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The Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is a 4-day trekking package which includes trekking to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) and a helicopter flight back to Pokhara. The trail lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area of central Nepal and is a shorter version of the traditional ABC Trek.
The walk starts with a drive from Pokhara to Siwai, the beginning of the walking trail. From there, you pass through traditional rural villages like Chhomrong and walk under rhododendron and bamboo woods. The trail gradually climbs toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp and finally reaches ABC at 4,130 m.
Every section of the trail is different, from terraced farmland and green hills to rocky mountain scenery surrounded by towering peaks.
The mountains seem so much closer at Annapurna Base Camp, where you get direct views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Tent Peak.
After a night at Base Camp, you will be returning to Pokhara by helicopter. The 20 to 30-minute flight eliminates the two or three days usually spent going back over the same trail.
Book the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return Package with us. Our team makes the essential plans before the trek, from getting the required documents ready to organizing the trip, local support, and air return.
Your journey begins with a drive from Pokhara to Siwai, where the trekking trail starts. The route passes through terraced farmland, rhododendron and bamboo forests, waterfalls, river valleys, and traditional Gurung and Magar villages before gradually climbing toward the base camp of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna.
Along the way, you also experience daily life in the Annapurna region. Most teahouses are family-run, and many local families depend on farming, livestock, and trekking tourism. You will also see prayer flags, mani walls, chortens, and small monasteries that reflect the region’s Buddhist traditions.
As you gain altitude, the landscape changes from green hills to rocky slopes and glacial terrain. After passing Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, where Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Tent Peak rise around you.
After an overnight stay at ABC, skip the multi-day walk back and fly straight to Pokhara by shared helicopter. The 20 to 30 minute flight gives you an aerial view of the Annapurna Sanctuary, forests, valleys, and mountain ridges before the trip ends.
Here are the reasons why trekkers choose the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return package:
At High Route Adventure, we understand that every trekker has a different walking ability and comfort level. We plan the trek in a practical way which gives you enough time to enjoy the trail, adjust to the altitude & experience the journey without unnecessary rushing.
Our local guides know the Annapurna route well and support you with trail guidance, safety, and daily arrangements. We take care of the main details like permits, transportation, teahouse accommodation, meals, and helicopter return coordination.
The cost of the ABC trek with Helicopter Return depends on the group size and helicopter arrangement. We provide different pricing options based on the number of trekkers joining the trip.
| Group Size | Price Per person |
| 1 person | $ 1255 |
| 2 – 4 people | $ 965 |
| 5 – 12 people | $ 850 |
Your Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return begins with a drive from Pokhara to Siwai. The road passes through the countryside with views of hills, rivers, terraced fields, & small settlements.
After reaching Siwai, you start the trek toward Chhomrong. The trail climbs through stone steps, farmland, and traditional Gurung villages. As you gain altitude, you begin to notice the changing landscape of the Annapurna region, with forest sections & mountain views opening up along the route.
On clear days, you may get your first views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre before reaching Chhomrong. It is one of the most popular villages in the Annapurna Region.
Leaving Chhomrong, the trail drops steeply on stone steps toward the Chhomrong Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge, you begin a long uphill section toward Sinuwa. The forest becomes denser after Sinuwa. Bamboo, oak, and rhododendron trees line the trail as it passes Bamboo and Dovan along the Modi Khola Valley.
From Dovan, the final section climbs gradually toward the Himalaya Hotel, where the surroundings become quieter, and the air feels cooler compared to the lower villages.
The trail becomes more open & alpine as you leave the Himalaya Hotel behind. The walk continues through the Modi Khola valley toward Deurali and the Hinko Cave area, where the forest starts to disappear & the views become wider. This section feels different from the lower parts of the trek because the surroundings become quieter, with fewer trees and more rocky mountain terrain.
After reaching Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 meters, you get a closer look at the iconic Fishtail Mountain along with peaks like Hiunchuli and Gangapurna. You can stop here for a short break before continuing toward Annapurna Base Camp.
The final stretch takes you into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a wide glacial basin surrounded by some of the region's highest mountains. Reaching ABC at 4,130 meters brings you close to Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. This is the longest and most rewarding section of the trek.
Today starts early with sunrise views from Annapurna Base Camp. As the first light reaches the surrounding peaks, you can enjoy close views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, & the mountains surrounding the sanctuary.
After spending some time at the base camp, you will take a shared helicopter flight back to Pokhara. The 20 to 30 minute flight gives you a completely different view of the Annapurna region, with views of glaciers, valleys, forests, and villages that you crossed during the trek.
Once you land in Pokhara, your Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return ends.
Notes: A private luxury helicopter charter from ABC is also available for the return. Please inform us during booking if you'd like this option.
Collaborate with our specialists to create a unique itinerary.
