Rachel’s Travels

This was the last full day of our trip and was incredible good timing – both for being able to get l used to walking at altitude, but also as a highlight conclusion to our week’s tour.

None of us knew how hard or easy it would be but we were determined to give it a good go. In the end, once we got in a rhythm, I knew fairly quickly that we would be okay; hard work but okay.

We started out at 7.30am and I was leading the crew behind the guide. I liked being in that position as I knew I wouldn’t lead the group too quickly. It also gave me a chance to stretch out and really go at my own pace. I did swap positions though as the trek went on, stopping to take photographs and chatting with others.

There are quite a number of steps and moderately steep paths on this first bit. We stopped for a water break a couple of times and stopped even just for a quick breath break several times. There was a lot of heavy ‘workout’ breathing from me!

Halfway up is a cafe where we stopped for tea/coffee and Tracey/Cheryl had wonderful snack bars. The view from the loo was special:

After the cafe, we alternated a bit of flat with a bit of climb. We bumped into some of the monks coming down. The little ones were going to a football match.

And finally we got to the viewpoint.

This is the best place to take pictures. Our guide said it would be even better on the way down as the sun would be shining on it.

All that was standing between us and the monastery now was 800 steps up and down the cliff face. So off we set, steady but sure.

Down the cliff, past the waterfall, over the bridge and up the other side!

And suddenly we were there, 3,100m above sea level. We had started at 2,400.

All belongings including phones/cameras need to be kept in lockers and cannot be taken into the temple.

Bijay, our guide, took us to the main parts of the temple, the cave where Guru Rinpoche stayed when he founded it in the 8th Century.

We spent some time meditating in one of the shrine rooms and lit butter lamps in a different room.

After admiring the view, it was time to do the reverse journey, back down the steps to the waterfall then back up the steps to the viewpoint. The monastery was by now covered in sunlight and glistened magnificently.

The way down was uneventful but featured a small smug grin 😁.

We celebrated at the bottom with cereal bars and then a hot stone bath. Heaven indeed!

I’ll share my top tips for this hike in another post soon.