Where does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return start and end?
Generally, our trek to Annapurna base camp with a helicopter return will start at Nayapul. We will proceed to Annapurna Base Camp by walking from this point. Moving along the route, we will also pass through Machhapuchhre Base Camp (also known as Mount Fishtail Base Camp).
After walking for days, we will reach our final destination. Upon reaching the renowned Annapurna base camp, we will spend enough time there to enjoy the stunning mountain landscapes. After a while, our helicopter will arrive, and we will then quickly fly back to Pokhara or Kathmandu. In about 20 to 25 minutes, we will be in the beautiful city of Pokhara.
Our Annapurna base camp trip with helicopter return begins in Pokhara. You might take a direct flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara if you want to begin your journey from Kathmandu. Alternatively, you might also decide to go by road from Kathmandu to Pokhara. And finally, after reaching Pokhara, you will continue your journey.
Transportation during the ABC Helicopter Return Tour
Talking about transportation options, you can head out on this journey by three means. You can either choose a flight, a bus, or a private car. Hence, all of these options are only available from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
From Pokhara onward, you will be heading to Nayapul via road to start the trekking journey. And after the completion of the trek, you will leave the base camp for Pokhara or Kathmandu via helicopter.
The best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return to Pokhara
To do the ABC helicopter return trek, autumn and spring are without a doubt the best trekking seasons. In general, these seasons are ideal for trekking in Nepal since they offer the best views of the mountainous landscape and have the most consistent weather with balanced temperatures.
Particularly along the routes of the Annapurna region, autumn and spring will welcome you with a bright sky and rhododendron blossoms. As soon as March begins, spring will begin and keep going until mid-May. You will enjoy the most spectacular mountain views during these times.
Likewise, the autumn season spans from September through November. In contrast to other seasons, the temperature in autumn will be more stable. Since it is still moderate and consistent, the weather is, however, identical to spring.
As in the winter and summer seasons, you won’t experience intense heat or sunburn in these seasons. The atmosphere is stunning, as the sky will be clear and the sun will shine brilliantly over the mountains in these seasons. Also, trekkers commonly encounter the mountains’ captivating attractions during these seasons, which becomes another unforgettable experience for them.
In addition to these two main seasons, this Annapurna Base Camp with Helicopter Return trek is also possible in the winter (December, January, and February). If you prefer a less crowded journey, you can choose to go during this season. The main thing that discourages trekkers in this season is the harsh weather. But if you want to go in this season, you can overcome this problem by packing the right trekking gear.
The monsoon season is another option if you are a florist or a plant enthusiast. However, we want to remind you that there is a risk of landslides and slick conditions during this season. So, we strongly advise you to pack appropriate monsoon gear and proceed through the paths.
Weather and Temperature
The Annapurna base camp is quite cold. During the daytime, the conditions are pretty mild, but after reaching nighttime, the temperature reaches the freezing point. We can say that this phenomenon is directly caused by the mountainous surroundings and the altitude.
The altitude significantly influences the region’s climate and temperature. The lowest height we could reach on our trek to Annapurna Base Camp is at Ulleri, which is located at 1960 meters. Contrary to this, the highest point in this journey is the Annapurna base camp itself, which is located at 4130 meters, which can be regarded as a high altitude.
Below, we will discuss the weather and temperatures of all four seasons:
Spring Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
Spring is my second favorite season to do the Annapurna Base Camp with Helicopter Return Trek. Right after the winter, the temperature slowly starts to rise, making the climate less savage. The weather shines and becomes more pleasant with the low precipitation level, making it a perfect time to do this trek.
Particularly, this is the time when the winter snow starts to melt and the clear skies begin to appear to offer you stunning views of the snow-capped peaks. The minimum and maximum temperatures for this season are mentioned below:
- March: -16°C to 8 °C
- April: -9°C to 14 °C
- May: -3°C to 19 °C
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Summar
The summer season in Nepal is another name for the rainy season. This season faces persistent rainfall all over the country, and the Himalayas are no exception.
