After a gap of 60 years, a restored pilgrimage trail crossing Bhutan from east to west will re-open on 28 September.
The
formal ceremony, hosted by His Majesty, The Fifth King, will take place
within a few days of Bhutan’s borders fully re-opening to travellers
Eighteen bridges, more than 10,000 steps and 400kms of trail have
been built or restored over the last three years, involving thousands of
Bhutanese workers and villagers in a private/public partnership between
the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the
Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF).
BCF was founded by philanthropist Sam Blyth, the visionary behind the Trans Bhutan Trail restoration project.
For thousands of years, the trail was used by pilgrims, armies and
traders. Until the 1960s, it was the only way to travel across the
country.
Thanks to the restoration of the trail, travellers can hike, bike,
and camp through diverse countryside, including parts of Phrumsengla
National Park, and ancient fortresses among more than 400 historic
sites.
Guided walking and biking on the trail can be arranged directly via TBT (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.
Time magazine has named the Trans Bhutan Trail among its 50
extraordinary travel destinations around the world for 2022 and expects
it to become a major attraction for those seeking a spiritual, wellness,
or religious journey.