Merak and Sakteng, in Bhutan's far east, are home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa people, yak herders whose distinctive dress and pastoral traditions differ markedly from the rest of Bhutan.
The Merak Sakteng Trek is a 9-day trip in Paro to Trashigang, eastern Bhutan, rated moderate to strenuous, remote eastern trekking difficulty, reaching a maximum elevation of Nyakchung La, 4,100m. The best time to do this trip is March - May and September - November. The package includes group sizes of 2-8 people, camping on trek, hotels elsewhere accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trek.
| Country | Paro to Trashigang, eastern Bhutan |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous, remote eastern trekking |
| Max Elevation | Nyakchung La, 4,100m |
| Duration | 9 |
| Best Time | March - May and September - November |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trek |
| Accommodation | Camping on trek, hotels elsewhere |
| Group Size | 2-8 people |
Who are the Brokpa people?
Merak and Sakteng, in Bhutan's far eastern Trashigang district, are home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa people, yak herders whose distinctive dress, including their characteristic yak-felt hats, and pastoral way of life differ markedly from the rest of the country. This 9-day trek reaches one of Bhutan's most culturally distinct and rarely visited trekking regions, considerably further from the standard western tourist circuit.
Eastern Bhutan remains almost entirely absent from standard tourist itineraries, and this trek offers genuine access to Brokpa culture, a semi-nomadic yak-herding tradition found nowhere else in the country.
This trek suits travellers with a strong interest in Bhutan's ethnic diversity beyond the standard western circuit, comfortable with camping and moderate to strenuous trekking in a genuinely remote region.
| Trek | Duration | Region | Cultural Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merak Sakteng | 9 days | Far eastern Bhutan | Semi-nomadic Brokpa yak herders |
| Druk Path | 6 days | Paro to Thimphu, western Bhutan | Standard Bhutanese village culture |
Merak Sakteng reaches a considerably more remote and culturally distinct region than Druk Path, appealing to travellers who have already experienced Bhutan's standard western circuit.
View Himalaya's Merak Sakteng Trek starts from USD 3,150 per person, reflecting the considerable travel distance to eastern Bhutan and the camping support required. Contact View Himalaya for a current, itemized quote.
This trek can be combined with the Trongsa Central Bhutan Heritage Tour for travellers wanting a fuller exploration of Bhutan beyond the standard western valleys.
A trip we will be talking about for years. Our guide went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable. A particular highlight for us was trashigang, eastern Bhutan's largest town and a rarely visited region for tourists. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.
An unforgettable experience from start to finish. The support crew were fantastic throughout, always checking in on us. A particular highlight for us was merak and Sakteng, home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa yak-herding communities. Thank you to the whole View Himalaya team for making this happen.
Everything about this trip was handled professionally. The support crew were fantastic throughout, always checking in on us. A particular highlight for us was merak and Sakteng, home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa yak-herding communities. Booking through View Himalaya made all the logistics completely stress-free.
Everything about this trip was handled professionally. Having such an experienced guide made a huge difference, especially at altitude. A particular highlight for us was merak and Sakteng, home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa yak-herding communities. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.