How Difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is one of those trekking routes that falls between moderate and difficult level. It doesn’t involve mountain climbing but it still requires a good level of fitness and good determination as well. Every day you have to spend at least 5 to 8 hours walking in the high altitude through the trails that include steep ups, steep downs and all kinds of rugged terrain. The highest altitude that you reach in this trekking route is the Annapurna Base Camp, which is located at 4,130 m which can cause altitude sickness if you are not careful enough.
Another challenging part of the trail is the long stone stairway starting from Nayapul to Ulleri. As for the part from Dovan to ABC, you have to maintain endurance at a certain level as the altitude grows rapidly. If you hire a good guide and prepare properly, most of the average fit trekkers can easily pass through.
Past experience of previous treks is helpful but is not necessary. If you are involved in sports such as jogging, mountain climbing, cycling, or even go to the gym regularly, you can be sure about your excellent preparation for this trip. Even for those who come for the first time can succeed the ascent to Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek.
The good news is that after completing the trek by reaching the base camp of Annapurna, you don’t have to walk all the way back. Instead, you will take a scenic flight which remove the most exhausting part of the trek.
Preparation for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Proper preparation is really what separated a very successfully trek from an unsuccessful one. It is always recommended to start your physical training 2 to 3 months before your trek. For your training, you should mainly focus on cardiovascular exercise. like walking, stair climbing, running and hiking with a backpack. What you need is a strong leg muscle and good stamina for that long walk.
Mental preparation is equally important as physical one. Some days will be simply tiring that don’t want to wake up or even move a single step. But you have to keep on going while enjoying the slow rhythm, relying on your guide and being happy for every minute of the trip.
Knowing about Altitude sickness is key knowledge for the ABC Trek with Helicopter Return. Be aware of the first signs of acute mountain sickness such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and exhaustion. Stick to one important rule: if you have symptoms, you should not climb up anymore. Drink a lot of water on the trekking trip and don’t drink alcohol at all when you’re at higher altitude.
Preparation of your gear is another crucial item. Make sure to get yourself a pair of waterproof trekking boots and it need to be used before Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek because new boots can give blister and that would be very painful. Moisture-wicking base layer clothes, fleece, down jacket, waterproof outer jacket, trekking poles, and a good daypack should be included into your kit. And don’t pack too much, carry only necessary thing even though your porter carries most of your stuff anyway.
Visa and Permit
All international trekkers must have some documents before setting out for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return.
Nepal Tourist Visa: Every foreign tourist must have a valid tourist visa upon landing which can be obtained through Tribhuvan Internation Airport. The cost of the visa for 30 days is $50 and for 15 days is $30.
ACAP Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): The ACAP permit is compulsory for every trekker who wishes to trek in Annapurna Region. The cost of this permit is 3000 for foreigner and 1000 for SAARC nationals.
TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System): The Tims card is used to track the location and ensure safety of trekkers and is required for all trekkers which cost $20 per person and $10 if you are going through a trekking agency.
At Epic Trek Nepal, we arrange all permit and documents on your behalf. So, you can focus only on the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek part.
Mobile Network, Internet and Charging Facilities
Staying connected during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is possible but there will be time when the connection is very limited and unreliable. But that is the not the problem here because you are here to enjoy the trek not to scroll on social media.
Even after all of this, you still want to stay connected for updating your family or watching some news then you can use mobile network (NCELL or NTC) which is reliable enough to handle basic things in the initial part of trek route such as Pokhara, Nayapul, Ulleri, Ghorepani and Chhomrong. After reaching base of Annapurna don’t expect any connectivity.
There is availability of Wi-Fi at most of the teahouses, but it is also unreliable, so lower your expectation. The speed is slow and inconsistent and cost around $1 to $3 for using WiFi. In lower village the Wifi works better enough to do some searching, watching video, calling but not in the higher altitude. You should always ensure that you have your offline maps, games and other essential document before leaving Pokhara.
The facilities for charging are available at all the tea houses on the trail. But then again, most of the lodges would require you to pay a little extra amount in the range of NPR 200 to 500 for each device for charging. After Dovan, the electricity becomes less reliable and more dependent on solar panel. One of the best decisions you can make on the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek is to carry an efficient power bank which has sufficient capacity. You should always keep a minimum of one power bank that can charge your phone at least twice.
