Adventurous women trek over the Thorong La Pass of the Annapurna Circuit

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES  - ^15th July 2010 - While bundled in her tent at the 16,000 foot Thorong La Base Camp last fall, One World Trekking guide and travel writer Manasseh Franklin thought to herself, how cool would it be to do this trek with a group of adventurous women like myself?

Upon completing the trek and returning to the states, she did a little research only to find that very few women-only Annapurna treks are offered on the adventure travel market. Easy enough, she thought, I’ll just put one together myself! On April 17-May 2, 2011 OWT and Manasseh invite all adventurous women to join a unique women-only trek through the Annapurna region and over the legendary Thorong La Pass. This abridged version of the classic Annapurna trek has the best of what Nepal has to offer while keeping to a shorter time frame then the full Annapurna circuit—perfect for working women who only get a couple of weeks vacation!

Since the Annapurna region of Nepal was opened to trekkers in the 1970s, it has consistently been regarded as the gem of trekking in Nepal. With good reason—the regions leading up to and coming from Thorong La Pass—the crux of the Annapurna—have the best that this spiritual, mountainous country has to offer.

Our all-women trek begins in the lowlands of Besisahar and climbs steadily through picturesque stone-hut villages, tumbling rice paddies, buckwheat fields, and pastures adorned with bell-touting yak. Himalayan giants Manaslu and the Annapurnas watch us as we climb higher in the Marsyangdi Valley.

We pass through the Buddhist villages of Pisang, Manang, and after crossing the legendary Thorong La (17,765 ft), drop into Muktinath—one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sights in Nepal. A brief visit to the Tibetan Buddhist enclave of Kag Beni nestled in the bed of the famous Kali Gandaki Gorge then leads us to Jomsom where our plane departs for Kathmandu.

This all-women trek is a cultural, physically challenging and geographically stunning journey through a still wild and unspoiled land among the greatest peaks in the world. Our abridged itinerary allows for full exposure to this classic Himalayan trek without the full time commitment of the entire Annapurna circuit.

Come experience the Himalaya in the company of other adventurous women who are passionate about travel and adventure! Log onto the official One World Trekking website for more details or contact Manasseh directly at manasseh.franklin@oneworldtrekking.com.

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