Rhododendron Festival: Into the Land of the Brokpas

Cross the scenic Dochula Pass, marked by 108 chortens and Himalayan views. Explore the stunning Punakha Dzong, walk across the suspension bridge, and visit Chimi Lhakhang before returning to Thimphu.

Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, explore traditional crafts at the paper factory, and experience Bhutanese life at Simply Bhutan Museum. Drive to Paro for the night.

Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, dramatically perched on a cliff. Later, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.

Fly east into a quieter, lesser-seen Bhutan. Explore Trashigang town and view Trashigang Dzong (timing permitting). This marks your entry into Brokpa territory.

Travel to the highland village of Merak, home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa people. The Brokpas, despite their simple existence, have their own distinct language, dress, culture and tradition. They speak a dialect known as Brokpake, distinct from other local and regional dialects in the country. Made of natural animal products, their dress is also unique in design.
Women wear short poncho-like dresses with a top that resembles a jacket while men wear tunics and leggings made of wool with a vest made of leather. Both man and women complete the ensemble with a hat made of yak felt that has long twisted tufts hanging down the four edges.
The Brokpas continue to practice polyandry – a practical arrangement that has served the family’s purpose of farming and cattle herding well. Experience the Rhododendron Festival, where hillsides burst into bloom. Engage in traditional dances, music, and local games; try on Brokpa attire; and enjoy a calm nature walk through rhododendron forests—where culture and landscape meet.

Sakteng is about 68 km from Trashigang Town and is in the north of Merak. The Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a total area of 740.60 square kilometer covering almost three fourth of Merak and Sakteng geogs under Trashigang Dzongkhag and part of Lauri
geog under Samdrupjonkhar Dzongkhag. To retain floral and faunal diversity, the Sanctuary is well connected by Biological Corridor to the southern part of the country which is a part of the Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex (B2C2). The Sanctuary is situated in the remotest part of the country where only limited developmental programmes have been implemented in the two gewogs so far. Highlanders living in the park area are semi-nomadic and use large areas as grazing land for their cattle. Livestock rearing is the main socio-economy of Merak and Sakteng where 83% of the household income is generated from livestock husbandry. Very few people living in the lower areas depend on subsistence farming.
The floral diversity of SWS comprises a wide range of ecosystem comprising of different forest types within an altitude ranging from 1700-4100 masl. It represents diversity of eastern Himalayan terrestrial eco-system-alpine meadows, temperate forest and warm broadleaf forest.
Out of the total 46 species of Rhododendrons in the country, the Sanctuary has 41 species of Rhododendrons growing in the wild and is popularly known as the “Paradise of Rhododendrons” in the country which is very much similar to the Garden of Eden in the west. The forest contains 203 tree species including herbs, shrubs, and small trees. The Sanctuary is also famous for faunal diversity harbouring globally threatened and endangered species like the Red panda, Himalayan serow, Wild dog, Goral, Common leopard, Capped langur, Himalayan black bear, Musk deer and Jungle cat to name a few. There are 20 species of mammal species and 147 species of bird species.
Journey into Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, a unique highland ecosystem. Spend the day immersed in Brokpa life—yak herding traditions, local cuisine, storytelling, and a pace of life shaped by the mountains.

Return to Trashigang, carrying with you the spirit of Eastern Bhutan—untouched landscapes, strong communities, and a culture deeply rooted in nature.

Option 1:

Day 09: Domestic Return

Fly from Trashigang to Paro

Day 10: Departure from Paro

Option 2:

Day 09: Overland Exit via India

Travel to Samdrup Jongkhar

Day 10: Exit via Guwahati