Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered a light to moderate adventure in the Himalayas. Its lower elevation points make it less demanding than other high-altitude base camp adventures.
Furthermore, in Annapurna Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return, you will fly back directly to Pokhara from the base camp without the need to retrace your steps back on the trekking route. So, most definitely, this exciting trekking package is more comfortable and easier than the standard ABC trekking package.
You will kick start this trek after a scenic drive from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda (1,780 meters). Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 meters) is the only destination with a significant elevation. However, as you will acclimate properly, this won’t be a big deal either.
The total distance of the ABC trek is around 115 to 130 km (71 to 81 miles). On average, you will trek about 4 to 6 hours to cover the required distance in a single-day itinerary. However, the trek will be slow, so you don’t need to worry about the long hours of hiking either.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return for Me?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return, without a doubt, is one of the most incredible and rewarding trekking packages in the Himalayas. Thanks to its light and mild difficulty level, anyone can easily partake in this exciting adventure.
You will not require any technical or mountaineering skills to do this trek. You don’t even need to have previous hiking or trekking experience. As you will be returning with a helicopter flight to Pokhara, this exciting package will relieve the physical demands of the return trip. So, even elderly trekking enthusiasts can make this trek.
The success rate of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is 99% to 100%. If you do some light preparation for the trek and have good health conditions, you can complete this expedition smoothly without any hassles.
Training and Preparation
Although the Annapurna Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return isn’t physically challenging, it is still a Himalayan trekking experience. So, you will need to make an adequate effort in your preparation to add comfort to the experience.
The Annapurna region is known for its uphill and downhill sections, which means you will ascend and descend frequently during your adventure. You should generally work on your strength and stamina for this excursion. You will trek for long hours and should maintain the strength to carry a backpack at rising altitudes.
Stamina Training Exercises: Running, Jumping Rope, Swimming, Dancing, Rowing, Hiking, Power Walking, Aerobics, Cardio, etc
Strength and Endurance Exercises: Push Up, Plank, Squat, Pull Up, Lunge, Deadlift, Bicep Curl, Glute Bridge, Overhead Press, Leg Raise, Leg Extension, Woodchuck, Hammer Curl, etc
Permits for Annapurna Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return
You will need two permits to do this exciting trekking adventure in the north-central part of the Himalayas.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Both of these permits are mandatory for trekking in the Annapurna region. As you traverse the region’s protected areas, you must have an ACAP Permit, which costs approximately US$ 30.
The TIMS Card, on the other hand, is required for high-altitude trekking adventures in Nepal. This card helps the authorities track trekkers’ entry points in the region and enhances security features in case of mishaps. It costs around US$17.
You can get a TIMS Card and an ACAP permit from the Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. The ACAP permit is also available at the Tourism Board Center in Pokhara and the permit counter at Besisahar. However, for a seamless transition and hassle-free experience, My Everest Trip will arrange all the necessary permits for you.
What Kind of Accommodation Can You Expect?
During this exciting 6-day exploration of the enchanting Annapurna region, you will spend 3 nights at the teahouse/lodge and 2 nights in Pokhara City. You will enjoy luxurious accommodations at a star hotel in Pokhara—modern amenities and in-house services are available in the country’s major tourist hub.
The teahouse’s accommodation facilities are also moderate. The region’s locals run most teahouses/lodges, so in-house services can be limited.
You will stay in a comfortable and warm room in a standard trekking package. During your stay, you will receive clean, fresh bedding, a cosy mattress, blankets, and pillows. There are modern bathroom facilities with showers at the lower trails. However, the facilities may be limited as you trek to higher altitudes.
Food and Beverages
The Annapurna region is known for its culturally enthralling trails, and the food and beverage lineup is pretty exciting. In this remarkable exploration of the Annapurna region, you can taste a wide range of delightful delicacies.
While staying at the Pokhara hotel, you can enjoy fine dining services. However, the teahouses along the trekking trail offer a more culturally immersive and authentic experience of exploring the country’s diverse regional dishes.
In addition to the incredible local delicacies, the teahouses in the Annapurna region serve other Asian cuisines and international dishes.
