INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
Trekking in East Bhutan
by Piet van der Poel
Come join us for
a special experience
and everlasting
memories!
Omba Gonpa. Photo: Piet van der Poel.
Temple Tree Resort & Spa is a
Boutique Hotel combining
western standards with the
distinctive architecture and culture
of Nepal’s Western Himalayas.
Named after the fragrant temple
tree plant frangipani found here,
we offer a peaceful and relaxed
atmosphere, privacy when
preferred and attentive service.
call us at +977 - 61 - 465 819
[email protected] | www.templetreenepal.com/
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www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel | 2016
Rodungla pass. Photo: Piet van der Poel.
Bhutan is mostly known for its culture and much less for its
trekking. In 2014, 1,222 tourists trekked the Druk Path and 799
the Jomulhari Trek, both in West Bhutan. Very few compared
with the 50,000 trekkers in the Annapurna area in Nepal. In
contrast, in East Bhutan 123 tourists did the Merak-Sakten
Trek, six the Dongla Trek and two the Wild Rodungla Trek.
Clearly East Bhutan is little explored. Thus, if you do not
want to share your trek with dozens or more other trekkers
each day, East Bhutan is a good option. That is, if you are
prepared to fork out the all-inclusive (except alcoholic drinks
and souvenirs) fee of US$ 250/day. However, the Tourism
Council of Bhutan (TCB) is discussing lowering the fees
for East Bhutan since most of the Dzongkhags (provinces)
have no 3-star hotels, which are considered the minimum
standard for Bhutan’s tourists. The number of trekkers is likely
to increase considerably in the next decade. So don’t wait
too long.
Presently TCB is about to promote a dozen treks in East
Bhutan, mainly through local tour operators. Almost all
need some improvements, but all except one can be done
comfortably. I have split the treks into 4 categories. All have
characteristics of the lower ranked categories, but the lower
ranked ones do not meet the criteria of the higher ranked
ones. Higher ranked treks are not necessarily better. They
may actually be worse.
1. High Altitude Treks
• The Merak-Sakten Trek winds its way through Brokpa
yak-herding territory in the Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary
in Trashigang Dzongkhag. This trek offers excellent
scenery, interesting and unique culture and a chance
to spot a yeti. The presently promoted itinerary includes
several days along little used farm roads. Starting the
Sheri Dzong. Photo: Piet van der Poel.
trek near Kanglung or Yongphula adds more trails and
the Dangling Tsho, a sacred lake.
• The Singye Dzong and the Shingphel-Pemaling
pilgrimage Treks in Lhuentse and Trashiyangtse are
presently not allowed for tourists, but espe