This 12-day (11 night) tour celebrates strong, adventurous and inspirational women. It is the ultimate combination of adventure, personal growth and immersing yourself in a fascinating and exhilarating part of the world through socially responsible travel.
Together we will explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu where we will connect with some amazing people and organisations that are helping to change the world. Enjoy rooftop yoga, street tours run by street children, exploring ancient temples, a traditional cooking class and meet some inspirational women who will teach us so much about life in Nepal and life in general.
Our 5-day trek begins in Pokhara, a short 30 minute scenic mountain-view flight from Kathmandu, where we will meet our all-female trekking and adventure guides. Staying overnight in simple but quaint tea houses perched on picturesque hillsides, we will trek through traditional villages and ancient forests with the majestic Annapurna Ranges as our backdrop. Our highlight will be a sunrise summit of Poon Hill where we will experience a 360 degree panorama of the Himalayas in all of its majestic beauty.
Next we will visit Chitwan National Park, home of an array of jungle animals including deer, rhino, elephants, leopards and tigers and over 500 species of birds. Activities include canoeing, jungle walks, jeep safari and a visit to the elephant sanctuary.
To top it off, proceeds from this tour will fund the education of at least 5 Nepali girls for a year!
Prepare for adventure, exhilaration and self-discovery!
Experience the culture and communities of ancient and modern Kathmandu as we weave through the hustle and bustle in the back street s of Thamel with our guide from social enterprise “Welcome to My Yardâ€. Visit night markets , famous snack shops and hidden treasures before settling into a
local restaurant for a welcoming meal.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
After lunch we'll be visiting the head office of “Seven Women†where we will participate in a traditional cooking class full of fun and flavour and discover some of the secret recipes and traditions of Nepali cooking. Once done, we dig into our foodie creation for a Nepalese feast! Yum!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking hours : 2
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Hiking hours: 4
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Hiking hours: 6-7
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Hiking hours :1.5 hrs + 3.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Hiking hours : 3
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
The trek is considered easy as far as Nepal treks go but you do need to have a good level of fitness so don't come unprepared. Most of the days we will be meandering along well marked paths through gorgeous villages and rhododendron forests. There will be harder days than others but just take your time and take plenty of breaks.
We will be walking between 3 to 7 hours a day. Be warned, there are lots of stairs so include stairs in your training. The rewards will definitely be worth the hard work!
A training guide will be sent to you to help you prepare for the trek.
It is unlikely you will suffer from altitude sickness at these heights. Our highest ascent will be about 3210 m. However, it can happen and our experienced guides will run through the procedures and will take great care of us if we are feeling the effects.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara we will stay in nice 3 star hotels with all the facilities you will expect from a mid-class hotel. In Chitwan, we stay in one of the Eco-Lodges.
During our trek, we will stay in tea houses which are basic but clean. There is usually two or three single beds to a small room and a shared toilet and bathroom. Most tea houses have
warm showers for an small extra fee and many have WiFi.
It is usually safe to eat in the tourist restaurants of Kathmandu and Pokhara, although it is probably best to avoid the meat if possible. There are a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines in the these cities. During the trek, the tea houses provide food which is good and safe to eat. The menus are virtually the same in each place as it is regulated by the government. It’s a mix of Nepalese and western food so we won’t be going hungry.
In Kathmandu the maximum temperatures will be in the mid 20's. Mornings and evening will be cooler. In the mountains it will be much cooler and quite cold as we get higher. A light weight, warm jacket is a must.
You will need hiking boots,as some of the paths will be uneven. Make sure you have worn them in before the trek to avoid nasty blisters.
You may also like to bring hiking poles as they are helpful when navigating up and down stairs.Sleeping bags will be provided. A sleeping bag liner is recommended. Warm weather clothing such as a light weight jacket (feather or puffer jacket is ideal) and wet weather gear (raincoat, quick dry pants).
You may also need a beanie and some gloves for the cold mornings. Trekking gear is cheap and freely available in Nepal. You will receive a full packing list before the tour.
No. We will have one porter between two walkers. The porters are certified to carry up to 10 kgs each. We will be leaving most of our gear in the hotel so we really don't need to take much with us on the trek.
Please consult with a travel doctor about this.
There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara that dispense Nepalese Rupee. There are also money changers at the hotel.
Yes. You can obtain a visa on arrival although sometimes there's a long queue. You can apply for a visa from your country at your local embassy prior if you wish.
For more information see http://www.nepalconsulate.org.au
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for trekking. You will need an insurance that covers medical evacuations and trekking over 3000m. We've used iTrek travel insurance and are pleased with the service and coverage. Please provide us with a certificate of insurance before we leave.
A single room may be possible for our Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels at an additional cost. Please enquire about a single supplement.
During the trek, sharing is the only option but believe us, you'll be asleep as soon as your head hits he pillow!
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude, after-all we are in a foreign country and things don't always go to plan...this will help you chill out and therefore get the best out of your holiday.
You will also need to be mobile without assistance, have a good general level of fitness and be prepared to train in the lead up to your hike to maximise your comfort - you will be navigating steps and uneven surfaces at times and you are hiking in the mountains, so lots of up's and down's.
If you're a light sleeper, use earplugs - there is no option for a single room on the trekking component of this tour. You can however request a single room at our hotel accommodation in the cities.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
Update 19th September 2019 - ** Due to PayPal changing their policy to now retain fees even when we issue a refund we will be forced to pass this along. This means both partial and full refunds will be less the full fee charged by PayPal
