Sunday, July 31, 2011

Hotel Yak & Yeti Kathmandu


Hotel Yak and Yeti, is a premier five-star deluxe oasis in the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal. Modern day sophistication greets cultural heritage in the ample grounds of the 100-year-old palace and newly designed structure of the hotel. Find refuge among antique fountains, gilded temples and emerald gardens as you remain just moments away from all the shops and adventure of the Kathmandu city, located at Durbar Marg.

The hotel has total of 270 rooms divided into standard & deluxe categories. A 120-room hotel with 5 star amenities started it’s operation in 01st September, 1977. After a successful run of 12 years, the need was felt to enhance the hotel’s size and facilities.

Now an extension of 150 deluxe rooms and suites have been built (designed to harmonize with the special features of the Lal Durbar) to supplement the existing accommodation, bringing the total number of rooms available in the hotel to 270 rooms.

Along with the construction of the new (Durbar) wing, a brand new porte-cochere, lobby, a new lobby bar, shopping arcade, an atrium, a second swimming pool and two tennis courts have also been constructed, whilst the Café Restaurant has been extended and upgraded, along with the refurbishment of the existing guest room wing. Following this renovation program is the inclusion of a brand new Club Nirvana Fitness Center complete with state-of-the-art gymnasium and spa. Hotel Yak & Yeti has a comprehensive Business Centre and is the first hotel in Kathmandu offering a much sought after exclusive Executive floor and Club Shangri-La. Facilities on this floor include 24-hour butler service, a private lounge for breakfast and cocktails, a boardroom, and in-room outlets for fax machines and computers, which can be rented.

With the historic character of the hotel and the new and upgraded facilities, the Yak & Yeti will continue to be the city’s leading luxury business and leisure hotel. Although it is an ultra modern hotel, the traditional Nepali architectural features have been preserved.

Some of the display carved windows are more than 200 years old. It captures the old charm and style of Kathmandu, while providing the international quality standards of accommodation and dining facilities.

The embodiment of history, legend and tradition, the Hotel Yak and Yeti is a perfect blend of contemporary international standards and time-honored tradition. Explore Nepal's rich cultural heritage while finding solace in the luxurious comfort of this former Rana Palace.

Rest in the neo-classical Lal Durbar or Red Palace, built more than a century ago by the then Prime Minister Bir Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana. A centerpiece of the Yak and Yeti's impressive hotel, the meticulously restored, Lal Durbar now houses two historic restaurants, banquet rooms, a grand ballroom and casino. Comfortably manicured rooms, striking Himalayan views, and its premier location make the Yak and Yeti an obvious destination for business and for travel.

Ambassador Garden Home


This hotel in the Nepalese capital offers affordable prices, as well as a convenient location. Situated in the heart of the tourist district of Thamel, you are never far from restaurants or shops. Visit the King's Palace, Swayambhu- the most revered Buddhist stupa in Nepal, and because you are in Thamel you can't miss the Thamel Chowk, with its countless restaurants and shops. At the hotel, guests enjoy complimentary wireless internet access, fruits and tea/coffee. The Ambassador Garden Home makes for an excellent choice to stay in the tourist district of Kathmandu.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Black Mountain



Black Mountain is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band is composed of Stephen McBean, Amber Webber, Matt Camirand, Jeremy Schmidt and Joshua Wells.

Overview

Since forming in 2004, Black Mountain has released three LPs, Black Mountain (2005), In the Future (2008), and Wilderness Heart (2010), and two EPs, Druganaut (2004) and Bastards of Light (2008) on the Jagjaguwar label. A split single with Destroyer was released in Fall 2004 on Spirit of Orr Records. The "Stormy High" single was released in 2006 on Suicide Squeeze Records. A vinyl single was released in April 2007 named "Surrender Sound Session: Unkle vs. Autolux/Black Mountain" with a remix of "No Hits" on the B side.
Their self-titled album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005. In the Future was a finalist for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize and was also nominated for "Best Alternative Album" in the 2009 Juno Awards. The song "Stay Free" from In the Future was featured on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack.
In 2005 the band opened for Coldplay on their Twisted Logic Tour for three weeks, with their final opening in San Diego.
In September 2010 Black Mountain performed in an amphitheater located in the woods of Oisterwijk at the Incubate (festival) in Tilburg, Netherlands.
Leader Stephen McBean also heads another similarly named band, Pink Mountaintops, who are the more experimental side of McBean's musical abilities. Black Mountain is the front line band for Black Mountain Army, a collective of musicians, artists and friends in Vancouver. In an interview the band said "Black Mountain is just the five of us. The Black Mountain Army… which has kind of gotten blown out of proportion, it was kind of just a joke, because everybody thought we were this hippie collective, like we all lived in one house. But it’s basically just our friends at home in Vancouver, just our extended family of creative people that we know." [1]
Several members of the band have, for as long as a decade, worked for organizations that meet the basic living requirements of the chronically poor, drug addicted and mentally ill in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighborhood, such as Insite.[2][3] In an interview, the band said: "After work we all try not to think too hard about the effect it has on our lives. It keeps us grounded."[4]
Wilderness Heart was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.[5
Since the Cherokee Indians settled here more than 10,000 years ago, folks have come seeking rejuvenation, contemplation, and introspection. The beautiful mountain scenery, variety of recreational activities, and friendly hometown feel, continues to attract many each year. Take a walk through historic downtown and discover numerous unique gift shops, galleries, and Appalachian-style craft stores, with local craftsmen often demonstrating iron works, dulcimer making, and throwing pottery. Enjoy a wide variety of nightly music at one of our famous venues.
From the most upscale cuisine, to country cooking and BBQ, the area is home to over forty restaurants sure to please any palate. Dine inside or outside, while enjoying the local flavor or celebrating a special occasion.
Activities abound - from a round of golf at Black Mountain's famous 747 yard par 6 course (one of the longest in the world), to hiking and biking along the area's numerous scenic trails. The area hosts many renowned festivals: Sourwood Festival, L.E.A.F. Festival, Black Mountain Art and Crafts Show, and Art in Bloom to name a few. Don't miss the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
Make Black Mountain, North Carolina, in the lovely Swannanoa Valley, your vacation headquarters. Stay at a historic B&B, quaint cottage, country inn, or hotel while visiting some of the region's greatest attractions. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park, are within a short drive. Sit and rock on our "Front Porch." Stroll around Lake Tomahawk. Drink in the ever-changing mountain views. Luxuriate in the peace and fresh air. Visit Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley to discover the best that Western North Carolina has to offer.



Kula Kangri



Kula Kangri has been widely reported to be the highest mountain in Bhutan, located in a remote area of Northern Bhutan, near the Chinese border. However, recent Chinese sources, with confirmation by Japanese sources, place Kula Kangri entirely within China, with elevation 7538 metres, not 7554 metres, as traditionally quoted. The Chinese survey further establishes that Gangkar Punsum is higher, at 7570 metres, and that it lies on the border between China and Bhutan, although no boundary treaty has been concluded with Bhutan.
Nevertheless, natural features argue in favor of Kula Kangri as being entirely within China, and at the lower quoted height than traditionally given. It remains for Bhutan to conduct its own survey if the confusion or doubt is to be removed. The traditional height of Gangkar Punsum is 7541 metres, not 7570, as the modern Chinese survey indicates.
The divergence of opinion regarding Kula Kangri and Gangkar Punsum is heightend by the policy of Bhutan banning climbing of all mountains in Bhutan higher than 6000 metres since 1994, although a Japanese expedition claims to have reached Gangkar Punsum's North summit, known as Liangkang Kangri (7535m) in 1999, which is still on the Chinese side of the border as apparently regarded by China. Incidentally, the Latitude of Gangkar Punsum is believed to be 28.02.48 North, and Longitude 90.27.21 East, whereas Kula Kangri's is now quoted at 28.13.34 N, 90.36.4 E.


