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bhutan, bhutan travelogue, gnu goat, Jigme Dorji National Park, photography, shangri la, tango goemba, tango monastery, thimphu, travel, travel photography, travelogue, trekking in Bhutan, vacation
Tango Goemba, a monastery and a study center for Budhhist monks, lies about 12 km north of Thimphu and is a nice destination for a leisurely half day hike, with plenty of time left for a hike to nearby Cheri Goemba in the afternoon. Once you start from the parking lot at the base , the hiking route continuously spirals upwards, but the slope is mostly not too steep. The only way to get supplies to the monastery is by mules laden with sacks, so occasionally you will find these mules as your travelling companions.
The hike is short but scenic and passes through dense forests and you also get to see and hear the music of numerous kinds of birds as a bonus.
As you come down to the base again and continue towards the base for hike to Cheri Goemba, you’ll find pale blue river Wang chu flowing through the valley, The hike to Cheri Monastery is shorter and steeper compared to Tango.
The hike passes through the famous Jigme Dorji National Park, and if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of a takin or a blue sheep.
Takin is or gnu goat is Bhutan’s national animal. Even in the wild it probably doesn’t mind human company, and doesn’t run away unless you show haste. I could get within a few inches of this one.
on the way back i found a few horses grazing on the field, one of them got curious and came closer to have a look at my camera,gave it a lick, found it inedible, got disgusted, complained loudly and left!
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