Gangtey trek in Bhutan - "The biggest thing we took back were only our memories from Druk Yul"

Sonam, our guide in Bhutan, was our window to the life and culture of Bhutan. A gem of a person who managed to mingle with everyone among our group, taught us a Bhutanese love song (ahem, I am yet to sing it for the right person), found us when we were lost during the 3-day trek and cracked jokes with us. The bus journeys were often spent just gazing out of the window drinking in the beauty of the mountain ranges although some people were always found dozing off to sleep within minutes (are the avomin fans listening?).

During the week long trip, all of us were spellbound by the natural beauty in Bhutan. Well, some of us were a little more struck by rosy cheeks than the mountains, but then we will discount that. The mountains covered with trees, snow, clouds and the prayer flags fluttering along with the cool wind have all made a life long imprint in our hearts. Bhutan seems to exist in a different time; people seem so calm and serene. The roads are clean, the shops are barely inhabited, the villages are sparsely distributed and the children are eager to wave at every tourist who passes them. The experience was indeed "life away from life." 

 

The 3-day trek to Gangtey was just a trailer of what Bhutan has to offer for the trekking enthusiast. We started on the morning on March 5 th from the Phuntshocholing farmhouse. The first day was mostly climbing along with some breathtaking views of the mountains. We reached the pass [need it's name, I think it was tse la pass] by lunch time after having climbed for about 4 hours. We all hugged each other when we reached as there was so much joy in having reached that pass at about 11,000 ft and it meant something to each one of us.

The second day ie March 6th was spent trekking through mostly snow and mud in forests. We were exhausted and our hands were numb by the end of the day owing to numerous snowfights. Prateek and Kaushal's snow escapades were the highlight of the day where Kaushal finally resorted to guerilla tactics by hiding behind trees and rocks to attack Prateek with snow. We passed a stretch in the forest where the trees were really really tall and the ground was covered with thick green- yellow vegetation and it was all covered in mist. It was one of the most memorable sights for me. The nights spent camping were full of chattering and battling with the cold outside. The only respite was the warmth from the bonfire which used to run throughout the evening and night after our arrival. Hats off to the crew at the camp sites. The stories told around the bonfire with the chilly wind blowing are still fresh in our minds. The third day of the trek comprised of sheer descent. My toes and knees were hurting with every step that I took yet the beauty of the trees full of red rhododendrons and bright green bamboo leaves seemed to take all the tiredness away.

When I finished the trek, I was overcome with a sense of achievement yet I realized that it meant the Bhutan trip was almost over. The last day was spent in Paro exploring the town and it's small shops for some knickknacks that we wanted to take back for our friends and family. Ultimately the biggest thing we took back were only our memories from Druk Yul, the land of the thunder dragon.

 

-Written and photographs by Shruti Keerti
(Shruti and Keerti both are names of one person , was one of the enthusiastic participant of the Gangtey trek in Bhutan, and has just finished her MBA )