Bhutan Welcomes Travellers With Historic Trail

The restored historic 250-mile pilgrimage trail traversing the ‘Himalayan’ country of Bhutan has this week been officially re-opened for the first time in six decades.

The launch of the Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) – brainchild of his Majesty, the King of Bhutan – coincides with the country’s full re-opening to travellers for the first time in two years. Quarantining is no longer required.

And, say tourist officials, the move will not only restore a unique piece of Bhutan’s cultural heritage, but will economically benefit remote communities on its route whilst offering visitors huge spiritual, health and wellness benefits.

Eighteen major bridges, more than 10,000 steps and 250 miles of Trail have been built or restored over the last three years, involving thousands of Bhutanese workers and villagers, in a unique private/public partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF).

THE HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TRAIL
The Trail travels through Bhutan’s history, with some 400 historic and cultural sites identified along the route to date. Connecting fortresses – called Dzongs – it originally served as a pilgrimage route for Buddhists in the east, travelling to sacred sites in western Bhutan and Tibet.

With origins that go back at least 500 years, the new Trail will offer walkers and mountain bikers the opportunity to explore Bhutan’s rich culture and heritage and to see the country in an authentic and sustainable way.

For the first time in over half a century, the Trail has now reconnected its traditional communities, rekindling opportunities for cultural exchange and trade. Particularly in the east, the Trail provides a chance for smaller, more remote communities to reap the economic benefits of tourism, supporting local enterprises such as homestays, campsites and restaurants, and creating employment opportunities for local guides, drivers, and cooks.

SUSTAINABILITY, RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & EDUCATION
The Trail will contribute to sustainable livelihoods for local communities along it, preserving and celebrating their traditional culture and protecting the delicate ecosystems which it crosses.

In this regard, the TBT aligns closely with the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s strategy for sustainable economic growth from 'high-value, low impact' tourism.

The Trail will encourage international guests to stay for longer (in 2019, only 32% of international visitors to Bhutan stayed for more than six nights, and less than 1% for over 15 nights); and to push further east into areas of the country which have historically attracted few visitors.

The TBT is committed to ensuring the Trail has only positive impact on Bhutan’s environment and ecosystems.

A TBT Trail Code, the terms of which all guests must adhere to, outlines the basic principles which bind this sustainable trail community. Other current sustainability initiatives include:

trail marker posts manufactured from recycled plastics;
local Trail stewardship responsibility delegated to Gewogs (counties);
bridges built using responsibly-sourced timber and sustainable community forestry practices;
one tree planted for each international visitor;
zero single-use plastics on TBT journeys; and
reusable water bottles for all international visitors and provision of filtered water to refill.

Working in partnership with local schools, scout groups and Gyalsung (National Youth Service), the TBT is also committed to providing exceptional experiential education opportunities, including curricula in flora and fauna, low-impact trekking and survival skills, first aid and cultural history.

NEW EXPERIENTIAL TOURS
All aspects of guided walking and biking on the Trail can be arranged directly via TBT (www transbhutantrail.org) on a not-for-profit basis, with all proceeds flowing back into creating a sustainable future for The Trail and the communities along it.

With its own sustainability fund to ensure that the Trail will be properly maintained for generations to come, visitors booking a journey directly with TBT will play a vital role in the Trail’s future.