Tour Overview
Grade: moderate
Time: 5 days
Distance: not available
Altitude gain: not available
Altitude loss: not available
In eastern Bhutan, the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Migoi National Park, spans 650km², established to protect the Migoi (Yeti), although none have been spotted yet. Migoi sightings are possible between the Tang and Lhuntshi valleys. The trek to Merak and Sakteng valleys, crossing Nyuksang La, takes 4-5 days and offers a glimpse into the unique culture of the Brokpas (or Takpas), semi-nomadic yak herders. Access involves a 2-hour drive from Trashigang to Phongme village. Consider allowing extra days to explore the area and interact with the friendly locals while respecting their cultural heritage and the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 1
Drive from Trashigang to Radi and Kardung villages, then to the starting point. The trek begins with a steady climb along a slippery forest footpath, occasionally following the Murbi Chhu river, concluding in 3-4 hours at Charbaling winter grazing grounds.
Day 2
A 2hr climb to Thumburtsa La from Charbaling, from where another 3–4hr of easy hiking leads to Merak village via Gengou.
Day 3
Spend a day or two in Merak exploring the village, visiting lhakhangs, and watching weaving. Take a 4-hour hike to Aum Jumo lake or a 5-6 hour loop to Bujla grazing area. Alternatively, continue to Sakteng from Merak, crossing Nyuksang La. The ascent to the pass takes 2-2.5 hours, followed by a steep 3-hour descent to Sakteng, with an additional hour along a river. Arrive at Sakteng after a 1-hour climb to a chorten, then a 30-minute descent into the village nestled amidst forested mountains.
Day 4
Spend an extra day in Sakteng, a village with over 300 households and a strong religious community. Explore the area or continue towards Jyonkhar, crossing Munde La, with minor ups and downs, and reaching the destination in 5-6 hours.
Day 5
Jyonkhar to Phong Me in 2.5– 3hr, including one stiff climb of 1hr before reaching Phong Me where the road can be found. However, rumors say a feeder road is planned towards Sakteng.
What should I bring with me?
· Good walking shoes
· Sunglasses
· Sunscreen (highest possible)
· Woolen cap
· Prescription medications/ first aid (only basic first aid is/ can be provided)
· Sturdy and ‘broken-in’ trekking boots
· Rain gear
· Torch (flashlight)
· Insect Repellent
· Gaiters
· Gloves
· T-shirts
· Comfortable walking pants
· Down jacket
· Day bag (to carry your requirements while walking)
· Energy chocolate bars
· Water bottle
· Memory card and batteries for camera and flashlight
· Toiletries
Maximum recommended load for trekking is 25kgs (55 lbs), or 1/5th of body weight.
What will be the weather like in Bhutan?
Days are normally warm, nights can be quite chilly. In winter, the temperature is below freezing point. Monsoon shower in summer can be expected with heavy rains in July and August.
Preventing Altitude Sickness
· Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or other narcotics, they may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Avoid heavy exercise at high altitudes. Mild exercise is okay.
· Diamox (acetazolamide) 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of A.M.S.
· Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
· If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going down to lower altitudes will always help relieve the symptoms of AMS, it is also one of the best ways to overcome the sickness.
Acute mountain sickness is caused by lack of Oxygen when traveling to higher elevations. This usually occurs in individuals exposed to an altitude of over 7000 ft (2100 m) who have not had a chance to acclimate to the altitude before engaging in physical activities. Mountaineers, trekkers, skiers and mountain travelers are at the greatest risk. While individual tolerance varies, symptoms usually appear within several hours, with those in weaker physical conditions being more susceptible. Headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath and poor appetite are the initial symptoms. Inability to sleep is also frequently reported. In more severe cases, thinking and judgment may become impaired. An uncommon but potentially fatal complication called high altitude pulmonary edema, caused by fluid build-up in the lungs can also occur in rare cases.
The symptoms of acute mountain sickness can be prevented or minimized by gradually ascending (less than 500 meters/day) over several days to give your body a chance to acclimate to the higher altitude. Taking the prescription medication Diamox (acetazolamide) 250 mg three times a day has been shown to speed up the acclimatization process and can be taken shortly before and during the ascent. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. This medication is a mild diuretic and may work by changing the body’s acid-base balance and stimulating breathing. Dexamethasone 8 mg once a day has also been shown to be effective. However, this steroid medication may have more adverse effects. Once symptoms occur, they usually improve over several days without treatment. However, if they become severe, they can be relieved with the administration of oxygen or descent to a lower altitude.
Packing
A soft but strong duffel bag luggage is best suited on treks as it will be loaded on horse backs. A small back pack (day bag) to carry your essential things on the way like rain gear, wind stopper, camera, batteries, water bottle, candies etc.