Since the route will become more muddy and slick throughout the summer. Generally speaking, it rains almost often in the evening and at night, and the sky is not clear on the majority of days.
But compared to other times of the day, the morning is when you can see the snow-capped mountains. Below are the lowest and highest temperatures for this season:
- June: 2°C to 15°C
- July: 6°C to 18°C
- August: 6 °C to 18°C
Autumn
In particular, autumn is regarded as the ideal month for trekking and helicopter tours, not only to Annapurna Base Camp but throughout the whole Himalayas. This time of year is ideal for adventurers since the landscape and weather are both great. The autumn season generally starts in September and lasts until the middle of November.
During this season, especially in October, you can count on a bright sky and unobstructed views of mountains that are far away. You will also be able to enjoy the mountaintop sunrise and sunset views.
Since the extended period of rain has passed this season, the greenery seems new, and the aesthetic attractiveness of the surroundings has increased. The temperature is quite balanced, and it only begins to gradually decrease after November has arrived. The season’s lowest and highest temperatures are shown below:
- September: 0°C to 20°C
- October: -5°C to 15°C
- November: -9°C to 12°C
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in the Winter
Despite the freezing temperatures, it is still possible for people to trek to Annapurna Base Camp in the winter and take a helicopter back to Pokhara or Kathmandu, and those who do so are certain to recall the experience.
Although it is quite cold outside, this season will add attractiveness to the region by covering its woods and valleys with a thick layer of snow. This is certainly a great thing to behold from the trekker’s perspective.
Generally speaking, the weather will be hazy most of the time, yet you will get to enjoy the snow-filled views of the breathtaking mountains here.
However, this adventure is unquestionably for you if you like a calm setting and have excellent physical and mental stamina. Here are some statistics about this season’s temperature:
- December: -12°C to 8°C
- January: -18°C to 9°C
- February: -20°C to 6°C
Distance and time required for the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Return Trek
The Annapurna base camp trek with helicopter return typically covers 60–70 kilometers. As you don’t have to do the round trip, the distance reduces to half of the full journey. You just have to walk for about 6-7 hours and cover 10 km per day on average. A standard Annapurna base camp trek takes you about two weeks to complete.
But adding a helicopter ride back, will reduce half the burden of returning by foot. So, very little time is required to complete this journey. As per the trekker’s wish, we have made this 10-day trek, and we believe that it fulfills the satisfaction of each one of them.
Additionally, it’s entirely OK if you wish to alter the schedule by adding other places to the itinerary. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you familiarize yourself with short walks in the surrounding area before setting the schedule.
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Return Trek Difficulty
Being the most well-known and moderate trek in the Annapurna region, there are no age restrictions or prerequisites to doing this journey. Although it is lower in elevation than other trekking destinations, that does not mean you should take it lightly. The route might get a little tougher in many places; therefore, you must have the stamina and ability to face difficulties.
Anyone who enjoys walking for hours on end and is in proper physical condition may complete this adventure. A trekker must often walk for six to seven hours each day on average, which is typical for a trekking journey. So, for regular trekkers, this journey will not be a big deal.
Whereas for beginners, it might be a little difficult as they approach higher altitudes. So for that reason, we highly encourage trekkers to prepare as per the standard requirements.
Accommodation during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
On this trip, you will be facilitated in the lodges and teahouses along the path. Since the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is very famous in the country, you have to book your place several months in advance. You may not get accommodations to spend the night if you do not book in advance.
Eventually, if you seek a spot in the lodges instantly, it will be very hard for you to get one.
Here, the accommodation facilities provided by the lodge are very basic and standard. Most of the teahouses here have shareable rooms that consist of two beds and a table. The beds have a comfortable mattress, pillows, and then the bedspread. With these, you can be very certain to have a comfortable night at these accommodations.
