Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return – 11 Days

You never know when the unexpected situation comes and put you in hearse condition whether you are professional or beginners. Our professional guides do their best to make you well with first aid support. If the situation goes worse, you will be evacuated by Helicopter. You are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation. So, before coming to Nepal, please make your travel insurance. Ask your guide to arrange a runner to the nearest communication point and inform office about requirement of a helicopter. For evacuation, we require the name of the sick person and the exact location from where helicopter can airlift you. You should not leave the place after calling Helicopter for evacuation though you are feeling better than before.

Security and a safe journey is our core objective of trekking. Our guide holds licenses issued by the Nepal Government and our staffs are local, honest, kind and genuine. But we also insist you to take care of your own personal belongings. If you are on ‘camping trek’ please take your main bag inside the tent once you reach campsite and put all bags and belongings in the middle of the tent when you feel sleepy. Your guide assigns a Sherpa on turn wise basis to guard the campsite throughout the night. If you are on ‘Tea house arrangement, never leave your baggage unattended and keep your lodge room locked when you go out. Feel safe since you are in the hands of ethical trekking company in Nepal.

Yes, insurance covering high-altitude climbing (up to 6,500m+) and emergency evacuation is mandatory for all expeditions.

Although our guides carry first aid medical kit, it is better to carry a supply of first aid items for your own personal use according to your health conditions. Here are the list of some general as well as some special medications you may require:
– Antiseptic cream (Betadine)
– Sunblock SPF 30+
– Throat lozenges
– Painkillers and anti-inflammatory such as Aspirin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen etc.
– Band-aids, bandage, compression bandage and ‘Second Skin’ for blisters
– Re-hydration salts. (Trioral, Electrobin, Oral Rehydrating Salt)
– Dextrose glucose tablets
– Water treatment tablets
– Your prescription medications
– Antibiotics for longer climbing and expedition style trips

Symptoms can appear within 1-2 hours although most often appear 6-10 hours after ascent and generally subside in 1-2 days as the body adjusts to altitude. They may reappear as you continue to go higher. Symptoms of AMS usually occur gradually and can be one or a combination of the following:
• Headache: Due to the less amount of oxygen in air, the blood influences the blood vessels to spread wide in order to supply more oxygen to the brain and which cause them to show the early symptom of AMS.
• Dopiness: The trekkers or climbers feel very sleepy but could not.
• Shortness of breath: The breathing pattern changes as the breathing becomes faster and deeper than normal in order to get enough oxygen and rapid pulse
• Loss of appetite and nausea: Despite of physical exercise, the trekkers don’t have an appetite to eat.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
If one accumulates of fluid in the lungs and mild fever then, there is a chance of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). The filling of fluid in the lungs is Pulmonary Edema. The fluid blocks the passage of fresh oxygen to get into the lungs which causes the shortage of oxygen. Though the exact reason for the HAPE has not been identified, scientists think that pressure of blood vessel around the lungs is directly proportional to the altitude. As a result the smaller blood vessels leak allowing the fluid to escape to the lungs. The treatment for the HAPE victims is to give the oxygen at the rate of 4 liters a minute, using Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC). In case of unavailability of PAC bag or oxygen, one is taken down to the low altitude which is the only way of life-saving. HAPE can also lead to unconsciousness which may also results to death in a short period of time.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
HACE is the accumulation of fluid in the brain due of the swollen blood vessels to the brain. HACE is also seen within a couple of hours and can send the patient to coma and take his/her life in just few hours likewise to HAPE. The excessive flow of blood to the brain due to the low-level oxygen causes vasodilation which eventually leads to leakage of blood vessels to the brain. A 4 to 8mg of dexamethasone is given as a first dose to those who suffer from such sickness and then 4mg Diamox is given an every six hours gap. Similarly, 2-4 liters/minute oxygen is given and one is taken to down if it is necessary.

