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Trekking Bhutan in the Winter
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 The Nabji
Trail is an ideal post-harvest, winter trek, and an ideal
destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. The trail is set out in Jigme Singye
Wangchuck National Park, a park with an ecological rich
environment, open from end of November up to the end of
March. The park, located in central Bhutan, is also
home to several cultural rich agricultural villages. The
trail is a six-day low-altitude trek (between 693m/23100ft
and 1,636m/5453ft) through six different villages located
inside the park. Starting point Riotala (1060m/3533ft) and
final destination Tongtongphey (1061m/3537ft) 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 will possibly see the Golden Langur (Trachypithecus
geei), one of the rarest primates, which can only be found
in Bhutan and neighboring Assam. Jigme Singye Wangchuck
National Park is also home to the endangered Rufous-necked
Hornbill (Aceros nepalensis). More so, 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 spotted are also serpent eagle,
golden-throated barbet, and the yellow-bellied
flower-pecker) and 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 among others by the
presence of a commemorative pillar in the temple of Nabji.
The pillar symbolizes the occasion that peace was negotiated
between the two kings (King Nauche from India and King Sindu
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 term Mon refers to people
without religion that symbolizes 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.
Community Tourism
The Nabji Trail supports the park management in their
efforts to conserve nature by creating more awareness on
natural and environmental issues, through tourism awareness
programmes and by introducing socio-economic benefits.
Specific measures are put in place to maximize
socio-economic benefits and minimize negative impacts from
tourism development to support the livelihood of the local
community in the area and to create more awareness on
natural, environmental, and cultural issues.
The trail itself has been in use since long by the villagers
themselves, who use the trail to commute between villages. A
waste management system has been put in place where tour
groups have to carry their non-degradable waste out of the
park. Waste can be disposed of at the end of the trail, at
the Park Range Office in Tongtongfey, where an incinerator
is build. This incinerator is not only for the benefit of
tour groups but also the local community.
The trail has been developed in such a way that community
will have the sole responsibility to manage and provide
services. The service package includes community camping
sites with basic facilities (Nimshong, Korphu, Kubdra and
Jangbi) or with bucket shower/hot stone bath facilities (Nabji),
local lunches, tea or meal. The rates for these services are
standardized to avoid misunderstanding between communities
and the tour operators and tour groups. Each village has a
Tourism Management Committee (TMC), as appointed by the
villagers. The TMC will monitor and control the services,
revenue collection and utilization through the Community
Development Fund (CDF). The revenue so generated will go
directly into CDF bank account .
 On
rotation basis, individuals from different villages generate
income through portering from village to village, assisting
as cook, or village guide. Other activities generating
income for individuals by developing tourism in JSWNP
include cultural performances, sales of crafts, vegetables
and other agricultural products. The TMC decides the deposit
on certain percentage of the revenue generated from the
individual tourism activities such as portering, guiding and
cooking into the CDF bank account. The accumulated fund can
be used by the communities for their village development
activities, children education and expansion and maintenance
of the tourism related infrastructure. The fund can be used
to support initiatives which involve those who are not
directly involved in tourism development (especially
children and elderly).
Accessibility
The trail’s start and end is located at the road between
Trongsa and Zhemgang. Therefore Trongsa is a good ‘base
camp’ to start the trek. Not only because of its close
distance from start and finish of the trail, its
accommodation facilities, and its perfect location between
Punakha and Bumthang, but also because of possible visits to
Trongsa Dzong and its Ta Dzong (a watch tower which will be
converted into museum). Kuenga Rabten, the old winter
palace, can be visited along the way to or from the park.
Trek
Itinerary (Starts
in Trongsa)
Day 1 Riotala - 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 2 Nimshong – Nabji: 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 3 Nabji – Korphu: 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 4 Korphu – Kubdra: 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 5 Kubdra – Jangbi: 13-14,5km; circa 6 hours)
Kubdra Camp site (1636m/5453ft)-Jangbi village
(1368m/4560ft)
The hike continues from Kubdra 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 6 Jangbi – Tongtongfey: 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 in Trongsa (or next destination).
Click
to Print Itinerary
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Private Tours:
November to
March
6 days trekking
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