Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour – 1 Day

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour takes you on a remarkable trip to the “Abodes of Gods”. Perched on a high glacial basin just 40 km directly north of Pokhara. Surround by rings of The greater Himalayas which are over 7000 meters. A part of the Annapurna Himal range stretches from Manang to Kaski. This helicopter tour is a luxury way to explore the base camp’s oval-shaped plateau. Nestled at an altitude of over 4,130 meters/ 13,550 feet, river networks, glaciers, icefalls, moraines, and lush woodlands are scattered with tiny villages from a different perspective.

Alpine Club of Himalaya presents you with a luxury tour of the Annapurna Base Camp. The tour starts from the city of lakes Pokhara. From the domestic airport board, the helicopter and start your journey. As the flight begins witness the concrete jungles of the Pokhara with patches of greens and lakes of the region. Heading out of the city the flight takes you above the lush woodlands of central Nepal with views of scattered villages dotted on hills.

As you proceed north you will be flying directly above the Modi River valley. Where you will come across various trails of the Annapurna circuit. The off-beaten ridge trail of the Mardi trek on your right and the lush woodland-covered trails of the Annapurna Base camp on the left and straight ahead views of snowcapped mountain peaks. Hovering above endless rows of jungles the flight takes you closer to the mountains up a high valley.

Furthermore, the flights pass through the valley between Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre towards Annapurna Base Camp. Along this section witness grand views of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The panoramic views of soaring Annapurna I, II, III, IV and South, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, Machhapuchhre, and endless other peaks with a series of icefalls, glaciers, and moraines. As you progress through the sanctuary the helicopter lands at a ridge at the Base Camp.

Once the helicopter lands at the Base Camp head out to explore around soaking in the vibrant energy of the mountains. After a brief exploration head back towards Pokhara, witnessing the old-growth forest, waterfalls, river networks, sparkling terraces farms, and dotted settlements. As you approach Pokhara the green landscape changes into a concrete forest. Upon landing at Pokhara airport the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour ends.    

The Annapurna Helicopter Tour is ideal for travelers of any age group, physical condition, and for those who are time-bound. Getting a different perspective of the region from a luxury of a helicopter. Join in with the Alpine Club of Himalaya for this thrilling and exciting tour of the Annapurna Base Camp.   

2 hours of helicopter flight schedule:

• Pokhara Airport to Annapurna Base Camp
• Annapurna Base Camp to Pokhara Airport

Note: Spending Twenty Five minutes at the Annapurna base camp will prevent us from getting altitude sickness.

Entry and Permits:

The following permits are required for Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour 

• ACAP entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)
• ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

TIMS Permit:

• NRP 1,000 per person for organized treks through an agency 
• NRP 2,000 per person for independent trekkers (going without a guide or porter) 

Note: All the trekking permits are handled by the Alpine Club of Himalaya.

Best Time to Visit?

The best season for trekking in Annapurna Region is during autumn and spring.  

The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions. 

During the autumn season, the months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region, as the weather is clear bringing great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures, the nights are clear and is a perfect opportunity for stargazing. 

The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a change in the region, varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you will witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green high lands.    

Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So, monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers. 

In the winter season, Annapurna Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel for this reason. 

Travel Insurance:

All clients participating in any activity must have travel insurance. Personal injury, death, hospital expenditures, repatriation fees, helicopter rescue, and any other disease covered by the insurance plan will be given, we highly advise you to acquire a comprehensive insurance plan from a trustworthy insurance company.

Passport and Visa:

Every client must have a valid passport from the return date with a 6 months prior validity by the Nepalese consulate in your country or immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Important Note:

Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.