Breathlessness
– A dry cough, developing to a wet one with blood-tinged discharge or saliva
– Tightness in the chest & blueness/darkness of face, lips & tongue
– Low fever up to 38°C/100°F
– Severe fatigue, progressing to coma

– Severe headache symptoms not relieved by painkillers or lying down
– Confusion, disorientation & drowsiness
– Nausea/vomiting
– Loss of balance or coordination
– Blurred or double vision/retinal hemorrhage

Certain medical conditions (such as respiratory disease) or medications (such as sleeping pills) can increase the risk of altitude sickness – it is important that you inform your guide of any medical conditions or medications before ascending to altitude. You can help your body to acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness by:
– Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and substances that can interfere with good delivery of oxygen to the body or cause dehydration
– Eating small, frequent meals high in carbohydrates
– Drinking plenty of water – the test of sufficient amount of water intake is ability to urinate colorless urine
– Taking it easy or have a rest. Walk at a slower pace than you would at sea level and avoid over-exertion
– Climb the mountain gradually and stop for a day or two of rest for every 600m/2000ft above 2,400m/8000ft
– Climb high but Sleep at a lower altitude if possible
– Learn how to recognize early symptoms of mountain sickness

Most travelers are able to successfully acclimatize by following the previously mentioned guidelines. However, there are instances where medical treatment is required. Ultimately, the best treatment for acute mountain sickness (AMS) is to descend to a lower altitude and rest. Early diagnosis is important. Acute mountain sickness is easier to treat in the early stages. The guide will monitor you all the time for symptoms and will pace you appropriately to minimize your exposure to AMS.Cooperating with the guide and reporting if any of the above-described symptoms are seen allows your guide to undertaking appropriate and timely action to minimize your exposure to AMS. Sufficient time for acclimatization (After 3000 meters) is also another method to minimize AMS. Following precautions can be done in order to get rid of AMS:
Don’t ascent up rapidly.
• Never use alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking.
• Drink more fluid 3-4 liters a day, clean boiled water / tea / coffee / soup / juice etc.
• Climb high and sleep low.
• Don’t go trekking alone, take guide/porter.
• Follow the advice from your guide, hotel, local people, guidebook.
• Descent if mild symptoms rapidly getting worse.
• Never leave or descent sick person along.
• Avoid getting cold.
• Take an easy and comfortable trekking route even if it is longer.
• Sleep more than normal.
Your Guide will carry some medications in First Aid Kit and may suggest for medication such as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, combination of them or specific AMS medication. Standard and effective medication for prevention of AMS is Acetazolamide (Diamox) and it may be given to help improve breathing and reduce mild symptoms. This drug can cause increased urination. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol when taking this drug.With severe cases of AMS, our guide will contact our office in Kathmandu and arrange your evacuation by helicopter. Before we accept you on the trek we will require that you purchase health and travel insurance including helicopter rescue and hospitalization.

Yes. Trekking with a licensed guide is compulsory in all Restricted Areas. For some regions, like Upper Mustang, you must also be in a group of at least two trekkers. Porters are not mandatory but are highly recommended for a more enjoyable and sustainable trekking experience.

Homestays in Nepal are generally very safe, with welcoming hosts who take pride in sharing their culture. Accommodations are basic but comfortable, often featuring clean beds, warm blankets, and shared bathrooms (some with hot showers). Meals are freshly prepared using local ingredients, with staples like dal bhat (rice and lentils), homemade pickles, and seasonal vegetables. Since many villages are off the beaten path, amenities like Wi-Fi and electricity may be limited, so packing essentials like a power bank and toiletries is recommended. Culturally, guests are expected to dress modestly, remove shoes before entering homes, and ask permission before taking photos of religious ceremonies. For those concerned about health, sticking to cooked food and bottled water minimizes risks. Reputable homestay programs work closely with local families to ensure hygiene and security, making this a rewarding and worry-free experience.

