Annapurna Circuit Trekking : A Transformational Trek for Women

Upon arrival at Kathmandu's Nepal International Airport, you will be welcomed by our team of female staff and guides. A short drive takes you in the hub of Kathmandu city around Thamel area to your hotels. After checking into your lovely rooms, getting refreshed from the Jet Lag. Later, join with other members of the Annapurna Circuit Trek at meeting room for briefing. Our female guide or group leader will provide information about the treks, local lodges, and food options. The briefing will includes a wide range of information to make your holiday meaningful and enjoyable. Overnight at Hotel.

The day begins with breakfast, followed by visits to two significant sites: Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. The tour is escorted by a government certified female tour guide. 

Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located by the Bagmati River, it hosts Hindu cremation ceremonies and is especially important during Shivaratri, attracting numerous pilgrims.

After breakfast, we'll visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of Nepal's largest stupas, positioned east of Kathmandu. It's notable for its significant size and height, as well as its four pairs of eyes representing Mahayana Buddhist principles. Following a quick city tour, we'll return to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's trek. The overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Early morning we depart from the hotel, for an exciting overland journey to Bhesishar Town, for first overnight beyond Kathmandu. The drive follows lower warm farm villages 

and towns, then diverts from the main Pokhara and Kathmandu highway to reach Besisahar. 

Bhesishar is the headquarters town of Lamjung district. In Besisahar, we spend a few minutes for dropping off the passengers. The driving distance to Bhesishar from Kathmandu is approx. 176 km / 109 miles.
We then begin another interesting drive from Bhesishar towards high Manang areas. The drive follows Masrsyangdi River to Syange village, and then on winding uphill to Jagat, Chamje. Upon reaching Tal Besi village, you will enter the Manang region and continue on to Dharapani village for your first overnight stay in the mountainous landscape. Dharapani village offers many good lodge for trekkers, which is at junction of Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit routes. From here the air gets cooler within coniferous forest of pines and rhododendrons trees. The driving distance from Bhesishar to Dharapani Village in Manang district is approx. 35 km /19.7 miles. Female guides and porters support you in every way, making travel easier with a familiar companion by your side. With them, you can openly share personal thoughts and challenges, creating a journey that feels both safe and empowering.

Today is the first day of our trek and we start from Dharapani, following a pleasant wide trail within cool shade of lovely forest. As the walk continues, you will arrive at the small village of Bagarchap, where you can enjoy views of the Annapurna peaks. Then, continuing on the trail, you will head to Danque village, known for its apple orchards, before making a steep climb to Timang.

Timang is a large village of mixed Gurung and Magar hill tribes with glorious views of Manaslu and Lamjung Himal. At Timang, you can stop for lunch at one of the nice restaurants before spending the afternoon walking down to the Marsyangdi River. Following the forested path to Kodo village, where route to Upper Manang and Nar Phu trail splits. 

From Kodo, a short gradual climb reaches Chame, a large town and headquarters of Manang district. Enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge, having time to explore the town with views of Lamjung Himal North Face. The walking distance from Dharapani to Chame Town is approx. 16 km / 10 miles.  (walking distance is much shorter than on drives).

In the morning, start from Chame and cross a bridge, then follow the forested trail to Brathang village. The walk leads to cross the bridge over the same Masrsyangdi River, and then climb up to a ridge. The hilltop is called Dukure Pokhari, with few lodges and shops which is a nice place for lunch with views of majestic Pisang Peak. The afternoon walk leads down to a flat valley and then reaches Pisang village for a short rest. From here, leave the main trail of the Annapurna Circuit and ascend to Upper Pisang, located high above Pisang village. Enjoy the overnight in a nice simple lodge with grand views of Pisang Peak and Chulus, including the Annapurna Himalayan range. The walking distance from Chame to Upper Pisang is approx. 13.7 km / 8.5 miles.

After a pleasant overnight in Pisang Village with glorious views of Annapurna Himalayas, including Pisang and Chulu’s peaks we begin our journey from Upper Pisang. From Upper Pisang, you can enjoy a pleasant walk away from the main motorable road. You will also have an opportunity for scenic views of the massif Annapurna Himalayas. As the walk follows above Hongde, a village with a small airstrip, the higher path then leads to Braga. At Braga, we do a short tour of the old Braga monastery, enriched with old relics of Buddhism. The interior of the monastery is filled with idols of famous saints and gurus. From the monastery atop Braga village, enjoy the views of Annapurna and Chulu Himal range.

After enjoying a short visit of the monastery, head down on the main trail. We then walk for an hour to reach Manang. The main village of Upper Manang areas are adorned with typical Tibetan style houses which serve as excellent lodges and restaurants. On reaching the village, enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge accommodation with good food menus. The walking distance from Upper Pisang to Manang Village is approx. 15.7 km/ 9.7 miles. 

At Manang enjoy a free day for acclimatization and take a hike to Gangapurna Himal Ice fall. The walk route leads down to Masrsyangdi River crossing the bridge, a short climb on top of a high ridge. A scenic hill top for grand views of Gangapurna Himal Ice-Fall and glaciers. It also offers a close views of Annapurna II and III, with Chulu peaks. Afternoon at leisure, explore the village, where most houses are built in Tibetan tradition. The local natives of Manang were migrated from Tibet more than 400 years ago, as you can notice colorful culture and custom similar to its Tibetan predecessors. 

You also have an option for a visit to High Ice Lake and 11th Century Saint Milarepa Meditation Cave. It requires a long distance walk to reach these places. The round trip takes more than 5-6 hours and can be quite tiring due to the high altitude.

