Nabji Korphu Winter Trekking
Outline
Nabji-Korphu Community-based Nature Tourism Trek / The Nabji Trail is an ideal post-harvest /winter trekking open from October up to the end of March.
12 nights / 13 days. It is low altitude trekking and best to do this during winter time in Bhutan (Jan, Feb and March)
This trek was opened to tourist only in November 2006 as pilot project on community based tourism.
Each village has a Tourism Management Committee (TMC), as appointed by the villagers. The TMC will monitor and control the services. The revenue so generated will go directly into Community Development Fund (CDF) bank account.
On rotation basis, individuals from different villages generate income through pottering from village to village, assisting as cook, or village guide. Other activities generating income 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 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).
The package is for ….days, with 6 days of trekking. It is low altitude trekking and best suited in winter.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro
you will be received by Bhutan Dragon Adventures’ representative and transferred to your hotel, after quick freshen up, visit Paro Dzong built in 1646, and watch tower which now houses the national museum.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro – Thimphu
After early breakfast drive Thimphu the capital city for sightseeing. Visit Takin zoo — school of 13 arts and crafts of Bhutan — handmade paper factory — National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts — Folk Heritage Museum, showcasing the Bhutanese living during the 17th century — Simtokha Dzong the 1st Dzong built by Shabdrung in 1626 — Memorial Chorten, the Stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s Third King who is also known as the Father of modern Bhutan — if time permits visit some other olden temples around Thimphu In evening after governments office hour visit Tashichho Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress housing Government’s office and King’s Throne room it is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot.
Overnight at Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu – Wangdue/Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha, reroute you will be passing by Dochula (pass) (3,050m), where there is 108 Stupa all together. After Dochula you drive downhill to Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung. The Dzong is regarded as one of the beautiful Dzong and it is winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief Abbot. After lunch drive Wangdue to see Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung. It is the only Dzong in Bhutan with typical Bhutanese roofing. — In evening after the Dzong do the hike to chimed Lhakhang meaning “no dog temple”. The temple is also regarded as “temple of fertility” as lot of couple without child comes here to wish for one. The hike is gradual climb for about 45 minutes, through paddy or wheat field.
Overnight at Punakha
(Here you can have option of extending one night at Phobjikha which is famous inhabitant for the endangered black necked crane)
Day 4: Wangdue/Punakha – Trongsa
After breakfast drive uphill to Trongsa passing through Wangdue town until you reach Pelela (pass) (3200m) which divides the east and west Bhutan. From there you drive downhill and stop at Chendipjee to see the Chendipjee Chorten, built in around 19th century by lama Sidha. The Stupa is styled similar to Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. It takes another hour until you reach Trongsa. — visit Ta Dzong the Watch tower of Trongsa Dzong now housing monarch museum and Trongsa Dzong which is one of the largest in the country.
Overnight at Trongsa
Day 5: Trongsa – Tongtong phay – Jangbi (Trek start)
our trek starts today. We drive up to Tongtongphay from where we begin the trek. En route we visit the kuengarapten palace. With all trekking gear checked we descend down till a bridge and then continue steep uphill to Jangbi. 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 – Kubdra (Camping)
Today we will see a lot of Guru Rinpoche related traces like (foot print, dragger and hat). It is said that during the 8th century Guru Rinpoche traveled this way. En route we will pay 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. Then after few hours walk you will come across an ethnic group (called the Monpas) inhabited in Kubdra. 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 7: Kubdra – Korphu (Camping)
Our trek today starts on a trail to Korphu village. 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.
Day 8: Korphu – Nabji – Korphu ( Camping)
Today we will day hike to Nabji village which is much lower which has 55 house hold with approximate population of 400 people. The term Nabji means (“Na” means oath “bi” means given). In the Nabji temple you will see a stone pillar where the oath was taken between two kings to be friend with Guru Rinpoche as witness. Nabji village is surrounded with rice fields. After having lunch in Nabji, we then return uphill to Korphu, like the people of Korphu who do daily during the plantation season.
Day 9: Korphu – Nimshong ( Camping)
Early this morning visit the temple as a farewell to village, as it is customary that all who leave village go to temple once, so you may find some local there too. The trail continues through a lush broadleaf forest alive with abundant bird and mammal life, with possible sightings of Golden Langur and Rufous-necked Hornbill. The trail is more or less plain.
Reaching Nimshong we camp for the night. 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 10: Nimshong – Riotala – Trongsa
Today is the last day of your trek. Make steep descent after visiting Nimshong temple, until you reach Mangdichu which is one of the biggest rivers. After crossing the long suspension bridge you make last accent to the road from where bus/car will drive to Zhemgang. Keep an eye open for deer and macaques along the way.
Visit the Dzong and town in Zhemgang and then we drive back to Trongsa.
Overnight Trongsa.
Day 11: Trongsa – Thimphu
Overnight at Thimphu
Day 12: Thimphu – Paro
Taktsang the “tiger nest” hike. It is among the 1000 places you should see before you die.
Overnight at Paro.
Day 13: Paro
Early breakfast drive to Air port for and farewell and depart.
Tashi Delek and Thank you!