Sacred Activities

Wangdutshey to BBS (Bhutan boardcasting station)

The above image from the British Museum is labeled “View in Bhutan, Wangdeky – Retreat of Jajah of Bootan,” presumably following Samuel Davis’ original description. Curiously, the museum notes that “It has not been possible to identify this place in the gazetteer.” even though it is very similar to Samuel Davis’ original 1783 sketch, including the small outhouse and ladder at the right (Wangdeky is also reasonably close to Wangditse). Compare this painting to image 26 in the series above, photographed from the same location. Davis either used artistic license to exaggerate the height of the Lhakhang, or the uppermost level was removed at a later date.

Start right from the Hotel Door steps through the scents of thick pine forest towards Wangditise Temple. This hike is Easy and child friendly. It takes around 1 to 1 ½ hr. You will be hiking up around 20 minutes towards Wangditse Temple, and from here it’s a gradual walk till BBS opens to the view of Buddha Dordenma, Tashichoe Dzong, and the entire Thimphu Valley. From there, you will have the option to drive back to the hotel or continue on to other activities. A few options are given below.

• From Wangdutshey Temple you have the option to Hike back to the Hotel or towards Dechen Phodrang Monastery. This monastery is a school for young monks. You can meet the monks and see their daily lifestyle.
• Drive to the Zoo. You can see the national animal Takin there.
• From the Zoo, either drive back to the hotel or stop on the way to visit Zilukha Nunnery.

Wangditsey Loop

This will start just around 100 steps ahead of the Hotel. It is also a child-friendly hike. It’s an easy walk uphill for around 30 mins. From here the trail divides left and right. Take the left one to Wangditshey. You will be walking under the shade of trees through thick vegetation for around 20 min and from here, the trail opens up towards the back of Wangditishey Temple. There is a big mani Dungkhor ( prayer wheel ). Here you can be sure to meet old folks turning the Mani Dungkhor. Visit the temple. After that, it’s an easy 20 mins descent to the Hotel.

Chokortshe Temple

This hike starts from the same as Wangdutshey Loop. Take the right way from the diversion and it will take you to a thick forest of oak and wild bamboo. The forest is a bit thicker so not advisable to take children or hike alone. After around 1 and ½ hr, the hikes open up in a ground where cows herded from high hills come down in winter. Resting point and break for tea here. From here another 40 min hike up to Chokortse temple. The temple is connected with Wangdtse to the northeast and Phajoding monastery towards the west.

The legend associated with the temple is that of the ‘missing’ hoofprint of a horse belonging to Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the founding father of Bhutan. The biography of Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye, the fourth Druk Desi (r. 1680-94), remarks that the imprint of the Zhabdrung’s horse may be found between the Chokortse temple and Wangditse Lhakhang. The two temples are linked by a 2.5-kilometer-long footpath threading along the forested ridgelines. However, no hoofprint has ever been located. As the fourth Druk Desi ruled less than thirty years after Zhabdrung Rinpoche, it is quite possible that the print, if it once existed, has since succumbed to the elements.
From here it’s a gradual descent of around 1 hr to the Hotel. You could also visit Wangditshey temple in between.

Note

• For Birder – There are more than 100 species that can be spotted in this hike
• Kalij Pheasant is frequent, Spotted laughing thrush, Sun Bird, Mini vat, and Magpie are easily sighted.
• From Late March to April nearby Forest Boutique and these trails
• You will be able to see more than 5 species of Rhododendron.

Cycling:

• Grab one of the Cicyle (hire). There is numerous cycling trail parallel to the Hikes mentioned above.