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Bhutan: Nabji Trail Adventure Book
now!
Cost: $5500 per person
Beneficiaries: Youth Development Fund, Tarayana Foundation
The Nabji Trail is an ideal post-harvest/winter trekking set out in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP), a park with an ecological rich environment. The park, located in central Bhutan, is also home to several culturally rich agricultural villages. The trail is a six-day low-altitude trek (between 693m/2,310ft and 1,636m/5,453ft) through six different villages located inside the park. Starting point Riotala (1,060m/3,533ft) and final destination Tongtongphey (1,061m/3,537ft) are two small villages along the Trongsa-Zhemgang road, situated in the buffer area of the park at the east side of the Mangde Chhu (river).
On this trek, you may see the Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei), one of the rarest primates, which can only be found in Bhutan and neighbouring Assam in India. Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is also home to the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nepalensis). The trail is a superb place for birding (common mynas, blue-fronted redstarts, long-tailed shrikes and Eurasian sparrows, to name just a few common species, but serpent eagle, golden-throated barbet, and the yellow-bellied flowerpecker are also spotted). The trail has a wide variety of plants and flowers found in this Himalayan area (from Chir Pine, broad-leaved trees and Bamboo, to Rhododendrons and wild Orchids).
Besides the natural beauty of the area, the area also contains cultural history, witnessed by the presence of a commemorative pillar in the temple of Nabji. The pillar symbolizes the occasion when peace was negotiated between the two kings (King Nauche from India and King Sindhu from Bhutan), intermediated by Guru Rimpoche in the eight century. Along the six-day trail, more traces of Guru Rimpoche’s presence during those days can be found.
The last two days of the trek will go through the homeland of the Monpa people. The small traditional villages of the Monpa community are scattered on the slope overlooking Mangde Chhu. The Monpas are thought to be the first settlers in Bhutan-- the Mangde Chhu valley representing one of the earliest areas of settlement in Bhutan. The Monpas practice a mix of animistic shamanism and Buddhism. Monpa refers to “the people of darkness” referring to their isolated position in the past. In general terms, Mon refers to people without religion, which characterized the period before the advent of Buddhism in Bhutan. They were originally hunters and food gatherers and their culture, tradition and practices are intrinsically linked to the forest around them. They are traditionally cane weavers and bamboo crafters, using their skills for house construction, making baskets and other household items.
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Bhutan: Nabji Trail Adventure Day 13Book now!
Thimphu - Paro; Paro valley siteseeing
Today, you will drive towards Paro, an hour’s journey. However, on your way you will take a short hike after the confluence (where Thimphu and Paro rivers meet) to see Tachogang monastery, “the temple of excellent horse” built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron bridge builder 1385 - 1464), who came to Bhutan from Tibet in search of iron ore. You can still see the iron chain used for the new bridge. The drive continues till we reach the point of our short excursion to Dzongdrakha Goemga. Before you start your excursion, you can see Dzongdrakha Goemba, a white structures hanging on the side of the cliff. It takes an hour for the return trip. Drive for lunch in Paro town.
After lunch you will visit the National Museum. The first thing you will notice is the unusual shape of the museum building itself. It was originally the watchtower of the Paro Dzong. Once you are inside, there is a specific route to follow through the entire building that ensures that you walk clockwise around important images. There are six floors of galleries, each with a special emphasis. From there you will drive to Paro Dzong (Paro Rinchen Pung Dzong meaning ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’). It has always been one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses and was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro valley from invasion by Tibet. Drive to your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel or specially arranged homestay.
Day 14
Paro Halt (Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
After breakfast, you will drive for 30 min to reach the base of Taktshang monastery (2,300m). We will hike 4.5 hours for the return trip. Taktshang is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley. Taktshang, the name means “tiger’s nest.” It was named because Guru Rimpoche is believed to have flown to the site of the monastery riding on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan. He then meditated in a cave here for three months to subjugate the demons and at the same time he turned whole Paro valley into Buddhist.
The structure that can be seen today is rebuild in its original style after it was destroyed by fire on 19th April 1998, and cause still unknown. Lunch will be served at the Yak Herders restaurant. After lunch you can visit Kyichu Lhakhang, which was built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Here you can see the statues of Buddha Sakyamuni, Compassion Buddha in its 11 heads and 1000 hands form, 5m high statue of Guru Rimpoche and Tara who represents one of the wives of King Songtsen Gampo. Drive back to you hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel or homestay.
