A trekking adventure with extraordinary festivals, environmental revelations, and yummy lunches
Nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, the pristine kingdom of Bhutan calls adventurers with its awe-inspiring landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and red rice and chilies. During a recent trip to this enchanting country, my two dear friends and I embarked on an unforgettable journey that involved trekking through the newly reopened Trans-Bhutan Trail, immersing ourselves in vibrant celebrations and festivals, and indulging in a delectable array of traditional Bhutanese dishes.
Trekking/Walking/Hiking/Wandering through truly awesome and sacred landscapes, our adventure began with a trek through the picturesque Paro Valley, known for its stunning vistas and ancient monasteries. We started the walk at the Great Buddha. Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. After circumnavigating the monumental being, we stepped out the back of the gilded meditation hall to a trail that led us along verdant forests, cascading waterfalls, and charming villages, allowing us to witness Bhutan's natural beauty up close.
One of the highlights of our trip was reaching the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched precariously on a cliffside. The sight of this sacred site, surrounded by mist and prayer flags, was a truly humbling experience that will forever remain etched in my memory. I am terrible at altitude (I live and walk at sea level most of my days), and to be at 10,000 feet took some adjustment.
My dear travel pal, Lisa, had a great lesson from her backcountry skiing experiences. She reported that her guide told her the way to think about going up at altitude is to look to the top and to go at a pace that allows you to move without too many stops. “Go your pace, it isn’t a race.” So that is what we did. We gently, simply, slowly ascended up to the top. Going at the pace that meant we were comfortable, not straining. The second thing that was a great help was lots of water with electrolytes (drip drop was our favorite).
Cultural Immersion and Colorful Festivals
Bhutan's vibrant culture is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions, and during our trip, we were fortunate to witness several captivating cultural events. The Bumthang Festival enthralled us with its exuberant masked dances and fire rituals. The dancers, adorned in intricately crafted costumes, spun gracefully to the rhythmic beats of traditional music, while the air was filled with a sense of devotion and joy. It was an honor to be a part of this sacred celebration and gain insights into Bhutan's spiritual heritage.
Exploring the charming capital city of Thimphu further immersed us in Bhutanese culture. We visited the majestic Memorial Chorten and National Institute for Zorig Chusum, the school to preserve and promote traditional art in contemporary Bhutan.
Culinary Delights and Bhutanese Cuisine
No trip to Bhutan would be complete without the yummy meals, known for its robust flavors and unique use of chili peppers. We had dishes such as ema datshi, a spicy cheese and chili stew, and momo, succulent dumplings filled with vegetables or meat. Bhutanese cuisine strikes a delightful balance between simplicity and complexity, with each dish reflecting the country's distinct culinary traditions. My favorite thing was that at each meal, tea is served. Now that I am home, I crave red rice for breakfast.
One of our culinary highlights was a traditional farmhouse dinner, where we dined with a Bhutanese family. They graciously shared their customs and traditions, serving us beautiful dishes cooked with local ingredients. We helped with the preparation and drank milk tea as well as a unique drink called ara. Ara is made from native high-altitude tolerant barley, rice, maize, millet, or wheat, and may be either fermented or distilled. This evening, it was served hot, with garlic and a scrambled egg in it. We felt so welcomed by Sonam and her family.
Libby DeLana is an award-winning executive creative director, designer/art director by trade, who has spent her career in the ad world. Click here to get your copy of Libby’s first published book, Do Walk. You can connect with Libby on Instagram @thismorningwalk and @parkhere.