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Trek, Ura to Panbang



Our Horses and Horse-men
On 24th November, 2011 a group of enthusiast, I may be included, hopped in the car at 4.00 AM excited about the up-coming hike. We were equipped with GPS, Cameras, Tree Borer and a Butterfly net. By 7.00 AM we reached Khandopang (3399 mtrs of elevation) and met our horses and horse-man. Expecting chilly I was in my long under-wear, sweater and a jacket, which I obviously had to shed after hiking (losing elevation drastically) for couple of hours.
Sometime I like to be in Uniform: Rafting
An Elephant Ride
The first day of the hike was a test of our ability to withstand the tough terrain and strength of our leg and ligaments. Our objective was to reach Thek-pa-leng from Khandopang, but our energy, leg, ligaments all seemed not cooperating with us which made us to camp in Murgang. Murgang is at an elevation of 1814 mtrs and is by the bank of downstream Chamkhar chhu which flows from Chamkhar, Bumthang. It is this first day of the hike which proved to be very tough. Narrow roads carved through the steep slopes/cliff and a deep gorge made it tough for us let alone continues descend till we hit our camp site for the first day. The condition and the “type” of trail left me spell-bounded and made me to think, how on earth someone ever thought of constructing this trail. I was told by one of our horseman who happens to be cattle herder from Tangsibji, Bumthang, that they lost many cattle in the process of migrating after having fallen down the cliff; beyond doubt such accidents are prone through such rugged terrain. In the first day itself we lost almost 1600 meters of elevation. It was like falling from the cliff.
The second day of the hike was gentle with few “bumps”. We planned on reaching Shingkhar but our plan flopped as we had to put up our night in Tholay situated at an elevation of 1737 mtrs, two hours before Shingkhar. Tholay is vast area of paddy fields without any houses nearby. I am told that the paddy fields belong to the people of Shingkhar.  That night we camped in the paddy field overlooking the deep gorges and beautiful forest. What a beautiful night it was!!!!!
The third day of our hike took us through a village named Changkar. I caught up with a man, 80 years old, to ask briefly on the Shifting Cultivation activities practiced in their village. I observed that all the houses were provided “Solar” lighting by the Thrumshingla National Park through Integrated Conservation and Development Program (ICDP). What is sad is, all the solar lighting failed to work after certain years. After about an hour from Changkhar (1783 mtrs of elevation) we hit Shingkhar (1459 mtrs of elevation). All most all the people in these two villages were seen working in their buckwheat field. After our lunch in Shingkhar we hiked for another two hours and we were in Wamleng (1345 mtrs), our home for the night. In Wamleng too we camped in paddy field overlooking Shingkhar and Radi (on the opposite side of the river).
Day Four: We started at 8.00 AM with the objective to reach Nimshong (1743 mtrs). It was an interesting hike. From Wamleng we descended till we hit the river and again ascended to Nimshong. It was 3.30 PM by the time we reached another paddy field of Nimshongpas . We decided to camp in the paddy field (Daga) as Nimshong was still two hours from Daga. Daga is a beautiful location to camp. It is from here that we could clearly see all-most all villages of upper kheng (Shingkhar, Thrisa, Wamleng, Bardoh, Khomshar and Nimshong)
Day 5: After hiking for one hour from Daga we heard the sound of the bull dozers driving its way towards the monastery; we were on motorable road finally, but no vehicles just bull dozer. The road to monastery and Shingkhar diverts right before reaching Nimshong. Day five was the longest hike, we could reach our campsite just before dark…uh!!!. We camped right before reaching Buli (1693 mtrs of elevation) in a place called Golingthang (2133 mtrs). Besides being the long day hiking it has been a toughest hike as we had to cross a pass (Malaya), 2596 mtrs.
Day Six: The easiest hike of all. Within an hour and a half from Golingthang we were in Buli. After lunch our hilux was there. We decided to halt a night in Buli and spend time visiting the Buli Tsho (Lake). We went to Buli Tsho and offered our prayers.
Day Seven: We were in our hilux and drove to Praleng (887 mtrs) via Tingtibe. It was 4.30 PM by the time we reached Praleng due to the road block (because of widening). We packed whatever is required and headed towards Dunmang (365 mtrs above mean sea level) Tshachu (hot spring). After one hour of steep descends we were in Dunmang, very well furnished and equipped hot spring. But, mind you, there are no places to pitch your tent. Fortunately we acquired permission from the Zhemgang Dzongkhag (District) official to spend a night in the guest house; which was great.
Day Eight: Our day began very early. We started to hike back at 6.00 AM and took us two hours to reach Praleng after which we boarded a hilux till Pantang (237 mtrs) (newly constructed road going to Panbang, 152 mtrs above mean sea level). We hiked for another five hours from Pantang till we reached Chen-gar-zam. Hooray!!! A private Mahindra Bolera was waiting for us. It was just an hour drive from there till the bridge leading to Panbang. We spent one day in Panbang (Day Nine).
Day Ten: Early in the morning I went to Manas (111 mtrs of elevation) to bring rubber boat till Panbang as we were planning rafting till Manas. At around 10.30 AM we were all on the boat and rafted towards Manas which took us one hour to reach Manas.
We spent three days in Manas, hiking and also enjoyed Elephant Safari.
 It was a great hike, a holiday, a work, an enjoyment etc. In short, it was little bit of everything.
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