Elevation (feet): 24731
Elevation (meters): 7538
Continent: Asia
Country: Bhutan
Range/Region: Himalaya
SubRange: Bhutan Himalaya
Latitude: 28.2333
Longitude: 90.6
Difficulty: Major Mountain Expedition
Best months for climbing: April, May, September, October
Convenient Center: Thimpu, Bhutan
Nearest major airport: Paro, 

Kula Kangri



Kula Kangri is claimed by many authorities to be the highest mountain in Bhutan but this is disputed by others, who claim that Kula Kangri is wholly in Tibet. The first ascent was by a Japanese team in 1986. The mountain occupies two ranges, the Himalaya and the Bhutan Himalaya.
Chinese and Japanese authorities claim nearby Gangkhar Puensum is higher, and the claim that Kula Kangri is in or on the border with Bhutan is challenged here
Mount Kula Kangri is the famous Mountain, which is opened for the climbing expedition from “Tibet-China mountaineering Association”. The route fallows from Kathmandu’ via Zhangmu, Nyalm, Tingri, Ghantse to reach the Kula Khanri Base camp.
Kula Kangri is the highest mountain range stretching along the border between Bhutan and Tibet.
Many sources cite it as the highest mountain in Bhutan, but it is situated exactly in between the boarder of Bhutan and Tibet.
Kula Kangri is a beautiful big peak with three summits, the west summit  is the highest. The north face is an intimidating wall of rock and ices over 2000m high that is almost entirely capped by sera’s. The south face is equally big and steep. The eastern and western ends are significantly easier for the climbing reason, but both are long and difficult routes.

Climbing Sherpa for Himalayan:

We facilitate highly professional, well trained and qualified climbing Sherpas for the your expeditions. Many climbers avoid Sherpa guides for the climbing, so because of this, they have been found to facing many hindrances on their way. If you take Sherpas along with you on the expedition, they are very useful in your each and every step of support, which makes your climbing easier to restore your strained energy; and it gives you vigorous strength for your next day’s climbing. Most of the groups, who have gone with the Sherpa guides on the expedition, is found to be succeeded as per our past experiences. So we suggest you to operate your expeditions along with the Sherpa guides.

Booking

If you like to book us for the expedition you can log on to our web http://www.monterosa-nepal.com, for online booking you should deposit us USD 500.00 bank transfer in our bank account in advance which enables you for your secured seats. After this deposition, your expedition will be final confirmed; and in case if you cancel the expedition, the deposition will not be refunded. This is the terms and conditions of our company.

peak information

MT. Kula Kangri located at 90.6 E & 28.2 N towers on the main ridge line of the middle section of the Himalayas. Rising 7536m above sea level, it has 6 neighboring peaks of over 7000 m in Lhozhang of the Tibet region. To it southeast stand Kula Kangri II (7548 m) and Kula Kangri III (7384m) while to the northeast are the 7221 m high Karejiang I and 7045 m Karejiang II. Joining Kula Kangri in west is the giant peaks of 7126 m. Viewed in the distance, the group of peaks stand by each other, just like a gigantic protective screen of wall. Bedrocks and precipices are towering like a wall and rising steeply while four glaciers are across the valley, with two as long as 10 kilometers on the north side. With the harsh climate, low temperature and high range of daily temperature & strong wind. The best time for mountaineering activities is generally between April and May or in the months of September and October.

The route line leading to Kula Kangri: It takes a total of 260 km from Lhasa pass Nakartse to reach the base camp in Moinda (4490 m). It is necessary to obtain permit to climb Mt. Kula (Gulha) Kangri.
The team must sign up at least 70 days prior to expedition departure.

Description

Kula Kangri has been widely reported to be the highest mountain in Bhutan, located in a remote area of Northern Bhutan, near the Chinese border. However, recent Chinese sources, with confirmation by Japanese sources, place Kula Kangri entirely within China, with elevation 7538 metres, not 7554 metres, as traditionally quoted. The Chinese survey further establishes that Gangkar Punsum is higher, at 7570 metres, and that it lies on the border between China and Bhutan, although no boundary treaty has been concluded with Bhutan.
Nevertheless, natural features argue in favor of Kula Kangri as being entirely within China, and at the lower quoted height than traditionally given. It remains for Bhutan to conduct its own survey if the confusion or doubt is to be removed. The traditional height of Gangkar Punsum is 7541 metres, not 7570, as the modern Chinese survey indicates.
The divergence of opinion regarding Kula Kangri and Gangkar Punsum is heightend by the policy of Bhutan banning climbing of all mountains in Bhutan higher than 6000 metres since 1994, although a Japanese expedition claims to have reached Gangkar Punsum's North summit, known as Liangkang Kangri (7535m) in 1999, which is still on the Chinese side of the border as apparently regarded by China. Incidentally, the Latitude of Gangkar Punsum is believed to be 28.02.48 North, and Longitude 90.27.21 East, whereas Kula Kangri's is now quoted at 28.13.34 N, 90.36.4 E.

Kangphu Kang



At 7,204 meters (23,635 feet) high, Kangphu Kang is the 107 th highest mountain in the world. Kangphu Kang is part of the Lunana Himalaya in Bhutan (/Tibet). The geographic coordinates of the mountain are 28°09'18?N, 90°03'45?E. The mountain prominence (a measure of vertical separation between mountains) of Kangphu Kang is 1,200 meters and its parent mountain is Tongshanjiabu. The first ascent of Kangphu Kang occurred in 2002.

kula kangkari



This page is about an area of the Himalayas along or near to the Bhutan-Tibet border. A Japanese sketch map is shown here, based on modern Chinese military mapping. But despite the respective 7538m and 7570m elevations shown on this map, the most commonly quoted elevations of the two main summits are 7554m for Kula Kangri, and 7541m for Kangkar Punsum.
All authorities have KP on the political border, but most authorities extend this border as far east as KK, then switching back south-west to KP before continuing eastwards. Bhutanese government websites include a map which shows this border and a document which claims Kula Kangri (7554m) as its national high point. This border and HP are disputed by Chinese and some other authorities, who claim that the border does not extend to within 15km of KK, and that KK is wholly in Tibet. This page supports the latter point of view.
Background Information.
According to Eberhrd Jurgalski, "the first Western researcher in Bhutan was Professor Augusto Gansser, beginning back in the 1960's. He published many articles in the Berge der Welt (Mountain World) series of the Swiss Foundation of Alpine Research, where he explained names and also the border to Tibet. In a book called The Geology of the Bhutan Himalaya (Basel 1983, ISBN 3-7643-1371-4) he summarized his knowledge. All the time he claimed Kangkar Pünzum as the highest peak in Bhutan, even if Kula Kangri was higher. It is 20 km within Tibet. I saw only on later commercial maps, that the border was more to the North."
Eberhard continues: "On a peak list published in Die Alpen in 1972, Dyhrenfurth listed "Künla Khari" (7554 m), Kangkar Pünzum I (7541 m), KP II (7532 m) and KP III (7516 m)." These elevations are the most widely quoted today, although the former is generally called Kula Kangri. But "then, in 1980, Toni Hiebeler's book Himalaya and Karakorum was published. On page 197 he supplied the names Künla Khari I to IV". These have been reproduced as several Kula Kangri's by some authorities, but to the best of our knowledge there is nothing correctly named Kula Kangri in the KP area.
"Then, in High magazine #186 (May 1998), on page 23, a Japanese book Mountains of the Himalayas by Yoshimi Yakushi was mentioned, with new heights for many peaks on the Bhutan-Tibet border. Yakushi used most recent (but for us restricted) survey maps from the Chinese military." The above mentioned sketch map is from this book.

Which is correct?

On the border course, it seems that there has been no formal agreement between China and Bhutan. In this situation, there will be divergence of views. For my part, While I can accept our tendency to support the position of Bhutan in preference to that of its much larger neighbour, I will not allow that tendency to prejudice my conclusions. I argue that Kula Kangri belongs exclusively to Tibet. Nobody lives in the disputed area, so political considerations are irrelevant; therefore I argue that the most logical course for the border is along the watershed divide. In the past, the course of the divide was unclear, but now SRTM data, shown on this color relief map, clearly shows that the divide passes well to the south of Kula Kangri, which lies on a north-eastern spur. The SRTM void areas have been fixed for clarity, but the course of the divide is indisputable. Consequently Bhutan's claim that Kula Kangri is its high point should be rejected, whatever the relative elevations of KP and KK. And, despite what the Bhutanese websites and commercial maps may indicate, authorities with detailed topographical knowledge of this area tend to take this view. Large scale commercial maps draw the border east to KK, then south west to KP, then east again, but I challenge any critics to re-draw a logical border on the relief map in this manner.
It is also worth noting that, if the border drawn on Bhutanese and commercial maps were correct, the Japanese expedition documented here would have had to pass through Bhutanese territory. If Bhutan were really serious about

Jomolhari peak



Jomolhari  sometimes known as "the bride of Kangchenjunga”, is a mountain in the Himalayas, straddling the border between Yadong County of Tibet and the Paro district of Bhutan. The north face rises over 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) above the barren plains. The mountain is the source of the Paro Chu (Paro river) which flows from the south side and the Amo Chu which flows from the north side.
There is no evidence that the mountain, whose official elevation of 7,314 m is suspiciously close to a round 24,000 feet, has ever been accurately measured. Its true elevation may be nearer to 7,000 metres.