Day 15
Depart Paro, Bhutan
Morning drive to Paro International Airport for departure to your onward destination.
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Bhutan: Nabji Trail Adventure Day 4Book now!
Punakha - Trongsa Valley
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang. We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through subtropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.). With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. In clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks including Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.).
As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo we reach Chendebji Chorten. This Chorten (Stupa) was built in 18th century by a Lama known as Shida, in order to subdue a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge. We will have our lunch here. We may encounter herds of yaks on the way. Continue your drive to Trongsa; the huge fortress of Trongsa dominates the entire landscape. Like all other Dzongs, it is strategically located, perched atop a hill. You will get a watchman's expansive view from the watch tower, which is now being converted to a museum. Arrive Trongsa.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 5
Tongtongphey (1,000m) - Jangbi ( 1,350m); 3 hours
Today is the first day of the trek. After furnishing yourself with ample information about the trek from the information booth at the Park Range office in Tongtongphey, the Jangbi village guide steers you down to the Mangdi river where you cross a suspension bridge. The first day brings you in contact with the Monpas who are believed to be the first inhabitants of Bhutan. A glimpse of their lifestyle verifies this claim. The campsite in Jangbi stands on the valley sill, which offers a magnificent view of the Mangdi valley.
Overnight camp.
Day 6
Jangbi (1,350m) - Kudra (1,500m); 6 hours
The morning allows you to further interact with the Monpas. Before you proceed, you could pay a visit to the orchid garden to satiate your thirst for botanical photography. The hike to Kudra provides a jovial atmosphere because this part of the trail meanders along stone imprints of Guru Rinpoche’s footprints, dagger and phallus, festooned by stories that espouse Guru’s praxis. Lunch is served just before you reach Ugyendra, a steep cliff below Phrumzur, one of the few villages of the Monpa communities scattered around the trail. With renewed energy from lunch, you could visit the village lhakhang and then proceed to the campsite in Kudra.
Overnight Camp
Day 7
Jangbi (1,350m) - Kudra (1,500m); 6 hours
Wake to the distant call of the Rufous-necked hornbill. This part of the trek is a collage of streams, waterfalls and thick forests that will give you an invigorating feeling of being out in the wild. The Great Himalayan Squirrel, Rhesus Mecaques, and small snakes are often spotted along the trail. Unseen but present, are Himalayan black bear, Red pandas, tigers, Clouded leopards and many more. Upon arrival at the holy tree in Nabji, you will receive a heartwarming reception from villagers. Nabji is a beautiful village with endless paddy fields demarcating the valley and surrounding the campsite.
Overnight Camp
Day 8
Nabji village (1,300m) - Korphu (1,500m); 3 hours
En route to Korphu, the Nabji temple is located in the middle of the paddy fields. Inside, there remains a stone pillar on which Guru Rinpoche, while traveling through Bhutan in the 8th century, brought consensus between two warring kings: King sindha Gyalp of Bumthang, and King Noeche, by imprinting their thumbs on each side of the stone. Korphu is situated on a mountaintop at an altitude of 1,500m. The most striking thing about Korphu is the people’s hospitality: almost treating you like ‘A King on accession to throne.’ You have the option of being welcomed with a traditional ‘Chipdrel’ procession and a ‘Marchang’ ceremony, singing traditional songs of praise and wellbeing for new visitors. They also perform the traditional ‘Tashi Labey’ dance to bid you farewell. If you are interested, you can participate in the quintessential Bhutanese games of ‘Khuru,’ ‘Dego,’ ‘Sok-sum,’ and ‘Gee-dum,’ all on the brink of disappearance. You could also pay a visit to the village temple that houses the sacred relics of Pema Lingpa, the famous ‘Treasure revealer’ of Bhutan. The village campsite provides a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Nabji and surrounding areas.
Overnight Camp
Day 9
Korphu (1,500m) - Nyimshong (1,300m), 5 hours
The hike from Korphu to Nyimshong is arguably the best birding route-- boasting a bird list of more than 395 species, featuring the elusive Rufous Necked Hornbill with its nesting holes adjacent to the trail, among others. The walk is mixed with waterfalls and, streams and cantilever bridges. The evening brings you to Nyimshong, a village of reticent architecture and lifestyle. The women of Nyimshong have a penchant for singing and dancing and a cultural show would be ideal to celebrate the end of your trek.
Overnight Camp