Choose from our scheduled group trips below, or contact us to plan a private or family adventure tailored to your schedule.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is a moderate trek, but there are a few sections that trekkers find a bit difficult. The difficulty comes from long uphill climbs, thousands of stone steps, and the increase in altitude as you approach the base camp.
The trek requires a good level of physical fitness. The trail includes long uphill sections, thousands of stone steps, and walking at an altitude above 3,000 meters where the air becomes thinner & breathing can feel more difficult.
You should be comfortable walking for around 5 to 7 hours a day with a small backpack. The trek to the base camp requires good stamina, especially on the climb from Chhomrong toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp.
A suitable fitness level for this trek includes:
Related: Training Tips for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
This trek is suitable for travelers who want to experience one of Nepal’s popular trekking routes but have limited time. It is a good option for first-time trekkers, families, and groups of friends who have good physical fitness and can manage 5 to 7 hours of walking per day.
The main highlight of this package is the helicopter return from Annapurna Base Camp, which makes it shorter than the standard ABC trek. From Annapurna Base Camp, you will be flying by helicopter directly back to Pokhara & avoid the long walk back down the same trail.
This flight usually departs from ABC to Pokhara Airport (Pokhara International Airport) and takes about 20 to 30 minutes relying on weather conditions & flight traffic. The helicopter flies over the Annapurna Sanctuary, Modi Khola valley, forests, villages & mountain ridges you crossed on your trek.
In the Annapurna region, helicopters are often used, like the Airbus H125 (AS350 B3e) and other similar helicopters capable of high-altitude operations, run by Nepal-based helicopter companies. These helicopters are good for mountain flying, working well in high-altitude areas. The
The helicopter return has two main options:
The best time for the ABC Trek with Helicopter Return is spring and autumn. These seasons have more stable weather, clearer skies, & better mountain visibility, which is important for both trekking and helicopter flights from the base camp.
Spring is one of the most popular times for the ABC trek. The lower sections of the trail have blooming rhododendron forests and the higher sections offer views of snow-covered mountain peaks. Daytime temperatures in lower areas are usually around 15°C to 20°C, while temperatures near the Base Camp can drop below 0°C during early mornings & nights.
The weather is generally pleasant, but the route becomes busy, especially from April to May. Teahouses can fill quickly, and the trail may have more trekkers around popular stops like Chhomrong, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp.
Autumn is considered the most reliable season for this trek. After the monsoon, the skies become clearer, and the mountain views are usually at their best. Temperatures in lower villages range from around 10°C to 20°C, while Annapurna Base Camp remains cold with temperatures often below freezing at night.
This season attracts many trekkers because of the clear weather & excellent visibility. Since the Annapurna Base Camp route is one of Nepal's most popular trekking trails, busy periods are common during October to early November.
Winter is colder, especially above 3,000 meters. Snowfall around Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp can make the trail more difficult, and helicopter flights may face delays due to poor weather. Monsoon brings heavy rainfall, cloudy skies, & slippery trails in the lower sections. Landslides & muddy paths can affect travel conditions, and clouds often hide mountain views.
Related: Best Time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Before starting the ABC Trek with Helicopter Return, trekkers must obtain two required permits. These permits are needed to enter the trekking area legally and are checked at different checkpoints along the route.
Related: Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit
During the Trek, you will stay in local teahouses along the trekking route. At lower villages such as Chhomrong and Sinuwa, teahouses usually have better facilities. Rooms are commonly available with twin beds, mattresses, blankets & pillows. Few of the lodges have attached bathrooms, but shared bathrooms are more common. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging facilities are available in many places for an additional cost, usually around NPR 200 to 400 per service.
As you move higher toward Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp, the facilities become more basic. Rooms are mostly shared with common bathrooms, and services become limited because of the remote location and high altitude. At these stops, trekkers mainly stay for rest, meals, & a good night's sleep.
The helicopter return takes place after reaching the base camp, so you do not need to spend extra nights on the trail while descending. After landing in Pokhara, you can return to a hotel with more comfortable facilities.
During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return, High Route Adventure provides three meals a day during the trekking period: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are served at local teahouses along the route.
As you climb higher, food choices become more limited because supplies are transported by porters and local carriers. Prices also increase at places like Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp due to the difficulty of bringing food to these areas.
We also recommend carrying small snacks such as chocolate bars, energy bars, dry fruits, & nuts. These are useful during long walking sections when you need quick energy between meals.
Read in details: Food and accommodation on Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Although the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is shorter than the usual ABC trek, you still reach 4,130 meters, where the lower oxygen level can affect some trekkers. Altitude sickness can happen to anyone, regardless of age or fitness, especially if the body does not adjust well to the increase in elevation.
Mild symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms often begin after reaching higher elevations.
