The Nabji trek was first drafted in 2006, but it is only recently that the route has begun to grab attention. To minimize the impact on the fragile ecosystem of the region, only one group – not exceeding 11 trekkers – is allowed to walk the trail at a time. Nabji is an early stab at community based tourism in Bhutan, where the local villagers are employed to offer services and amenities such as porterage, village tours, cultural shows and food at semi-developed campsites along the route.
The trailhead of this winter trek are on the road between Trongsa and Zhemgang, and the trek left itself offers a chance to spot some exotic local creatures such as the golden langur, the rufous-necked hornbill and the serpent eagle, among others.
DAY1: RIOTALA TO NIMSHONG
6.5KM/ 3-4 HOURS/ 625M ASCENT, 365M DESCENT
From Riotala, the trek begins with a steep descent to the Mangde Chhu valley, before climbing for about two hours to a lunch spot called Matling (800m). another 30 minutes ahead, at the end of a steep climb, stands a chorten, which marks the entry into Nimshong, a village of about 60 households at 1320m. You will be welcomed into Nimshong with much song and dance, before being served dinner cooked by villagers.
DAY2: NIMSHONG TO NABJI
13KM/ 5-6 HOURS/ 20M DESCENT
After a village tour of Namshing, hike through a lush broadleaf forest teeming with regional fauna such as golden langurs and rofous-necked hornbills, to the village of Nabji (1300m). There is a temple here, with a stone pillar commemorating a peace treaty once signed between the kings of Bumthang and Assam. In the village you will also see the rocky remains of a blacksmith, believed to be one of the reincarnations of Pema Lingpa. The camp is located amid rice fields near the village.
DAY3: REST DAY IN NABJI
Use this day to do a pleasant two-hour hike (gaining about 200m) to Korphu, a village of about 600 people perched at 1500m. After gorging on a locally cooked lunch, visit the village temple, housing the sacred relics of Pema Lingpa. Trudge back to Nabji down the same trail by late afternoon.
DAY4: NABJI TO KUDRA
13-14KM/ 6-7 HOURS/ 335M ASCENT
Today’s treak leaves Nabji at a spot marked by a holy tree, before passing through a dense forest of clippers, orchids and bamboo. The forest is supposedly a habitat for tigers and leopards, although sightings are rare. The campsite at Kudra (1635m) is smack in the middle of the forest, with three Monpa households nearby.
DAY5: KUDRA TO JANGBI
13-14KM/ 6-7 HOURS/ 265M DESCENT
Today’s trail is littered with fabulous evidence of Guru Rimpoche’s visit to the regiom footprint dagger, hat, you name it. Lunch is at phrumzur village (1400m), which has a temple from where one can take in good views of the valley. From Phrumzur, it is an easy hike to Jangbi village (1370m), where you will pitch tent in a scenic spot overlooking the Mangde Chhu valley.
DAY6:JANBI TO TONGTONGPHEY
8.5-9.5KM/3-4 HOURS/ 640M ASCENT, 950M DESCENT
After breaking camp, descend steeply to the bridge crossing the Mangde Chhu, before one last push to Tongtongphey (1060m), where you will be met by your vehicle and driven back to Trongsa.