Epic Trans Bhutan Trail to reopen for hikers after decades of neglect

After two years of isolation Bhutan is preparing to reopen its ancient courier trails to remote parts of the Kingdom. Photo / Der Yeti, Unsplash

This is your chance to follow in the footsteps of warrior monks, Bhutanese royalty, maybe even the 'Migoi' Yeti.

A 430 kilometre trail across the top of the world is set to open for the first time in over 60 years.

The Trans Bhutan Trail is set to be restarted in March, by royal appointment and a joint project between the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Bhutan Canada Foundation.

For the past two years, two teams of De-suups (guardians) have been working to restore the 28-day trail. Like the medieval messengers of old, they have been making the month-long journey by foot.

From Eastern Bhutan to Western Tibet, it's a mountain trail that traverses almost 500 years of Himalayan history.

Trans Bhutan Trail: The ancient courier routes leading to the Taktsang Monastery. Photo / Getty Images

Large stretches of the route fell out of use with the opening of the national road network in the 1960s. The long-distance trail is less about infrastructure and more about the heritage of Bhutan.

It's an artery through the most inaccessible and spectacular landscapes. It leads to and from the many 'Dzong' fortified monasteries, such as the Paro Takstang or 'Tiger's Nest' built into the sides of the paro valley.

Overseen by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the restoration project on the Trans Bhutan Trail was commissioned "to rediscover generations' worth of stories and history".

From the end of next month the old mountain kingdom route will be opened to international tourists.

International partners the Bhutan Canada Foundation want to see the Trans Bhutan Trail rival the Camino de Santiago and the Milford Track.

"Like His Majesty, we see the Trail as much more than a path," said Sam Blyth, chair of the BCF.

"I am confident that the Trans Bhutan Trail joins this very small group of the great walks in the world."

The new Trans Bhutan Trail will follow 500 years of hiking history. Photo / Faris Mohammed, Unsplash

It's a trail that the legendary Garp postal runners could do in a matter of days. However you'll need substantially more time to cross the country, from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east.

Toronto-based guided tour company G Adventures were selected to help launch the route. They will be launching two itineraries from May, following the anticipated reopening of the kingdom to international tourists.

The Tiger's Nest is the best known of Bhutan's Dzong mountain forts. Photo / Jaanam Haleem, Unsplash

Yves Marceau, VP of product said that G Adventures was honoured to be working to reopen the trail to tourists.

"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 organisation."

The company will be offering a glimpse of the restored TBT with two-week 'best of' Bhutan itineraries.

2021: Covid, the King and the Yeti Trail

The Trail is anticipated to be launched with the re-opening of Bhutan's Borders.

For the past 20 months, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has been running a pilgrimage across the country, to secure the country's Covid-19 readiness.

Much of this journey by foot, horse and road has been along sections of the TBT.

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan fully vaccinated 90% of its adult population within just seven days, last July. Photo / UNICEF

Unlike the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India, Bhutan has seen little impact from the Coronavirus Pandemic. There have been three recorded deaths as of the beginning of 2022. Unicef recorded Bhutan as one of the fastest countries to reach 90% vaccination rate for its adult population, in July last year. Although it has recently seen shortages of vaccines.

The WHO praised the small country's reaction to the virus "within limited resources".
However, the launch of the Trail signals a potential fork in the road for the country, as it prepares to reopen its borders. Most walking itineraries are fully booked already.

It will potentially open up some of the country's most remote corners to international visitors for the first time in months.

Pre-pandemic Bhutan was fast becoming a favourite with hikers looking for adventure. The 25-day Snow Man Trail which traverses the Tibetan border along yak herding routes has been named among the toughest in the world.

The Abominable Snowman: Tourists may soon be able to visit the magical mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Photo / Wikimedia Commons

To the east, regions like Merak and Sakteng are famous for the Yeti Trails. The mountainous region and Unesco protected reserve borders Tibet and is the mythical home of the migoi or 'abominable snowmen'.

Soon once again, international tour groups might be walking in the footsteps of Bhutan's giants.