Best Season for Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
Choosing a good season is necessary for any Heli tour. It reduces the risk & dangers of flying in freezing temperatures. It would ensure there are no disturbances as the Heli tour will need a calm and clear sky. That’s why your trip will be confirmed one day before your actual date. It means after analyzing the climate & temperature of the next day.
So, the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp helicopter tour is September to December and March to May. They signify Autumn and Spring seasons respectively. These are the times when there is less chance of foggy weather and an unpleasant climate. During autumn, the contrast of scenery is absolutely amazing. There is no disturbance in the sky, only beautiful views of mount range & unique moraines.
While in spring, the vibrant colors of nature are the main attraction. There are blooming buds in every forested area and their view from the top is inexplicable.
However, you can opt for ABC Helicopter Tour is doable every season whenever the sky is clear & fair. Nothing will stop you from experiencing beautiful views of peaks.
What you need to remember is that the weather in the Annapurna region is unpredictable. It may vary within hours. Hence, there can be cancellations of flight. You don’t have to bother much in such cases. We have covered plans for those kinds of emergencies.
Few Things to Know Before ABC Helicopter Tour
1. Weather and Climate
This factor is a primary one as the whole journey depends on weather & climate. So, it’s better to be updated about weather conditions and seasonal changes the region has. The climatic condition of Annapurna highly depends on the season you visit. The peculiar season includes Spring, Monsoon, Autumn, and Winter.
Spring season (March to May) has moderate weather amongst all. And it is considered to be the best time to take heli tours in the Annapurna region. Visibility is clear and the view of majestic peaks is stunning. Nature blooms in vibrant colors and appears breathtaking from soaring altitudes.
Monsoon (June to early September) has rainy weather most of the time. Due to mist and clouds, most of the time the views are not clear. Also, there is a lot of risk in taking flights. Thus, this time is not preferable for the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
Autumn season (September to November) is perfect timing for heli tours. The weather is neither too cold nor hot then. There are no disturbances in flight and you can witness alluring snow-capped mountains.
Last one is the Winter season (December to February), the coldest time of all. It is when the temperature falls below freezing point. You can expect chilly winds and heavy snowfalls. But if you’re able to get takeoff, the scenery within lofty Himalayas is outstanding.
2. Clothing
Your journey on this helicopter tour will be 100% comfortable. You don’t have to worry about heavy packing, big bags, or any special preps. However, clothing is something you can’t ignore even when you are taking a flight.
The dress you wear would depend on the season you are touring. In the cold season, you might have to wear layers while in normal time, casual wear is fine.
But remember you will be flying below the freezing temperatures and at high altitude. Thus, here are some recommended clothing gears for Annapurna Base Camp Heli Tour:
- A windproof down jacket for protecting you against high altitudinal strong winds
- Warm windproof Trousers and Long/Short Sleeve T-shirts
- Sunscreen cream with SPF greater than 30 to protect you against the threatening UV rays
- 100% UV Rays protected Sunglasses to protect your eyes from snow reflections
- Winter Gloves, Scarves, and Hats to keep your body parts protected from cold
- Water Bottles and Snacks to keep Altitude Sickness away
- Toilet papers and other toiletries in cases of emergency.
- Cameras, cell phones, and recorders to capture the stunning mountains scenery
- Lip balms to moisturize and protect lips from chapping and harmful sun rays
3. Age-limit for Heli Tour
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour is possible for people of all ages. Any individual wishing to witness the Himalayas up close can come on board. You wouldn’t have to worry much about the preparation or any special trekking gears.
Thus, even the ones with physical disabilities can opt for this beautiful and worthwhile experience. However, basic preparations like clothing, positive mentality is always a must.
4. Maximum Number of People to Take the Tour
Helicopter tours provide the pleasure of private tours and group tours with your family and friends. Please note that our tours are on a charter basis. Feel free to contact us to accommodate your needs and customize your trip.
Private Heli tour lets you explore the high Himalayas one-on-one. This option is great for solo travelers who love to experience the heli tour in an exclusive and luxurious way.
While, if you have your own group or want to share your space with others, Group Heli Tour is a good choice. What you expect from this tour is you get to meet a lot of other travelers and have an amazing journey together. The maximum number of people in the group would be from two to six people depending on the helicopter you ride.
5. Total Time for ABC Heli Tour
The flight from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp and vice versa will take about three to four hours. You will have ample time enjoying the scenery, picture-taking, and eating your breakfast at its teahouse. Since you do have the option to fly ABC from Pokhara, you can choose the one best for you. From Pokhara, the calculated time will be less by one hour.
6. Learning More About The Helicopter & Pilots
We have trained pilots who can speak good English. They know and will tell you more about each destination during the helicopter tour. Please don’t hesitate to ask your pilot questions to learn more about Nepal. You can enrich your knowledge related to the region’s culture and traditions this way.
Some Useful Information about Helicopters
There are four types of helicopters available for the tour. All of these helicopters have double rooms and wide cabins. The use of these models will depend on the area and altitude. These helicopters also are the most versatile ones and are suitable for high altitude flying.
Model AS250 H125
- Manufactured by Airbus, France in January 2015.
- Engine type is Aerial 2D.
- Can carry 7 passengers.
- Has a maximum take-off weight of 2250 kilograms
- Can operate at an altitude of 7010m/23,000 ft.
Model AS350B3E
- Manufactured by Airbus, France.
- Engine type Aerial 2D.
- Can carry 6 passengers on low land, 5 people on Highland (Excluding Pilot)
- Has a maximum takeoff weight of 2250 kilograms
- Can operate at an altitude of 7010m/ 23000 ft.
Model AS350 FXII
- Manufactured by Airbus, France.
- Engine type is LTS-101-700D2
- Can carry 7 passengers.
- Has a maximum takeoff weight of 2250 kilograms.
- Can operate at an altitude of 5791m/19,000 ft.
Model Bell Jet Ranger 206B III-9N-ALL
- Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, USA.
- Engine type is 206B-3.
- Can carry 7 passengers.
- Can operate at an altitude of 7010m/23,000 ft.
- Has a maximum takeoff weight of 675 kilograms.
7. Several Customized Options
You can customize Annapurna Base Camp Tour in many ways. For example, you have the option of trekking to ABC and returning via helicopter. It offers a complete adventurous journey to Annapurna Tour.
You will walk past traditional villages on foot and be close to soaring Himalayas. Then, you can take a helicopter back from the vantage point. This way you can complete your whole journey without taking much time and effort.
Besides this, there are other ways to customize your trips. Contact us for more add-on and to make your itinerary flexible.
8. Miscellaneous Information
There are few other things to remember for the Annapurna Base Camp Heli Tour. They are:
- There is no toilet on board. So, if you have to be patient enough to wait until the helicopter rests at its landing point.
- There are chances you can feel a little claustrophobic at first while onboarding. But once your helicopter takes off the beautiful scenery will make you forget everything.
- You must have a valid passport and visa on the day of travel.
- There might be no age barriers but travelers shouldn’t have any heart problems or any serious medical conditions.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness
- Alike, due to bad weather, sometimes the flight gets delayed or canceled. At such a time, the visibility would be so poor. Thus, it is better to plan one or two days extra for safety. In such an emergency case, we will reschedule your flight for the next possible day.
With all these details, do remember we take enough precautions and all possible safety measures. For us, your safety and comfort come first. We make sure of it by arranging reliable helicopters along with our experienced pilots. We do have oxygen tanks in helicopters too. The level of oxygen drops as you cross altitude of 3000 meters. So, you may need to use the tanks to adapt yourself to the environment.
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