Follow the Annapurna Circuit Trail (ACT), 21 days walking in the Nepal Himalayas. Walk with Studio Jai in a series of authentic trail entries, but in random order, so check the elevation to match the descriptions to villages, vistas, and environment. Enjoy the trail, and let the journey be yours– October 9-22 2011 Studio Jai Yoga Journey to Nepal.
2710m, gain of 510m, 12 kms. walked.
Today’s trail was gorgeous! Hardwood forests, pine, paths lined by split-rail or stonewalls; most of the way following a canyon with streams of light casting reds and patches of bright green through the dark sky. More buckwheat meadows, golden today, not the blossoming pink of yesterday.
The day began by spinning the giant prayer wheel and a row of smaller ones on the mani wall exiting Danaqyu chanting the Buddhist mantra, “OM MANI PADME HUNG,” then just around the first bend and over a wooden footbridge the air was suddenly fragrant with freshly-cracked corn from the water-driven mill. Then up, up, up to Tamang for a tea break and on to Thanchowk for lunch. A sweet, old stone village; I would have been happy to stay there if the skies had been clear; supposedly a great vista point.
The trail was slightly descending then level for the rest of the afternoon– lots of horses, cows, a frisky colt, and two cute little kids in blue. A checkpoint in Koto, then only 2 kms to this friendly, clean Tibetan-Buddhist guesthouse with nearly proper walls and a softer pillow than last night.
