The Gorgeous Trans-Bhutan Line Reopens for Tourists After 60 Years & We Can't Keep Calm

We know right, it can’t get better than this!

This breathtakingly beautiful country has always been hikers’ paradise and The Kingdom of Bhutan officially reopening their historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years on 22nd of September 2022.

This 403 km trail passes through 27 Gewogs (group of villages), 4 Dzongs or Dzongkhas (one of the 20 local districts in Bhutan), 21 temples, 12 mountain passes, 5 suspension bridges, 10 cantilever bridges, 77 Chortens and 30 Stupas!!

Considered to be one of the world’s greatest walks and one of the best hiking routes in Asia, the town of Haa, that lies closer to the border with Tibet is the western most point of this trail, while the eastern point is Trashigang, near the Indian border of Arunachal Pradesh. Travellers who get to cross the Trans Bhutan Line will get to cross 18 gorgeous bridges and climb 10,000 steps either by foot or bicycle.

The restoration of the Trail has been led by the Bhutan Canada Foundation with the support of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, along with numerous individuals across the country including government officials, De-suups and volunteers. G Adventures, the exclusive launch partner is also the first group adventure operator to take travellers along the Trans Bhutan Trail.

The objective behind the restoration was not only to retrace the steps of their forefathers but also to highlight the Kingdom’s core principles concerning the sustainability which consists of 4 pillars, namely Environment, Community and Economic Development, Education and Cultural Heritage.

A country that firmly believes and measures it's GDP based on Gross National Happiness, this is a project that is driven by the community, focusing on restoring ancient cultural icons and provide sustainable zero-carbon experience in the country not only for tourists but also for pilgrims.

Previously a Buddhist pilgrimage route which got damaged during road construction in 1960s, the restoration of this trail was encouraged by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The route was officially inaugurated by the King in a ceremony in Trongsa which is a holy city in Central Bhutan. Covid-19 pandemic impacted all the sectors heavily but according to Bhutan’s Foreign Minister, Tandi Dorji, it also allowed people to reorganize, and rethink how to structure this sector and operate such that the carbon footprints are as low as possible.

In a bid to battle over-tourism, a fee of US$200 is currently charged for ground transportation, accommodation, food, and guide services which used to be just US$65 before pandemic.

Trips Offered:

• Haa to Paro

Price: USD300/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: Two-day trip

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Luxury Western Bhutan

Price: USD5000/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 5 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Punakha to Trongsa

Price: USD705/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 6 nights

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Trongsa to Bumthang

Price: USD710/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 1 night

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Highlights of Western Bhutan

Price: USD3,390/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 7 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Discover Western Bhutan

Price: USD3,315/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 7 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Trek from Haa to Paro

Price: USD1,375/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 3 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Trail Running Challenge

Price: USD7,190/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 14 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Explore and Trek Central Bhutan

Price: USD6,560/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 14 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Trekking and Cultural Adventure East

Price: USD3,445/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 8 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Bhutan Spiritual Journey

Price: USD8,350/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 11 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Thimpu to Punakha

Price: USD245/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 2 nights

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Paro to Punakha

Price: USD375/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 4 nights

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Paro to Thimpu

Price: USD420/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 1 night

Type of Trip: Trekking only

• Trek from Haa to Trongsa

Price: USD9,480/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 17 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Explore & Trek Western Bhutan

Price: USD6,625/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 14 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Women’s Adventure

Price: USD6,515/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 11 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Bhutan Mountain Biking Adventure

Price: USD8,560/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 14 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Trekking & Cultural Adventure West

Price: USD3,595/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 8 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

• Full Trans Bhutan Trail Trek

Price: USD20,395/person (Double Occupancy)

Days: 35 nights

Type of Trip: Journeys

For more information on trips please visit here

Requirements to Visit Trans Bhutan Trail:

Visa must be applied through the Foreign Affairs Ministry

Hikers are required to apply for a permit via the Trans-Bhutan Line

Options For All Types of Hikers or Travellers:

• The Trail can be covered by ambitious hikers in a month.

• This Trail is also suitable for those who love a shorter trail of three, four or seven-day trips.

• Choice of accommodations are also available enroute – from rural campgrounds to three-star hotels.

Know more about the Trans Bhutan Trail here

Things to Remember

• Bhutan only allows Bhutanese pilots to fly into the country so only two airlines are allowed to fly to Paro – Bhutan Airlines and Druk Air.

• International travellers require a valid passport to enter Bhutan. Visas will be issued through Trans Bhutan Trail by the Tourism Council of Bhutan once all documents are received.

• Tourists from India and Bangladesh need to visit the below for entry requirement.

www.transbhutantrail.bt

• Budget your trip since a fee of USD200 per person per night is charged as Sustainable Development Fee from all foreign tourists with the exception of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals.

• Bhutan’s currency is Ngultrum (Nu.). The is value is at par with INR. INR is widely accepted and so are international credit cards.

• Advisable to invest in travel and medical insurance.

• Bhutanese law does not allow import of drones or unmanned aircrafts. Special permission needs to be procured from media and communication regulatory body, Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority.

• Bhutan being the only country in the world where the sale of tobacco is prohibited by law visitors are allowed to carry tobacco for personal consumption but permitted only limited quantities. Foreign visitors may carry either 200 cigarettes/bidi; 30 cigars; or 150 grams of other tobacco and tobacco products. Smoking in public places is restricted and that hotels do not permit smoking inside the rooms.

Bhutan is one country that is paving the path for sustainable travel by welcoming a policy of “high-value, low-volume” and restoring the wealth that their forefathers had closely guarded for so many centuries. It's time we all do the same.

Read about Riyanka's article to know how a month in Bhutan changed her way to look at life.

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