Climbing history

Despite its notability and spectacular visibility from the old trade route between India and Tibet's Pagri Valley, the mountain has seen little climbing activity, probably because of access restrictions on the Bhutanese side and the difficulty of the routes from the Tibetan side. The first ascent was made in May 1937 by a five-man British expedition, with Freddie Spencer Chapman and Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama (of the American K2 expedition fame) reaching the summit from Bhutan over the southeast spur.
The second ascent was in 1970 on 24 April over the same route by a joint Bhutanese-Indian military expedition led by Colonel Narendra Kumar. This ascent was notable also for the disappearance of two climbing members and a sherpa in the second summit party the following day. Dorjee Lhatoo (Nanda Devi East 1975, West 1981) led the route, partnered with Prem Chand (2nd ascent Kanchenjunga 1977) all the way to the summit via two camps. Lhatoo was charged with laying a "yangu" offering on the summit by the Bhutanese King in order to "appease" mountain deities - apparently a pot containing gold, silver and precious stones. The following day, the second party of three were spotted close to the ridge when they became obscured by cloud. When the cloud lifted, they were gone. A telephoto lens and fruit cans were found on the ridge by a search party. Prem Chand went up to the ridge and reported gunshots thudding into the ice and whipping up ice chips - thus ending any further attempts in locating the missing bodies. Lhatoo and Prem Chand, on their way up during their successful summit attempt had reported seeing a lot of PLA activity on the Lhasa-Chumbi highway. The reason for their disappearance remains speculative - did they fall or were they shot? All three were relatively inexperienced climbers and Lhatoo later speculated on the exposure on the knife-edged ridge leading to the summit slope as a possible incident site. He (an ex-Gurkha himself) is quoted as believing the shooting theory to be unlikely but possible, citing his difficulty in estimating the distance between the ridge and possible Chinese positions on the Tibetan side. An account of the expedition is available in the Himalayan Journal 2000.Prem Chand has not spoken publicly on the matter. Chinese displeasure with Bhutan over the expedition and sensitivities in New Delhi led to a complete media blackout of what was otherwise a notable Indian climb.
The third ascent was made in 1996 by a joint Japanese-Chinese expedition which reached the south col from the Tibetan side and climbed the peak over the south ridge. On 7 May 2004, British climbers Julie-Ann Clyma and Roger Payne reached the summit via the c. 5800 m south col as well, in a single day's dash from the col, after attempts to climb the impressive northwest pillar were thwarted by strong winds.
In October 2006, a six-member Slovenian team climbed two new routes, registering the fifth and sixth ascents. Rok Blagus, Tine Cuder, Samo Krmelj and Matej Kladnik took the left couloir of the north face to the East ridge at c. 7100 m, from which they followed the ridge to the top, while Marko Prezelj and Boris Lorencic climbed the northwest ridge in a six-day round trip. This climb earned Prezelj and Lorencic the Piolet d'Or in January 2007

Jomolhari Trek




This trip allows the travelers to enjoy the taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape, and the views from some of the major passes that we come across are breath taking, be it of mountains or the valleys underneath. It gives you a chance to meet people, enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts. We would be traveling through the less frequented areas of Bhutan. Our journey starts from Paro Valley where our flight will land and continue by road through the lush valley of Thimphu the Capital city. After touring through this tiny town, we will take an excursion to the famous Tiger’s Nest locally known as Taktshang Gompa, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.We start our 8 days trek to Thimphu via Base camp of Mount. Jomolhari. A medium duration trek that is probably the most trekked route in Bhutan due to its easy access, beautiful terrain and spectacular views of the majestic snowcapped mountains. Locally known as Jomolhari (The Mountain of Goddess), believed to be the abode of Jomo goddess is one of the most beautiful and imposing mountains in the entire Himalayan region. Located at the northwestern border with Tibet, trekking to the base camp of this dome shaped mountain provides an opportunity to experience the panoramic views of some of the world’s highest peaks.
Beginning from Paro valley, your trek starts with gentle ascent through Bhutan’s undisturbed forest of rhododendrons and pines. Passing through the villages with lush fields of rice, wheat, barely and crossing over the tree lines you arrive in the regions sparsely inhabited by the migrant yak herders. The trail continues through enchanting valley flanked with snowcapped peaks to the base of Mount Chomolhari and its spike shaped companion, Jichu Drake. You spend one entire day exploring the vicinity or just relaxing and enjoying the wonders of nature. You resume your trek to the Thimphu valley by crossing two major passes through the remote wilderness with abundant of wildlife, including, blue sheep, Takin and variety of birds, perhaps under the surveillance of the elusive snow leopard. There will be ample of opportunities to interact with the friendly people of Bhutan and learn their philosophy of “GROSS NATIONAL HAPINESS”. After the trek, you have a day to see Bhutan’s tiny Capital city with no traffic light.
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Flying in to the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.
Your guide who is going to be with you throughout your trip from Bhutan Excursion Travels will meet you at the airport. A fifteen minute drive follows the narrow winding road to our hotel which is a traditional Bhutanese building with attractive gardens and an exceptionally peaceful atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ta-Dzong which was built in 1651 as a watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong. Since 1967, the watch tower has served as the home of the National Museum and holds a fascinating collection of art, ancient relics and religious artifacts. Next in line is Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro and its district administration. If there is time, we will walk along the small main street of Paro in the evening with its typically Bhutanese shops and small lodges. Altitude at Paro – 2250 meters.
Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight: Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar
Day 02: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Today, we hike up to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro valley. Legend has it that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
After visiting what is known as one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the country, we will go off the beaten track further up to the temples that are on the hill tops above Tiger’s Nest. It’s so peaceful there and you can really communicate with nature as you enjoy the views from the top be it that of mountains or the valley. No wonder that some monks have chosen this place to meditate for the rest of their lives!
Coming back, we are following a different path that takes us through the pristine thick forest of oaks and rhododendrons festooned with Spanish mosses.
Approximate walking time: 06 hours. Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight: Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar
Day 03: Drukgyel Dzong/Shana (04/05 hours)
Drive up to Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) where the road ends and the trek begin. With a gradual climb the trail follows the Pachu (Paro river) passing beautiful meadows, paddy fields and impressive farm houses. After about four hours you will reach the army post at Gunitsawa village. At the army check point your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.
Camp: Shana (2850m)
Day 04: Shana/Thangthangka (07/08 hours)
On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley, you enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path which ascends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mount Jhomolhari.
Camp: Thangthangka (3610m)
Day 05: Thangthangka/Base Camp (04/05 hours)
If you did not see Mount Jhomolhari last evening, you will have a great chance to get a great view this early morning. This morning, the trek continues up the Pachu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and meager growths of forest. Cross an army outpost along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. Reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jhomolhari.
Camp: Base Camp (4080m)
Day 06: Halt at Base Camp
The day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views on lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. Trek up to Tsophu or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jhomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lay directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.
Day 07: Base Camp/Lingshi (06/07 hours)
After 15 min. from the camp the trail climbs rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascend to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surrounding. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7,000m. On the way down to the camp you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tent, made from yak wool, where the herders take shelter while on the move to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong.
Camp: Lingshi (4010m)
Day 08: Lingshi/Shodu (08/09 hours)
The trail climbs up to the Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day you will get an excellent view of Jhomolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang. The trek from the pass to the campsite at Shodu is a steep downhill.
Camp: Shodu (4080m)
Day 09: Shodu/Barshong (05/06 hours)
The trail follows the Thimphu Chu (river) through fir and hemlock forests, past beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.
Camp: Barshong (3710m)
Day 10: Barshong/Dodena (07/08 hours)
The trail descends down to the Thimphu Chu (river) valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and then ascends to pasture lands. From here, the trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and if luck favors us, we may see some monkeys and finally reach at the road head which is next to an impressive Bhutanese cantilever bridge where our car will be waiting for us to drive to Thimphu the capital city for about half an hour.
Altitude at Thimphu: 2400m
Overnight: Peaceful Resort in Thimphu or similar
Day 11: Thimphu/Paro
Today’s sightseeing of Thimphu valley includes, visit to ; National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts ; the Traditional Medicine Institute, where centuries old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced; the Painting School, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkhas, and the mask maker workshop. There are also workshop for fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper making. Then, visit Handicrafts Emporium and local shops if you like to browse through examples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, wood carvings, jewelries, and any other interesting items made from local materials.In the evening, we will take a drive to Paro which is about 2 hours. Tonight we will have a celebratory or farewell dinner.
Approximate driving time: 01 hour. Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight: Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Bhutan Excursions will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.


