Merak-Sakteng Trek

Merak-Sakteng stands out as a distinct attraction in Bhutan. Unlike anywhere else in the country, it offers a visitor to experience a unique semi-nomadic lifestyle, culture and vernacular in one of the most scenic pastoral valleys in the protected area of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) in Trashigang Dzongkhag (District), in Eastern Bhutan.

Day01: Paro

Arrive at Paro International Airport where your guide will meet you and take you to Thimphu. Sightseeing in paro such as Paro Rinpung Dzong, national museum and Drukgyel Dzong, after lunch you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang (temple) and Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangthong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Overnight in Paro

Day02: Hike to Tiger Nest

Hike to the Tiger’s Nest and visit the monastery then have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria. Drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu

Day03: Thimphu

Sightseeing in Thimphu where you can visit the National Memorial Chorten, Gaint Buddha statue, the National Library, the National Painting School and Changangkha Temple. Browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum and visit the Folk Museum. You may also be able to visit the weekly market. Evening free time to walk around Thimphu town and Overnight in Thimphu

Day04: Thimphu-Punakha

Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, on the way visit to Simtokha Dzong.  You stop for for tea at Dochula resort and then journey continuous to Punakha. In the afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Mad Man’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Overnight in Punakha

Day05: Punakha- Bumthang

After breakfast we will drive to Bumthang  via wangdi  and Pele la pass. visi chendeji chorten and then  visit to Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong (watchtower). Drive to Jakar about 68 km drive across Yotong La pass and descend into Chumey valley (2,700m), the first of four Bumthang valleys. Then it is another 45 minutes, past the villages of Zugney and Prakar, and across kiki la pass to arrive at Jakar, the administrative center of Bumthang district. Night at Bumthang

Day06: Bumthang

After breakfast sightseeing around Bumthang valley and you will cover the most important touristic sites such as Kurjey lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Tamshing temple and Jakar Dzong. This is the place where Guru Rimpoche first visited to Bhutan in 746 AD and blessed by Guru Rimpoche and many other great gurus.

Day07: Bumthang- Mongar

After breakfast drive to Mongar will take about 8 hours and distance is approximately 198 km en-route visit URA valley which is about 1 ^1/2 hrs drive from Bumthang. It is nestled in a valley at roughly 3100m Altitude from the sea level. It is one of the largest clustered villages in Bhutan consisting of some sixty- three households and about three hundred residents. You will pass through Thrumshing La pass, the highest pass on the East –West high way. Mongar marks the beginning of the eastern Bhutan the second largest town in the sub-tropical East. At the end of the day you will relax and Night at Mongar

Day08: Mongar-Tashigang

Morning after breakfast drive to Tashigang through Korila pass and along  Drangme chu River. Drangme chu rive is the longest and biggest river in Bhutan. Visit to Tashigang Dzong  which was built in 1167 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and now it is the administrave seats for distric as well home of the monk body. Evening before dinner rambles around Trashigang town and Night in Tashigang.

Day09: Tashigang drive to Chaling- Damongchu

The trek to Merak will start from Chaling reached by following an unsealed road from Rangjung. Damnongchu camping area is located after Mindrula which lies at about 3,316m / 10,880ft.  Camp at Damnongchu Camp

Day10: Damongchu- Merak

5 hours, camp altitude 3,499 m.  The trail from Damnongchu to Merak goes along the river bank with gradual ups and downs. Over night at Merak Camp.  

Day11: Merak-Miksateng

The trek from Merak to Miksa Teng is long and of medium difficulty. It will pass through the beautiful Nagchungla pass (approx 4,100m / 13,451ft). The campsite is located in a clearing surrounded by rhododendron trees. 

Day12 : Miksateng- Sakteng

Trek to Sakteng from Miksa Teng is easy making your way through beautiful woods with a short climb before reaching Sakteng. Overnight at Camp. 

Day13: Sakteng- Jyonkhar

6 1/2 hours, camp altitude 1,859 m. Sakteng to Jyonkhar Teng trek is an easy trek comparing to previous days. It is mostly downhill to Jyonkhar Teng camp. 

 Day14: Jyonkhar – Phongmay-Tashigang

5 hours, camp altitude 1,981 m The final day. This day is full with ups and down until you reach the road the head at Phongmay. Drive to Tashigang.  

Day: 15 Tashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar (170m)

After breakfast your guide and driver will take you to a place called Samdrupjongkhar. Today you will pass through Sherubtse University in Bhutan and if you‘re interested in textiles, you can visit Khaling weaving center then finally to Samdrup Jongkhar the exit/enter points of Bhutan. Samdrup Jongkhar situated at the bottom of the foothills is on the border with the Indian state of Assam. Night at Sumdrupjongkhar

Day: 16 Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati.
Leave to  Guwahati (Assam, India) to catch your flight.

Snow Man Trek