Skip to content
Charter Nepal

Private helicopter tour · Pokhara – Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Pokhara

Just twenty minutes from Pokhara's lakeside to the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre stand all around the landing at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), and breakfast is waiting when you get back.

Highest point
4,130 m
Length
About 1½ to 2 hours
Passengers
Up to 5
Price
US$2,400 per helicopter
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Pokhara

Walkers take a week to reach the Annapurna Sanctuary. The helicopter does it in about twenty minutes, flying up the Modi Khola gorge past the fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre and landing in the bowl of peaks at Annapurna Base Camp.

You'll have 15 to 20 minutes on the ground. In front of you is the south face of Annapurna I, which at 8,091 m is the tenth-highest mountain on earth, and all around are Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre. There's usually time for a hot drink at one of the lodges.

Heading home, you can ask the pilot for a loop over the World Peace Pagoda and Phewa Lake before touching down in Pokhara. Staying in Kathmandu? We can start from there too. The flight is longer and the price changes, so just ask us.

Facts

Duration
About 1½ to 2 hours
Flight time
About 20 minutes each way
Highest landing
Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m
Passengers
1 to 5 per helicopter
Starts
About 6:30, pickup in Pokhara
Best months
October to December, March to May

Highlights

  • Landing in the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m
  • Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre on every side
  • 15–20 minutes on the ground
  • Back in Pokhara in time for breakfast

Flight route and altitude

Highest point 4,130 m

  1. 1Pokhara 822 mPokhara airport
  2. 2Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 mLanding, 15–20 minutes
  3. 3Phewa Lake 1,200 mFly-past on request
  4. 4Pokhara 822 mBack by breakfast

How the day goes

  1. Into the Sanctuary

    • We'll pick you up from your Pokhara hotel at about 6:30 for the short drive to the airport.
    • Fly north up the Modi Khola gorge, with Machhapuchhre straight ahead.
    • Land at Annapurna Base Camp and spend 15 to 20 minutes there.

  2. Back to Pokhara

    • Fly back over the gorge, with a loop over Phewa Lake if you'd like one.
    • Land in Pokhara and transfer back to your hotel.
  • Helicopter landed on snow below a high mountain face
    Helicopter landed on snow below a high mountain face

What's included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Pokhara
  • The helicopter, pilot and ground crew
  • Fuel, landing fees and airport taxes
  • Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit
  • Passenger insurance, carried by the helicopter operator

Not included

  • Your Nepal visa
  • Your own travel insurance (do check that it covers helicopter flights)
  • Tips
  • Any drinks at the base camp lodges

Good to know

Pickup
Your Pokhara hotel, in Lakeside or anywhere else in the city.
Before you fly
  • In the Himalaya, helicopters fly on weight rather than seats. Please tell us everyone's weight when you book, and bring just one small bag each.
  • Flights leave early, while the mountain air is at its clearest. Safety is the pilot's call: if conditions aren't right, you'll fly on the next clear morning instead, or have your money back in full.
Weather and cancellation
If the weather grounds your flight, you can pick another day or take a full refund. Should you cancel with more than 10 days still to go, you'll get 50% back. Within 10 days of the flight, or once the trip has started, there's no refund. Booking terms

New to mountain flights? Read about altitude and safety and the best months to fly.

Questions

Can we fly from Kathmandu instead?

Yes. It takes longer (about 1½ hours to Pokhara first) and costs more. Send us your date and we'll give you a quote.

Is 4,130 m too high for a short visit?

For most healthy people, no: you're only up there for 15 to 20 minutes. Just walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

Other flights you might like

  • Most of a day▲ 3,840 m

    Kathmandu – Pokhara – Jomsom – Lo Manthang

    Upper Mustang Helicopter Tour to Lo Manthang

    Fly up the Kali Gandaki gorge, with Dhaulagiri on one side and Annapurna on the other, to the high desert of Lo, once a kingdom of its own. You'll land at the walled city of Lo Manthang (3,840 m), home to monasteries from the 15th century.

    Price on request

  • About 3 to 4 hours▲ 3,870 m

    Kathmandu – Kyanjin Gompa – Kathmandu

    Langtang Valley Helicopter Tour to Kyanjin Gompa

    The big mountains closest to Kathmandu, less than an hour away. Fly up the Langtang valley to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m), wander round the old monastery and the cheese factory, and be back in the city by lunch.

    from US$3,300per helicopter

  • About 4 to 5 hours▲ 5,545 m

    Kathmandu – Kala Patthar – Syangboche

    Shared Everest Helicopter Tour: Join a Flight

    Travelling alone or as a couple? Rather than book the whole helicopter, take a seat on a shared Everest flight. It's the same route, the same Kala Patthar landing and the same breakfast at Hotel Everest View, paid per person.

    from US$1,250per person

from US$2,400per helicopter

Check dates