Merak-Sakting – Merak and Sakteng, once isolated from other parts of Bhutan and inaccessible to tourists, will open up this September to economic development.
The nomads initially expressed their desire for motorable road in order to reduce hardships of nomadic life, for which they were on the verge of compromising their unique culture and tradition. However, the idea was dropped after the communities were educated on the importance of their culture and tradition that will serve as the main tourist attraction, which will bring immense economic benefits to the communities.
However, benefits don’t come without efforts. Towards reaping benefits, the communities will have to build trails for trekking, campsites and arrange porters and ponies for tourists. They also have to build guest-houses at several places on the way to Merak and Sakteng.
A separate festival package will be introduced for the tourists in such a way that local communities would perform mask dances and other traditional dances typical to the nomads.
The tourism council of Bhutan would assist the nomads in starting local handicraft shops and exhibiting products unique to two communities.
Tshewang Tobgyel, Sakteng Dungpa, said they are identifying potential school leavers in Trashigang, who would be trained in guiding, cooking, serving and managing financial transaction among nomadic communities.
Awareness will be created among both communities on the essence and benefits of tourism. The tourism council of Bhutan mentioned that they would instead train the community members on these aspects, since they are the main beneficiaries of the business.
Tourism officials said, the prospects of drawing more tourists to Merak and Sakteng were further strengthened by government’s plans to introduce domestic air services at the already existing Yongphula airstrip.
Allowing entry and exit via Samdrupjongkhar and Guwahati would also allow tourists to travel via roads to most parts of the east, and a majority would certainly choose to visit the two remote communities of Merak and Sakteng.
In line with the government policy of low volume tourists, tourism council officials said they will restrict the number of tourists visiting the two nomadic communities to avoid any unforeseen negative effects on nomads’ arcane traditions and culture.
“The community tourism will entertain a minimum of 12 tourists,” said Dr Karma Tshering, Chief Forest Officer. “Through the tourism council the tourists will have to book in advance to avoid overcrowding of places.”
He added that tour companies taking their clients to Merak and Sakteng would have to pay fees to the tourism council, which will be used to improve and manage the tourist attraction sites of the communities. A decision on the amount has yet to be reached.
The favorable months considered for tourism in these two communities are March, April, May, September, October and November. The program will be under the aegis of TCB and the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture.
“These months coincide with the time the nomads return to their communities from their annual migration,” tourism council officials said.
MERAK/SAKTEN COMMUNITY NATURE TREK
Situated on the breath taking landscape over 3000 meters above sea level, the legendary Merak-Sakten is the home to the nomads of Eastern Bhutan. Isolation over the last many centuries has kept the typically rich tradition and culture intact, which makes Merak-Sakten different from other parts of Bhutan and a special treat to trekkers and visitors from all over the world. Freshness of medieval life exudes from the life style, dialect and dress of the nomads, which are unique beyond description. The inhabitants survive in the difficult terrain mainly on yak and sheep farming. The 3 day trek to Merak-Sakten starts from the motorable road point near the border with India.
As the trek progresses, the trekkers are taken along different vegetation from warm broadleaf forest to alpine meadow, providing rare opportunities to explore the floral and faunal diversity of Bhutan Himalayan. This trek is designed to remain unforgettable for those who love nature, culture and adventure.
Recommended Period of visit to Merak and Sakteng:
March, April, May, September, October and November.
Extended Tourism Months:
Pink poppy Season(June): Nagchungla is believed to be the area for Pink Poppy and flowers bloom in June. It is welled suited to tourists with special interests, for example Japanese. Other than the standard proposed visiting season, June is open but only up to Nagchungla pass. This is because of the landslide prone areas after the Nagchungla pass, which are often terrible during rainy seasons.
Duration of Tour: 23 days.
Duration of Trek: 7 days.
Duration of cultural Tours:16Days.
Maximum No in a group: 12.
