Nepal Trekking Adventure
October 16-27, 2024

Hosted by Shannon Keleher, Founder of Alpine Sisters!

We believe that when women come together, great things happen and that’s what our women only treks are all about!

Join us for an incredible 12-day adventure as we tackle the Annapurna Base Camp Trek together, one of the most spectacular treks in the world. Along the 45+ mile journey, you will experience the daily lives of the Nepalese people as you walk through small villages, wander through forests, pass by waterfalls and glaciers ending with incredible views as you get up close to the Annapurna Himalayan Mountain Range.

Please note this trek is difficult at high altitudes. Preparing for this trek is crucial to your success and is also important to the success of the group as a whole. You don’t need to be as fit as an athlete to undertake this trek, but you do need to dedicate up to six hours a week to training in the three months leading up to the trek. A suggested training guide will be provided to all registered guests and you will have support leading up to the trip from your Women Who Explore trip host. We can do hard things, and it’s even better done together!

This trek is in partnership with Shannon founder and owner of Alpine Sisters. At the beginning of the trip, Shannon will teach the group about the science behind mindfulness, the benefits, how to do it, and ways to incorporate it into your outdoor adventures and daily lives. For those who are interested in participating, each day of the trek to Annapurna, Shannon will lead a 12-minute Kirtan Kriya Meditation, and encourage the group to focus on a different sense while adventuring. In the evenings, she will do a short debrief to discuss everyone's experiences with those who would like to join. As a Licenced Clinical Social Worker, Shannon has a lot of experience teaching others about mindfulness.

alpine sisters logo
image of woman backpacking along river

Day 1:

Welcome to nepal!

prayer wheels in nepal

Welcome to Nepal, the land of mountains! Your trip begins with your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)  in Kathmandu. A driver will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name on it. You will be driven to your accommodations for the evening where you will have time to settle in. 

As a group we will meet up tonight to enjoy an evening getting to know each other and chatting about our big adventure ahead over a traditional Nepalese dinner.

Tonight our guide will provide us with a duffel bag that will be carried by our porters during the trek. Our guide will go over our gear to check it and then we will pack our bags before we head to bed for a good night’s rest.

Day 2:

explore pokhara

world peace pagoda in nepal

Subha Bihani! It is our first full day in Nepal! Wake up and enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Then we will check out, grab our gear and head to the airport to catch a quick 35-minute flight to Pokhara.

Once we arrive, you will be transferred to your hotel located within a short walking distance to Phewa Lake. After you settle in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. Wander through Pokhara’s museums, temples and shops, enjoy a boat ride on the lake, visit the World Peace Pagoda or try paragliding with views of the Himalayas. Tonight you will enjoy dinner at your leisure. Make sure to get some rest - tomorrow the big adventure awaits!

Day 3:

naya pul to ghandruk

small home in nepal mountains

Rise and shine….it’s adventure time! Begin your day with breakfast and a warm cup of tea before grabbing your gear and checking out. Our adventure begins with a 90-minute drive to Naya Pul. From here we will transport by bus up to the picturesque village of Ghandruk, known for its traditional stone houses and terraced fields. 

Once we settle into our accommodations, we will have free time to explore the village. 

This village is home to one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal. We highly recommend visiting the Gurung museum to learn about the Gurung people, their lifestyle, old history and culture. Later join our guide for a special visit to a place where you can learn about and dress in traditional Gurung clothing.

After we will enjoy dinner as a group before we settle in for the evening to get some sleep in our cozy teahouse.

Elevation: 1,940 m/6,364 feet

Distance: 11 km/6.8 miles

Ascent: 230 m/755 feet

Day 4:

ghandruk to chhomrong

view of village in nepal

Subha Bihani aka good morning! Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the teahouse before packing your bags and hitting the trail today.

We will walk to the trailhead from town. Once you leave the road, you will begin a steep descent through forest to a lovely river where we will stop for lunch. 

