Merak and Sakteng

Trashigang District, Bhutan

---

Merak and Sakteng are remote highland villages located in the Trashigang District of eastern Bhutan within the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, an area designated to protect unique flora, fauna, and cultural heritage.

These villages are home to the Brokpas, a semi-nomadic community known for their traditional lifestyle, including yak herding and seasonal migrations. The Brokpas maintain distinctive clothing and customs, with men wearing red wool jackets and yak-felt hats, and women dressed in vibrant silk and wool garments adorned with jewelry.

The sanctuary surrounding the villages protects diverse ecosystems ranging from alpine meadows to temperate forests, hosting endangered species like the snow leopard and red panda, and is linked to local myths of the Migoi, a yeti-like creature.

Merak and Sakteng offer visitors an opportunity to experience Bhutan’s rich Himalayan culture and pristine natural environment far from mainstream tourism.