Click Bhutan Tours. (23 Days)
DAY 01: Paro – Thimphu (Two-hour drive)
The flight into this spectacular part of the world is like no other. The green hills, known as dooars, are gateways to Bhutan from the plains; they climb continually higher as you fly north toward the Tibetan border. Silvery rivers thread the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up into the sky
At the Paro airport, Bhutan Creative Tours representative will receive you. After completing the airport formalities, you will be transferred to the hotel and freshen up and in the afternoon visit the museum and the Paro dzong.
Overnight – hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 02: Paro (Excursion to Tiger’s Lair)
After breakfast your car will take you to the starting point of the hike to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s lair). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike (if not tired) for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the breath-taking Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all.
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
DAY 03: Paro-Thimphu (1.20min drive)
Thimphu (2400m) is the only city in the world without traffic lights. It is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, civil servants, and foreign missions in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.
In the morning, you will visit the National Library, which has an extensive collection of Buddhist literatures, with some works dating back several hundred years. You will also visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where a six-year training course is given on 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where the medicinal herbs abundant in the kingdom are compounded and dispensed.
After lunch, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten. The third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who wanted to erect a monument for world peace and prosperity, originally planned the building of this landmark. After his untimely demise, the fourth king, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk completed the construction in 1974. It is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”), and a monument to peace. You will also visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide range of local products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles. Thereafter, we will take you to the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, opened in 2001.
DAY 04: Thimphu – Punakha
Drive to Punakha, the road from Thimphu to Punakha goes northeast and one of the highlights of the journey is at Dochu La Pass (3050m), the highest point between Thimphu and Punakha. From here when the sky is clear, one can enjoy a spectacular and panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks to the north that are above 7000m. The pass has 108 chortens (Stupa), honoring those who laid down their lives while flushing out insurgents from southern Bhutan in December 2003. Chortens are Buddhist reliquaries and memorials to the teachings of the Buddha. Sometimes, stupas carry relics of the Buddha or revered monks. Whether or not there are relics inside, the stupas mark the landscape with reminders of the Buddha’s teachings.
We will eat lunch in one of the local restaurants. After lunch, we will have a short hike to the 15th century temple of Divine Madman. It is about half an hour hike through the fields and farm houses. You will have good chance to take photographs especially the divine painting on the houses.
DAY 05: Punakha (Sightseeing)
In Punakha, we will visit the Dzong built by Zhabdrung in 1637. The dzong is on a strategic junction at the confluence of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The dzong has played a sacred role in the history of Bhutan. It served as the seat of Zhabdrung’s government, and it has received several foreign delegations in 18th and 19th century. The first King was coronated in 1907 and the third King convened the first National Assembly in the dzong. The central monastic body continues to reside here in winter. The embalmed bodies of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Pema Lingpa are on the top floor of the main tower. Following four catastrophic fires, an earthquake and flood, the fourth King restored the dzong after the latest flood in 1994.
Next in line is we will hike to the temple of the devine mad man.It is easy hike for about 45 min through the rice field and the farm house and we will stop for the lunch at the junction.
Later after lunch, we will drive to Wangduephodrang (1300m), the last town on the highway before entering central Bhutan. Situated on a ridge overlooking a river junction, the formidable Wangduephodrang Dzong is the town’s most visible feature. In the 17th century, Wangduephodrang played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern regions of the country. Also, we will visit the town.
Overnight – hotel in Punakha.
DAY 06: Punakha – Gangtey
This valley also serves as the winter home for the rare black-necked crane that migrates from the plateau of Tibet. If your visit is from end of October then you will have ample opportunity to witness the rare black- necked crane feeding in the marshy meadow. Our car will drop us before arriving at the Gangtey Monastery; We will start our hike through the village to the monastery and then continue downhill into the Phobjikha valley. We will continue our hike to the hotel where we will be served with our lunch. Rest of the day will be spent exploring the village around or just observe the cranes.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07: Gantey – Trongsa
We will drive steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3300m/ 10989ft). With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow-capped peaks especially the Mount Jhomolhari (7314m/ 24355ft). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo vegetation and quite often we find Yaks grazing. We reach at Chendebji Chorten. Lama Shida built this Chorten or Stupa in 18th century. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west.
Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 08: Trongsa – Bumthang (Three-hour drive)
In the morning, you will visit Trongsa Dzong built in 1647 by the Zhabdrung. It is the biggest and most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. Thereafter, you will visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town. Ta Dzong is a watchtower to guard Trongsa.
After lunch, you will proceed to Bumthang (2600-2900m), one of the most spectacular valleys and the holy heartland of Bhutan. The 68-kilometer journey takes about three hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3400m/11155ft), and then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. From here, the drive to Bumthang takes 45 minutes.
Overnight at lodge in Bumthang.
DAY 09: Bumthang
Bumthang is the dzongkhag (district) having a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2600 to 4000m/8530 to 13125ft.
In the morning, we will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. Legend has it that the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo built the temple in the 7th century on the right foot of a demon. It is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).
After lunch, we will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on, we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, and then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge.
Overnight: lodge in Bumthang.
DAY 10: Bumthang (Chamkhar – Tang Valley)
Today after the breakfast we will drive to Tang valley with packed lunch and visit one of the old palaces, which is now a museum. From Jakar, we will drive towards Ura in the east. After about 10kms, unpaved road on the left leads you to narrow gorge of Tang. After the turn off, there is a parking lot for short walk to Mebartso. The road climbs above the river for 7km before the Drangchel village. You will notice the monastic hermitage Kunzangdrak Goemba perched on the rocky cliff. It was founded in 1488 by Terton Pema Lingpa. The excursion to Knzangdrak takes about 2 hrs of steep uphill climb. We will continue along high feeder road for about 3km and pass through Jamzhong village. After short descent for about 2km, you will arrive at Misithang. Short distance away from misithang is a lhakhang known as Tag Rimochen (impression of tiger stripes) now known as Tang Rimochen, located below an enormous rock. Tang Rimochen was founded by Dorji Lingpa in 14th Century. The name of the place was derived from the marks on the rock that resemble tiger’s stripes. It is a sacred place where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The rock has body imprints of Guru Rimpoche and his two consorts. After Tang Rimochen, the road gets rougher till Kizum. From Kizum, we will cross the bridge over Tang Chu and climb up to the hill top of UgyenChholing Palace, built in 16th century by Deb Tsoki Dorji. The palace complex is now a museum for religious studies, research and solitude. The exhibits in the main building depict the life style and art works of a Bhutanese noble family.
Overnight: lodge in Tang.
DAY 11: Bumthang(Tang) – Monggar
The drive from Bumthang to Monggar will surely enchant you as it offers one of the most spectacular views of the country. Evergreen junipers and colorful Rhododendrons cover the hillsides, as fresh new scenery unfolds with every twist and turn of the winding road. Sound of the rushing streams and cascading waterfalls greets you as you look down at the valley looming in the distance below the precipitous rock face. You will be so captivated by its beauty that the seven hours journey will hardly be noticed.
Overnight at Guest House.
DAY 12: Mongar (Excursion to Lhuntse)
We will drive you to Lhuntse, which is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular, with stark cliffs towering above river gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is famous for its weavers, and their distinctive textiles are the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home to the royal family.
We will visit the Dzong that sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Kurichu valley. Lhuntse Dzong is one of the most pleasing sites in Bhutan. After lunch, we will take a short drive to explore Menji village for its distinctive textiles before we start heading back to Monggar.
Overnight at lodge in Monggar.
DAY 13: Mongar-Trashigang (Three-hour drive)
A 96km trip from Mongar to Trashigang takes about three hours. The first part of journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. After driving through the Korila pass (2450m/8040ft), marked by a pretty Chorten and a Mani wall, we descend rapidly through cornfields and banana groves to reach the famous road zigzags just below Yadi, a fairly recent but fast-growing settlement.
