The Wild Eastern Bhutan Trek – Yeti Trail
- Across The Land Of The Thunder Dragon
- Bhutanese way of life
- Interaction with the local people of the beautiful valley
- Sakteng Wildlife Santuary
- Incredible Cultural Journey And Nature Trek
- Dzong or National Museum, rated among the best natural history museums in Asia
| Title | The Wild Eastern Bhutan Trek - Yeti Trail |
| Details | Delhi – Guwahati – Samdrup Jhonkar – Trashigang – Trashi Yangtse – Chaling – Damnong Chu - Merak – Miksa Teng – Sakteng – Jyonkhar Teng – Mongar – Bhumthang – Punakha – Thimphu – Paro - Delhi |
| Duration | 17 Nights / 18 Days |
This new trekking route into Merak and Sakteng is a truly incredible cultural journey and nature trek into a region closed to foreigners for the past 30 years. Until now, only a handful of researchers and tourists have been granted permission to enter this area. Merak and Sakteng has been closed to protect the unique cultural heritage of the Brokpa people and in part to give the mythical Yeti some peace, whose tales of wandering in the valley is very popular among the locals. The Brokpas of the Merak and Sakten regions of eastern Bhutan are semi-nomadic yak herders who speak a unique dialect, wear unusual clothing and live in stone houses distinctive to this isolated region of Bhutan. This seven-day trek (including one rest day for exploration) enters Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, one of nine protected areas in Bhutan. The Sanctuary is typical of the diversity of Himalayan terrestrial ecosystems, combining alpine meadows, temperate forests and warm broad leaf forests. According to the surveys conducted by the World Wildlife Fund some 203 species of plants, 119 species of birds and 18 species of mammals have been confirmed. Such as the endangered snow leopard, red panda, the Himalayan black bear, and the Himalayan red fox. The trek is part of community-based tourism that benefits local communities. Extra fees (such as government entry fees, camping fees, use of local staffs, and each night in the villages locals hosting cultural show and dances) are a necessity. Along with the trek, you will visit the valleys of Bumthang, Punakha, the capital Thimphu and Paro, which are all quite essential Bhutanese treasures. Combined with these, we also attend one of the colorful Bhutanese Festival to make this trip a truly magical experience!
Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, drive to visit Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.
Morning board your flight to Guwahati. Arrive in Guwahati airport in Assam, India. Meet and take a drive to Samdrup Jongkhar, a frontier town in South Eastern Bhutan. Along the way, you will pass through many small Assamese villages and tea gardens.
After an early breakfast, we will drive north to Trashigang. If possible, we will stop in some of them, including a local weaving center in Khaling. Late in the afternoon, we will visit Trashigang Dzong which houses the monastic institute for monks and administrative center for the valley.
Drive to Tashi Yangtse, visiting Gomkora Temple, Doksum village along the way. In Trashiyantse, visit Traditional Art School, Chorten Kora and stroll around the village and a small town
From Trashigang, drive for 1½ hr. to the road end at Chaling at 2148 m. After the pack animals are loaded with your luggage, we start the trek past. Down hill through the rhododendron forests to the campsite at a beautiful meadow by the river at 3124 m.
Morning after breakfast trek to Merak which is one of the most isolated valleys in Bhutan. Like the people of Sakteng, Merak people (Brokpas) are said to have migrated here few centuries ago from the Tshona region of southern Tibet. In Merak the custom of polyandry is practiced, with brothers sharing the same wife.
Trek from Miksa Teng to Sakteng, an easy and enjoyable route through beautiful woods, then follow along the river until a short climb to reach the village of Sakteng. If lucky, you may be able to spot a red panda among the trees. The Sakteng campsite is on the outskirts of the village.
Today is a well-deserved rest day. It is worth spending time here to explore the Sakten Valley.
From Sakten, we will continue trekking on to Jyongkhar crossing Munde la Pass (9,600′). There are a couple of small climbs and descents before reaching Jyonkhar during this walk of about 6 ½ hours and end our trek in Phongmay village, where we meet our transport and drive to Trashigang town.
Day 11 : To Bumthang - by surface / 198 km / approx 7 hs
Morning visit the Mongar Dzong. Later continue for a long and spectacular drive west to Bumthang, across Thrumshingla National park, through ever changing vegetation and landscapes, rich in bird and other wildlife.
In the evening visit Jakar Dzong. The Dzong is perched on a spur overlooking the valley. The ‘dzong of the white bird’ is very elegant and more modest in size than the other Dzongs. Later stroll around the village.
After breakfast take a long drive to Punakha. We arrive in Trongsa, where we stop to peek at the Tower of Trongsa museum and also see the impressive Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong is one of the largest fortress monasteries in Bhutan.
Visit Punakha Dzong, a former winter capital of Bhutan, located at the confluence of two rivers. Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting Thimphu’s many monuments and attractions including traditional art school, Zilukha nunnery, Takin (national animal) sanctuary, Buddha Dodema (largest Buddha statue in the world) and other things as per available time.
Today you have a full day to take in the sights of Thimphu that will give you a fairly good exposure and understanding of the Bhutanese way of life, as well as their customs and traditions.
The day begins with a visit to The Textile Museum. The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey ToenkhyimIn the afternoon one can visit The School of Traditional Arts where children learn traditional drawing and painting techniques.
Morning drive to Paro. Later in the afternoon visit the National Museum, the museum is housed in Paro Dzong’s ancient watch tower. The evening is free to take a down town stroll along Paro’s Main Street.
After an early morning breakfast, drive for about 8 km to Satsam Chorten for a half-day hike to Taktsang Monastery. Reaching the monastery involves a 3-hour trek from the road head. Returning from the monastery visit the Drugyel Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Before reaching back to the town, stop at Kyichu Lhakhang.
Departure transfer to the airport in time to board your flight to Delhi. On your arrival in Delhi will be received and the rest of the day is free for some last minute shopping to pick up some souvenirs, if you so desire. Later in the evening you will be transferred to the International Airport to catch your flight back home.
Depending on the time of your flight back home you will have a city tour and later be transferred to the International Airport to board your flight back home.