After fueling up, we begin our ascent to our destination for the day, Chhomrong. With luck we will enjoy incredible views of the Himalayan mountains including the infamous Machhapuchhre aka Fishtail mountain, Annapurna South and Himchuli. It’s a challenging day, with much uphill walking, but ends with an easy downhill walk into Chhomrong, situated in the foothills of the mighty Annapurna Massive.

Once we arrive, we will have some free time to relax at our teahouse before enjoying dinner and snuggling into bed for the evening.

Elevation: 2,140 m/7,020 feet

Distance: 11 km/6.8 miles

Ascent: 500 m/1640 feet

Descent: 300 m/985 feet

Day 5:

chhomrong to dovan

women trekking in nepal

Wake up early to catch the stunning views of the Annapurnas and Machapuchare as you enjoy breakfast at the teahouse. 

Our day of trekking begins with a steep downhill walk until you reach the Chomrong Khola where you will cross a river spanned by a suspension bridge. You will walk past the beautiful stupa, take a moment to walk around the stupa clockwise and reflect on your journey ahead before continuing on the trail.

Once we reach the bottom, we will begin to walk uphill towards the village of Bamboo. Here we will enjoy lunch. After we will continue onto Dovan, passing through woods and over some waterfalls.

In Dovan you will have time to rest and explore the village. Stop by the bakery for a delicious treat, then kick back and relax for the rest of the evening with a book, play cards with friends or soak in the views.

Elevation: 2,500 m/8,202 feet

Distance: 8.5 km/5.3 miles

Ascent: 500 m/1,640 feet

Descent 300 m/985 feet

Day 6:

dovan to macchapuchhre base camp

After enjoying a tasty breakfast and hot cup of tea, it’s time to begin our journey to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Bundle up, it’s going to be a chilly morning as we hike deep into a bamboo forest. We will exit the forest reaching the Himalaya Hotel before continuing on to Deurali for lunch. 

Our journey progresses with a lovely walk through a Rhododendron Forest, then we pass by Hinku Cave all while enjoying the stunning views of the exquisite landscape that makes up the Annapurna Valley. Today is a day you won’t forget as you are immersed in the Himalayas. When your day ends, you will be surrounded by stunning views of mountains such as Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Annapurna South. 

Once we arrive at our first base camp, it’s time to settle into our teahouse. Tonight we will enjoy dinner and relax in the evening. 

Elevation: 3,700 m/12,140 feet

Distance: 10.5 km /6.5 miles

Ascent: 1,200 m/3,937 feet

Descent 240 m/788 feet

Day 7:

macchapuchhre base camp to annapurna base camp

Today is the day - it’s Annapurna Base Camp day!! Enjoy a big breakfast and get ready for a challenging day on the trail. Although the distance is short, you will need to walk slowly. It’s not so much the elevation as it is the altitude that will pose a challenge, but not to worry because you will be distracted with spectacular views along the way. 

Once we enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, you’ll feel very ‘small’ as the mighty Annapurna South towers over you. The Annapurna Sanctuary provides spectacular views of the surrounding peaks that may literally take your breath away. 

We arrive at Annapurna Base Camp with the rest of the day to take in the views and explore this magical place. Celebrate the accomplishment of trekking up to ABC situated at 4,130 meters with lots of photos and a delicious meal with the group at your teahouse this evening. 

Elevation: 4,130 m/13,550 feet

istance: 6.5 km/4 miles

Ascent: 430 m/1,410 feet

Day 8:

sunrise at annapurna base camp

Wake up early for sunrise - it is a MUST! This is the best time of the day to catch unprecedented views of the giant mountains that surround you. Watching the sunrise over these spectacular mountains is a memory that will stay with you forever. 

After breakfast we will be walking on familiar territory as we make our way back towards Dovan. The trek is not as difficult today since it’s mostly downhill. We will still be treated to breathtaking views of the river valley and surrounding mountains as we descend towards our resting point in Dovan. Tonight you will have time to relax, play games, and enjoy dinner at the teahouse. 