Jomo lhari


Jomolhari  sometimes known as "the bride of Kangchenjunga”, is a mountain in the Himalayas, straddling the border between Yadong County of Tibet and the Paro district of Bhutan. The north face rises over 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) above the barren plains. The mountain is the source of the Paro Chu (Paro river) which flows from the south side and the Amo Chu which flows from the north side.
There is no evidence that the mountain, whose official elevation of 7,314 m is suspiciously close to a round 24,000 feet, has ever been accurately measured. Its true elevation may be nearer to 7,000 metres.

Gangkhar Puensum



Elevation: 24,836 feet (7,570 meters)
Location: Bhutan-Tibet border. Central Asia.
First Ascent: Unclimbed as of 2009, but had four attempts until the mountain was closed to climbing in 1994.


Fast Facts:

Gangkhar Puensum is the highest mountain in Bhutan; the 40th highest mountain in the world; and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Any unclimbed points in the world higher than Gangkhar Puensum are not considered separate summits or mountains but subsidiary summits of higher peaks.
Gangkhar Puensum means “White Peak of the Three Spiritual Brothers.” Literally it is “Mountain of the Three Siblings.” Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan, is related to Tibetan. It has many sounds that are not in English, making exact pronunciation difficult for English speakers.
Gangkhar Puensum lies on the border of Bhutan and Tibet, although the exact boundary line is disputed. Chinese maps put the peak squarely on the border whereas other sources put it wholly in Bhutan. The mountain was first mapped and surveyed in 1922. Subsequent surveys have placed the mountain in different places with differing heights. Bhutan itself has not surveyed the peak.
Gangkhar Puensum was attempted by four expeditions in 1985 and 1986 after Bhutan opened its mountains for mountaineering in 1983. In 1994, however, climbing mountains higher than 6,000 meters was prohibited out of respect for spiritual beliefs and customs. In 2004, all mountaineering was banned in Bhutan so Gangkhar Puensum will likely remain unclimbed for the foreseeable future.
In 1998, a Japanese expedition was granted permission by the Chinese Mountaineering Association to climb Gangkhar Puensum north of Bhutan from the Tibetan side. Due to a border dispute with Bhutan, however, the permit was revoked, so in 1999 the expedition climbed Liankang Kangri or Gangkhar Puensum North, a previously unclimbed 24,413-foot subsidiary peak of Gangkhar Puensum in Tibet.
The Japanese Liankang Kangri Expedition described Gangkhar Puensum from the summit of Liankang Kangri in an expedition report: “In front, the glorious Gankarpunzum, remaining as the highest unclimbed peak but now a forbidding mountain because of a political barrier pertaining to a border problem, was glittering immaculate. The eastern face precipitously falls down to a glacier. A climbing route from Liankang Kangri to Gankarpunzum seemed viable although difficult knife-edged ridge with unstable snow and ice continued and finally spiky pinnacles guarded the summit. Unless the border problem took place, the party could have traced the ridge toward the summit.”



Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Chomo lhari



The land locked Kingdom of Bhutan comprises mountains, forests and rivers and offers all that the Himalayas has to offer. For centuries the Bhutanese have traveled through their country on foot and the trails they used then have today been developed as trekking trails. However, modern development and the building of roads to access the remote regions has led to the disappearance of numerous old routes, leaving only a few intact as they were eons ago. The Chomolhari-Lingshi trail being one of the few. Bhutan had been closed to the outside world (with a very few exceptions), until the first paying tourist group visited this hidden paradise in 1974. Trekking started in western Bhutan in 1978 and in central Bhutan in 1982. Trekkers make up for only 10 to 15% of the total number of tourist arrivals a year (17000 + in 2006). Therefore trekking in Bhutan is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It is different from trekking in other regions of Asia. Bhutan boasts a forest cover of approx 70 % and provides an enormously rich flora and fauna.
This trip presents the opportunity to visit a part of Bhutan that has only ever been experienced by a handful of outsiders. A vast, pure and untrammeled wilderness, significantly detached from all that lies below. You start you’re your journey from Paro in the western part of Bhutan and it is from within this exceptionally picturesque and spiritual setting that your expedition truly begins.
The trek follows a traditional route favored by migratory yak-herders. The information provided in the detailed itinerary is as accurate as humanely possible. It is based on an independent survey done by a few of us and the details (like names of places) have been derived from local people and information passed on to us by the Department of Tourism. Walking times have been based on an average westerners ability to walk the rough terrains of the Himalayas and due time given to acclimatize on the way up.
The Chomlhari Lingshi trek is one of the finest treks Bhutan has to offer. The route starts from Drukgyel Dzong in Paro and continues onwards to Chomolhari base camp. It then goes via Lingshi and exits via Thimphu

Information

This mountain is also spelled “Jhomolhari". Chomolhari is the second highest peak in Bhutan lying on the western border with Tibet. Due to both technical difficulty, strong winds, and access issues, Chomolhari has seen only six successful ascents to date. As of 1996, no technical climbing is permitted in Bhutan. On the Tibetan side, climbers have reported difficulty in obtaining permits due to a large Chinese military presence.

One of the most popular treks advertised for Bhutan is the “Chomolhari Base Camp Trek”. Thousands of trekkers photograph spectacular views of Chomolhari from the camping destination Jangothang or “Land of Ruins” in Bhutan each year.

Chomolhari, according to Buddhist beliefs, is the seat or the embodiment of Tseringhma. The mountain is sacred to Tibetan Buddhists who make an annual pilgrimage from Phari Dzong to the holy lake Chomo Lharang just north of the mountain.

Jichu Drake (6794m) is directly east of Chomolhari.

History of Successful Ascents

First Ascent: The first ascent of Chomolhari was in 1937 by Englishman Freddy Spencer Chapman and Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama. The five-member team expedition initiated in Sikkim and traveled through Tibet. The team reconnoitered the south ridge, but decided the route was not favorable. The team then traveled into Bhutan and climbed the southeast spur. The summit was achieved in seven days, an astonishing feat for the year 1937. The ascent is chronicled in F. Spencer’s book “Helvellyn to Himalaya”. A biography of Chapman can be read here: Chapman's biograpy

Second Ascent: To underscore the significance of Chapman’s 1937 summit, it took thirty-three more years before a climber would again stand atop the lofty peak. In 1970, the King of Bhutan sponsored a joint Indo-Bhutan Army expedition to repeat the 1937 route. Although two groups summited, only one group returned. Captains S.L. Kang and Dharam Pal were last seen 500 feet short of the summit. The climbers had reached a very difficult ridge at 22,000 feet above the final camp. It is presumed that the ill-fated climbers had a mishap on the summit ridge and slid down the Tibetan side of the mountain. A unique feature of this expedition was the extensive use of bamboo ladders, which proved “useful and economical”.

Third Ascent: 1996 saw the first successful summit from the Tibetan side. A joint Japan-China expedition fixed ropes through the icefall to the south col (which the 1937 Chapman expedition deemed unfavorable). The Japanese-Chinese team then ascended the south ridge to join the '37 route below the sharp crest of the summit ridge.

Fourth Ascent: On May 7 2004, the British climbers Julie-Ann Clyma and Roger Payne reached the summit via the south col in a single day's push. Attempts to climb the northwest pillar were thwarted by strong winds. Clyma and Payne placed a prayer flag at the summit “to honor Buddhist faith and appease the mountain gods”. They descended “the large avalanche below the seracs” and were transported to Gyantse. They reported, “The rapid transition in just over 24 hours from being on a summit over 7000m, to sitting in a restaurant drinking beer, was most bizarre”. British 2004 Expedition

Fifth and Sixth Ascents: In October 2006, a six-member Slovenian team climbed two new routes. Rok Blagus, Tine Cuder, Samo Krmelj and Matej Kladnik took the left couloir of the north face to the East ridge. In the lower part they encountered climbing of 45-60 degrees, while the exit steepened to 80 degrees. They graded the 1900m-high route TD+ (French Alpine rating).

