Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost from Kathmandu
You have no option for group joining unless you have your group if you wish to fly from Kathmandu. Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter tour is possible only if you have your private group of 6 people. You have the option to charter a helicopter for USD 4000 if you wish to travel alone. Because of the distance, this cost is a bit higher than the helicopter charter from Pokhara.
The tour from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp begins early in the morning from Kathmandu and takes you directly to Annapurna region. After the helicopter tour for around 2 hours, you will land at the base camp and will have a fantastic experience of being on the lap of Mt. Annapurna.
After the sightseeing, you will have your breakfast in the Annapurna region, and you can also take enough photos to collect lifetime memories.
Enjoying the warm breakfast in the tea house, you will fly back to Kathmandu.
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost from Pokhara
If you join the group of the helicopter tour with the landing, Annapurna Helicopter Tour cost starts at USD 350 per person. But, the price is USD 2000 if you want to fly alone in a chartered helicopter. You can fly individually with a pilot and a guide if you wish to fly alone and enjoy everything without other traveller’s disturbance.
Going on a solo Annapurna Helicopter tour costs a bit higher for you, but you can always join any group to save some costs.
The helicopter tour to Annapurna region is a magical experience which starts from Pokhara, a beautiful touristy city. With an amphitheatre of gigantic mountains offering 360° views around you, Annapurna Base Camp is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary.
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter flight offers you with the views of towering snow-capped mountains. You can get a picture of mountains such as Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Tare Kang, Singu Chuli, Khangsar Kang, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Mardi Himal. These sky penetrating mountains while you are at ABC fills your vision.
Trekking to ABC takes the right level of fitness and takes more than a week for you to reach the top. You can fly straight to ABC and back to Pokhara in two hours if you do not have time for trekking. You will fly over the parts of Annapurna region and catch the spectacular glimpse of nature and the scattered settlements of Gurung and Magar people, on this helicopter tour to Annapurna region.
We start helicopter flight early in the morning from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp. One way trip takes 30 minutes and will stop for 20 to 30 minutes at ABC for sightseeing and breakfast. Because of the fear of getting altitude sickness, staying longer in the base camp is not recommended.
You will reach in less than an hour to the maximum height of 4210 meters at Annapurna Base Camp starting from the altitude as low as 1400meters in Pokhara. This tour will offer you the experience of being on the lap of the mountains without having to shed a drop of sweat.
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop from the hotel: The company will send someone to pick you up from your hotel before the flight and drop you back after the trip.
- Annapurna conservation area entry fees: We will cover all your entry fees to the conservation area to make your trip hassle-free.
- Helicopter flight to Annapurna Base Camp and back to Pokhara: The costs include chartered flight to ABC and back to Pokhara.
- Airport taxes: All airport taxes are inclusive in the cost you pay for the ABC Helicopter tour.
- All government and local taxes: The Helicopter tour company pays all the charges.
- Services charges: All the service charges are inclusive in your cost.
- First aid kit and oxygen bottles are available in the helicopter for an emergency.
- Have Breakfast at Annapurna Base Camp: After a scenic flight You will get to enjoy a warm treat on the lap of Annapurna ranges which is inclusive in the price you pay for this tour
Cost Excludes
- Your meals and drinks
- Visa fees that are required to visit Nepal
- International Airfare tickets are not included
- All your personal and Medical Insurance
- Personal expenses like shopping, beverages, etc
- Tip to guide or other staffs
Helicopter Model
Helicopters that run and operate: There are two types of helicopters operating at present in private sectors: AS 350 B series of helicopters are top-rated all over the world. They are manufactured by a Euro copter located in France. It is suitable for mountain flying and regarded as one of the most versatile helicopters used in all types of helicopter missions. The features of these helicopters are:
- Fail-Safe Design - It has comfortable Seating Arrangements. There are five seats in the helicopter excluding Pilot. It is suitable for all types of helicopter missions. It can also fly up to an altitude of above 5,500 m and 18,000 feet high.
