National park · Bhutan
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary: pay the entry fee (check) at the gate, hike the Sakteng‑Lungchhu trail (4 h, moderate) in the dry season, and stay in Trashigang town for easy access.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
650 km² (251 sq mi)251 sq mi (650 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
At a glance
- Country
- Bhutan
- Area
- 650 km² (251 sq mi)251 sq mi (650 km²)
- About 650 km² of forested ridges and Brokpa grazing land in Trashigang district; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Trashigang
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is Bhutan's far-east forest reserve: 650 km² of mixed conifer and rhododendron above the Brokpa villages of Sakteng and Merak, in Trashigang district. It is not a gate-and-car-park park. There is no ticket booth on a highway and no signposted day trail; reaching the sanctuary means a long drive from Trashigang, a licensed guide, an overnight in a Brokpa village or a camp, and a trekking permit arranged in advance through a Bhutanese operator. The reward is a working highland herding landscape — yaks, bamboo, rhododendron in spring — and the Brokpa communities who live inside it. Treat it as a 3–5 day trek, not a stop-off, and read the entry fee and permit lines as 'check', because the sanctuary publishes no public tariff.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
650 km² (251 sq mi)251 sq mi (650 km²) · national park since 1999
About 650 km² of forested ridges and Brokpa grazing land in Trashigang district; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Trashigang.
Why go
- Remote forest with mixed conifers and rhododendrons.
- Cultural encounter with the nomadic Brokpa community.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brahminy kite, Himalayan monal, various pheasantsMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Red panda (rare sightings)Apr–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary gate | Entry point, visitor information desk, parking. | Open with ticket. |
| Sakteng‑Lungchhu trailhead | Start of the main 4 km (2.5 mi) hike to Lungchhu lake.Start of the main 2.5 mi (4 km) hike to Lungchhu lake. | Guided or self‑guided (check trail condition). |
| Brokpa villages | Cultural sites within the sanctuary. | Visit with local guide. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for sanctuary centre; trailhead approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry | BTN 200 | person | Check official fee at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the gate area.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary; use designated campsites outside.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Trashigang town hotels
Basic guesthouses and mid‑range hotels, 30 min drive to gate.
Safety
Steep river crossings medium
Monsoon landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by vehicle; short walks are on uneven forest paths.
Visiting lightly
- Support local Brokpa families by buying crafts and meals.
- Carry out all waste; no littering in the forest.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary?
Entry is about 200 BTN per person at the gate (check the latest fee).
What are the best hikes in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary?
The Sakteng‑Lungchhu trail (4 h, moderate) is the main hike; shorter forest loops are also available near the gate.
When is the best time to visit Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary?
Dry months October to May give clear trails and good wildlife spotting; avoid June‑September monsoon.
Can I visit the sanctuary without a guide?
Guides are mandatory for any trek beyond the gate area.
Is camping allowed inside the sanctuary?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in Trashigang town or designated sites outside.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
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