Marko Prezelj and Boris Lorencic climbed a new route up the northwest pillar, reaching the pillar’s crest by way of a couloir where they “found knee-deep snow and on steep sections hard snow and ice. On the ridge we were welcomed with strong wind and challenging snow conditions – snow with a (breakable) crust,” over more than a foot of unconsolidated powder. The two men bivouacked at 6300m and returned to base camp the following day. The northwest pillar route was completed in a six days (round trip). Prezelj stated “In general it was a serious climb where logistics and choices of the tactics were probably more important than just ‘difficult moves of the body’. I led the entire climb and we graded the route ED2, M6+/30-70, c1950 m.” This climb earned Prezelj and Lorencic the Piolet d'Or in January 2007. Prezelj led the entire climb and compared the route to the Golden Pillar of Spantik. Alpinist

From the Bhutan side, Chomolhari base camp is a three day trek from Paro. Paro is the only airport in Bhutan, so you will be at this location when you enter the country. The "Chomolhari Trek" is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan, so there are numerous agencies available to guide your transport. The roads end in Paro, there is no "drive to the base camp" option. You must hike and use pack animals.
Horses are loaded where the where the trail starts in Paro at 7,500 feet. The trail is rocky and muddy, but never difficult. Pack animals share the same path, so you'll often have to make way as they pass. The first night of trekking is normally spent near an army camp at Sharna(9,203') in a clearing by the Pa Chu River. The next night was traditionally spent at Thangthanka (11,841'), where you would get the first glimpse of Chomolhari. However, this campsite is in desparate need of revegetation and the water sanitation is questionable. Many tour operators are finding alternative camping sites that tend to be slanted ground (i.e. tents on an incline). Your tour operator may switch from horses to yaks at this elevation.
An easy day hike on the third day leads to Jangothang (13,340') or Chomolhari base camp. An easy 30 minute hike north from this base camp will allow you to see Jichu Drake.
It is also possible to reach Chomolhari via a 14 day trek from Punakha (which was my route). Trekking this direction involves crossing two 16,000+ foot elevation passes. Very few tour operators offer trips in this direction. Almost all trips are advertised to start in Paro and end in Punakha, to take advantage of hot springs toward the end of the trek.

From the Tibet side:

The overland drive from Lhasa passes through the following villages: Lhasa, Gyantse, Kangma, Gala, Tuna. The turn off to Chomolohari base camp is approximately 2 km before Tang La. Difficulties which have been reported in camping below the west face include lack of potable water and shelter from “continuous” strong winds.

Red Tape
Climbing in Bhutan was allowed for a short period between 1983-1996. As of 1996, no technical climbing is permitted in Bhutan.
Bhutan also does not allow independant travel. You are required to sign up with a group tourism agency, and pay at least $200 US per day tarriff. This must be arranged prior to your visit to Bhutan. The tourism agency handles the extensive paperwork for the Bhutan visa and arranges for a flight on the only air transport in and out of Bhutan--Druk Air. Druk Air flies from Bangkok to Kolcutta then onto Paro, Bhutan.
The Druk Air flights tend to be one of the most limiting aspects of the number of toursits who can visit Bhutan. Normally there is only one flight in and one flight out of Paro each day. The descent is by Visual Flight Rules only. If the clouds are thick, the planes may not fly. It may be wise to book at least one day in Bangkok upon your return, in case your Druk Air flight is not able to leave Bhutan when scheduled.
For the Tibet side: Permits must be obtained from the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The website is CMA, but it is written in all Chinese characters without an option to translate into English. The British Expedition of 2004 originally obtained a permit from the CMA in 2003, but were unable to obtain a military permit to enter Yadong County. The Expedition report also mentions time spent in Lhasa waiting for additional “local travel permits”.
The British 2004 Expedition used Himalaya Expeditions Inc for logistics and clmibing permits. Himalaya Expeditions, Kathmandu Nepal email: Infoguys@himexnorthepal.com

Camping


Your Bhutan tourist agency will acquire the permit required to camp at Chomolhari base camp. The base camp on the Bhutan side is a popular trekking destination, so the camping area is very crowded and sanitation is becoming an issue. Yaks have overgrazed the surrounding area. The Pa Chu River runs beside the camping area. As painted sign indicates "camp firing is prohibited". There are some fascinating ruins of an old fortress (Dzong) which are interesting to explore when you're acclimatizing.
The Bhutan base camp was chosen at this location due to the surrounding hilly terrain. There is valley leading from base camp to the morraine beside the actual mountain. Hiking from base camp through this valley toward the mountain involved hiking large sections of a muddy creek. The sloppy conditions account for a hiking time of just over one hour from base camp to the actual mountain.
Tibetan side: Difficulties which have been reported in camping below the west face include lack of potable water and shelter from “continuous” strong winds.
Best time to climb:May and October have proven to be the months with the most successful ascents. In the spring, there is more sun on the northwest ridge, the temperatures tend to be warmer, and there is less chance of strong winds.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Thanchi To Mowdok Taung



Geographical Information:
Trail Name: Thanchi To Mowdok Taung
Data measured by/ or source:
GPS trace: Germin GPSmap 60Cx by Pusan Shaan.
General Information
Additional information:
This trail lead you to possible highest peak (unofficial) of Bangladesh. This peak is also known as Saka Hafong and Tlang Moy.
to know morw about Mowdok Mual/Saka Hafong/ Tlangmoy please follow the bellow mentioned link:
information about Mowdok Taung
How to go:
The trail started from Thanchi Bazar. It goes through Boarding Para, Sherkor Para, Tajindong peak (2726 ft), Simplampi Para, Thandui para , Ramackri khal , Hangrai Para and at last Nefuew Para to Saka Hangdog.
This is a long trail. At least 36 km from Thanchi for Saka Hafong. If you follow this gps trail you will find Boarding Para first after passing Thanchi Bazar and Tutong para. Sherkor para will come next . In between Sherkor Para and Simplampi Para you can summit Tajindong. After reaching Simplampi Para you have to climb down to Thandui Para. After leaving form Thandui Para you fill find a narrow Jhiri path next. Follow it towards its end you will find beautiful Ramackri Khal. Turn right. Walk through the side of that canal. You have to cross tree time this canal for better path. After passing Hangrai Para and beautiful “Chumbok Oi Falls” walk half kilometer then turn left. You will find a splendid jungle with full of mystery . Next you will find a slope of 200 ft approximately 60 ° climb it . You will find Nefuew Para next. From Nefuw Para you have to climb 1500ft and it only takes one and half hour to reach the peak point.
this information is based on a trip on January, 2011.
Where to stay:
At Bandarban you can get descend hotels for (+/-) 200 to 250 taka per person. At Thanchi you have to get place at Thaana Rest House for 70 taka per person. On other place you have to manage your place at the tribal villages. Pay around 50- 60 taka per person.
What to eat (food):
Up to Thanchi you will get some restaurant. At the trail you have to manage food from locality. We always suggest taking some dry and light food (biscuits, Chocolate etc) for trail. Take saline if you go for trekking in summer. Can take “Mustard’s  oil” for cooking and any other uses. Also take dry spices .
Tips/advise for traveller:
• Visit in rainy season if you like adventure, winter is most easy season for trek.
• You may take medicine for malaria as this rezone is treated as malaria affected zone.
• Wear comfortable foot wear. It is very important issue for trekking. Make sure it can give you a better grip. You can wear local plastic sandal if you don’t have any thing. But must wear it with socks, better with couple of socks. Otherwise if you are not sure what you should wear then buy a jungle boot, which you can buy from supply stores of army or police accessories. You can get these stores at Kachukhet bazaar or Polwel super market
• Take a tribal guide rather than a Bengali guide. They are more efficient
• Pack all of your good in extra water proof bag or bags.
• Fix how much the guide will cost you. The standard rate is 300 taka per day.
• Don’t take too much load, use back pack instead of other sorts of bag. Couple of pairs of dress will be enough. You don’t need any tent because you will get accommodation easily.
• It is a really easy trek so do not afraid
• don’t rush, that may occur any accident or trouble.
• Keep head cool in danger. That is the best act. Try to enjoy even in tough situation.
• Be a team.
• The accommodation will cost you around 50 to 60 taka per person per night.
• Take rope if you are there in rainy season.
• Trekking with friends is better than trekking with unknown person.
• Your physical stress can create mental stress. So any one can behave roughly, take it easy.
• There might be some lice, don’t be afraid they are not life threatening.
• Support your weaker partner, don’t leave him. That support may make the trip enjoyable.
• Respect tribal culture.
• Please keep the hills clean.
What to take:
• Sleeping Bag (You may get bedding there, but it’s better to have your own, especially at winter)
• Extra one pack of dress to sleep at night
• Electric Torch with extra battery.
• Camera.
• Dry food, light but enough to eat in the way.
• Water container, to drink water on the way.
• Can take water purifier, though most of the time water is clean.
• Extra socks, as much as possible

