In autumn, the weather is ideal for trekking, with warm but comfortable days and clear skies offering spectacular mountain views. The low chance of snow makes this a perfect season to explore the Himalayas. The changing landscapes create impressive scenery for hikers, while the cleaner air makes trekking even more enjoyable.
Nepal: trekking among eight-thousanders
A relatively small territory contains eight of the world’s fourteen peaks above 8,000 metres: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna and Kanchenjunga. This extraordinary concentration of Himalayan giants makes the country unique, offering spectacular landscapes and the chance to walk surrounded by the world’s most impressive mountains.
Nepal Its territory contains eight of the planet’s fourteen mountains over eight thousand metres high.
Nepal offers far more than its eight-thousand-metre peaks. Buddhist monasteries, Sherpa villages, Hindu temples, hospitality and unspoilt nature enrich every trekking day. Its trails reveal mountain ways of life, crossing forests and suspension bridges over glacial rivers, with unforgettable sunrises against snowy peaks.
Nepal remains a mythical destination for hikers and mountaineers from all over the world.
If you are planning your first Nepal trip and are unsure which route to choose, doubts are natural. Two accessible, popular options stand out: trekking at Everest’s foot and the Annapurna Circuit. Both offer spectacular scenery, with very different landscapes, cultures, altitudes and levels of difficulty.
Here is a brief comparison of the main routes: treks below Everest and through the Annapurnas.
Annapurna or Everest? Which trek is best?
The Annapurna trek around Ghorepani and Ghandruk is shorter and more accessible, ideal for a less demanding experience1. The Annapurna Circuit is longer and tougher, crossing varied landscapes and altitudes, including Thorong La Pass at 5,416 metres. The first offers magnificent views of the Annapurna massif and suits beginners; the second is a full adventure requiring greater physical and mental preparation.
Both treks offer local cultural encounters and spectacular views, but differ in duration and difficulty.
Elevation gain on Himalayan treks
Annapurna Circuit
This trek starts at a low altitude, around 1,770 metres, gradually climbing to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, its highest point. The stages allow a gradual increase in elevation and walking pace.
Everest Base Camp trek
This trek starts at 2,650 metres, and on the second night we already sleep at 3,440 m. This makes proper acclimatisation more demanding. The highest point is Kala Pattar, at 5,545 metres.
Distances, elevations and duration of trekking
Trek to Annapurna Base Camp and the Poon Hill viewpoint
Annapurna Base Camp, also known as Annapurna Sanctuary, is a mountain refuge in a glacial valley at 4,130 metres, enclosed by the natural amphitheatre of the Annapurna massif.
| Day | km. | Hrs. | Ascent⬆️ | Descent⬇️ |
| 1 | 12 | 6 | 330 | 490 |
| 2 | 10 | 5 | 880 | 320 |
| 3 | 12 | 6 | 1100 | 750 |
| 4 | 8 | 4 | 670 | 230 |
| 5 | 6 | 3 | 540 | 200 |
| 6 | 5 | 2 | 410 | 160 |
| 7 | 15 | 6 | 290 | 1600 |
| 8 | 8 | 4 | 470 | 560 |
| 9 | 11 | 6 | 900 | 450 |
| 10 | 10 | 5 | 690 | 480 |
| 11 | 12 | 4 | 310 | 1150 |
| 12 | 4 | 1,5 | 335 | 335 |
| 113 | 52,5 | 6925 | 6725 |
Trekking Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
This is truly the “roof of the world”: a two-week route through the Khumbu Valley and Sherpa country to Kala Patthar, at the foot of Everest.
| Day | km. | Hrs. | Ascent | Descent |
| 1 | 8 | 2 | 245 | 430 |
| 2 | 12 | 5 | 1030 | 275 |
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 460 | 40 |
| 4 | 8 | 4 | 688 | 580 |
| 5 | 13 | 6 | 650 | 220 |
| 6 | Acclimatisation | |||
| 7 | 14 | 5 | 850 | 310 |
| 8 | 15 | 7 | 720 | 920 |
| 9 | 13 | 6 | 560 | 920 |
| 10 | 14 | 6 | 520 | 830 |
| 11 | 16 | 6 | 840 | 1240 |
| 117 | 49 | 6563 | 5765 | |
Both treks have very similar cumulative elevation gain.
Khumbu (Nepal) | Photo © Eva Respalzuri
Trekking through the Himalayas and mythical mountains
Annapurna Circuit
The walk offers views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri, rising above 8,000 m. However, much of the route follows valley-floor trails, so many peaks are not easily visible.
Everest Base Camp trek
The trek winds among some of the world’s highest and most legendary mountains. Ama Dablam, a major mountaineering landmark, Khumbu Glacier and, finally, Lhotse and Everest are its highlights and main attractions.
Environment through which the main routes in the Himalayas run
Annapurna Circuit
We start at 1,000 metres, amid subtropical vegetation, large forests, rice fields and Hindu villages. As we gain altitude, we pass through alpine forests to meadows inhabited by Buddhist Sherpa communities. The landscape is varied and, except at the highest elevations, the route passes through many villages.
Everest Base Camp trek
At 2,800 metres, we reach alpine forests, soon leaving them behind for Khumbu's meadows and moraines. There is less vegetation and fewer villages than on the Annapurna route.
You can find more information about trips to Tibet and Nepal on our website. And do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
Annapurnas vs. Everest
In conclusion, we can see that each option has its strengths or possible disadvantages. You will have to consider each option in your trek through the Himalayas to choose the best route on the “roof of the world”.
Annapurnas
A varied, gradual itinerary allowing good acclimatisation before reaching its highest point at 4,130 metres.
Nepal✔️ Departure 3, 31 OCT 2026
✔️ Price from 2090€
Everest
Nepal contains eight of the fourteen mountains over eight thousand metres high. We are undoubtedly facing what is known as the roof of the world.
✔️ Departures 31 OCT 2026
✔️ Price from 2380€
Lhasa to Kathmandu
The Tibetan Plateau, at an average altitude of 4,500 m, is framed by the world’s highest mountains. Isolated for centuries, its interior is an endless steppe crossed by rivers and turquoise lakes.
✔️ Departures 3 OCT 2026
✔️ Price from 2660€
Trekking for beginners
An ideal introduction to trekking: 5 days of walking at moderate altitude, with no acclimatisation problems or technical difficulties, and stunning views. The trip also visits Pokhara and the Kathmandu Valley.
✔️ Departure 3 Sep | 1 Oct | 10 Nov 2026
✔️ Price from 1930€
Ascent of Pikey Peak – Deep into Nepal
For those seeking something authentic, October is perfect for exploring the Himalayas’ quieter trails and discovering Sherpa life at its heart. The route takes you through remote villages, changing landscapes and Tibetan monasteries to the summit of Pikey Peak at 4,065 metres, with exceptional sunrise views of Everest.
✔️ Departures 1 OCT | 10 Nov 2026
✔️ Price from 1750€
Other trips to the Himalayas
We enter Bhutan, known to its people as Drukyul. Through deep valleys and steep mountains, we discover its culture and architecture.
✔️ Departures until Dec 2026
✔️ Price from 2690€
