Bhutan is the most mountainous country in the world with some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.The highest mountain in Bhutan is over 24,600 ft. What we call mountains, a Bhutanese person might call a hill. Climbing the peaks is forbidden since the mountains in Bhutan are considered sacred. Instead, trekking is a favorite activity among visitors like ourselves. We devoted a whole day to trekking over a pass at 10,500 ft, adorned with prayer flags blowing in the wind. We passed through a wide variety of vegetation, from steeply terraced fields of freshly harvested rice to magical forests of huge rhododendron bushes, junipers, blue pines, black oak, and deciduous trees wth brightly colored red and yellow fall leaves.
Steeply terraced rice friends
Bhutan has a huge range in elevation, extending from 300 ft. to nearly 25,000 ft above sea level. Each change in elevation reveals changes in flora and fauna, from black panthers to snow leopards.
The yak rested beside the road.
Yaks are found more frequently in the high country.
Freshly harvested rice field.
We walked through magical forests that looked like paintings out of children’s story books about fairies and goblins,
Sangay wanted to give the blog readers a sense of the girth of this large oak tree.
The vegetation constantly changed with each change in elevation.
Looking down on the glacially formed basin below. The former glaciers left behind mineral-rich soil, making the Bhutanese food exceptionally nutritious and rich in minerals.
We swooned over the rich colors of the landscape.
Our hotel was far down in the valley below.
The colors looked like paintings. Everywhere I looked I felt like swooning with awe.
The end of a magical day. Each day I say to Sangay, “This is my favorite day in Bhutan.” Actually, every single day is my favorite day in Bhutan.
Way more pure and pristine than my little section of the Indian Himalaya. Wonderful.
Bhutan has the freshest air I have ever breathed.
Thanks so much for sharing. Bhutan is a rare beacon of hope for what is still possible in this world. I am overwhelmed by the people of Bhutan’s integrity and foresight to protect their future!
I totally agree with you, Hal.
Thank you Erica, for taking us along on your magical journey. The beauty and peaceful nature, restores our souls.
How precious for you and Heidi to share this together.
We are transformed by the spirit of Bhutan!
Ellie and Michael
I wish you could have been there with us! I prayed for you while I was there. I keep you in my thoughts and in my heart. Love, Erica
Thank you. It’s wonderful to start the day today by going to Bhutan with you—beautifully distant from the craziness of the world humans have messed with. And as I finish your posting it is dawn here in Santa Fe and I realize there are several inches of soft white snow on the world outside my window, and I take refuge in Nature some more. Worshipping in Bhutan. Worshipping in Santa Fe.
What a beautiful comment, Martha! Yes, we are far from the craziness of the world. This trip has been the most magical reprieve one could ever hope for! Sending you much love, Erica
Great travelog, Erica.J
Thanks, Brother John!!
Thank you for sharing your glorious passage over the roof of the world! Every day an adventure with the perfect traveling companion, our dear Heidi. Have you been hailed on? That was our little adventure in the Santa Fe hills 🙂
–Carney
How lovely to hear from you, Carney. Your name came up frequently, both to reminisce about our hailed-upon hike together in Santa Fe, and to discuss with Heidi my need to ask to be one of your clients to get some basic computer help which I so desperately need. I look forward to talking with you I so enjoyed meeting you! Hugs, Erica
Awesome pictures! Shideezhí, you go to places I would not go, but the photos tell a lot. Ahéhee’ for sharing. Diyin nił hólǫ́ǫ doo. hugs
I wish you could go to Bhutan someday. The people remind me of the Diné. Their faces resemble the Navajo People i lived wth 50 years ago. Hugs, Erica
Hello dear Erica,
I am with you and spirit and wishing i was with you in body as well! Thanks for sharing the journey with me!
Paula, I think you and Robert would absolutely LOVE Bhutan. It’s my fervent wth that you come here someday. It would be a life changing experience. Love you!
excellent I am most happy for you!
Thank you, Mai. I wish you could witness the beautiful in this Peaceful Kingdom
Rickie, thank you so much for sharing this amazing journey with us. Love from Vreni (another sister).
Thank you so much, Vreni, With love from your sister, Rickie
Hoping you and Heidi are experiencing many luminous, incredible, breathtaking moments.
You would love this country, Nancy!! Sending you much love, Erica
How fascinating! This country and its people are an example how to live in earth! I hope zu will be able to visit it too, sometimes in the future! Thank you so much for sharing, love, Traude
I Love your comments, Traude….especially given what a seasoned adventure traveler you are and what a good writer you are. I urge you to put Bhutan on your list of places to hike/trek/pilgrimage. It will be like no other place on earth. Much love, Erica
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Yes, but I wish the pictures came through with higher resolution.Sigh. But I think the readers can use their imagination. Love, E
The pictures restore my soul….wild lands cultivated consciously…reverence for nature all around. Thanks for sending the travelogue. Stark contrast to Linda Durham’s travelogue from her trip to Russia, Ukraine, and those parts. There ism beauty there too, and of course fierce war and the fallout all ardounjd. Jan
I love your comment, Jan. This place heals the soul and spirit. I wish you could experience3 it for yourself sometime. It is absolutely out of this world and gives one hope. With much love, Erica
Your being takes in the majesty and awe just fine whereas your trusty camera image fades from the limited internet. I’m so glad you are enthralled and enriched, Erica. Maybe when you get home you can republish the photos in a magnificent sharp photo album. Loads of love, Bob
Yes, you are right, The photos are of poor quality because of the very weak and spotty internet connection. I hope the readers can use their imaginations to compensate for the blurry photos. This place is so incredibly magnificent and unspoiled.Love, Erica
Thank you for the virtual visit to Bhutan. It is the second time I have had one. But your pictures bring so much more beauty to it than when a good friend and mentor visited it 30 years ago without the ability to take pictures. I will wear my Bhutan t shirt with its dragon again now to honor the beauty and culture of its people. I am so glad you all have had the opportunity to experience Bhutan.
Terry, you would absolutely love this country. I wish all my family, friends, and patients could experience tis wondrous country. Sending you lots of love and good wishes, Erica
I have been relishing your posts, Erica. So many wonderful things about you: your sense of adventure, your eloquence, your appreciation for the glory that you are seeing. May it continue to be a marvelous adventure!
I so appreciate those good wishes, Margo. I wish I could share this experience with you. You would love it here. Love, Erica
Thank you for sharing this trip. The natural beauty is wondrous.
How nice to to hear from you, Margaret!
Thank you for sharing your journey through such wonder! I am so grateful of your generosity to share such a personal and meaningful experience with us.
Thank you for your lovely message, Pepper!
Thank you for sharing what you are seeing as you trek. I figure you and Heidi have about 4 more days in Bhutan. I hope you each one of them is your favorite day! Jackie, your sister
Thank you for your comment and good wishes, Jackie.Love from Rickie, your sister.
What an amazing beautiful country!
Yes, the country is truly wondrous. It would be so great if you and Cliff could go there sometime. Love, Erica