The Annapurna helicopter tour is the best, fast, and most convenient way to discover the massive Annapurna mountains.
Unlike trekking which is time-consuming, exhausting, and risky, a helicopter tour to Annapurna seems less of a challenge and more of an adventure.
This article shares everything you should know before you book your Annapurna helicopter tour tickets.
Table of contents
Why take a helicopter tour to Annapurna
Annapurna mountain, the tenth-highest peak in the world, is 8,091 meters (26,545 ft) above sea level.
If you’re on a trip to Nepal and want to see the snow-capped mountains, alpine forests, and villages, the helicopter tour to Annapurna Base Camp lets you taste everything you’re looking for.
Here are reasons why it is better to take a helicopter to Annapurna
– It lets you explore more in less time.
– It’s perfect for those travelers who are scared or not permitted to trek.
– It allows you to enjoy the picturesque views you usually see in movies.
– You get a bird’s eye view of breathtaking forests, villages, lakes, rivers, and Annapurna base camps.
– This tour is fit for travelers of almost all age groups.
– Unlike trekking, helicopter tours are safer and more comfortable.
Cost of Annapurna Helicopter Tour
Annapurna Helicopter Tour costs $450 for all passengers 26 years and above.
Guests aged 5 to 25 years pay a discounted rate of $399 for their helicopter trip.
The cost of the Annapurna Helicopter Tour also depends on your tour’s starting point.
Heli tours starting from Kathmandu are costlier than trips starting from Pokhara.
Helicopter Tour of Annapurna mountains
Since it is always in high demand, we recommend you book your Annapurna Helicopter Tour much in advance.
The helicopter tour to Annapurna brings you closer to snow-capped mountains, silent valleys, and deep gorges, a scenic view you usually see in movies.
The aerial view of the scattered settlements of diverse communities living in the surrounding regions is a beautiful sight in itself.
On tour, you fly over famous mountains like Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna South, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mount Manaslu, and Mt. Fishtail, leaving you spellbound.
Starting point
The Annapurna Helicopter Tour starts from Pokhara Airport.
Pokhara is a beautiful city in Nepal engulfed by lakes, hills, forests, and ethnic settlements and is the gateway to the Annapurna mountains.
Guests can head directly to the preferred starting point or request a pickup.
The two meeting points for the Annapurna Helicopter Tour are the Alpine Club of Himalaya and Hotel Splendid View.
The flight starts from Pokhara airport and ends at Pokhara airport.
How long does it take
Your Annapurna chopper tour starts at 6.15 am.
On arrival at the Annapurna base camp, you will be given a 15 to 30 minutes break where you can treat yourself to a hot breakfast and tea.
The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, flying past peaks, forests, and landscapes whose view from the top is incomparable.
Annapurna Helicopter Tour tickets
You can book your helicopter tour of Annapurna Base Camp from the comfort of your home.
You will get the tickets in your email as soon as you purchase them.
No need to take printouts – mobile tickets are acceptable.
This tour is private and only your group will be in the helicopter with you.
You can book up to 15 tickets for the tour.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (41 to 60 years): $450
Senior ticket (61 to 90 years): $450
Youth ticket (26 to 40 years): $450
Child ticket (16 to 25 years): $399
Infant ticket (5 to 15 years): $399
Ticket inclusions
– Airport Transfer
– Helicopter Ride
– Government Taxes Service Charges
Ticket exclusions
– Annapurna Base Camp Conservation fee
– Meals and Drinks
– Personal Expenses and Tips
7-day Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
If you want your visit to the Annapurna Base Camp to be a little more adventurous, check out the Annapurna Base Camp Trek instead of opting for a helicopter tour.
What to expect on the trek
We list the seven-day itinerary of the Annapurna trekking expedition –
Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara fly, then Ghandruk
Stop: Old Gurung Museum
Feast your eyes on the beautiful Phewa lake and marvelous Pokhara. Discover Ghandruk and enjoy picturesque views of Annapurna Peaks.
Day 2: Sinwa via Chomorong
Stop: Sinuwa (upper Sinuwa)
Enjoy the silent landscapes, farm fields, and snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Himalaya range. This trail is mostly uphill.
Day 3: Trek to Deurali
Stop: Deurali
On day 3, you’ll walk on winding paths leading to Bamboo, a forest named after its dense bamboo canopy.
Deurali is a small village in the Gandaki province of Nepal.
Day 4: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
Stop: Annapurna Base Camp
Altitude: 4130 m
Trek duration: 6 hours
From Deurali, you’ll again walk uphill to Machhapuchhre base camp (MBC) along the Annapurna Base Camp.
MBC is located inside the Annapurna Conservation Area just south of the Annapurna Mountain range and west of Machhapuchhre Peak.
When you’re at MBC, you can see the majestic Annapurna peak, and as you trek forward, the view gets better and better.
You’ll dance with joy when you see the welcome signpost of Annapurna Base Camp, the final destination of your trek.
Day 5: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
Stop: Sinuwa
Altitude: 2345 m
Trek duration: 6 hours
After exploring the ABC and its surroundings embellished with Annapurna I, Barahi Shikhar, Tent peak, Annapurna south, Himchuli, and Gandharva Chuli, you will head back to Bamboo.
Day 6: Trek beyond Jhinu village
Stop: Pokhara Lakeside
Altitude: 1780 m and drive to Pokhara
Trek duration: 7 hours
After breakfast, you will start your trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda, a beautiful hilly village on the banks of the Modi river with natural hot springs.
The path to Jhinu passes through Sinuwa and Chomrong villages and has a lot of ups and downs, but when you reach the hot springs, you’ll encounter peace and panoramic views to relax your mind, body, and soul.
After taking a dip into the hot springs water at Jhinu, you can trek further down to Kyumi village,
Afterward, drive back to beautiful Pokhara, nearby Phewa Lake, for an overnight stay in a nice hotel.
Day 7: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel
Stop: Kathmandu Valley
Now it’s time for you to bid adieu to the Annapurna trekking tour and head back to the Kathmandu valley.
You can choose a private car or a tourist coach to reach Kathmandu based on your group size.
You can prefer to travel by air from Pokhara to reach Kathmandu on 30 mins flight. Then from Kathmandu airport, transfer back to your hotels.
Cost of Annapurna Base Camp trek tickets
Youth ticket (5 to 17 years): $890
Adult ticket (18 to 45 years): $890
Senior ticket (46 to 70 years): $900
Ticket inclusions
– A professional Trekking Guide during the trek
– Private transportation
– Necessary Permit
– Three meals per day during the trek (Dinner (6) + Lunch (6) + Breakfast (7))
– Tea house accommodation during trek on twin sharing
– Kathmandu to Pokhara by flight
– Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus
– One night tourist-stranded hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing after the trek
– One night tourist standard hotel in Pokhara on twin sharing
Necessary equipment is to be returned after completing the trek and route map.
Ticket exclusions
– Extra night hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
– Pokhara to Kathmandu flight.
– Your expenses and all kinds of soft and hard drinks.
– Things are not included which are not mentioned in including section.
– Porter not included.