After zigzagging down the hillside, the road to east runs along the Gamri River. A turnoff on the left leads up to Drametse. The temple, perched on top of a steep hill above the village, was founded by Choeden Zangmo and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place of origin of the famous Drametse Nga Chham, a masked dance with drums. About 30km onwards is the Trashigang (1100m/3610ft), which is on a steep hillside above the Gamri River. Trashigang is the principal township of the biggest and most populated district in the country.
After lunch, you will visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of a rocky outcrop far above the river gorge. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the Dzong is occupied by the local monastic community.
Overnight at lodge in Trashigang.
DAY 14: TRASHIGANG-CHALING (7050ft) – 7hrs – DAMNONGCHU (10131ft) Start of Trek.
Chaling is the starting point of the trek to Merak. Before reaching Chaling, we will drive for about an hour along the 15 km feeder road from Rangjung to Chaling. We will halt and camp at Damnongchu, situated at about 10,880ft above sea level.
DAY 15: DAMNONGCHU – 5 hrs – MERAK (11480ft)
From Damnongchu to Merak, you will follow the trail along the river. The final stretch is a very gentle climb and then you enter Merak village. To capture the spectacular views of the nearby mountains and the village, we will camp at the site just before the village. There is also a guesthouse if you prefer not to camp.
DAY16: MERAK – 7.5 hrs – MIKSA TENG (9400ft)
From Merak to Miksa Teng, the trek is of medium difficulty, passing through the breath taking Nagchungla pass. After crossing the Nagchungla pass, you will descend and trek mostly along the river. You will experience a gentle climb before entering the village of Sakteng. We will camp in the open ground surrounded by rhododendron trees. The beauty of the site is remarkable when flowers bloom.
DAY 17: MIKSA TENG – 3.5 hrs – SAKTENG (9850ft)
From Miksa Teng to Sakteng, the trek is easy. You will trek through the beautiful woods. If lucky, you will spot a red panda among the trees. We will camp on the outskirts of the village or spend a night in a guesthouse, whichever you prefer.
DAY 18: HALT AT SAKTENG
You deserve a rest today. On this day, you will explore the Sakten Valley, the home to 80 households. The residents are devout Buddhists, which are reflected by many important Buddhist temples in the north and east of the village.
You will also visit the local monasteries and experience the panoramic view of the valley during the day. To add to the excitement, you will enjoy a cultural program in the evening.
DAY 19: SAKTENG – 6.5hrs – JYONKHAR TENG (6100ft)
It is an easy trek from Sakteng to Jyonkhar Teng. You will trek mostly downhill on a plain path. You can also make it to Phongmay or Radhi on the same day but we recommend halt in Jyonkhar Teng. You will camp at the site near the river, which is closer to the Jyonkhar village. The village has a community school.
Day 20: JYONKHAR – 5hrs – PHONGMAY/RADHI (6500ft) End of Trek.
The trek ends on this day. From Jyongkhar to Phong Me, you will trek for about 5 hours. You will face a steep climb for an hour before reaching Phong Me. Trekkers and visitors are highly recommended to either stay in Phongmay or Radhi as these places offer many attractions with beautiful villages. Radhi, popularly known as the ‘Rice Bowl” of the east is popular for wool textiles called Bura weaving.
DAY 21: PHONGMAY/RADHI – TRASHIGANG
In the morning, you will explore the villages and interact with people, and after that you will proceed to Trashigang.
DAY 22:
You will choose one of the two options. The first option is to drive to Yongphula, from where you will catch a domestic flight to Paro. The airport at Yongphula is new and not yet started.
The second option is to drive straight to Samdrupjongkhar.
DAY 23:
If you choose the first option, you be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward destination.
If you choose the second option, you will drive to Guwahati in India, to catch a flight for your onward destination.