Don’t do on the Trip
Apart from things that you need to do, there are certain things that you need to avoid when getting ready for Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek. There are few common mistakes which one needs to avoid for smooth running of the things.
Do not ignore signs of altitude sickness. The signs of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, difficulty in breathing and dizziness and if you feel any of these inform your guide or descend immediately if symptoms worsen.
Make sure that you have extra day because your helicopter ride from depends on weather conditions. These rides can be either postponed or even cancelled at all without any prior notice which can extend the trek than expected.
Do not leave trash behind. Annapurna region is incredibly fragile and sensitive to the natural environment. Respect natural environment when trekking and at the helicopter landing place in Annapurna.
Make sure that you do not go without having any insurance. Normal insurance does not cover such activities as high-altitude trekking and helicopter rides at all. You have to check whether your insurance covers these two activities. Insurance is absolutely necessary for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return.
Do not overload yourself with too many things. In case you have really heavy backpack, the hike at the high altitude will be much harder for you. Pack only what you will definitely need.
Travel Insurance
There is no room for debate here, travel insurance is an absolute requirement for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return. These mountains route can be extremely unpredictable, and anything can happen to even well-prepared travelers. Insurance is an extra layer of safety for handling unpredictable situation.
The insurance that you buy should include coverage for high altitude trekking up to 4,500m. You will be surprised that many general travel insurance companies do not cover high altitude trekking, so you need to look out for the details. Your insurance should cover evacuation by helicopter. This is literally the one coverage that you absolutely need in this trek. It costs somewhere from USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 without insurance.
Also, your insurance needs to have trip cancellation and trip interruption, lost or delayed baggage, and emergency medical treatment and hospitalization covered. There are very few medical facilities available in the area you will be trekking in. In case of a real emergency, there will be the need for evacuation to either Pokhara or Kathmandu, and the charges will skyrocket.
It is important to buy your travel insurance before leaving your own country. Always ensure you have the details of your insurance on the trail, both electronically and in hard copy. Also give your insurance details to your guide as well as your family back home.
There are several trusted international insurance companies that offer good adventure trekking insurance for Nepal. World Nomads and True Traveller are some of the most preferred ones by trekkers taking the ABC Trek with Helicopter Return. Ensure you choose the insurance that covers all your activities and the altitudes you will be reaching.
Health and Safety on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Your health and safety need to be your topmost priorities during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Heli Return. This is an amazing trek, but it still requires respect to the challenging mountain route and your body as well.
High altitude sickness is by far the most serious problem that can affect trekkers on this trek. Anyone could suffer from high altitude sickness if they are irresponsible. Symptoms include persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. If you feel any of these take immediate action to get back to lower elevations. Your guide will keep an eye on your condition throughout the course of the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek.
Water intake and healthy food habits are extremely important when you are trekking at high altitudes. You should drink three to four liters of water per day and eat warm and carbohydrate rich food even if you are not feeling hungry.
Even though your guide will carry a first aid kit, it doesn’t affect you to carry your own personal first aid kit with blister plasters, rehydration salts, painkillers, anti-diarrheal medication, and Diamox.
The medical facilities available in the region are highly limited. Any serious case will require an immediate evacuation via helicopter transport to either Pokhara or Kathmandu. For that reason, it is extremely important to get proper insurance when doing the ABC Trek with Helicopter Return.
It is also crucial to be aware of the current weather conditions on the trail since the conditions might change instantly in the mountains during the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek. It is necessary to wake up early and always follow the recommendations of the guide and never put yourself in danger by trying to make it to some place in bad weather conditions.
Sun protection and warm clothes are necessary because the UV level in the region is extremely high and you should apply sun protection lotions, use good quality sunglasses and hats. It is very cold in the night, and all trekkers should wear enough warm clothes in the evenings.
After all, the mountain will reward those who are prepared and trek with little patience. Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is one of the best treks in Nepal and if you prepared with an experienced guide, then this will not only be a safe trek but one that will stay with you for life. All you need is to respect the mountain, listen to your body and follow the rules.
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