Drink plenty of water throughout the trek, eat regular meals, avoid alcohol & smoking, and maintain a comfortable walking pace instead of rushing. Getting enough rest each night also helps your body adjust to the altitude.
Do not ignore severe symptoms such as persistent vomiting, difficulty walking, or breathing problems while resting. Inform your guide immediately. The safest treatment for serious altitude sickness is to descend to a lower elevation and seek medical attention if necessary.
Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return package includes a licensed trekking guide and porter. Your guide leads the trek, manages daily arrangements, assists with communication at teahouses, monitors your condition as you gain altitude, and helps coordinate the heli return.
Your porter carries the main trekking bag, allowing you to walk with only a daypack containing your personal essentials. This makes the long uphill sections from Chhomrong to Annapurna Base Camp more comfortable and helps reduce physical fatigue during the trek.
Our guides are familiar with the Annapurna Base Camp route, local weather conditions, and trail logistics. They can also assist in unexpected situations such as sudden weather changes, minor injuries, or altitude-related symptoms, ensuring you receive timely support throughout the journey.
Mobile network coverage is available in many parts of the Annapurna Base Camp route, but it becomes weaker as you move higher. Areas like Chhomrong and lower villages usually have better connectivity, while sections near Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, & Annapurna Base Camp may have limited or no signal. Every teahouse provides Wi-Fi for an additional cost, but the connection can be slow.
For emergencies, helicopter rescue is the main option in the Annapurna region, especially for altitude-related problems, injuries, or serious health conditions. The rescue process depends on weather conditions and accessibility. Having travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is strongly recommended before starting the trek.
During the trek, our guide stays with you and monitors your condition, trail conditions, & weather situation. If any serious issue occurs, we coordinate with the necessary local support teams & arrange the required assistance.
We highly recommend travel insurance for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return. Your policy must cover high altitude trekking at 4,130 meters, as your trek ends at ABC.
Before you book your trip, make sure your insurance includes emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment, hospitalization and trip delays or cancellations due to weather. This package includes a scheduled helicopter flight back to Pokhara, but emergency rescue flights are separate and should be covered by your insurance policy.
Weather conditions in the mountains can change rapidly, and helicopter flights can be delayed due to poor visibility or high winds. If your travel plans change due to weather or a medical emergency, a good insurance policy can cover unexpected expenses.
Bring a copy of your insurance policy along with emergency contact details with you to Nepal. If you're not sure whether your policy covers trekking above 4,000 metres, contact your insurance provider before you travel.
Travelers who do not have insurance before arriving in Nepal can also purchase a suitable policy locally. Our team can assist you with the necessary information and guidance if you need help arranging travel insurance for your trek.
ABC Trek + Heli Return - Packing List
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Real experiences shared by trekkers and travelers who joined our trips.
Coming from Dubai, this was my first real mountain trek, and doing it in 4 days with a helicopter return made it manageable for a beginner like me. The Sanctuary itself is breathtaking – a natural bowl surrounded by 7,000m peaks. The chopper ride was the most thrilling ten minutes of my life, weaving between cliffs and clouds. A few more rest stops on day one would have helped, but overall an incredible trip
A brilliant compromise between adventure and convenience. We pushed hard through Chomrong’s endless stairs and Himalaya Hotel before reaching ABC on the third morning — the sunrise over the Sanctuary was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Flying out instead of walking back gave us extra time to relax by Phewa Lake in Pokhara. Worth every rupee.
Efficient and unforgettable. As someone who could only get 5 days off work, this itinerary was ideal. The trek itself was steep and humid lower down, then cold and thin-aired higher up — quite the contrast. The helicopter ride back was the highlight for my husband, who filmed the entire Annapurna Sanctuary from above. Worth the extra cost for the time saved.
Una experiencia brutal — bribing my legs the whole way up, but so worth it! Coming from flat Buenos Aires, the altitude gain was no joke, but our guide paced us well. Landing back in Pokhara by helicopter after standing at the base of Annapurna that same morning felt surreal, like time-traveling. Highly recommend for anyone with limited vacation days
Intense mais magnifique — intense but beautiful! Four days meant a fast pace, so fitness is a must. The trail through the rhododendron forest and Modi Khola gorge was gorgeous, and reaching base camp felt like stepping into an amphitheater of ice giants. The helicopter return was smooth, though weather delayed us by two hours — pack a buffer day if you can.
Perfect for those short on time but not short on ambition! We hiked up through Bamboo, Dovan, and Deurali, reaching ABC on day three, then flew back to Pokhara by helicopter — saved us a solid 3 days of knee-punishing descent. Watching Annapurna and Machapuchare up close at sunrise was unreal, and the chopper ride over the valleys afterward was basically a bonus tour.
