58 
B O OT A N. 
On Tuesday the 27th of May, after ascending from the deep hollow 
in which Punugga is situated, our road to Ghupka lay winding along 
the sides of the mountains, which are richly clad with pines, the only 
native trees of these lofty eminences. After travelling about eight 
miles, we passed by the river Hatchieu, leaving it to the left, near the 
spot where it joins the Tehintchieu and the Patchieu, called by the 
Booteeas Jumtchieu, or the junction of three rivers. At the foot of 
the Ghupka mountain, we crossed a bridge, styled Russoo Noomboo, 
and ascended by a very steep and rugged road to the castle. The 
castle of Ghupka, or Kepta, is built about halfway up the mountain, 
in a bleak, but beautifully romantic situation: the mountains in its 
neighbourhood, 1 judged to be the highest we had yet seen in Bootan. 
The light clouds in some parts swiftly glided past their sides; in others 
they had assembled, and sat with deep and heavy shade upon their 
brows: and as they were continually shifting their position, they varied 
and improved the views. On the summit of Loineela mountain, bear¬ 
ing from hence to the east, and in direct distance about five miles, 
there lay a great deal of unmelted snow : we felt the cold even at 
noon. 
The ensuing day we were detained at Ghupka by rain ; but luckily 
we were now beyond the region of leeches, and that pestiferous insect 
with which we were particularly assailed at Murichom. 
We crossed Ghupka mountain on Thursday the 29th of May, in 
our way to Pauga, distant about eleven miles, leaving Keliigym, a 
village situated upon the ridge of a high mountain, on our left, and 
Dokhottyghym on our right. Descending on the other side, we 
