HISTORICAL TRANS BHUTAN TRAIL

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Namaste! Covid had put the travel on pause but not us. We utilized this challenging time, incessantly exploring new products and curating new experiences. We can't wait to share all with you. Just pull out your bags, pack, and get set to go, as India reopened its borders WITHOUT QUARANTINE for the international travellers from 14th February 2022. Here you will find the latest guidelines for travellers as issued by the Indian Government.

Recognized with the “Safe Travel Stamp”, from WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council), we are aligned with the ‘Safe Travel protocols’, adhering to our responsibilities as a responsible tour operator and have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols.

Meanwhile, in this edition we are excited to introduce you to the “HISTORICAL TRANS BHUTAN TRAIL”.

Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom is known for its lush green environment, stunning landscapes, and friendly people having rich culture, grounded to roots. It is always on the bucket list of an avid traveller keen on exploring nature and culture. The long term strategy of the government for a controlled tourism with focus on sustainability and quality has helped Bhutan staying on top for being the country with minimal carbon footprints. We might not be wrong in saying that it’s a paradise for hikers and trekkers with endless options. Bhutan has still kept itself grounded to its roots despite modernization and development all around the globe.


Interesting Fact: Bhutan is the first carbon negative country in the world.

One would wonder, that in this fast-paced life how well Bhutanese have managed their green spaces, and authentic culture with people still opting for traditional ways of life. This may also lead one to think that being remote with isolated valleys, lofty mountains, harsh climatic conditions and least developed rugged roads, how the life of the locals would have been before the metalled roads were built in Bhutan during 1960s. Until motorization, people used to traverse through these uneven dirt tracks by foot, ponies etc. These untrodden tracks which are always a delight for the avid hikers and trekkers in the modern world, usually falls into despair due to the onset of modernisation.

But the government of Bhutan has decided to revive one of the oldest and most popular ‘trans Bhutan trail’ of its time. It is an astounding 403 km of stretch spanning from Haa (or Ha) valley in the west to Trashigang in the east, with one end of it touching the border of Tibet and the other end touching the border with India (in Arunachal Pradesh).


Once this trail opens up, it will give an opportunity to trek for as long as one month or even more on this historically and culturally important trail connecting the length and breadth of Bhutan.

What’s so unique or interesting about this Trail?

This is not just a trail but a journey through history and through variety of cultures, a bagful of tales from the past, and above all a contribution towards the development of local communities settled besides this trail. The opening up of the same will give these local communities an opportunity to generate their livelihood through tourism. The profits earned through tourists visiting this trail will be utilized in the research and sustainability of the trail as well as for the education and welfare of the local communities. For the history buffs, it’s nothing less than traveling in history as old as the 16th century when this trail used to have a significant meaning in the lives of natives. It connected several villages, Dzongs, and many religious sites of western Bhutan and Tibet. The kind of connectivity it provided between the various provinces not only helped in keeping the regions united but also helped in avoiding foreign invasions. So, it had been a lifeline for various merchants, pilgrims, messengers, armies, monks, and locals who used this trail endlessly for their journey across the country landlocked between India and China.

Apart from the historic aspect, the experience of the travellers traversing this trail will also be very authentic, as one will get to be accompanied by the locals, stay in homestays where meeting and interacting with the families of the hosts will allow taking a peek into their lifestyles and knowing their culture more closely. The variety will be another feature of this trail, as apart from homestays one can also opt for camping or hotel stays at some locations.

Offering distant vistas of soaring Himalayan peaks on its way, the trail also boasts of several Dzong fortresses, more than 700 species of birds, and a variety of wildlife, which include endangered species. It meanders through pristine virgin forest thus allowing the visitors access to parts of Bhutan seldom visited by foreigners.

While some portion of the trail entails easy hike, it could be challenging at some points but the beauty of the trail, which passes through lush green valleys, towns & villages, historical and cultural sites, will be an experience beyond words.

Restoration of Past for the Present generation

The trail which was used by Buddhist pilgrims in the past, and is still sacred to Bhutanese, gradually lost its significance with the construction of the national highway post 1960. Being abandoned, bridges, stairways and footpaths in the trail either weakened or collapsed, thus resulting in the traditional pilgrimage route seldom used.

It’s said that it’s never too late and a few years back the Royal government of Bhutan decided to bring life back to this trail again. Around eighteen bridges, more than ten thousand steps, hundreds of kilometers of footpaths were rebuilt and this historically traditional and sacred trail is restored for the present generation. It is expected to be opened soon for one and all, almost after 60 plus years.

At Indo Asia Tours, the itinerary is not just a travel route or a trip. We design, conceptualise and handcraft every journey for you. Our special customised itineraries and curated experiences in different destinations are what make for those memorable travel moments.