Druk Path Trek!

A few weeks ago, Sasha and I finally completed the Druk Path Trek. This is one of the more popular treks here in Bhutan, and goes from Thimphu to Paro. Tours generally do it in five or so days, but we were comfortably able to finish it in three days/two nights. About two hours into the trek on our first day, we met two Bhutanese men who were also doing the same trek, Sherub and Phurba. They worked with the forest service and they are extremely knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. We ended up having lunch all together, and then trekked for the rest of the day together as well. By the time we set up camp, we were good friends. We took on the rest of the trek all together. It was very cool to see the differences between their style of backpacking versus ours. For example, they either slept in a cave or under a tarp, but they carried a 10 pound machete with them... plus a bag of 10 hard-boiled eggs.

The hike was stunning, and made all the better by Sherub and Phurba who were able to tell us all about the tales of the land as well as anything we wanted to know about the plants, birds, and other animals. The hike was pretty strenuous, and naturally the altitude does not help the matter. The magnificent views were all worth it. Sasha and I even sacrificed a lighter pack in favor of bringing my camera, which was definitely worth it.

One interesting thing to witness was the offerings made by Sherub as we hiked. Once reaching high passes, sacred lakes, or our nightly camp sites, Sherub would chant prayers, light incense, and pour juice, milk, and snacks on the ground. These offerings are made for the deities of these lands where we were hiking and for safe passage. It was a special and unique thing to be able to witness, and a reminder that Bhutanese culture is so rich.

Both nights, Sherub and Phurba made a bonfire, and we shared Bhutanese and American folk songs. The Bhutanese folk songs had great stories, including one about a leopard who goes up to a cave and cries when it finds out that the snow has melted. Another one was about a golden lake, in a golden forest, with an island in the middle with a golden bird, who swoops down into the lake to eat a golden fish.

Overall, the hike was one of my favorite memories here, and we certainly made lifelong friends with Sherub and Phurba. I will miss the friendliness and generosity of the Bhutanese.