- The mighty Russian made MI-17 is another helicopter which is a big bird, capable of transporting 22 passengers or four tons of cargo. MI-17's are known to land at Everest Base Camp as it can reach altitudes well over 5000 m. These helicopters are usually charter for bigger groups or large cargo as they offer excellent utility and reliability under extreme conditions.
- Besides scenic and cultural Heli Tour a Rescue Evacuation operation around Nepal Himalaya as well for ferrying cargo for expeditions and relief operation as well as pilgrimage Heli Tour to Damodarkund-Muktinath and Gosainkunda and much more can also be held.
What are the best seasons for Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Landing?
You can fly to Annapurna Base Camp by helicopter all around the year. Yet, avoiding the monsoon season is recommended by many people who have been there. As Monsoon in Nepal starts from mid-June and ends by mid-September, you can witness heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and massive clouds.
Causing difficulty in flying, Weather in the mountains during this season is unpredictable. The dense fog and clouds obstructing the views will make your tour unfavourable.
The best months to take Annapurna Base Camp helicopter tour is between March to May. The Weather during this time is warm, and forests come to full bloom with rhododendron flower. You can explore the beauty of hills and forests in the region turn red and pink with wildflowers.
Does the tour get affected by altitude sickness?
As the southern side of the Annapurna range is green with lush vegetation and thickly forested, Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour does not get much affected by AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness. This region is one of the great and scenic destinations without a problem of high altitude. The thick forest and green trees help to regulate much oxygen with fresh, clean mountain air. You will be spending not more than half an hour at Annapurna base camp to enjoy its beautiful surroundings of mountains on this fabulous Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour. If you feel any symptoms of altitude sickness, the pilot flies the helicopter and drops you down at safe areas to regain your body to adjust to the altitude.
Permits needed for ABC helicopter Tour?
Yes, you need to get an Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit along with a TIMS card since you will fly over the Annapurna Conservation Area. The helicopter tour package you book includes the cost of these permits. The agency will arrange these permits for you before your tour. You might have to forward them a copy of your valid passport and two passport-sized photographs if necessary.
Safety Information for Helicopter Tour To ABC
- Do not hurry to enter or exit. Always allow some space to land the chopper from the air to the ground.
- You should also maintain enough space with the chopper as well as the rotor blades.
- Always approach from the front so that the pilot could see you while entering and exiting.
- Follow safety rules that are given to you by your Pilot.
- Wait for the pilot’s signal/instruction before you enter and exit the aircraft.
- You should always walk in a low crouch position while the chopper is around.
- Do not forget to wear a seatbelt, headset and always stay communicated with the pilot.
FAQs
What is the duration of the ride from Pokhara to Annapurna base camp?
It takes not more than half an hour or less, depending upon the pilot's decision and weather if you start straight-away without stops.
Distance covered from Pokhara to Annapurna base camp?
The air distance straight to Annapurna base camp from Pokhara is less than 40 k.m. or approx: 35 k.m.
How many pilots fly the helicopter?
Typically with two captains (lead pilot) and co-pilot seated next to each other depending on the altitude. Sometimes only one pilot flies where some passenger can seat in the front to enjoy more views during the flight.
Do we stop at Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes, we stop at Annapurna base camp and enjoy warm breakfast and other refreshments overlooking amazing views of the surrounding high mountains.
For how long do we stop at Annapurna Base Camp?
On a bright, beautiful morning, the stop is around an hour, where heavy wind current might affect the flight. However, the duration of stops depends upon pilot and weather-wise and snow level on landing spot at Annapurna Base Camp.
What is the height of Annapurna base camp and main Annapurna peaks?
At the height of 4,130 m, Annapurna base camp is located just beneath towering East Face of central Mt. Annapurna I at 8,091 m and 26,545 ft high.
Where do we land? On route base camp or return flight?
Captain decisions are landing on some beautiful big villages, but it depends on the weather. The main focus of land is where travellers can observe the local culture of the town, which will make the trip more interesting to get a glimpse of local native Gurung traditional life.
For how long do we stop at the village?
The helicopter might stop for less than an hour for interested people. You can enjoy interacting with local Gurung people the leading tribe of Annapurna Himalaya. You can also have an interaction with Buddhism religion and fascinating culture, and with a short walk around the village to catch more of the local culture.
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