In lower altitudes, single rooms are possible, but as the altitude rises, trekkers may have to share rooms with fellow trekkers. The same goes for the toilets. As you go to higher altitudes, the accommodation facilities will decrease significantly.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Food
For the whole Annapurna base camp helicopter return trek, we serve the three-timer standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food will be provided at the tea houses that reside along the route. You can rest assured that the meals will be 100% healthy and fresh.
In general, the menu offers hygienic Nepali, Tibetan, and Continental dish options. As the base camp nears, the menu can be less varied than the options at the lower-altitude teahouses. However, the teahouses have their organic farms where they pick up fresh vegetables and serve them. So it will be best for you to choose vegetable options that are fresh and homegrown.
We don’t suggest having non-vegetarian meals on this journey, as the non-vegetarian products are generally brought from Pokhara or nearby towns. It will take a couple of days to bring the meat, so the quality and freshness of the meat will degrade. So it will be best for you to avoid it.
While trekking or taking a helicopter ride to the Annapurna base camp, don’t forget to carry extra snacks and calorie-filled foods. It will be better for you to bring nuts, energy bars such as Snickers, and other mini-healthy foods.
Drinks
Along with the food, always carry water to keep your body hydrated. Since you are trekking to a higher altitude, your body needs to avoid altitude sickness by being hydrated. For that reason, you need to have a water bottle with you.
In addition to water, there are also other beverage options that you may have on this journey. Plenty of the teahouses on the route provide a wide range of drinks like tea, coffee, hot lemon, milk, chocolate drinks, etc. Some hotels also have lattes, cappuccinos, and Americano coffee options. So, you can chill at some of the spots on the route and have these great drinks. Also, keep in mind that if you possess any kind of trash, then properly dispose of it in the bin along the path.
Lastly, we want to tell you to always get a drink and food that highly energize you and keep you maintained. Avoid any kind of alcoholic drink on the journey. It will make you dull the next day and quickly dehydrate your body.
Drinking Water on the Annapurna Base Camp Route
You can get bottled water from the starting point up to the Annapurna base camp. But as you ascend to higher heights, the price also goes up. You will notice a price escalation of water bottles from 50 to 200 rupees until the base camp.
The best alternative option for this is to bring water purification tablets with you. Along with those tablets, you should also have a refillable bottle with you so that you can refill the water from time to time. It will also help you keep the hot water protected.
Boiled water is also an option for drinking water. Meanwhile, boiled water is preferable while traveling to high altitudes since it poses no risks and is completely safe. Remember to take a sip from time to time, as you have to keep yourself hydrated to prevent altitude sickness.
Here, to get boiled water, you will have to pay some extra money. So, one great travel tip is to have a little amount of Nepali cash with you.
Internet along the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Internet and Wi-Fi facilities are installed in most of the teahouses along the route. In comparison to other off-the-beaten-track treks in Nepal, the Annapurna base camp trek has quite good facilities.
Here, you can get normal Wi-Fi in a guesthouse, but for using it, they will charge some amount of money. But it will not be certain that the internet facility is reliable and fast. Internet facilities may be shut down if power cuts occur in the area.
Toilet facility on the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Route
You will generally have attached bathrooms at locations such as Ulleri, Ghorepani, Jhinu Danda, and Chommrong. And beyond that, you will get the standard room, which has shared bathrooms in the final places such as Tadapani, Himalayan, Bamboo, and Annapurna Base Camp.
Besides that, most of the teahouses have shower facilities on this route. You can get a shower, but for the hot water facility, you have to pay the extra buck.
Toilet facilities on the Annapurna Base Camp with Helicopter Return Tour are pretty basic. Almost all of the toilets in the guesthouses you encounter on this journey are squat toilets. And here, almost all teahouses have no toilet paper in their toilets. So, you have to make sure that you have rolled-up papers in your backpack.
If not, then you can buy it in the shops along the route.
