Merak Sakten Trek

Merak and Sakteng Trek( Eastern Bhutan Trek)
Introduction to Merak and Sakteng
The Brokpas, semi-nomadic inhabitants of the region, migrate through the seasons with their yaks: moving between the highlands in summer and the lowlands in winter. The Brokpas still engage in the barter system, trading cheese, butter and dried meat for grains and other goods that are not readily available to them. During the colder months, they also travel down south to the villages like Radhi, Phongmay, Kanglung, Trashigang town, and other areas to barter their goods. So during such times tourism is not really a viable option as the active population is out with their cattle. However, there are few residents who do not own animals and they stay back in the villages. 



Tourism Potential Months
1.  Every third day starting from 15th March including whole months of April and May. 
2. Every third day of September, October, and November months.

1.    Pink Poppy Season (June)
2.    Winter Season:

a.    Up to Merak and Sakteng only
b.    Merak – Danglingtsho Trek, Khaling

1. Pink Poppy Season (June): It is believed that Nagchungla is the area for Pink Poppy and June is the season when it blooms. Tourists with special interests, for example Japanese, will be interested to come. Therefore, other than the standard proposed visiting season, June should be open but only up to Nagchungla pass. However, tour operators must be responsible to make sure that tourists do not cross Nagchungla in June. One of the main reasons for not allowing tourists to cross Nagchungla pass is because of the landslide prone areas after the Nagchungla pass. This can be terrible during rainy seasons. 

2. Winter Season:

A) Up to Merak and Sakteng only: The main reason of not allowing tourists to Merak and Sakteng in winter is because of their migration to low lands. Tourism should be developed to supplement their income and not to take up as their primary source of income. The other important reason is Nagchungla pass being closed due to heavy snow. However, it will be possible to allow tourists to visit just up to Merak or Sakteng in winter. In case if there are not enough residents in Merak and Sakteng to provide services in terms of pony and porter, there are enough people who are not engaged in farming in neighbouring areas like Radhi, Phongmay and Chaling. However, this suggestion has to be agreed by the communities of Merak and Sakteng. If tourists wish to visit Merak during winter months, they can do so without having to go and come back via same route. Tourists can start from Khardung and come back from Chaling or vice versa.

B) Merak – Danglingtsho (Khaling) Trek: This trek, though not surveyed, is an option for tourists to not only go for trekking during winter but also during the Potential Tourism Months. However, due to the local belief, visit to the lake is closed from June to September. So, other months feasible for trekking are from October to May. However, further studies need to be carried to look at the rainy season and if there is heavy snow along the migration route or identified route.


Itinerary
Day 1: Trashigang – Chaling (7050ft) – 7hrs – Damnongchu (10131ft)
The trek to Merak will start from Chaling and the feeder road goes up to Chaling from Rangjung. The feeder road from Rangjung to Chaling is about 15 kms which takes about 1 hour by car. The first halt will be at Damnongchu. Damnongchu camping area is located after Mindrula which lies about 10,880ft above sea level.

Day 2: Damnongchu – 5 hrs – Merak (11480ft)
The trail from Damnongchu to Merak goes along the river bank with gradual ups and downs. The final stretch is a very gentle incline after which you enter Merak village. The campsite, located before the village, has spectacular views of the nearby mountains and the village. There is also a guesthouse where tourists can stay if they choose not to camp.

Day 3: Merak – 7.5 hrs – Miksa Teng (9400ft)
The trek from Merak to Miksa Teng is of medium difficulty. It will pass through the beautiful Nagchungla pass. Right after the Nagchungla pass descend, the trek is mostly along the river and there is a small climb before reaching the village of Sakteng. The campsite is located in a clearing surrounded by rhododendron trees. It is beautiful when the flowers are in full bloom.

Day 4: Miksa Teng – 3.5 hrs – Sakteng (9850ft)
Trek to Sakteng from Miksa Teng is easy making your way through beautiful woods with a short climb before reaching Sakteng but it is not very difficult. If lucky, trekkers may be able to spot a red panda among the trees. The Sakteng campsite is located on the outskirts of the village. Sakteng also offers trekkers the option of spending the night in a guesthouse instead of camping.

Day 5: Sakteng – 6.5hrs – JyonkharTeng (6100ft)  
Sakteng to Jyonkhar Teng trek is an easy trek compared to the previous treks. It is mostly downhill and walking on a plain path. Some trekkers can also make it to Phongmay or Radhi but a halt in Jyonkhar Teng is recommended. Jyonkhar village is located few minutes walk from the campsite. Jyonkhar also has a community school. Jyonkhar Teng campsite is located near a river.

Day 6: Jyonkhar – 5hrs – Phongmay/Radhi(6500ft)/Trashigang
The trekkers are highly recommended to either stay in Phongmay or Radhi. This is because of many attractions and beautiful villages in these two places. Radhi, popularly known as the ‘Rice Bowl” of the east is also popular for wool textiles called Bura weaving.

A visitor can either choose to stay in Trashigang or make their way to Mongar if they are planning to visit central or western Bhutan or if they are to depart from Paro.

Also if visitors are exiting from Samdrup Jongkhar, they can choose to do so. However, a day in Trashigang is highly recommended as direct drive from Radhi or Phongmay may be possible but it will be very tiring.

Reversing the Entry:
However, if tourists decide to enter from Phongmay and do the Sakteng – Merak loop then the above same arrangement of residents taking over