trek (by Maya)

Treking in  Bumthang

We journeyed east from Thimphu this week to explore the less developed regions of Bhutan. Starting in Dhur village known for potato farming and yak herding., we walked through blue pine forests counting over 44 different types of flowering plants and 32 different types of fungi (competitive flora and fauna hunting helped pass the time as we climbed to camp at 3450 meters=10,400 feet).

The temperature dropped steadily as darkness fell and we realized our borrowed sleeping bags were not going to keep us warm. Wearing every stitch of clothes and putting water bottles filled with boiling water into the bags helped, but it was a long cold night. Our reward was an amazing sunrise over the Himalayas.

Day 2 involved more upward hiking, river crossing and an unexpected hailstorm.

 Audrey marched slowly and steadily upward surprising us all with her determination. My Bhutanese fairy tales (“Tashilocks and the three Takins”) and Olivia’s hailstorm dance kept spirits high. 


Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWfGdLfBKuY



We reached camp at 3870 meters=11,700 feet, then some of us scrambled up another hillside for sunset views of Bhutan’s highest mountain Gangkarpunsum.

Another freezing night, them we woke to sounds of a Yak herd exploring out campsite. 

I  awoke an hour before the rest of the family and made my way up to the 4000 meters vista to enjoy the sunrise over the panoramic snow caped Himalayan Mountains.Our last day on the trail was a gentle downhill walk ending at a monastery built in the 7^th century.  We were tired and dirty and completely in love with Bhutan by the time we reached the valley floor.

 A huge meal of rice and lentils with milk tea (lots of sugar for my sisters and ) and a blazing fire in a cozy guesthouse finished us all off.

PS:  You can now view the dance videos from the previous post Etho Metho Dance Show.  The link in that post will now work.