Annapurna or Gokyo in Oct/Nov

[hatless]

Hello everyone,

I finally managed to persuade my wife to come with me to Nepal. We'll be in the country for 3 weeks and are planning to spend 14 days trekking. (I wanted another week or two but this was the result of a very long negotiation!)

So the decision is between trekking the first half of the AC (flying out of Jomsom) and flying into Lukla and heading up to Gokyo. We'll be starting the last week of October. As I see it, here are the pros of each:

Annapurna (finishing at Jomsom)
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Never have to backtrack
More time spent below the tree line
Cheeky side trip near Tilicho possible
Better quality teahouses
Culturally more interesting
More gradual climb - easier to avoid AMS


Gokyo
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Fewer crowds than EBC and AC
Stunning views of Everest
Beauty of the lakes


I've done the Western half of the AC and ABC years ago so the first half of the AC appeals on that front - but then everyone talks up Gokyo as well.

I realise that the common answer to this question is "you'll have a good trip no matter which one you choose", but if you've done both and had to choose, which one would you go for?

Thanks,

h.

[Petrus]

Go Gokyo.

No road construction (a real letdown on AC now), bigger mountains and you are more in the middle of them.

[Escher]

Hmm difficult one.

Some more reasons to do either trek:-


Annapurna Circuit (Marsyangdi side)

Road building ongoing - now is the time to see this side of the valley
Throung La is a great pass
If need be (your wife doesn't like roughing it too much) you can stay in big lodges most of the way. Annapurna is more consistently developed than all the Khumbu trails. However I think the big lodges have less atmosphere, are less homely and more crowded. The small, rustic, family lodges are better IMO.
Opportunity to do the high route to Manang - Ghyaru and Ngawal - this really shouldn't be missed.
Also could go up to Khangsar if can't make it to Tilicho.
I.e. more opportunities for side trips
More culturally diverse
More varied scenery
Get to see Mustang and parts of rain shadow area
Spend some time in Pokhara - lovely place to chill


Gokyo

Really, really amazing mountain scenery
Don't have to backtrack if you go over the Cho La
Good side day trips from Gokyo
Gokyo really is an amazing place
Beginning of the trek isn't as swelteringly hot as the start of the AC but starts at a higher elevation

On reflection I would say Annapurna. Really varied, similar difficulty but more steady and quite fascinating with the side trips added. The Marsyangdi side is very beautiful. And with the road building the time to do it is now. Perhaps if you wife enjoys Nepal then you can get to Gokyo another trip.

I must say Gokyo is very beautiful too and the first view over the Ngozumpa and the many peaks surrounding it is truly spectacular. It must be up there with the Grand Canyon or Concordia as one of the greatest viewpoints on earth.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2361116331_edeedeaaab_b.jpg
Over the Thorung La

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2371337374_80a8f3c463_o.jpg
Kali Gandaki and Jomsom

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/133414341_0f5f27342a_o.jpg
Khunde

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/33996391_931c6e8f00_o.jpg
Gokyo from Gokyo Ri

[Lars]

I suggest AC to Jomsom. Much to give a softer intro to the Himalayas to your
wife. You know gradual up and all that. Flying in to Lukla and heading for Gokyo
is rather tough on a newcomer. Besides you are too optimistic when thinking
that there will not be a lot of trekkers in Gokyo. There are loads!

On the AC you can do quite short days if you like, and keep going, more or
less without interruption. If you go the Upper Pisang/Nawal route, which you
should anyway, on behalf of its beauty, you don't necessarily have to have
an acclimatisation day even in Manang.
There is a great sense of achievement in trekking every day and making it
over the pass.

If you go to Gokyo you will have to have a couple of acclimatisation days,
which I think can be frustrating to a first time trekker.

Besides, the road work on AC is not that bad yet. It probably will be soon. In
a few years you don't want to go there at all. Better go now. Gokyo will not
be asphalted anytime soon.
...........

Escher, those are terrific pictures, particularly the one from Gokyo Ri!

[hatless]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Escher - your pics look stunning. I saw some of these in another thread which originally prompted me to re-think the AC option.

I'm now leaning pretty heavily toward the AC to Jomsom option. The last chance to see it before it falls under a road is a powerful incentive!

Having said that, Gokyo does look pretty special too.

Thanks again,

h.

[yakshaver]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Escher - your pics look stunning. I saw some of these in another thread which originally prompted me to re-think the AC option.

I'm now leaning pretty heavily toward the AC to Jomsom option. The last chance to see it before it falls under a road is a powerful incentive!

Having said that, Gokyo does look pretty special too.

Thanks again,

h.

Much as I love Gokyo (probably mi favourite place is the fifth lake viewpoint...) I agree with you. AC to Jomsom is an excellent choice (still). On the way, if you have time, go up to Gangapurna Glacier from Manang (good acclimatization climb), take your time to visit Upper Pisang, Braga, Jharkot, Kagbeni. As you get to Jomsom, it is also worth it going two ours away down the trail to Marpha, then come back to fly out of Jomsom.

If you have 14 days for trekking you can do all this and not strain too much. Appart from the climb up and down Thorung La that is...

[Lars]

take your time to visit ... Braga, Jharkot, Kagbeni.
I have been twice to Kagbeni, and really like the place. But as for Braga and
Jarkhot I have only walked through. Is there any particular thing to spend time on there?

[yakshaver]

I have been twice to Kagbeni, and really like the place. But as for Braga and
Jarkhot I have only walked through. Is there any particular thing to spend time on there?

In Braga there's the old monastery, maybe about 500 years old. I managed to be there while some important Lama came to do mass, or whatever they do...
Also the village being up the hill, it has very nice views (though not as nice as Upper Pisang) of the Annapurna range opposite the valley.

In Jharkot, I guess I enjoyed seeing the old village. It seems very old, it has some old animistic, maybe Bon, statues and a nice Gompa, recently restored, up the hill in the middle of the village. I slept there once.

I agree with you, they are not on par with Kagbeni, but it is worth passing through them.

[ash87]

Hi, a friend and i are also trying to decide between Annapurna and EBC/Goyko, we are both fit and have trekked before but first timers to Nepal. We are there for a month, is it possible to combine a little bit of both? I am so confused, I had always thought I would do EBC but may be changing my mind after all of your responses....some advice would be appreciated? If you could only go to Nepal once were would you trek to? Favourite trek?

Thanks all