PUMOLA TO KUENSEL PHODRANG HIKE +PLOGGING, JUNE - 2022 IN 4K.

Описание: Pumola to Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point) Hike + Plogging, June, 2022
Pumola to Kuenselphodrang hike has always been on our bucket list for a long time and we are quite excited to finally hiking + Plogging on this trail.

Plogging simply means picking trash while jogging and it originated from Sweden in 2016 and slowly it became popular across the globe. Plogging is one such activity that contributes in keeping our environment clean and at the same time it helps in keeping our body & mind healthy and fit. In our case we will be picking trash along the trail.

We started our Hike + Plogging quite late in the morning at around 9:15 AM from Motithang base because it rained heavily in the early hours. In total we had 11 hikers mostly new to the group. This time we did something different from our usual hike, we planned to prepare our own tea and lunch rather than carrying packed meals from home.

The trail from Motithang to Pumola Lhakhang is well maintained and its one of the best hiking trail in the country equipped with several resting points (Canopies) and comfortable footpaths along the way. The best part of this hike from (Motithang - Pumola Lhakhang) is that 95 percent of the trail is under tree cover which is great during sunny weather.

We had our first tea break near the meadow( Pasture land) and it took us two good hours. Everyone was quite excited to try this new experience of preparing tea in the middle of the forest and we managed to take some snacks (bread, butter, jam and spreads) and ready made Roti. It was a wonderful treat for the hikers as all were engaged in activities like collecting firewood, washing pots, gathering Juniper leaves for smoke offering, preparing snacks (bread & roti).

Then we continued our hike and made it to the Pumola Junction which is right below the Pumola Lhakhang marked by large chorten (Stupa) in 30 minutes from the meadow. The junction is a cross road to Tshaluna, Pumola Lhakhang, Phajoding, Pumola top (360 view point) and Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point).

It takes little over 5 minutes to Pumola Lhakhang( Temple) and we made a brief tour of Pumola Lhakhang which is currently under restoration project. The charm of Pumola beside the Pumola Lhakhang (Temple) is the famous swing, which is one of the largest in the country and in fact it is also situated at the highest point (elevation) in Bhutan. One should definitely try the swing of Pumola and feel the thrill like never before.

Next we headed towards Pumola Top (360 degree view point) from Pumola Junction which is a gentle climb and takes about 90 minutes.It is also important to note that this particular trail is known for sighting of Himalayan bears, therefore its recommended to hike in groups and take precautions.

Pumola top (360 view point) provides you with breathtaking scenery of Thimphu valley, Jele dzong, Phajoding, Dongkola, Bjilitshe, Sinchula, Dhomendrel,Tshaluna and many other landscapes. At the summit the elevation is 4,000 mtrs and if the weather is clear one can get a glimpse of Majestic mountains of Bhutan. The total hiking hours from Motithang (starting point) to Pumola Top is about 4 hours for normal hikers.

It was already 6:00 PM by the time we had our lunch below Pumola view point. We prepared noodles, roti and milk tea at one of the Yak herders camp site which is about 1 hour walk from Pumola top towards Kuenselphodrang.

One of the perks of being on the mountains especially in the evening is the Golden Hour and we were quite lucky to enjoy the Sunset from Pumola itself and getting opportunity to witness from the mountain is a luxury that many cant afford at the right time.

It was surprising to see my friends enjoying and dancing to the tune after 9 hours of hike and even after knowing we have couple hours of walk left to our destination- Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point).


Finally we made it to Kuenselphodrang (Buddha point) end point at 10:20 PM and it was a long hike which took us around 11 hours including tea & Lunch break, photo session and other activites. The normal hiking time would be around 9 hours in total.It is 4 hours from Motithang to Pumola Top and 5 hours from Pumola top (360 degree view point to Kuensel Phodrang. The reason for arriving late at the destination is because weather and started late in the morning (9:15 AM).


Music in this video:
Title: Unconditionally by broken Elegance
Genre and mood: Cinematic-Inspirational.

and also:
Dance music background at the mountain top : Jerusalema by Master KG.