After over two weeks of trekking across the most difficult places in Bhutan, His Majesty The King arrived at Sephu, the first settlement since Thanza in Lunana, and spent Coronation Day with the thousands of people who had gathered at Bechu Goenpai Thang to welcome their King.

His Majesty The King began the final part of the 245 kilometre trek across Lunana, from Thanza on Saturday. His Majesty The King crossed the Rinchen Zoe la, one of Bhutan’s highest passes at 5,290 metres, and spent the night of October 31 camped beside the Um Tsho, a sacred lake in which Pema Lingpa is said to have found numerous treasures. His Majesty The King arrived at Sephu, the easternmost village in Wangduephodrang dzongkhag, yesterday afternoon.

Wangduephodrang dzongkhag officials, people’s representatives, students and the people of nearby villages came to Sephu to welcome His Majesty The King, and celebrate Coronation Day. The people offered Zhabten to His Majesty The King, and presented a cultural programme. His Majesty The King granted Tokha to the people.

“His Majesty The King has always placed service to the people above personal comfort. Today, after completing a very long and difficult trek, His Majesty The King chose to spend this very special day with the people. Everyone who is gathered here is deeply moved by His Majesty The King’s untiring devotion to the people. We feel very privileged indeed,” said the Sephu gup, Rinchen Penjor.

During the Royal Visit across Lunana, His Majesty The King trekked through the sparsely populated gewog, to meet with the people who live scattered in this remote part of Bhutan, and visit the glaciers and Thorthormi, Rapstreng, and Lugge glacial lakes.