The journey to Bhutan was long and arduous, with breathtaking sights shrouded in the mist and mystery of the Himalayan landscape, says Soumya – exclusively for Different Truths.

Yesterday, I crossed one more item off my bucket list. We climbed the tiger’s nest.

Finally, after many missed opportunities, we were travelling in Bhutan and, on a penultimate day, had planned to do this.

It was raining the night before, and the morning was cloudy, with the monastery covered in fog when we started the climb.

My wife had read up extensively on this and was pessimistic about making it.

The beautiful climb through pine trees with spectacular views made our plan to take photos and enjoy the ambience on the leisurely climb down while we huffed up the steep slopes.

Most of the people returned from the cafeteria at the halfway point. By now, the sun was out, and the majestic sight of the fairy tale castle on a cliff was visible.

When we reached the second viewpoint, most climbers had turned back. Because here, when you think you’ve made it, 700 steps go down and another 250 up. Our guide assured us we could make it, and although exhausted, we did. Inside there were another 60 odd steps, steep, reminding us of Ankor Vat, but as an American exclaimed, the pain was worth it.

Cameras aren’t allowed in, and the atmosphere is mystical and overpowering while you meditate in the cave, listen to the mythology, and view the iconography.

Exhilarated, we started to return.

While climbing, we decided to turn back when we were tired, saying, Faiz ki rah sarbasar manzil, jahan bhi pohonche kamiyab aye.

But as one cannot stay up there, we had no option but to return immediately.

We thought climbing those 700 steps up would be the most formidable job, but that was over before we realised it. Now we were congratulating ourselves as one of the few senior citizens among the Indians who managed this.

By now, my wife, two years younger, 20 kg lighter and having led a disciplined life of moderation and yoga, started galloping like a gazelle and disappeared.

Having led a life of excesses and sloth, I started rueing by massive beer belly and 20 kg excess fat.

Till the midpoint, I managed to keep up, but after lunch, my body started protesting vehemently. By now, it had started to drizzle, and we hurried down to avoid a downpour.

All ideas about appreciation of nature and preserving memories through photographs were dropped in trying to hurry down.

It started to snow, but the beauty was masked in pain, and I was sweating profusely in the sub-zero temperature till my clothes were drenched, and I thought icicles might form on my forehead.

Finally, my legs declared a strike.

Our driver became my guardian angel and leant his shoulder to my 90kg plus load, helping me limp on. A very effusive American lady kept cheering me on and stayed along till we reached the parking lot.

Our guide was waiting there anxiously and, relieved to find me staggering back, took me quickly to the car where the LOH was calmly relaxing.

It took us seven hours, excluding time for lunch, tea and visiting the temple.

The next stop was a hot stone bath,  the traditional Bhutanese sauna to revive us and relieve the pain, followed by a strong drink, a hearty dinner and a good sleep.

The following two days would be relaxed drives and shopping before our magical trip to Shangri-la would be over.

Photos by the author

Soumya Mukherjee

Soumya Mukherjee is an alumnus of St Stephens College and Delhi School of Economics. He earns his daily bread by working for a PSU Insurance company, and lectures for peanuts. His other passions, family, friends, films, travel, food, trekking, wildlife, music, theater, and occasionally, writing. He has been published in many national newspapers of repute. He has published his first novel, Memories, a novella, hopefully, the first of his many books. He blogs as well.

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