Bhutan - Eco Trekking - Nabji Nature Trek

  Bhutan

• Other Cities in Bhutan: 
Paro

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Calcutta

  Nepal

• Kathmandu: 
Kathmandu

Dates: 17 Oct - 1 Nov 2010

Description: Nabji Nature Trek with Jakar Dzong Festival (October 2010)

Day 1 (17 October): Arrive in Paro
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, stroll freely in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2 (18 October): Paro
Visit Drugyal Dzong, the ruined fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Jhomolhari, the sacred summit reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. Then visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan, and Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". In the evening, you will visit the farm-house to experience the life of a Bhutanese farmer. If you wish, you can sit down for a traditional Bhutanese dinner. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 3 (19 October): Paro-Punakha
Drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula Pass (10,000ft / 3080m) where one gets the most spectacular views of the Himalayas on clear days. After lunch at Dochu La, continue drive to Punakha en route stop at Metshina Village to walk on rice fields for 20 minutes to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to a saint who was popularly known as Devine Madman. Check into the hotel on arrival at Punakha.   Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 4 (20 October): Punakha-Trongsa
After breakfast, you will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of year it's possible to see yaks. You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 5 (21 October): Riotola - Nimshong
Total walking distance Riotala and Nimshong: about 6.5km; 3-4 hours Trongsa (2,200m/7,333ft)-Nimshong village (1,319m/4,367ft) The first day starts with a brief tour through Trongsa Dzong and its Ta Dzong strategically located above the Mangde River. From there the bus will follow the road towards Zhemgang to halt in Riotola (1,060m/3533 ft), the start of Nabji Trail. Keep an eye open for deer and macaques along the way but notice the beautiful view over Mangde Valley as well.

The trek starts with a steep descent of 693m/2310 ft, to the bed of Mangde River; within one and hour from the river you can have a rest at a place called Matling (804 m/2600 ft). After half an hour you will come across a chorten that indicates the entry to the Nimshong village which is a steep climb for about two hours from the river. Nimshong is a small (circa 58-household) village, which has a population of about 465 people. The villagers welcome you with dance and songs while cooks are preparing diner. The campsite (1319m/4397 ft ) is just beside the Nimshong Community School next above the village.

Day 6 (22 October): Nimshong-Nabji
Total distance: about 13km; 4-6 hours Nimshong Campsite (1319m/4397 ft)-Nabji Campsite (1,300m/3827ft) Early in the morning, the village guide will take you to the local temple. From there the hike will go through a lush broadleaf forest alive with abundant bird and mammal life, with possible sightings of Golden Langur and Rufous-necked Hornbill. Nabji is pretty much at the same elevation as Nimshong village; however, the trail will move up and down through a dense forest. Nabji consists of 55 households and an approximate population of 400 people. The village is situated on a foothill above terraced fields of rice. The temple of Nabji which means 'promising' or 'oath'-harbours the stone pillar to mark the peace between Bumthang and Assam Kings. In the village you can find rock remains of a blacksmith (one of the reincarnations of Pema Lingpa). Overnight at campsite surrounded by the rice fields of Nabji.

Day 7 (23 October): Nabji - Korphu
Total distance: 9.5-13km; 4-5 hours Nabji village (1,300m/3827ft)-Korphu Lunch spot 1,636m/5453ft). From our base camp in Nabji, we will do a day hike to Korphu village. Korphu is situated on a mountaintop at an altitude of 1,500m/5000ft. The village consists of 76 households, with an approximate population of 600 people. It is a spectacular hike uphill, and the view from the clustered village of Korphu is breathtaking. It is possible to visit Korphu's temple, which houses the sacred relics of Pema Lingpa. A local lunch will be provided in the village. In the mid-afternoon, we hike back to Nabji.

Day 8 (24 October): Korphu - Kubdra
Total distance: 11-14 km; about 5-7 hours Nabji/Korphu campsite-Kubdra Camp site (1636m/5,453ft). Our trek today starts on a trail to Kubdra village, leaving Nabji village at the holy tree. The trail has it own beauty; you will come across dense forest, big trees with clippers, orchid and small bamboos. After 5 to 6 hours hike, you can rest on the benches provided; enjoy your lunch with a nice view of water fall at a place called Zhelyung (1565m/5217ft.). Then after few hours walk you will come across an ethnic group (called the Monpas) inhabited in Kubdra. Kubdra is situated in the middle of the forest, around 6 hours walking from Nabji. Along the way you'll find traces of Guru Rimpoche. The habitat you traverse is very attractive for tigers and leopards (though it is very rare to spot them, droppings and spores can be found). Kubdra only has 3 households, but the few Monpas living here are very happy to welcome you at their campsite.

Day 9 (25 October): Kubdra-Jangbi Village
Total distance: 13-14,5km; circa 6 hours) Kubdra Camp site (1636m/5453ft)-Jangbi village (1368m/4560ft). The hike continues from Kub dra to Jangbi village. Again traces of Guru Rimpoche can be found along the way (foot print, dragger and hat). A brief visit will be paid to the small village of Phrumzur with its temple (at 1,400m). From the site of the temple there's a good view over the valley, here lunch will be served. From Phrumzur the hike continues, with great vistas and pristine forest along the way. A welcoming tea is prepared in the orchid garden in Jangbi. Here you will also find more information on the Monpas and their Cane and Bamboo Project. Camp will be set near Jangbi village with a beautiful view over the valley and Mangde Chhu.

Day 10 (26 October): Jangbi Tongtongfey-Trongsa
Total distance: 7-9.5km; about 3-4 hours) Jangbi Campsite (1,368m/4,560ft)-Tongtongfey (1,061m/3,537ft)-Trongsa. Today there is a steep descent of 950 meters, which will bring you to the bridge crossing the Mangde Chhu; after that there will be a last climb to Tongtongfey. From here, the bus will bring you back to Trongsa for a real bed and shower. If time permits, you can visit the Kuenga Rabten Palace and the Nunnery (on the way back to Trongsa). Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 10 (27 October): Trongsa Bumthang Jakar Dzong Festival
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. Then you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. In the afternoon, you will witness the Festival in Jakar Dzong. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 11 (28 October): Bumthang-Wangdi
You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight at Dragon Nest Resort in Wangduephodrang.

Day 12 (29 October): Wangdi Thimphu
In the morning you will drive back to Thimphu. After lunch, you will tour the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, and you can explore the interesting handicraft shops. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 13 (30 October): Thimphu Paro
You can spend the morning shopping in Thimphu or take advantage of the visit we have arranged to the university of Bhutan. The Ecology Dept will field your questions about anything that you have seen while in the wilds of Bhutan. In the afternoon, you will drive to Paro. En route visit Simtokha Dzong, which is the oldest Dzong in the country. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 14 (31 October): Paro Hike to Taktsang
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche, 7th century spiritual master is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. Hike back to Paro in the afternoon. Stroll freely in Paro town in the evening. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 15 (1 November): Depart Paro
Drive to the airport for departure.

Highlights: Hiking in the area around Nabji is delightful as it is pristine forest with a wealth of flora and fauna.

Cost in US$: USD 3232 if 10 join

What Is NOT Included
Flights into / out of Bhutan on Druk Air, the Bhutanese State Airline. Visa fee USD20 (one time). Tourism Development Fund USD10 (one time fee). Tips to staff.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999