Nabji-Korphu
Trek
Black Mountains, Central Bhutan
A Gentle Walk Through Living Monpa Villages
The Nabji-Korphu Trek runs through the Black Mountains — Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park — a roughly 1,400 sq km wilderness at the heart of Bhutan, ranging from 700m in the south to over 4,600m at its centre. The trek itself stays low, between 700m and 1,650m, making it one of the gentlest multi-day treks in the country and comfortable in winter when the surrounding highlands are closed by snow.
The six-day route links a string of villages — Jangbi, Kubra, Nabji, Korphu and Nyimshong — that are home to the Monpa, believed to be among Bhutan's earliest settlers, with their own language and a blend of animistic and Buddhist tradition. The park supports a formal community tourism programme: campsites are maintained by the villages themselves, and local guides and porters are hired stage by stage along the route, so the trek directly benefits the communities it passes through.
Nabji-Korphu Trek at a Glance
Key facts to plan around before you book.
Duration
6 days
Grade
Easy–moderate
Altitude range
700m – 1,650m
Start / End
Tongtongphey to Reotola, near Trongsa and Zhemgang
Best season
November – March, after the harvest
Highlights
Monpa villages, Guru Rinpoche pilgrim sites, Black Mountain wildlife
Itinerary
Day by Day
The trek begins with a drive from Trongsa to the trailhead at Tongtongphey. From an informative signboard at the start, the trail drops around 600m to a suspension bridge over the Mangde Chhu, then climbs steeply back up to Jangbi village. Camp is pitched near the village with a wide view over the Mangde Chhu valley — the first of two nights in Monpa territory, a community thought to be among Bhutan's earliest settlers, with their own language, Monkha, and a tradition of cane weaving and bamboo craft.
The longest and most demanding day on trail, though shaded for most of its length. Local tradition holds that Guru Rinpoche himself passed this way — the trail is marked by stone imprints said to be his footprints, along with dagger and phallus symbols tied to his visit. A lunch stop sits below a cliff at the Monpa village of Phrumzor, near several named holy rocks, before the trail continues via Lekpogang to camp at Kubra, a hamlet of just three households.
A day of thick forest, waterfalls and streams — tiger and leopard country, though sightings are rare and you're more likely to see tracks than the animals themselves. More traces of Guru Rinpoche's legendary passage line the trail before it opens onto paddy fields and the village of Nabji, home to around 400 people across 55 households. Nabji has several sacred sites, including a stone said to hold hidden text readable only by deities, and a lhakhang commemorating an ancient peace treaty between the kings of Bumthang and Assam.
A shorter day climbing to Korphu, a village of 76 households perched dramatically on a mountaintop with sweeping views over the surrounding valleys. Korphu's temple holds relics attributed to Pema Lingpa, Bhutan's celebrated treasure-revealer, making it one of the cultural high points of the trek.
A pleasant walk through lush broadleaf forest and paddy fields, crossing streams and cantilever bridges with plenty of birdwatching along the way. Nyimshong, home to around 465 people, is the last village on the trek; camp is pitched in the forest nearby.
The final day descends steeply to a suspension bridge over the Mangde Chhu, followed by a last steep climb to the trailhead at Reotola. From here, transport takes you either to Zhemgang or back to Trongsa town — those driving to Trongsa can stop at the old Kuenga Rabten winter palace along the way.
Permits & Practicalities
Licensed Guide, Always
A licensed Bhutanese guide accompanies the trek start to finish, as on every route in the country.
National Park Permit
The route runs entirely within Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park, requiring a park entry permit arranged in advance.
Community Campsites
Campsites, porters and local guides are provided village by village as part of the park's community tourism programme.
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