Head to head
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek vs Gosaikunda Trek
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the more approachable option (Moderate, max 4,190 m), while Gosaikunda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,380 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Annapurna: Moderate
vs Gosaikunda: Moderate
Max altitude
Annapurna: 4,190 m
vs Gosaikunda: 4,380 m
Duration
Annapurna: 5 days
vs Gosaikunda: 5 days
Choose
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek
if you want…
- Lower max altitude (4,190 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Annapurna region
Choose
Gosaikunda Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (4,380 m) for bigger mountain views
- Explores the Langtang region
Full comparison
| Annapurna North Base Camp Trek | Gosaikunda Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Max altitude | 4,190 m | 4,380 m |
| Total distance | 23 km | 44 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,300 m | 3,200 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Aug - Nov | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 350-900 | USD 350-900 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | Langtang National Park Entry Permit, TIMS Card |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses and local lodges |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Variable by village and carrier |
| Safety level | Medium | Medium |
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 North Base Camp Trek vs Gosaikunda 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 North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Gosaikunda Trek is the harder of the two: moderate versus moderate, topping out at 4,380 m against 4,190 m. Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the more approachable option (Moderate, max 4,190 m), while Gosaikunda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,380 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Gosaikunda Trek reaches 4,380 m, against 4,190 m on Annapurna North Base Camp Trek - a difference of about 190 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Both the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek and the Gosaikunda Trek run about 5 days on the standard itinerary, before flight buffers or extra rest days.
Which is cheaper, the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 350-900 for the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek and USD 350-900 for the Gosaikunda 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 North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the safer first choice: moderate rating, a maximum of 4,190 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Gosaikunda Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is best in Mar - May, Aug - Nov; Gosaikunda Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Nov. If your dates are fixed, let the season pick the route rather than forcing a route into the wrong season.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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