DAY 18 : NEPAL : Gho (2515m) to Danaq (2200m) - 6 hour walk

Our destination today was Danaq - 2 hours from Dharapani.

Today we walked through Dharapani, which is the junction for the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuits and the Dudh and Marsyandi Rivers. We will now follow the Annapurna Circuit for the next week and will finish our trek in Jomsom on Wednesday. Annapurna ('Bountiful Crops) is a very fertile area and has been a popular trekking route for the last 15 years. It is the circuit around the Annapurna Range west of the Manaslu Circuit. It promises another look into various cultures and environments not found elsewhere in Nepal.

Leaving Dho via the chorten and along the massive stone wall.

Walking along the Dudh River passing a mule train laden with rice. Dudh Khola - Milk River - so named for it's milky appearance as it carries all the glacial sediment.

A family walking by and we realised that there was a surprise in one of the baskets - the middle one.

We opened the top and there was the tiniest 2 month-old baby.

A rest by a stockpile of firewood.

A thriving wheat crop beside the Dudh Khola.

A friendly welcome in Tilije.

Traditional Nepalese steps in Tilije.Traditional Nepalese stairs in Tilije.

Tilije has a hydro-electric scheme and is basically agricultural with fertile land along the river. It has large stone pavements through the town used for drying grain and as a playground for children.

Across the river we began walking on a path, which also doubles as a road - work is continually being done to widen it, to remedy landslides and the annual washing away of sections of it during the monsoon.

Efforts to widen the road - a bus ride on this road a terrifying thought!

 

 The longest suspension bridge I've ever experienced.

As we walked into Dharapani we noticed a ceremony being performed. This was the last day of an archery competition - arrows and competitors were blessed for a safe and successful tournament.

Some of the characters involved in the tournament - Tibetan influence.

 From Dharapani we began to walk on part of the Annapurna Circuit.

We set off up the road - following crowded jeeps and locals dressed in Western clothes. There is a direct road to Kathmandu from Dharapani and some locals have houses in both places and so are more influenced by city life. Quite a contrast from the communities we have visited in the last fortnight - with rare contact out of their regional area.

Mixed crops planted along the Marsyandi River.

Our tea house and accommodation for tonight is in a small village, servicing trekkers primarily. We arrived about 2pm, just as rain set in. Unperturbed, we've all washed our growing dirty laundry and are praying for a warm breeze to dry it all overnight. Meanwhile the porters are enjoying watching Hindi movies in the tea house dining room now that we have electricity...luxury...and a flushing toilet as well!

M&M
mm_smith@bigpond.net.au