Footsteps through Forests & Mountains
Bite-sized trip
- Itinerary:Sakteng (Chaling - Phongmay)
- Duration:7 days / 6 nights
- Price:from {7860} per person (excluding flights)
Day 1 – Chaling – Donmong Chu (3,124m)
The trek today starts with a gradual climb through meadows, passing yaks and sheep with yak herders’ huts dotted on the hillsides. After short ascend, you will come across the ruined house of Lama Ganapati, ancient stupas and a prayer wall. You’ll have time to take it all in before you continue through rhododendron forests where you’ll be happy to find your tented campsite for the night. After 7-8 hours of walking today, you’ll be sure to sleep well!
Day 2 – Donmong Chu – Merak Village (3,520m)
Today’s walk is more relaxed and only 5 hours. The morning starts with easy trekking along an old, wide trail mostly used by locals and their animals. Moving onto a new trail, you’ll be following the river where the vegetation becomes dense with plenty of nature. After the final gentle stretch today, you’ll arrive at your campsite for tonight, located in a village with striking views of the mountain. You can then spend the evening in the village meeting some of the locals.
Day 3 – Merak – Miksateng (3,079m)
Today will be the toughest journey of the trek, you’ll be walking for 5-6 hours. You’ll ascend and cross the highest pass at 4153m, marked by prayer wall and flags. This makes for a spectacular view, make sure you have your camera ready! After the pass, you’ll find a spot for lunch – before descending past the stone throne and past rows of juniper trees. Your last stop is Miksateng, where you’ll be spending the night.
Day 4 – Miksateng – Sakten Village (2,950m)
Today’s 5-6 hour journey starts with a descent to the water where you’ll cross and follow the river banks for a few hours. You’ll then climb a hill – adorned by small Chorten (stupa) overlooking Sakten valley – which is quite different from Merak. If you’re lucky, you can spot red pandas among the trees so keep looking up! You’ll drop down from the ridge and camp outside the Sakten village.
Day 5 – Sakten – Time to explore!
Today you’ll have a break from trekking, and you’ll visit the local Sakten village, exploring the lifestyle and unique culture of this ethnic group – the Brokpas. They are semi-nomadic inhabitants of the region who migrate through seasons with their yaks and are officially the last pure Aryan race.
Day 6 – Sakten – Joenkhar Teng (1,773m)
Today’s trek is longer than some others at 6-7 hours, but it’s pretty easy, beginning with a gradual climb to small hills towards the west end of the village. You’ll then descend to the river and walk through the broadleaf forests. You’ll camp for the final night in the stunning meadow near the river by Joenkhar Teng village, situated on the hillside.
Day 7 – Joenkhar Teng – Phongmey – Trashigang
Rise and shine! It’s the last day of your trek, beginning with a short walk through the villages. You’ll cross a few bridges and short climbs before you reach the ending of the trek – Phongmay town. This journey will take about 5-6 hours in total. Here you’ll meet your guide and driver who’ll take you to Trashigang. On the way to your hotel for the night, you’ll stop and visit Rangjung monastery which was founded in 1990.
This bite-sized trip can be combined well with
Through the Foothills to India
- Mongar – Trashigang and Trashi Yangtze - Samdrup Jongkhar
- 5 days / 4 nights (flexible)
- from £ 1,115.- per person (excluding flights)
Uncover the Legends of Bumthang
- Bumthang Valley
- 4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
- from £ 809.- per person (excluding flights)
