
- More time on the trail - 19 days to immerse
- Explores the Everest region
Full comparison
| Annapurna Circuit | Everest Three Passes Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Strenuous | Strenuous |
| Duration | 14 days | 19 days |
| Max altitude | 5,416 m | 5,545 m |
| Total distance | 160 km | 170 km |
| Elevation gain | 8,500 m | 9,800 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Oct - Nov | Mar - May, Oct - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 900-2,200 | USD 900-2,200 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card | Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit |
| Accommodation | Teahouses, lodges, and camping where required | Teahouses, lodges, and camping where required |
| Mobile network | Patchy in upper sections | Patchy in upper sections |
| Safety level | High | High |
Planning aid only. GPX and route pages are not live trail authority. Map packs need download on Wi‑Fi; weather and SMS need connectivity when used.
Annapurna Circuit vs Everest Three Passes Trek: common questions
Which is harder, which goes higher, which costs more, and which one to do first - answered from the route data in the table above.
Which is harder, the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Everest Three Passes Trek is the harder of the two: strenuous versus strenuous, topping out at 5,545 m against 5,416 m. Annapurna Circuit is the more approachable option (Strenuous, max 5,416 m), while Everest Three Passes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Strenuous, max 5,545 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Everest Three Passes Trek reaches 5,545 m, against 5,416 m on Annapurna Circuit - a difference of about 129 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Everest Three Passes Trek takes 19 days against 14 for Annapurna Circuit - 5 days more on the trail, plus buffer days for weather and flights.
Which is cheaper, the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 900-2,200 for the Annapurna Circuit and USD 900-2,200 for the Everest Three Passes Trek, covering permits, lodging, food and local transport. Guides, porters, domestic flights and insurance are extra and usually dominate the difference.
Which should a first-time trekker choose, the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Annapurna Circuit is the safer first choice: strenuous rating, a maximum of 5,416 m, and 14 days on the trail. Save Everest Three Passes Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Both routes share the same window: Mar - May, Oct - Nov. Outside it you trade settled weather for monsoon cloud or winter snow on the high sections.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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