Tazing Dong



Another peak that is sometimes claimed to be the highest peak of Bangladesh is nearby Tazing Dong (sometimes spelled as Tahjingdong, and also known as Bijoy). It has been claimed to be 1,280 metres. Its exact location is unclear but neither Russian topographic mapping nor SRTM data show anything in the area exceeding 1,000 metres.
There are three peaks in that area known as Thajindong (Lungphe Tuang in US army 1:250K topo map and Russian 1:200k topo map). A local trekker team measured the highest two peaks and found the middle one (N 21° 49' 16.20" - E 92° 32' 11.61") is 871m (3m accuracy) and higher than the other peak which was at N 21° 48' 58.17" - E 92° 31' 49.87" with 829m (accuracy 3m) measured height. A different measurement done by another team using Garmin GPS shows the height of the other peak as 829.66m with 3m accuracy ]

Saka Haphong



The true high point of Bangladesh is a summit in the Mowdok range called Saka Haphong or Mowdok Mual  (locally also known Saka Haphong), on the border with Myanmar. In February 2006 a GPS reading of 1,064 metres was recorded on this summit by English adventurer Ginge Fullen. The location he recorded, 21°47'11?N 92°36'36?E, accurately matches the location given by Russian topographic mapping and SRTM data, although these sources show its height to be slightly lower, at 1,052 metres. Recently two trekking clubs counted the height of "Saka Haphong" as 3,488 and 3,461 feet respectively. Any of these two figure would make it the highest mountain in Bangladesh exceeding the height of Keokaradong, which is 3,172 feet highThis peak is also known as Mowdok Taung (as per USGS Topo and Russian Topo map), Saka Haphong (by local Tripura tribes).

Taming the highest Bangladeshi peaks



Mountains in Bangladesh are not as high as to be challenging for the adept hikers, but she certainly has some mountains which are good in height and good challenging ground for novice hikers. Mount Kewkaradong, Mount Tajingdong and Mount Safa Hapong (it is now claimed as the highest mountain of Bangladesh, with a GPS reading of 3488 feet) are the three claimed highest peaks within the country. The basic objective of our expedition was to conquer all three highest mountains in Bangladesh one by one. The team consisted of five members from different corners of Dhaka city, having the same interest. The team consisted of Rafiul Nakib, Sayem Sujat Shuvro, Muhammad Mahmudul Haque (Farooque bhai, who believes mountain hiking is not for him, but joins us almost every time), Md. Mushfequl Alam (Mushfequl Bhai), Kaiyoum Bhai and myself, Anwar Hossain Chowdhury , as team leader.
We had been planning for this expedition for one month and after extensive planning and groundwork, we started our journey on 26 February, 2011 from Fakirapul by S. Alam Bus Services, which offers direct bus service to Bandarban every night at 11: 30pm.
Day-1
The team reached in Bandarban on 27 February at 7:30 am. The day was bright and shining. We hired two rickshaws and headed for Ruma Bus Station. At the bus station we got the tickets for Ghat no 1, and had our breakfast and tea. The bus started at 8:00 am from Bandarban for Ghat no 1, which is a close spot to Ruma Bazar. It takes usually 2.5 hours to reach to Ghat 01, but this time it took 3.5 hours to reach  to Ghat no 01 from Bandarban town, as the development initiatives were in full force incurred by Bangladesh Army for development of the road , which forced us to stop on the way multiple times.
After reaching at Ghat 01, we hired a boat with Tk. 20/head for going to Ruma Bazar.  As the summer was stepping up, the water level of Sangu River dropped dramatically, and it was difficult to paddle the boat through the shallow channels of Sangu. But this very river becomes so deep and waves become so strong in the rainy season that it creates a wild and scenic beauty, and carries the life blood of cultivation of certain specific crops in the upstream. Tobacco and peanuts are the main crops in this area.  It was a 40 minutes peaceful boat journey which took us to Ruma Bazar. The Ruma Bazar is a small Upzilla of Bandarban which is also the starting point for the distant mountains of the area. We reached Ruma Bazar just at 1pm. It was a burning summer afternoon and the sun was scorching brilliantly over our head.
We (the starving hikers) did not delay to hire a guide and headed for the Army Camp. Each team, intended to go to Boga Lake and to the mountains, has to report to Ruma Bazar Army Camp and Ruma Bazar Police Camp for security reasons. As soon as we completed the formalities, we bought some chickens for making BBQ, and finished our lunch at Ruma Bazar. By 2:30pm we hired a Jeep, locally known as “Chander Gari” and started for Boga Lake. We reached Boga Lake by 5pm and lodged at Siam Didi’s cottage.
Boga Lake is a lake situated at 1290 feet high above the sea level. It’s a magnificent lake in the midst of mountains. It’s like a base camp for the hikers who hike regularly in this area. There are many phenomena about Boga Lake; many stories and fables move in the local community.
There is a Bawm village adjacent to the lake, where, tourists and hikers can hold the night in exchange of rent. Nearby there is an Army Camp, where every tourist group needs to register and report their arrival and next departure plan. This is also done for security reasons.  The Bawms are the friendliest, clean and second highly educated indigenous community in the CHT community. So staying in a Bawm house is a bonus. We started to prepare our BBQ and had our dinner by 8 pm. The BBQ was ready at 12am, and after a whole day journey, the BBQ tasted great.  It was a great way to finish the day. We went to bed with a plan to start the next day as early as possible. Early to bed and early to rise……makes a hiker, healthy wealthy and wise.
Day-2
I woke up at 6 am every day, and it was not an exception for me on that very day. I started calling others to leave the bed, to get a brilliant view of sunrise and the taste of tamarinds, which were hanging from a tree nearby. The taste of the tamarind was so mouthwatering that we all had a lot of tamarind like crazy school kids, and pretty soon we paid for such a childish act. Before having our breakfast, we all were looking for the office (lavatory) as things were busting off in our stomachs.
We settled the issue ASAP, and had a magnificent Khichuri and egg omelet and started our journey for the Mount Kewkaradong at 7am. As we moved on feet, the hills started to get steeper and steeper, but somehow, manageable. We moved together towards a fall locally known as Chingri Jhiri (a magnificent fall) and reached there within 40 minutes. We ate papaya, which we were carrying with us as a gift for our team from Siam Didi, from Boga Lake. Then we drank the fresh water from the fall, filled our water bottles, and started moving towards Darjeeling Para. We reached Darjeeling Para around 10:30 am. Here we rested for a while, drank tea with local biscuits and started moving. We could see the peak of Mount Kewkaradong, which was the source of our inspiration. We reached the peak of Kewkaradong at 11:00 am in the morning. We hoisted the national flag on the top, and promised to move forward. We shot some group photos on the top of Mount Kewkaradong and moved forward. As Mushfek Bhai and Kayum Bhai were feeling sick, they went back to Boga Lake and we moved forward. We still had a long way to go from there.
After a 10 minute’s walk we reached Passing Para. This is now so far the highest village of Bangladesh, and both Bawm and Murong tribes live here. Here we met our friend Robert Da, and drank tea at his shop. Then we moved forward towards Thaikong Para and reached there at 2pm in the afternoon.
The hot sun was burning on our head, and we were very dried up, as we entered Thaikong Para. Here I met my old friend Chao Thang, who received us cordially and arranged lunch for us. The menu was rice, pumpkin curry and egg. It was awesome and energetic, and we swallowed everything in no time. Then we received a massage in cell phone that, Bangladesh had defeated Ireland in their group match in the ICC World Cup Cricket. The news inspired us and we decided to dedicate the expedition for the success of Bangladesh cricket team. In order to rejoice such good news we purchased two chickens from local villagers and celebrated till late night by making BBQ.
The chill cold wind was blowing at night to remind us that difficult time was coming.  Farooque Bhai was very nostalgic; the cold wind was blowing making a melancholy tune as it passed the long unknown trees beside the grave yard. To honor Farquee bhai’s continuous request, the whole group sat at the bench in front of the graveyard of Thaikong Para, and listened to the whisper of the winds  and enjoyed the stars. Suddenly, we saw a falling star and crossed our fingers making different wishes. How beautiful my country is! God is so great; people can’t see the tears of joy at night. I was very happy to feel the way my team members were enjoying the beauties of nature, far away from the city.
Day-3
Today we all woke up early at 6:30 am. As we needed to cover a lot by hiking today, everyone was thrilled and ready to set off. I wanted to take my old friend Chao Thang as my new guide, but unfortunately he was unable to join my team this time. The reason was that he had to prepare his land for Joom cultivation, which was significant for ensuring his annual crop production. So he requested me to take his younger brother Vandem as our guide. We took Vandem with us and started at 7:30 am sharp. We marched toward Tamlong Para, which is a Bawm village, and 3 hour’s distance from Thaikong Para. Initially the way was easy, but later as the sun grew hotter, it became physically challenging, and this is what we live for. We reached Tamlong  Para at 11 am. We bought two packs of biscuits (that is all they had in the only shop), and tea was free offered by the shopkeeper.
Having tea without sugar, we started again for Dulachan. On the way a very aged Bawm lady was waiting for us at the end of the village and offered us two bottles of cold water, we accepted them as a gift of God. We thanked the lady and started moving.
Instead of the advice of our guide for a shortcut but difficult route, we decided to take the long route which took almost 2 hrs for us to reach Dulachan.
At Dulachan we got cooked rice and raw reddish and greenish bananas. The main guide cum cook of our team Sadek made an extraordinary salad with the available radish and chilies that was tremendously tasty and energetic. We took a rest for 1 hour, and then completed our lunch and started for Nephew Para. As we moved forward, we reached the Chanbok Fall and then captured some mind blowing pictures. In the hilly area the sun vanished by 4:30pm. We trekked forward and on the way we met a group of 4 members who had conquered Safa Haflong that day.
We congratulated the team and crossed the Remecry River.  We walked by the Remecry River bank for 30 more minutes, and Farooque complained that he could not see the trail well. He wears very thick glasses (-7) and he is literally blind without
glasses.
I was thinking seriously if we could move further ahead today. But as there was not any para close by, we were bound to keep on moving. All on a sudden, a small Murong para appeared before us, but I decided not to stay there as Murongs are not that much welcoming.
We kept on moving and met two Tripura men coming from the opposite direction, who said there was a Tripura village nearby named Hanjhorai Para. They also informed us that it would be difficult for us to go to Nephew Para that day, and requested us to hold the night at Hanjhorai. We thanked them and started moving. Then we came to a crossing where we needed to cross Remecry River again.  This time the bottom of the Remmercy River was slippery. We lit our torch and head lamps and crossed the river one by one. The water level was high and the water was cold. We were shivering, the water
felt freezing.
We crossed the beautiful and mighty Chongbok Fall, which was still in full force at the end of winter. Suddenly the area became murky and chilly air was raging over us in a crazy manner. As we climbed the river bank on the other side, in the dark, we could see the fire, and heard the dogs barking identifying the intruder’s tune. It assured me it was a para at last!
So we reached Hanjhorai Para at 7: 30pm. As everyone wanted to change wet dresses, we decided to stay at Hanjhorai para. We went to karbariy’s house--the only house with solar light available in the village, and lodged there.  There was a single bed sheet for every member and no pillow at all. Fortunately, we took some warm clothes and jackets with us. Outside it was so chill that everybody was bound to put on at least 3 shirts and 2 pants and socks before slipping.
The day was terribly hot, and the night was freezing. We bought a chicken and rice for dinner from the “karbari” (local tribal leader and head businessman), and our guides Sadek and Vandem were back in action with the available food supply for the team. They took over the kitchen of the house and started dinner preparations.  After one hour we had hot steaming nodules served. Thanks to Nakib and Shuvro for buying and carrying the nodules in their backpack.

