The Trans Bhutan Trail has recently been restored and is open to the public for the first time in more than 60 years. Historically the trail was used by messengers, traders and pilgrims as the trail was the only way in which to cross the country of Bhutan. If you’re wondering where exactly Bhutan is, it is landlocked in the Himalayas between China and India. Lush forests, rolling hills and jagged mountains makes this trail one of the most memorable you will experience in your lifetime.
The trail was left to deteriorate as roads were established in 1960 and fewer people explored this arduous route. But in 2018, the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Bhutan Canada Foundation recruited over 900 volunteers to reestablish the Bhutan trail as a place where locals and travelers could once again traverse this ancient route.
The full trail runs from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east and takes approximately 36 days to hike the 250 miles with elevations at 12,900 feet. The trail must be completed with a guide and can be either be hiked or biked. Due to the vast landscape and scenery, activities such as river rafting, fishing and off-road biking can be included in your itinerary.
Image by Bhutan Canada Foundation
As Bhutan is one of the only three carbon negative countries in the world, a $250 daily sustainable development fee must be paid which does not include lodging, food and camping equipment. This ensures that the number of people walking the trail is limited, there is limited impact to the area and all proceeds are distributed back into the local communities.
Popular sites to see along the trail are:
- Tigers Nest – a world famous sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist monastery, built in 1692
- Kichu Lhakhang – a seventh century temple and is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious site
- Ta Dzong – originally a watchtower, now Bhutan’s National Museum houses with a 11 galleried museum
- Paro Rinpung Dzong – a Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 1645
- Buddha Dordenma – 167 foot gilded bronze statue filled with 125,000 miniature statues
Along with various temples, fortresses, monastries, suspension bridges and 10,000 steps.
“The Trans Bhutan Trail is a game-changing, not-for-profit sustainable tourism initiative, restoring a unique piece of Bhutan’s cultural heritage for the benefit of its people. For the first time in over half a century, The Trail has reconnected Bhutan’s traditional communities, and will contribute to sustainable livelihoods, preserving and celebrating the local people’s traditional culture, as well as protecting the delicate ecosystems which the Trail crosses.”
says Brad John-Davis, the Trail’s Director of Development.
Images by @suketdedhia
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