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Combine days of classic Himalayan trekking with a jaw-dropping helicopter descent: this 8-day Annapurna Base Camp heli trek moves from terraced farms to an alpine amphitheater at 4,130 m. Expect long stone steps, rhododendron forests, Poon Hill sunrise and a 40-minute scenic flight back to Pokhara.
Combine days of classic Himalayan trekking with a jaw-dropping helicopter descent: this 8-day Annapurna Base Camp heli trek moves from terraced farms to an alpine amphitheater at 4,130 m. Expect long stone steps, rhododendron forests, Poon Hill sunrise and a 40-minute scenic flight back to Pokhara.
A cold pre-dawn hush hangs over Ulleri as you tighten your boots and step onto stone staircases that have served mule trains for generations. The path climbs through terraced farms and rhododendron groves, opens to sweeping ridgelines at Ghorepani, and narrows again into bamboo-scented gullies where the Modi Khola whispers below. At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) the peaks close in and the amphitheater of rock and ice reads like a geological archive of uplift and glaciation.
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Operated by Dragon Charter Service · Pokhara, Gandaki Province
A cold pre-dawn hush hangs over Ulleri as you tighten your boots and step onto stone staircases that have served mule trains for generations. The path climbs through terraced farms and rhododendron groves, opens to sweeping ridgelines at Ghorepani, and narrows again into bamboo-scented gullies where the Modi Khola whispers below. At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) the peaks close in and the amphitheater of rock and ice reads like a geological archive of uplift and glaciation.
This route crosses cultural ground as well as alpine terrain: Gurung villages and family-run teahouses form the human thread linking Pokhara (≈820 m) to the high sanctuary. You’ll gain roughly 3,300 m over 6–7 days of walking, with daily legs of 4–7 hours over mixed surfaces—stone steps, packed dirt, river crossings and exposed scree near the base camp. Key highlights include Poon Hill’s sunrise (3,210 m), the springtime blaze of rhododendrons around Ghorepani, and the steaming Jhinu hot springs below Ghandruk.
Practicalities matter: acclimatize gradually, carry water treatment and layered clothing, and budget extra time for slow sections of stone stair and high-wind exposure. Permits (ACAP and TIMS) are required and teahouse accommodation is basic but warm; bring cash. The itinerary’s helicopter exit returns you to Pokhara in about 40 minutes—an aerial finale that frames Annapurna’s ridgelines and neighboring massifs. Spring and autumn offer the most stable weather; expect cold nights and strong sun at altitude. Plan conservatively, pack smart, and respect the fragile alpine environment.
Yes—Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS are required and usually arranged before or in Pokhara.
Expect consecutive long days with significant elevation gain; prior multi-day trekking experience and good fitness are recommended.
The helicopter typically lands at Annapurna Base Camp or a nearby high landing zone and flies directly back to Pokhara; flight is weather-dependent.
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) offer the most stable weather and best visibility; winters are colder with more snow, summers bring monsoon rains.
Dragon Charter Service operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cold pre-dawn hush hangs over Ulleri as you tighten your boots and step onto stone staircases that have served mule trains for generations. The path climbs through terraced farms and rhododendron groves, opens to sweeping ridgelines at Ghorepani, and narrows again into bamboo-scented gullies where the Modi Khola whispers below. At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) the peaks close in and the amphitheater of rock and ice reads like a geological archive of uplift and glaciation.
A cold pre-dawn hush hangs over Ulleri as you tighten your boots and step onto stone staircases that have served mule trains for generations. The path climbs through terraced farms and rhododendron groves, opens to sweeping ridgelines at Ghorepani, and narrows again into bamboo-scented gullies where the Modi Khola whispers below. At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) the peaks close in and the amphitheater of rock and ice reads like a geological archive of uplift and glaciation.
This route crosses cultural ground as well as alpine terrain: Gurung villages and family-run teahouses form the human thread linking Pokhara (≈820 m) to the high sanctuary. You’ll gain roughly 3,300 m over 6–7 days of walking, with daily legs of 4–7 hours over mixed surfaces—stone steps, packed dirt, river crossings and exposed scree near the base camp. Key highlights include Poon Hill’s sunrise (3,210 m), the springtime blaze of rhododendrons around Ghorepani, and the steaming Jhinu hot springs below Ghandruk.
Practicalities matter: acclimatize gradually, carry water treatment and layered clothing, and budget extra time for slow sections of stone stair and high-wind exposure. Permits (ACAP and TIMS) are required and teahouse accommodation is basic but warm; bring cash. The itinerary’s helicopter exit returns you to Pokhara in about 40 minutes—an aerial finale that frames Annapurna’s ridgelines and neighboring massifs. Spring and autumn offer the most stable weather; expect cold nights and strong sun at altitude. Plan conservatively, pack smart, and respect the fragile alpine environment.