Ramiu Taung,



Location type & coordinates

Ramiu Taung, with a latitude of 22.18 (22° 10' 60 N) and a longitude of 92.48 (92° 28' 60 E), is a hypsographic (mountain) located in Bangladesh that is a part of Asia.
   
Location placement


Ramiu Taung is situated 325 kilometers south east (128°) of the approximate center of Bangladesh and 273 kilometers south east (128°) of the captial Dhaka.
 
Area population and elevation

A 100 square kilometer area around Ramiu Taung has an aproximate population of 496063 (0.004961 persons per square meter) and an average elevation of 62 meters above sea levels.
 
Visits by members

So far no member has visited Ramiu Taung. Have you been there? We would be very happy to see you join and share your experiences!
 
Locations nearby

Ronipara: 5 km to the south west (223°)



Poltai Taung: 9.86 km to the south (160°)



Mahajanpara: 10.18 km to the south west (237°)



Rulkippara: 10.21 km to the north west (303°)



Saichal Thum: 14 km to the north (22°)

Mowdok Mual



Mowdok Mual (Saka Haphong) in the remote border region of Bangladesh and Myanmar is one of my most challenging country high points so far. Just the simple fact that I most likely would be the second foreigner on top, describes the nature of this adventure.


Introduction

Mowdok Mual (locally known as Saka Haphong) was measured in 2006 by Ginge Fullen to be the unofficially highest peak in Bangladesh (1052m). After Ginge Fullen there have been a couple of local teams bringing GPS, both confirming his measurements from 2006, most recently in January 2011. Thus there is no longer any doubts that Mowdok Mual is higher than Keokradong. The only question remaining, is whether the border with Myanmar is exactly along the summit ridge or, as some maps indicate, further down the slopes towards Bangladesh. Because of this, Mowdok Mual will still be regarded as the unconfirmed highest mountain in Bangladesh, while significantly lower Keokradong officially is the highest. So to be on the safe side I decided to climb both peaks when I first were in Bangladesh.

These mountains are located in Chittagong Hilltracts, an area that has had ethnic conflicts a long time, primarily as a result of Bengali settlers penetrating further and further into areas of indigenous and local tribes. Lonely Planet and several embassies still warn against travel to the area. Until 2009, foreigners could not embark on hikes taking more than one day. Even for a short day hike, it was required by law that a foreigner must be escorted by policemen. The situation has calmed down the last couple of years, but still the police provides escort of tourists for free in the mountains. One thing that has not changed, is all the checkpoints in the area where foreigners are required to present passports and permits and register into books. Mowdok Mual is located so deep into the hills towards Myanmar that it's probably smart to tell them that one will not go any further east than to Tajingdong.

Planning and preparation in Dhaka

I arrive Dhaka January 28 and have very limited information about Mowdok Mual, so I find it best to head over to Guide Tours Ltd office in Gulshan. This is the operator in Bangladesh with the best reputation and highest volumes of organized tours. Guide Tours Ltd tell me that they have never heard of the mountain Mowdok Mual (Saka Haphong), really no big surprise to me. But I get them at least to apply for a permit to Bandarban and surrounding areas. I'm told to come back after 2-3 days to collect the permit. Guide Tours Ltd only charge 300 Taka (4 USD) for the permit, but they require that you book the first night in their Hillside Resort near Bandarban. I'm not sure if I want to stay there, but since mandatory I reserve a bed for 400 Taka (6 USD) in a dorm instead of a more expensive room. Guide Tours Ltd also mention that I commit myself to use their local guides if I go on any longer hikes in the area, so they will have full control of my movements and thus can guarantee both the permit and my safety. Guide Tours Ltd charge 1000 Taka (14 USD) per day for their local guides, which is substantial more than the local guide rate of 300 Taka (4 USD) per day. But I've already made my thoughts on an alternative plan, and the role of Guide Tours Ltd will only be to obtain a permit for me, nothing else. Permission can apparently also be obtained directly in a public office, but it's more hassle, it takes longer time and the price is about the same.

Waiting for the permit from Guide Tours Ltd, I use my time in Dhaka efficiently on my alternative arrangements. I get in touch with the people behind the non-commercial project www.banglatrek.org, and then everything start to happen very quickly. This is an initiative started by a group of adventurous people most of them students and connected to Dhaka University. I meet Ronnie on my second day in Dhaka, and shortly after I meet the rest of the guys during an evening at the university. They tell me that they recently sent a couple of teams to Mowdok Mual and made GPS measurements. They also tell me that fewer than 50 people have been on the summit, and that only one foreigner (Ginge Fullen) has been there before me. Eventually we recruit more volunteers to another "expedition" to this mountain, a team of 4 persons including me. A couple of them have extensive experience from trekking in the area, meaning we don't need any guides. The students don't want any guide money, this is holiday for them as well. But I insist to pay some of their travel expenses at least. Anyway it's going to be cheap, because in the mountains we will only pay an average of 300 Taka (6 USD) per day for food and lodging for all four people. The bulk of the expenditure would be to get down from Boga Lake to Bandarban with a combination of jeep, boat and bus. Not very much that either, totaling about 1600 Taka (23 USD) for 4 people.

Trekking Day 1

We arrive Bandarban at dawn, after a pretty wild ride with a night bus from Dhaka. It's best to just close your eyes to what is happening on the roads of Bangladesh, including all the hairy overtaking. The seats on the bus invite to a fairly comfortable night. Interestingly we sit behind bars, this is to prevent highway bandits from robbing the passengers. Just before Bandarban, we pass a checkpoint where I have to show my permit and passport, and register myself into a couple of books. We arrive Bandarban at 07:00 and take time for a tasty and inexpensive Bengali breakfast, only 120 Taka (2 USD) for 4 people. Then at 8:00 we take the bus towards Thanchi Bazar. This bus is an old and ugly monster, and the 80 km of bad road, takes a whole 4-5 hours. We pay 600 Taka (9 USD) for all 4 tickets.