Menu for Breakfast: Bread, Toast, Roti, Tibetan Bread, Muesli, Pancake, Pudding, Chapati, Paratha, Salad, Fruits, Oats, etc
Menu for Lunch and Dinner: Dal Bhat, Dhindo Gundruk, Thakali Set, Sel Roti, Samosa, Thukpa, Choila, Pizza, Sandwich, Momo, Chowmein, Steak, Fries, Pasta, etc
Beverages
Besides the incredible delicacies, the Annapurna region offers a diverse range of delightful beverages. During your trekking exploration, you can start the day with warm, refreshing drinks like Tea, Coffee, Milk, Hot Chocolate, and freshly squeezed Fruit Juice.
There are also bottled and canned variants of cold drinks like Fanta, Coke, Dew, Mirinda, Pepsi, etc. However, we recommend avoiding plastic bottles and tin cans, as they harm the environment.
Local drinks like Chang, Raksi, Tongba, and Aila dominate the category of stiff drinks. Branded drinks like Beer, Whiskey, Brandy, and Rum are also available at the teahouses if the local alcohol doesn’t grow on you. But you should drink alcoholic drinks in moderation or altogether avoid them, as they are known to affect the acclimatization process.
Health and Safety
Even though this is not a Himalayan trekking adventure with major altitude jump points above 4,000- 5,000 meters, we will strictly follow the proper precautionary measures to make the experience safe and enjoyable.
Your health and safety are our top priority, and we will monitor your health conditions throughout the trek. A government-licensed guide with significant experience in the Annapurna region will lead this remarkable trekking adventure.
They will conduct the health inspection and monitor your oxygen saturation level during the trip. In case of any health issues or emergency, your guide will coordinate with the head office to take immediate measures.
My Everest Trip guides are also trained for first-aid response and have received high-altitude training. So, you are safe during your Himalayan exploration and can enjoy the adventure without worrying about anything.
Packing for Trek
In this Himalayan exploration, you will traverse different climatic zones, from sub-tropical regions to alpine altitudes. So, you’ll need to pack the right layers wisely, which is ideal for different climatic zones.
My Everest Trip will provide one porter for two trekkers. The porter’s maximum luggage weight limit is 30 kg (66 lbs), which means the porter will carry a single trekker’s 15 kg (33 lbs) of luggage.
During the trek, you will have to carry extra luggage over the recommended weight limit yourself. So, could you pack as lightly as possible without missing the most essential items?
Recommended Packing List for Trek
For Head and Body
- Sun hat
- Woollen hat and beanie
- Scarf, neck gaiter
- T-shirt, shirt (lightweight)
- Insulated inner wear
- Sweater
- Windproof/waterproof jacket
- Down jacket for minus degrees
- Fleece jacket
- Trekking shorts, cotton pants
- Lightweight trousers, woollen trousers
- Waterproof/windproof trousers
- Gloves (light, woollen, insulated)
- Several pairs of undergarments
For Foot
- Comfortable trekking boots
- Trainer shoes
- Sandals, slippers
- Waterproof gaiter
- Ankle support
- Socks (light, woollen, insulated)
Personal Hygiene
- Bar soap
- Shampoo, conditioner, hair oil
- Body lotion, sunscreen cream, lip care
- Deodorant
- Foot powder
- Nail clipper
- Small mirror
- Tissue paper, toilet paper
- Wet wipes, face wash
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- First aid box
- Sanitizer
- Insect repellent
- Water purifier
Gears
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag
- Duffle bag
- Packsack
- Waterproof cover
- Sunglass
- Binocular, Camera
- Headlamp
- Powerbank
- Map, GPS
- Journals, magazines, and a pen
- Entertainment set
Electricity and Internet
Most parts of this trek have access to reliable electricity and different modes of internet facilities. But, as you move to higher elevation points, the settlements depend more on solar power.
Regardless, you can charge your devices at the teahouses throughout the trek. However, you must pay extra to get to the teahouses; the cost may vary from US$2 to US$ 5, depending on the altitude.
In the case of internet facilities, you will be able to use the Wi-Fi services at your resting destination during the trek. The cafes and restaurants around the region also offer internet services, and you will get short breaks during the trek and have plenty of time to reconnect with the world.
Like electricity, you will have to pay an extra US$2 to US$4 to use the internet services at the teahouses/lodges. Mobile networks like Ncell and NTC also offer reliable data packages. If you don’t feel like using shared WiFi, you can opt for these networks; click the following links to check the fresh data packages offered by both networks: Ncell and NTC.
