Trans Bhutan Trail to open to tourists for the first time

By Alexandra Coulton

The Kingdom of Bhutan is set to reopen its historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years, allowing tourists to walk the trail for the first time.

After two years of extensive restoration, the trail will be inaugurated in March 2022 by the King of Bhutan, whose vision it was to restore the ancient route for tourism, adventure and connection.

From April international tourists will be able to walk the trail for the first time, providing much-needed economic benefits to rural communities along the way.

G Adventures has been selected by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the non-profit that led the restoration of the trail, as the launch operator when the trail launches to the public.

Two new active trekking itineraries are now available to book with G Adventures, an 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail trip, which features camping and homestays, and a 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail itinerary with accommodation in homestays, locally-owned guest houses and hotels.

The Trans Bhutan Trail’s origins go back thousands of years to when it was part of the ancient Silk Road.

Bhutan Thimphu Buddist Monk Bridge

Official records can be traced to the 16th century when it was the only route between the east and west of the country, connecting fortresses – or Dzongs – deep in the remote eastern Himalayas.

It also served as the pilgrimage route for Buddhists in the east to travel to sacred sites in western Bhutan and Tibet, and legendary Garps – trail runners – would travel the trail at great speed by foot with mail and important messages, often making their journeys without food or water.

When construction of the national highway began across Bhutan in the 1960s, the trail’s ancient stairways and footpaths gradually fell into disrepair. To prepare for the reopening, in March 2020, the team of surveyors restoring the ancient route began clearing jungles, fording rivers and reconstructing bridges to their former glory.

As they worked, communities provided hospitality and assistance, elders shared stories of the past, and children marvelled at this unusual group, even as Bhutan and the world were enveloped in the emerging COVID crisis.

Yves Marceau, vice president of product at G Adventures, said the operator’s two tours focus on trekking specially selected parts of the 403-km trail and connecting with local people to learn about Bhutanese life and culture, combining active travel and cultural immersion with the benefits of community tourism.

“It’s a country we’ve run tours in for more than a decade and have long admired for its commitment to the happiness of its people and sustainable way of life, which are both philosophies that align with our values as an organization,” Marceau said.

“Trails have historically connected remote communities and helped distribute much-needed income to local people as travellers move across the landscape.

“In today’s world, the pandemic has encouraged people to spend more time in nature and now they are looking for similar experiences when they travel.

“Our new trips cover the highlights of the trail as hikers traverse forests and meadows and travel through rural settlements around the Dzongs. Travellers can expect an average of three to four hours of hiking each day and delicious local meals each night, whether they are camping or staying in homestays, hotels or local guest houses.”

Bhutan Paro Valley Tigers Nest Monastery Mountain Cliff

Sam Blyth, chair of the Bhutan Canada Foundation and lead donor for the Trans Bhutan Trail, said G Adventures was an obvious partner to help relaunch the trail given the company’s long history and success running small group tours and giving back to destinations through its commitment to community tourism.

“As well as providing income opportunities for local people, especially youth, in rural communities, the restoration of the trail is a community-based project designed to preserve an ancient cultural icon and provide a sustainable experience for travellers,” Blyth said.

“Economic benefit will flow directly into the local communities as a result of community tourism, whether via homestays, the purchase of supplies locally for multi-day trips or the employment of local guides.

“Spanning the world’s only carbon-negative country, the Trans Bhutan Trail also reflects the country’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness and enables the children of Bhutan to continue to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. It’s our vision that one day the Trans Bhutan Trail will be considered one of the great walks of the world.”

It is expected that Bhutan’s borders will reopen to tourism ahead of the Trans Bhutan Trail’s official opening ceremony.

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bhutan community travel g adventures rural communities Sam Blyth Trans Bhutan Trail Yves Marceau