Along the road to Thanchi there are a couple of checkpoints, where I have to go through the same procedure as before Bandarban. We tell them a lie, saying we are not going beyond Tajingdong. Unfortunately it also turns out that the head of law in Thanchi is sitting on the same bus as us. Sam must go through a half-hour long "interview" on the bus, because he is in company with a foreigner like me. Thanchi rarely has any visitors from abroad. But Sam easily solves this problem too. The time is 12:20 when we arrive the end of the road, cross the river and arrive Thanchi Bazar. Here we just focus on one thing, moving as quickly as possible through the village to avoid police and the local army unit. We are speeding the uphill right after Thanchi so fast, that it starts to burn vigorously in my muscles. But it's an outrageously wonderful feeling to have passed all sorts of obstacles, for now we have full access to the entire area. No public officials can stop us anymore.

It takes us about 3 hours including many ups and downs to reach Boarding Para. Here we are set at least 200 years back in time, as we are looking on the daily life of the Murongs, the indigenous people of Boarding Para. The women go around topless, while the men have a thong-like garment. The slopes upward to Sherkor Para is both long and steep and we don't reach the village before nightfall. Sam gets in touch with the village head man, and we obtain accommodation in his home. We have brought onions, dal (lentils) and some spices from Dhaka, but we will buy rice in the villages. Sam and Salehin show their cooking skills to the fullest, serving us an excellent meal of Dal Bhat.

Trekking Day 2

Next morning we actually have to persuade the village head man of Sherkor Para to receive some money from us for the hospitality with food and accommodation. Even if he don't want any money from us, we are eventually able to hand over 250 Taka (3 USD), which is the going-rate for a team of 4 people. The uphills to Tajingdong is pretty easy in the cool hours of morning. A dog puppy, his name Tiger, has followed us from Sherkor Para, and this starts to cause some worries. It's impossible to get him to turn around, so he continues to follow us. We take a short detour to the south summit of Tajingdong, which is few meters lower than the highest summit further north. The main peak of Tajingdong is so overgrown that we do not see the purpose of moving up there. According to many sources and maps, Tajingdong is in fact the highest peak of Bangladesh, but it's height on the map (1280m) is almost mistaken by 400 meters. So in reality Tajingdong gets far down the list, being only 870 meters.

We continue on to the village Simplampi, which according to Sam, is not a very hospitable village, so we quickly rush through there. After a short uphill to the pass, we start the steep descent to Thandui Para. This is a very nice village and friendly people, with affinities to Sherkor Para. Hopefully we can get puppy Tiger to stay with the sister of the owner. Most people in the village are working out in the fields, so we have more or less the entire village to ourselves, with the exception of some kids playing around. After about one hour of rest, we carry on down to Singhu river. We have to cross it five times, but the wet wade is a cool refreshment in the hot sun. After the fourth crossing we take a longed wash in the river. Sam also makes a bonfire so we can boil some noodles for lunch.

After a long break for lunch, we continue on the fifth and last river crossing before we arrive Hangrai Para. Living here, according to Sam, is an indigenous tribe that is notorious as thieves and robbers. So when Sam sees that I'm about to get in touch with a couple of them, Sam shouts after me that I must leave as quickly as possible. Shortly after Hangrai Para we leave the main trail and continue on a steep trail uphill to the village of Nefue Para. The long uphills becomes an ordeal so late in the day, but we arrive well before sunset. The people of Nefue Para are of the friendly type. The women go around topless and the children are quite shy, at least to begin with. The village head man invites us into his home. Not long after he shows up with two live chickens tied to each other. We say yes to some chicken meat, after being vegetarians for a few days. The food takes ages to cook, but eventually we can enjoy the excellent meal.


Trekking Day 3

From Nefue Para, it is only a couple of hours to the top of Saka Haphong (Mowdok Mual). We are ready to leave at 06:30. There are a lot of trails being used by the locals here, and at one occasion we choose the wrong trail, a dead end. Since we carry a GPS, we easily get back on the proper trail again. Higher up we emerge into a dense bamboo forest, on a trail which is not cut wide or high enough for a tall guy like me. Thus I have to move half-bent to get through, sometimes even crawling on all four. Not very pleasant, right. But those guys who have cut bamboo, grass and shrubs after the last rainy season, have done a fairly good job. We easily get to the summit without any tools, and it's a great moment to reach such a secluded and rarely visited place. Before I arrived Bangladesh, I had almost written off this mountain as a bureaucratic impossibility, located in a very remote corner of Bangladesh bordering Myanmar. But thanks to my new friends behind the project www.banglatrek.org, everything have went smoother than planned. We spend a long time on the summit, almost 1.5 hours. Apu even writes a long report to leave in an empty bottle on the summit, so that others can read the story about our adventure.

We are back in Nefue Para at 11:15am. We pack and says goodbye to the hospitable tribe. We end up paying about 500 Taka (7 USD), since we got some extra luxury here including chicken and papaya. However, we have a very long day ahead. We first descend back to the river, then we repeat the five river crossings, before we begin to move into unknown territory on our long way north towards Keokradong. Fortunately Sam has a GPS, and a couple of waypoints (villages) recorded on his unit. We continue along the same river with a couple of crossings before we arrive the village Dulachan Para on the east side of the river. After a steep short downhill to the river again, we cross it, before we leave the river behind for good and start on the long uphills to Tamlo Para. After messing around on the wrong trail for a while, we eventually arrive Tamlo Para at 17:00. Here we are told that the next village, Thaikhiang Para, is about 3-4 hours north. That means we must hike in the dark, still we decide to go for it. It takes like forever to walk this long trail, and the many steep downhills and uphills doesn't make it easier. We do not arrive Thaikhiang Para before 21:30, dead tired after a long day with no other meals than some snacks and fruits. At this time, most of the villagers have already went asleep, so we fear that no one will accommodate us. But luckily Sam knows a friendly guy here, he is still awake and invites us into his home. We don't go to bed before midnight, after eating a very late dinner.


Trekking Day 4

We are tired and weary in the morning, so both Salehin and Apu decide to cancel the planned climb of Capitol Hill in the morning. But Sam and myself both agree that it's worthwhile to reach this peak as well. We hire the host as a local guide (300 Taka), for he knows the route through the bamboo forest. He also brings the necessary cutting tools in case it is overgrown. First we walk on the road, then we continue into the forest on a steep and very exposed trail. It takes us less than one hour to get to the false summit (the view point). Then we move over to the highest point, through dense grass and bamboo. Sam makes a GPS measurements here, so the exact location and elevation can be published on www.banglatrek.org. After Capitol Hill we say goodbye to our local guide, and continue along a jeep road, first to the village Paasing Pukur and then to the very top of Keokradang. Here we meet up with Salehin and Apu again, who have been waiting a while for us. There is even a teahouse on top of Keokradang, so we get a meal of rice, dal and chicken curry.

After a few hours rest on top of Keokradang, we continue on to the beautiful and mysterious Boga Lake. On the fairly crowded trail/road we meet quite a few tourists from Bangladesh, but no western as such. Arrival at Boga Lake marks the end of our 81 km long hike, for here it is possible to continue with jeep. After darkness a French family arrive Boga Lake, the first western tourists I've seen in about one week.


Return to Bandarban and Dhaka

We wake up pretty early at Boga Lake, so we can get down with the first shared jeep. But we have to wait for some hours, before the jeep finally departs. The bad road makes for a painful experience. We pay 1100 Taka (16 USD) for 4 people. Shortly before Ruma Bazar the jeep stops at a check point where I have to show permit and passport again. They make a big deal that I haven't got any photocopies and that I don't bring any police escort. Back in Ruma Bazar we continue on a wonderful boat cruise up the river for 200 Taka (3 USD). After one hour on the river we reach the road where buses depart for Bandarban. The bus cost 320 Taka (5 USD) for all 4 people. The bus and the road back to Bandarban is probably high on the list "most risky road in the world", still we get out in one piece.

Back in Bandarban we make a short visit to the Golden Temple where we enjoy the sunset. In the evening Apu buys a good dinner for us. Very satisfied, we embark on the night bus back to Dhaka.

 
Design by Wordpress Theme | Bloggerized by Free Blogger Templates | free samples without surveys