On your rest day in Manang, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the daily lives of the local women, who are known for their kindness and helpfulness. 

From Manang village, we begin a short day walks of few hours to reach Yak Kharka for lunch and overnight. The path starts with gradual climb towards a smaller settlement with 

views of Chulu West peak. Slowly the morning walk completes reaching a wide valley at Yak Kharka. A lovely scenic spot with several good lodges, enjoy lunch with views of Gangapurna Himal, and array of peaks. Spend the night in a cozy lodge at Yak Kharka, with the afternoon free for short, refreshing walks. The walking distance  from Manang village to Yak Kharka on a pleasant gradual uphill trail is approx. 10 km / 6.5 miles.

Another short day walk, but quite strenuous due to rise in altitude, morning starts on a pleasant path to Ledar. Ledar is a place with few good lodges, from here on gradual winding trail, then down to a stream. After crossing a bridge, take a short climb then walk on gentle path to Thorang Phedi. Phedi, bottom of Thorang-La Pass, stopping here for short rest and then end the day with an hour steep climb to Thorang High Camp for lunch and overnight halt. The walking distance from Yak Kharka to High Camp is 8 km / 5 miles and it is the highest overnight stop of the adventure.

Today is a big day of the adventure. Start the morning with an early breakfast, then start the morning walk on a level, winding path. As the walk progresses, continue with a steady climb along an undulating, winding trail until you reach the top of Thorong-La Pass. The highest point of the adventure at 5,416 m / 17,700 feet high. The top is festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags. Enjoy the panorama of Chulu peaks with Damodar Himal, which includes views of Annapurna Himalaya and Dhaulagiri Mountain range. From the top, we walk a long descend to the bottom at another Phedi within Mustang district. Have a short rest or enjoy lunch break at Phedi. In Phedi, there are a few small tea houses and restaurants. In the afternoon, enjoy a gradual walk to Muktinath, situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters, for an overnight stop. A holy spot for all Hindus, the word Muktinath means ‘Liberation’ to be free from the life cycle. At Muktinath, you will be transferred into one of the nice lodges with excellent views of Tilicho, Nilgiri’s and Dhaulagiri mountain range. The walking distance from Thorang High Camp to Rani-Pawa, the village within Muktinath and Mustang area is 15 kilometers / 9.5 miles.

Celebrate your incredible achievement of crossing Thorong La Pass alongside your female friends, guides, and porters. This special day highlights the strength and determination of females as you celebrate together the achievement of crossing the highest pass.

In the morning, take time for a visit and prayer at Muktinath, a site steeped in history and ancient purity. For more than 2,300 years, Hindus and Buddhists have come on a pilgrimage to this holy site, drawn by its natural power. 

The visit leads to the Temple of Muktinath and 108 water spouts, which are also the source of Kaligandaki River. Pilgrims also search for fossil called Shaligram (ammonite) in this place. Saligrams is a small rounded rocks, if split open they reveal the imprint of ammonites formed 140 million years ago. Because of its wheel-like shape the Shaligram is associated with the Hindu god Vishnu. 

Muktinath area offers grand views of Dhaulagiri, including Tilicho and Nilgiri’s peaks. After a holy visit of Muktinath, walk down to Kagbeni, an exciting village to experience. The village of strong Tibetan influence, as well the entrance to Upper Mustang the Restricted Area in Nepal.

From here a short walk to Eklay Bhatti, the junction to Jomsom, Muktinath and Kagbeni. After a short rest with possible lunch break, continue walk along the valley floor of Kaligandaki River. The walk slowly ends on reaching Jomsom for overnight stop. Jomsom is located on the Old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade route of Nepal and Tibet. The areas around Jomsom and Kaligandaki Valley is famous for apples, the route is also called Apple as the Pie Trail. Enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge, having time to explore the Jomsom Town. The main inhabitants of Jomsom are Thakali. The tribes of Kaligandaki of Lower Mustang follows Buddhist religion. Witness the resilience and dedication in the daily lives of the women in Jomsom, and let it inspire you to support their journey toward empowerment and equality. The distance from the village of Rani-Pawa, Muktinath to Jomsom Town is 18 km/11 miles.

After a breakfast, we take a short walk to Jomsom airport for scenic and short flight to beautiful Pokhara. The scenic flight offers a views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan peaks, as the aircraft lands at Pokhara. Pokhara is one of the most sought touristic destinations in all Himalayas, a picturesque city overlooking views of the massive Annapurna Himalaya. The  views also include the famous and magnificent Machhapuchare Himal 'Fish Tail'. From the airport a short drive to the hotels by the serene Phewa Lake side, with time to explore beautiful Pokhara. The total distance from Jomsom to Pokhara is 155 km / 96 miles, a driving distance. But by flight with smooth short flight of less than 30 minutes. 

In the morning you will catch the last views of Annapurna Himalaya with majestic Machhapuchare Himal or Fish Tail, and then transfer to Pokhara airport for smooth short flight to Kathmandu. You will be back within the hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu after a great adventure and wonderful experience on Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs or join in for a short tour around places of great interest.

A free day in Kathmandu to enjoy relaxing moments and for individual activities and shopping spree. You can shop for souvenirs from Nepal from handicrafts to jewelers etc. Interested people can opt for another exciting tour of Patan and Bhaktapur cities on request.

Last day in Kathmandu and Nepal, after an overwhelming adventure and experience around the Annapurna Himalayas. As time for your international flight, our lady guide and staff will transfer you to the airport. Then bid farewell to Nepal, guide, and staff; as you enter the air terminal for homeward bound or to next port of call.