Elevation: 2,170 m/7,120 feet

istance: 10.5 km/6.5 miles

Ascent: 75 m/246 feet

Descent: 1960 m/6,430 feet

Day 9:

dovan to jhinu danda + hot springs

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast at the teahouse before we hit the trail. Today is a balanced mix. There will be quite a bit of uphill walking in the morning, which will be followed with a nice downhill descent into Chhomrong. The majority of the trek today is familiar but once you reach Chhomrong, you will take a different route to Jhinu Danda.

We will arrive in Jhinu Danda where we will be staying for the evening. Tonight you are in for a treat with an option to check out the local Jhinu Hot Spring. If you are feeling up for a little soak, the spring is about a 15-minute walk from Jhinu Danda and is a great way to end the day.

Elevation: 1,570 m/5,150 feet

Distance: 11.5 km/7.1 miles

Ascent: 360 m/985 feet

Descent: 900 m/2,952 feet

Day 10:

jhinu danda to pokhara + Suspension bridge

Today will be our final day of trekking. We will enjoy a warm, delicious breakfast before we make our way back to Naya Pul where we began our journey. Along the way we will cross one of the worlds longest suspension bridges, close to one kilometer in length! 

At the bridge, we will be met by a driver who will take us to Pokhara. We will enjoy lunch in Naya Phul along the way. 

Back in Pokhara, we will check into our hotel and then the rest of the afternoon is yours. Head out to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or might we suggest treating yourself to a massage. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

Elevation: 820 m/2,690 feet

Distance: 3 km/1.8 miles

DExcent: 100 m/328 feet

Day 11:

kathmandu + cooking class

Wake up and enjoy breakfast as you reminisce on the incredible accomplishment of trekking to ABC and back! After breakfast we will pack up and catch another quick flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. 

We will be greeted by our driver in Kathmandu and be transferred to our hotel to settle in. This afternoon you will have some free time before we meet up at 4:15 p.m. for an evening of fun!

For our final evening together, we will enjoy a 3 hour cooking class where we will learn about Nepali culture through its food. During this hands-on experience, we will start from scratch learning how to select the best ingredients, and work through complicated techniques, like making momos. Together as a team you will make 4 traditional dishes and after your hard work, you will enjoy a delicious meal as you reminisce on the wonderful time you have shared together in Nepal.

Day 12:

Pheri bhetaulaa - See you again soon, Nepal!

Today is our final day together. After breakfast it’s time to pack our bags and head our separate ways. Check out of our hotel is 12 pm. If you are flying home today, a private transfer will be arranged to take you to the airport. For anyone with a flight departing later in the day, you can store your luggage at the hotel so you can adventure into the city until you need to make your way to the airport. 

If you would like to book an additional night in Kathmandu, please let us know and we would be happy to make arrangements for you.

Meet Your Trip Host

Shannon Keleher - founder & owner of Alpine Sisters

Shannon Keleher is the owner of Alpine Sisters, a small, online outdoor store with curated gear specifically for women. As an avid outdoorswoman her entire life, Shannon is passionate about experiencing outdoor adventures with novices and experts alike, bonding over the unique experiences one can only have in the outdoors.

In her pursuit to make the outdoors a more inclusive space, she curated the Feminine Hygiene Kit for those who menstruate, and will talk anyone’s ear off about ways to manage periods in the backcountry, as well as ways to reduce our environmental impact in wild spaces.

Shannon loves listening to people’s stories, laughing, taking on physical challenges, music, and exploring with friends and family.

woman posing in front of high desert landscape

Questions? Please reach out to Lindsey Egan at lindseyegan@womenwhoexplore.com

  • $2,995 USD double occupancy in 4-star hotel room, local guest house and shared occupancy in traditional teahouses during the trek.

    $200 for single occupancy upgrade for the 4 nights in hotels.

    A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments to follow. The trip deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable for this trip. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.