A honey hunting tour in Nepal is a thrilling adventure that showcases one of the world’s most ancient and dangerous traditions—harvesting wild honey from steep Himalayan cliffs. Indigenous Gurung and Magar communities have practiced this skill for generations, using handmade bamboo ladders, ropes, and smoke torches to collect honey from the hives of the giant Himalayan honeybee (Apis laboriosa). These expeditions take place in remote regions like Bhujung (Lamjung), Rukum, and Dolpa, where hunters perform rituals before scaling cliffs up to 300 feet high to extract the honeycombs. Visitors witness this breathtaking spectacle, often participating in pre-hunt ceremonies led by village shamans to ensure a safe harvest. Due to the seasonal nature of honey collection, tours are only available twice a year—April-May (spring harvest) and October-November (autumn harvest)—when the hives are fullest. This experience is perfect for adventure seekers, photographers, and cultural enthusiasts looking to document a vanishing tradition.

Ethical honey hunting tours in Nepal prioritize sustainability and cultural preservation. Responsible operators ensure that hunters follow traditional methods, leaving enough honey for the bees to survive and reproduce. Unlike exploitative “staged” hunts designed for tourists, authentic tours support local livelihoods by compensating hunters fairly and involving them in eco-tourism initiatives. Some organizations also reinvest profits into community projects, such as schools and health clinics. Travelers should avoid operators that over-commercialize the practice or disturb hives excessively, as this threatens both the bees and the tradition. By choosing ethical tours, visitors help preserve this UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage while ensuring that honey hunting remains a viable cultural practice for future generations.

Homestay treks in Nepal are significantly less strenuous than high-altitude expeditions like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit. Designed for cultural immersion rather than endurance, these treks typically involve 3-5 hours of walking per day on well-trodden village trails, with minimal elevation gain. Routes such as the Ghandruk Homestay Trek or the Panauti Cultural Trek are accessible to beginners, seniors, and even families with children. Since most homestays are located below 3,000 meters, altitude sickness is rarely a concern. However, some remote villages may require light uphill hiking, so a basic level of fitness is beneficial. The focus is on interaction rather than exertion—guests can take breaks, explore at their own pace, and engage in activities like farming, weaving, or cooking classes. For those seeking a relaxed yet enriching Himalayan experience without the physical demands of high-altitude trekking, homestay treks are an ideal choice.

Nepal is a paradise for trekkers, offering some of the world’s most iconic trails, from the legendary Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit to remote gems like Upper Mustang and Kanchenjunga. The country’s diverse landscapes—lush valleys, high-altitude deserts, and towering Himalayan peaks—provide unmatched adventure opportunities. Nepal is also culturally rich, with ancient monasteries, traditional villages, and warm Sherpa hospitality. Whether you seek challenging expeditions or scenic tea-house treks, Nepal caters to all levels of experience, making it a top destination for hikers, climbers, and cultural explorers alike.

Great Nepal Treks stands out for its personalized service, expert local guides, and commitment to safety and sustainability. Unlike larger commercial operators, we specialize in small-group treks (max 10 people), ensuring individual attention and a more immersive experience. Our 1:1 Sherpa support on high-altitude climbs, luxury base camp setups (heated tents, gourmet meals), and 95% summit success rate on Everest expeditions make us a trusted choice. Additionally, we prioritize eco-friendly practices, support local communities, and provide transparent pricing—no hidden costs.

The optimal trekking seasons in Nepal are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Spring brings blooming rhododendrons and stable weather, ideal for Everest and Annapurna treks. Autumn offers crystal-clear skies and post-monsoon freshness, perfect for high-altitude climbs and cultural tours. Winter (December-February) is colder but great for lower-altitude treks, while monsoon (June-August) is best avoided due to rain and landslides, except in rain-shadow regions like Upper Mustang.

While some popular routes (e.g., Poon Hill, Langtang) allow independent trekking, hiring a guide is highly recommended for safety, navigation, and cultural insights. For restricted areas (Upper Mustang, Manaslu), a guide is mandatory. Great Nepal Treks provides certified guides with wilderness first-aid training, ensuring you avoid altitude sickness, route mistakes, and language barriers with locals.

Preparation is key for high-altitude treks like Everest Base Camp or Dhaulagiri Circuit. Focus on:

• Cardio/endurance training (hiking with a loaded backpack 3x/week).
• Altitude acclimatization (choose itineraries with rest days).
• Packing essentials (layered clothing, broken-in boots, Diamox for altitude).

Great Nepal Treks offers pre-trek training guides and gear lists to help you prepare.