Back to Bhutan, the Merak Sakteng trek in Eastern Bhutan

On my first visit to Bhutan I fell in love with the country and its people. That visit was somewhat limited in scope. I saw much of Western and Central Bhutan but nothing east of Bumthang, half way across the country. I couldn’t wait to go back. This time I spent much of the trip in the much less visited and still thoroughly unspoiled Eastern Bhutan. This included a 5-day trek to the remote villages of Merak and Sakteng. I’ve tried to capture some of this amazing experience in video and photos here.

One of the most remote and least frequented parts of Bhutan can only be reached on foot. There is a trek which takes locals and visitors, even the King and Queen of Bhutan when they visit once a year, to the remote villages of Merak and Sakteng.

It was an unforgettable experience. In one day alone we climbed from 1000 m to over 3,500 m and back down again to 2000, and covered a distance of some 50 km.  This area is inhabited (sparsely) by a distinct ethnic minority group, the Bropkas, who came from Tibet to settle in Eastern Bhutan. Their language, dress and customs, while essentially Bhutanese, are unlike those of any other part of Bhutan.

The area and the villages are a wonderful, unspoiled part of the country well worth taking the time and trouble to visit. While there I stayed in the houses of local families when not actually camping on the trail. I was welcomed by the householders, the villagers, the headmaster, staff and students of the village school and by the local lama and monks. At the local school the kids even sang traditional Bhutanese songs for me a cappella, and brought tears to my eyes.

An extraordinary and unforgettable experience, and a very healthy one!