  • • Private fully guided 8 day trek to Annapurna Sanctuary Trek up to Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara led by a local female guide

    • 12 days/11 nights accommodations including 2 nights in at 4-star Hotel Thamel Park in Kathmandu, 2 nights at a 4-star Hotel Hidden Kingdom in Pokhara and 7 nights in local Nepali teahouses during the trek

    • Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu

    • Private airport transfers to/from Tribhuvan International Airport, Pokhara Airport and hotels

    • Fully supported 45+ mile trek with support staff that includes female guides and female porters

    • Professional, English-speaking First Aid and CPR certified guide

    • Private briefing with your guide team before the trek at the hotel in Kathmandu

    • Tips for your awesome mountain guides, porters and crew (additional tips welcome)

    • 3 hour cooking class learning about and how to cook Nepali delicacies

    • Free time to enjoy in Pokhara and Kathmandu to explore the city, enjoy massages, visit local bazaars and markets

    • Meals included are 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 10 dinners

    • All trekking permits, government fees and local taxes

    • Pre-trip Q&A via Zoom with an Annapurna travel expert who has hiked the trek multiple times

    • Women Who Explore trip leader with you and available for support 24/7

    • Travel checklists including a detailed packing list and pre-travel support provided by your trip host in a private WhatsApp group

    • WWE Swag to make your heart happy!

  • • International flights to/from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (KTM)

    • Airport transfers if arriving outside of designated arrival and departure dates and locations as noted. If arriving early and staying at the same hotel, transfers can be arranged at no additional cost.

    • Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks and meals as noted above

    • Aqua tabs for purifying water along the trail

    • Our guide recommends to plan an additional $15 USD per day to cover any extra snacks, drinks, and other trekking luxuries such as hot showers, charging devices, boiled water, etc.

    • Tips/gratuity for driver and city guides. Trekking guide/porter tips included, additional gratuities are welcome. All gratuities not included are at the discretion of guest.

    • Any additional excursions or optional activities not included in the above

    • Visa and entry requirements as applicable. Learn more here.

    • Any travel related medical expenses such as immunizations, vaccinations, or required testing

    • Travel insurance (required; see below) For this trip you will need to ensure that the travel insurance purchased insures for helicopter evacuation above 5500m.

    • Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, souvenirs, etc.

  • Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.

    Specifically for the trip to Annapurna Base Camp, you will need to ensure that the travel insurance purchased insures for helicopter evacuation above 5500m. This is required by the guiding company.

    For recommended travel insurance providers click here.

  • All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please share any food allergies/sensitivities at the time of booking or reach out to share with the trip host. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.

  • This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private WhatsApp group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support.

  • Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.

  • Please see our Terms of Service.

    *Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description.

  • We are excited to be working with a local guiding company who is an active member of the Friends of the Himalayan Children charity organization. With a desire to expand their impact, they began their guiding business which aims to provide much needed work to locals in smaller Himalayan villages.

    Through their work they have helped to improve the standard of education received by children in remote Nepalese villages, provided employment and training opportunities to disadvantaged people in Nepal, particularly women, and have worked toward ending child trafficking through educational programs.

    They are one of the only companies to hire a team of female guides and porters. Their team of women are inspiring, their stories provide a different perspective on life in Nepal for women. The women lead the trek as they work alongside their lovely male team members who are all also amazing and supportive.

    They provide quality training opportunities. They take trainers over from Australia to work with their team and have put a few of their staff members through training at the Khumbu Climbing Centre. All of their team members have their guides' license and first aid training.

    Most importantly they pay their team members more than the Nepali minimum wage and double what other trekking companies pay their staff members. They also encourage generous tipping as this money is more often than not used for educational purposes. Our team are committed, professional and great at what they do!

    Women Who Explore works with our local guide team to ensure that our support crew receives proper financial support and tips from our trip participants. Most of all we love that our partners work to support and uplift the women of Nepal.

  • Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.