Ilam vs Annapurna Circuit
Pick Ilam for
peace and quiet, tight budgets, road trips, fewer people, an easier walk, a smaller budget, fewer days
Pick Annapurna Circuit for
adventure, a real challenge
| Ilam | Annapurna Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Nepal, Ilam, Koshi | Nepal, Lamjung–Manang–Mustang, Gandaki |
| Highest point | 2,400 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Difficult |
| Trek distance | No trek needed | about 160 km |
| Days on the ground | 3–4 | 12–14 |
| Best months | Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr | Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov |
| Snow likely | Rarely | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar |
| Crowds in season | Quiet | Busy |
| Daily spend | about ₹2,500 | about ₹3,500 |
| Gateway | Bhadrapur / Biratnagar | Pokhara / Kathmandu |
| With kids | Good | Not advised |
| With seniors | Good | Not advised |
| Permits | None for Indian citizens. | ACAP + TIMS. Check current guide rules for your nationality. |
Ilam: when to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Annapurna Circuit: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely