Annapurna Base Camp trek with Helicopter return

Food along the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return

3-course meals are included in your Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return package, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will also get one drink (tea, coffee, or hot lemon) for each meal along the trek. For alcoholic beverages, you will need to pay for them on your own. 

The food will be hygienic and nourishing, provided by the local teahouses/lodges in the villages. The most common dish throughout the journey will be the traditional Dal Bhat Tarkari (rice, lentils, and veggies), which is very delicious and energy-packed.

For your breakfast, you can have Tibetan bread/chapati, eggs, coffee/tea, cornflakes, toast with jam, butter, and cheese, and pancakes.

The food options you can choose for lunch and dinner include Dal Bhat Tarkari (lentils, rice, and veggies), momo (dumplings), pasta, chowmein, fried rice, mushroom soup, vegetable soup, potato items, and thukpa.

We highly recommend that you stay hydrated all the time during the trek and consume drinks such as tea, hot lemon with honey and ginger, or green tea. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages while you are in the high-altitude area. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or have any kind of food allergies, please let our team know beforehand.

Accommodations for the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek

Your overnight stay in Kathmandu will be in a three-star hotel (Hotel Vistara) with complimentary dinner and breakfast. Similarly, you will stay in a cozy hotel in Pokhara for 2 nights. Trekkers will be accommodated in the local teahouses/lodges for the ABC Heli Trek. The teahouses will be basic yet comfortable, with twin-sharing bedrooms.

(Note: Since the ABC trek with helicopter return trek is a popular trek in the Annapurna region, the teahouses might get completely occupied. So, early booking for the stay in teahouses/lodges is very crucial for the convenience of the trek.)

The toilets will be attached to your room during your stay in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or the lower regions, but will be shared in most tea houses as you go into higher elevations. The rooms are not heated, so carrying a sleeping bag is highly recommended. Meals will be served in a warm dining room, where guests gather around the burning stove for warmth during the evenings.

Best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter return

The best times to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return are during spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November). These seasons are preferred by most people due to stable weather, clear skies, and the outstanding scenery of the Himalayas.

Since these seasons are regarded as the peak seasons, the ABC trek route and teahouses along the trail around these times are very well maintained.

The spring season is characterized by stable weather, rhododendron blooms in the lush forests, and great mountain visibility. The daytime temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C in the lower regions like Ghorepani and can reach -5°C at nighttime at the base camp. This season is the ideal time to trek for people who are nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

The most appropriate time for the trek is during the autumn season due to pleasant weather, warm temperatures, and excellent visibility of the mountain views. During this season, the daytime temperature in the lower region ranges from 12°C to 18°C, while the nights can be very cold at the base camp, with the temperature reaching -10°C or lower. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar are also celebrated around this time in Nepal. The autumn season is ideal for trekkers wanting to experience the perfect blend of Himalayan scenery and cultural immersion.

Winter can also be considered a good option for trekkers who want a peaceful and less crowded trail. That being said, the weather is very cold around this time, making it difficult for trekking at higher regions. Some teahouses also might be closed around this time due to severely cold temperatures. Similarly, monsoon is not preferred for trekking by many people due to slippery and muddy trails, as well as less or no visibility of the Himalayan peaks around this time.

ABC Trek with Helicopter return Permits 

For the ABC trek with helicopter return, you will need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Card. You need to carry these permits at all times in the course of your trek. Rising Adventure will issue and collect these permits on your behalf so that you can trek in the Annapurna region without any issues.

Trek difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return

The difficulty level of the ABC trek with helicopter return is a moderate one. The ABC trek route follows steep ascending and descending sections as well as rough trails. On a regular basis, you need to walk for about 6 to 7 hours. Altitude sickness is also a major concern during this trek as we climb to areas above 3500 m, including the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). 

Trekkers are required to properly adjust to the high altitude and stay hydrated all the time to fully enjoy the trek and also avoid altitude sickness. People with good physical fitness and mental resilience can complete this trek without struggle. The journey involves a helicopter ride instead of trekking back to Pokhara. Thus, making it easier than the classic ABC trek. 

Transportation for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return

The journey will begin with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara in a tourist bus, which will normally take approximately 6 to 8 hours. Sometimes, there might be delays on the bus ride due to traffic congestion or ongoing construction work. Alternatively, you can also take a 25-minute airplane flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which will come with an additional fee. 

The adventure from Pokhara to Nayapul/Birethanti will be in a public jeep or a local bus. A private jeep can also be arranged for an extra cost upon request. While returning from Annapurna Base Camp, you will be taking a 30-minute exhilarating helicopter ride to Pokhara, offering an incredible aerial view of the western Himalayas of Nepal. Finally, you will return to Kathmandu from Pokhara in a tourist bus.