17telephone: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only)international telephone: +44 1453 844 400www.mountainkingdoms.comT o our knowledge we were the first British company to offer this fascinating trek in the little visited central area of Bhutan. A real highlight is the opportunity to interact (through your guides) with the friendly and hospitable local villagers. After a memorable drive to the interior, the trek visits remote villages in the Black Mountains. We walk through terraced farmland and broadleaf forests, with an impressive array of flora and fauna, to arrive at Nabji, site of the temple containing the sacred relics of the treasure discoverer, Terton Pemalingpa. This trek is carefully designed to benefit the villages we pass through and each village provides our group with a guide, porters and food. Mountain Kingdoms pays the villages for these services, ensuring that money goes directly back to the community. B ack in 1989 Mountain Kingdoms pioneered the first trek in the unique region of Merak & Sakten, before it was closed to visitors just a couple of years later, perhaps to protect one of the few remaining habitats of the Yeti! Now re-opened, we are delighted to be able to offer this rare opportunity to visit an isolated and culturally distinct region of Bhutan.After sightseeing in Delhi we fly to Gauhati in northern India and travel to the eastern border of Bhutan. From here it is a relatively short distance to the picturesque town of Tashigang with its imposing hilltop dzong. We have time to explore Tashigang before heading off on our seven-day circular trek through the villages of Merak and Sakten. The region's intriguing semi-nomadic Brokpa people have architecture, clothing, head gear, language and customs that are entirely different from those found across the rest of Bhutan. The scenery is extremely pretty and varied with haunting views of the eastern Himalaya.Extend your holiday - why not consider visiting Kaziranga National Park one of India's very best game parks? Detailed information and prices available from our office: 0845 330 8579Treasure Discoverer's Trek - the Nabji Trail A delightful low altitude community trek in a remote, unspoilt area.The Brokpas of Eastern BhutanStep back in time on this enchanting trek through little visited Eastern Bhutan.A Bhutanese welcome, Steve BerryGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients£2,450£2,895Land OnlyFlight IncludedSat 23 Oct - Sat 06 Nov 11On Trek: 7 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 4Lodges/Guesthouses: 3Camping: 6Optional: Single Room £265 Single Tent £75Insurance: £95 Trek | Duration: 15 DaysGrade: Moderate/VigorousOn Trek: 6 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 9/10 Camping: 5 Lodges: 2/3Optional: Single Room £240 Single Tent £50Insurance: £99Trek | Duration: 19 Days£2,435£2,450£3,025£3,195Land OnlyLand OnlyFlight IncludedFlight IncludedTue 08 Feb - Sat 26 Feb 11Tue 08 Nov - Sat 26 Nov 11FestivalFeb departure onlyGrade: Moderate Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comThe Himalaya Bhutan

18Download holiday itineraries fromwww.mountainkingdoms.come: info@mountainkingdoms.comB ack in 1988 Mountain Kingdoms was the first UK company to take people exploring in the Dagala Mountains, and we have returned many times since. Having trekked into our base camp next to one of the largest lakes, we have a couple of days to ascend some peaks, including the highest in the range, Um Jomo 5,050m/16,568ft. For the less energetic there are some fine walks, and the chance to go trout fishing or plant hunting. A memorable highlight is the early morning climb to a nearby ridge top to watch the sun rise over the eastern Himalaya. On a clear day we can see all the major peaks of north Bhutan, and to the west the world's third highest mountain Kangchenjunga. From Labatama Lake we trek through valleys and along ridges with magnificent views, before dropping down into the capital city of Thimphu, nestling in the valley below. A fter a walk up to the celebrated Tiger's Nest Monastery, we leave Paro and trek northwards through the cultivated fields and villages of the upper Paro valley before climbing through lush indigenous forest to reach the base camp for Chomolhari which, at 7,314m/23,997ft, is the second highest peak in Bhutan. Here we trek through high mountain terrain, inhabited only by seasonal yak herders, up to the mountain's glacier and acclimatise before crossing a high pass to reach the remote monastery/fort of Lingshi. Built by the first ruler of Bhutan as a defence against Tibet, this dzong is fantastically situated on a 180m hill overlooking wide valleys. After time to explore Lingshi we turn southwards to cross another high pass and trek towards Thimphu passing some curious meditation caves, perhaps some 'blue sheep' and through the wonderfully named Dom Shisa (Where the Bear Died). Once in the capital, there's time to relax and take in some of the sights before heading home. Secret Valleys & Sacred Mountains of DagalaA superb two-week trekking holiday through the mountains of a 'thousand lakes'.Mount Chomolhari Base Camp Trek A magnificent mountain trek through remote country, crossing two high passes of nearly 4,880m/16,000ft. Above Chomolhari Base Camp, Andi HarrisonGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients£2,395£2,395£3,095£3,045Land OnlyLand OnlyFlight IncludedFlight IncludedTue 12 Apr - Sat 30 Apr 11Tue 04 Oct - Sat 22 Oct 11On Trek: 10 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 8 Camping: 9Optional: Single Room £175 Single Tent £75Insurance: £99Trek | Duration: 19 DaysGrade: Vigorous/Strenuous On Trek: 8 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 7 Camping: 7Optional: Single Room £160 Single Tent £75Insurance: £95Trek | Duration: 16 Days£2,160£2,160£2,850£2,795Land OnlyLand OnlyFlight IncludedFlight IncludedFri 08 Apr - Sat 23 Apr 11Fri 07 Oct - Sat 22 Oct 11Grade: Moderate/Vigorous Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comBhutan The Himalaya