Yves Marceau, vice president of product at G Adventures, says the global small group operator is excited to bring tourism dollars back into so many local communities, with 1,400 trips departing in September and Bhutan following in October, providing an incredible example of community tourism in action.
Economic benefit will flow directly into the local communities due to community tourism, whether via homestays, the purchase of supplies locally for multi-day trips or the employment of local guides,” says Blyth.
On this 12-day tour, travel and trek along the best portions of this historic trail, venturing east to west, hiking high mountain passes across lush river valleys and through villages from a different era, stopping to soak in local history, culture, and customs along the way.
The two tours focus on trekking specially selected parts of the 403-km (250-mile) trail and connecting with locals to learn about Bhutanese life and culture, thus combining active travel and cultural immersion with the benefits of community tourism. “As well as providing income opportunities for local people – especially youth – in rural communities, the trail restoration is a community-based project designed to preserve an ancient cultural icon and provide a sustainable experience for travellers.
There is 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 homestay accommodation, locally-owned guest houses and hotels. Travellers can expect an average of three to four hours of hiking each day and delicious local meals each night, whether camping or staying in homestays, hotels or local guest houses,” says Marceau.
Sam Blyth, chair of the Bhutan Canada Foundation and lead donor for the Trans Bhutan Trail, says 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. G Adventures is the pioneer of community tourism. Giving travellers an exceptional travel experience and providing much-needed economic benefits to local people is our mission as a business.
The trail will be officially reopened in a formal ceremony in Bhutan. As its exclusive launch partner, G Adventures will be the first group adventure operator to take travellers along the Trans Bhutan Trail when its inaugural, sold-out departure leaves on October 02, 2022.
G Adventures also offer 1,400 trips in September.
On September 28 – following two years of extensive restoration and a delayed launch due to COVID19 – the Kingdom of Bhutan will reopen its historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years.
“Trails have historically connected remote communities and helped distribute much-needed income to local people as travellers move across the landscape.
“We’re honoured to be working with the Bhutan Canada Foundation and the Trans Bhutan Trail to launch this newly restored route in magical Bhutan, and we’re thrilled with how popular the new trips have been, even with the delay in reopening. Featuring idyllic camping spots and overnights in comfortable local homestays, this tour provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s rural and spiritual life that is only possible off the beaten path. Covering some of the best portions of this 403 km trail, travellers use their own two feet to experience breathtaking, diverse landscapes and timeless villages from a different era.
Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail – Until the 1960s, the Trans Bhutan Trail was the only real way to traverse the mountain kingdom of Bhutan before it fell into disuse.
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, both philosophies that align with our values as an organisation. Our new trips cover the trail’s highlights as hikers traverse forests and meadows and travel through rural settlements around the Dzongs.
Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail – Explore the happiest country on Earth while walking along the same path used by royals, monks, and traders for thousands of years. A 12-day Active trip travelling from Paro return is priced from $7,399pp. An 11-day trip travelling from Paro return is priced from $6,099pp.
Two new Active trekking itineraries are available to book with G Adventures in Bhutan into 2023.
Written by: Jill Walsh
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