A one-of-a-kind journey through eastern Bhutan's most remote and restricted landscape — visiting the ancient Brokpa communities of Merak and Sakteng, whose culture and traditions exist almost entirely apart from the modern world.
The Merak & Sakteng Trek is unlike any other in Bhutan — and arguably unlike any trek in the world. The route travels through the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Bhutan, a vast protected wilderness that remains largely unexplored and is the only wildlife sanctuary in the world established specifically to protect the habitat of the yeti.
The trek's defining feature is its cultural encounters. The Brokpa people of Merak and Sakteng are semi-nomadic yak herders who maintain ancient traditions — distinctive yak-hair hats, unique dress, their own dialect — in near-complete isolation from the outside world. A visit to these communities is a genuinely rare and humbling privilege.
The route requires flying or driving to Trashigang in eastern Bhutan — a journey that itself reveals a completely different face of the country. Most visitors to Bhutan never reach the east, making this trek a truly exclusive experience.
After arriving in Trashigang by flight or road, drive south to the trailhead near Chaling. The trek begins in lush subtropical forest, climbing steadily through bamboo and oak. Camp at Chaling at the edge of the wildlife sanctuary boundary. The forest here is notably different from western Bhutan — denser, greener, and home to entirely different bird species.
A long day's walk through bamboo thickets and fir forest, crossing several small ridges before the extraordinary first view of Merak village opens below. Merak is a cluster of stone houses surrounded by yak pastures and prayer flags — home to the Brokpa people, dressed in their distinctive yak-hair hats and traditional costume. Overnight near the village.
A rare full day in Merak — one of the most culturally intact communities in Bhutan. Your guide facilitates introductions with local families and explains the Brokpa way of life: their seasonal migrations between highland and lowland pastures, their yak-based economy, their unique religion (a blend of Tibetan Buddhism and animist traditions), and their famous distinctive dress. Visit the local lhakhang. This day cannot be rushed.
Cross the high Nasina La pass — the route's highest sustained terrain — through open moorland and boulder fields. On clear days, views extend far into Arunachal Pradesh in India to the south. Descend to camp at Miksaling, a high pasture used by Brokpa yak herders in summer, where encounters with herder families are common in season.
Descend through dense bamboo and rhododendron forest — the reported habitat of the migoi (yeti) according to local tradition — to Sakteng village. Larger than Merak, Sakteng is the other principal Brokpa settlement and sits at the centre of the wildlife sanctuary. The lhakhang here is particularly significant to the community. Camp near the village.
A second village day — this time in Sakteng. Explore the village, visit the monastery, and spend time with local families. The Brokpa of Sakteng are known for their skill in weaving yak-hair textiles and their distinctive jewellery. If the timing is right (usually spring and autumn), traditional festivals bring the community together in song, dance, and religious ceremony.
The final day descends through subtropical forest to the road at Phongme, where a vehicle awaits for the transfer back to Trashigang. Before leaving the area, a visit to the famous Gom Kora monastery — a sacred pilgrimage site with an extraordinary history — is a fitting end to one of Bhutan's most special trekking journeys.