Trek the Trans Bhutan Trail
Overview
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the Land of the Thunder Dragon! Your Bhutan journey kicks off with a warm welcome at Paro airport where our team will whisk you away to Thimphu, the country’s capital. From stunning mountain views to exploring local monasteries, you’ll have plenty of time to settle in and take in the incredible landscapes and cultural highlights but you’re going to be doing a lot of it on your own two feet!
We’ll start off with a bit of sightseeing but then it’ll be time to hit the iconic Trans Bhutan Trail! Over the next several days, you’ll trek through breathtaking valleys, forests and farmlands, uncovering Bhutan’s hidden gems, like the historic Punakha Dzong, remote temples and peaceful mountain passes. The camping nights under the stars will offer a chance to fully immerse yourself in Bhutan’s serene wilderness. There’s not many people up here. And to top it all off, you’ll hike to the awe-inspiring Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high above the Paro Valley. This adventure is a fantastic mix of cultural discovery, stunning landscapes and a touch of challenging but rewarding trekking. It’s the perfect way to explore Bhutan.
What's Included?
- Airport Transfers & Private Local Transport
- Expert Local Guide & Porters
- 11 Nights in Hotels
- 2 Nights Camping on Trail
- Flight from Bumthang to Paro
- 13 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches & 4 Dinners
- Park Fees & Permits, Bhutan Visa Fees
- Sightseeing & Entrance Fees
- International Flights to Bhutan
- Travel Insurance
- Soft Drinks, Alcohol or Drinking Water
- Tips for Guides & Porters
- Personal Equipment & Clothing
- Souvenirs
Trip Highlights
Tiger’s Nest Monastery: A must-do in Bhutan, this iconic cliffside monastery is a challenge to hike to but totally worth the effort. The legends, the views and the spiritual atmosphere make it unforgettable.
Gangtey Valley: Known for its Black-Necked Cranes in winter, this peaceful valley is perfect for exploring village life and taking in the natural beauty of Bhutan’s countryside. It’s like stepping into another world.
Dochula Pass: One of Bhutan’s most scenic mountain passes, with jaw-dropping Himalayan views and 108 chortens (Buddhist stupas) that add a spiritual aura to this stunning lookout. Keep your camera handy for this one!
Trans Bhutan Trail: This trip is all about one of Bhutan’s newest long-distance walking trails. Remote sections, rugged in parts, sensational Himalayan views, 10th century temples and mountain passes whilst following ancient paths once used by traders and pilgrims.
Daily Itinerary
Welcome to Bhutan! Our team will be waiting for you at Paro airport as you step off the plane, ready to whisk you to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. On the drive, you’ll pass beautiful scenery and local markets. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to settle in and explore. Meals Included: None
Start your day with a 6km hike up to Dodeydra Monastery, where you can interact with local monks and enjoy sweeping valley views. After the hike, we'll dive into some Thimphu sightseeing, visiting the Buddha Dordenma statue, Takin Reserve, and other must-see spots. In the afternoon, get your personalised stamps at the post office or visit the handmade paper factory. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we begin hiking the iconic Trans Bhutan Trail! After stopping at Dochu La for some spectacular Himalayan views, we’ll trek along the historic route, stopping at temples and remote sites. It’s a 6-7 hour hike, but the incredible views and historic sites, like Toeb Chandhan Lhakhang, make it more than worth the effort. We’ll end the day in Punakha, ready to explore this historic town. Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll be sneaking in some sightseeing today. After breakfast, we’ll visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, set between two rivers. We’ll cross the suspension bridge and hike up to the Chorten overlooking the valley for jaw-dropping views. In the afternoon, we’ll explore rice paddies and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the famous fertility temple, before returning to our hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast
Time to lace up your boots again! Today, we trek for 6-7 hours through rice fields and up to the serene Lingmukha valley. Along the way, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch with great views, visit the historic Lingmukha Lhakhang, and camp under the stars at 2150m. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s 14km trek leads us through dense forests and farmland. After a hearty lunch in Chungseykha village, we’ll visit Lhakhang Thangkha before continuing our ascent to Samtengang. It’s a long day, but the stunning views of the valley will keep you going! We’ll camp at 1950m tonight. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, we hike along an isolated section of the Trans Bhutan Trail, far from any villages, just you and nature. The 16km trek is both challenging and rewarding, with sweeping views. After reaching Razawo, we’ll drive to Gangtey for a well-deserved rest at a local guesthouse which might be a welcome relief from camping! Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll drive the 20 minutes or so to Kumbu Village and begin a beautiful hike through bamboo forests and mountain meadows. The 7km trail takes about 3-4 hours, then we’ll drive to Trongsa, stopping for lunch on the way. Overnight in Trongsa, where you can browse the small town in the evening. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A long day of trekking today, as we cover 19km over 8-9 hours. The trail passes through several different zones, offering a variety of landscapes and perfect spots for birdwatching. After crossing Yotongla Pass, we’ll descend to the Geytsa River before finishing at our guesthouse in Chumey for a well-earned rest. We'll pass by the ancient (locals say 10th Century) temple Chuchi Lhakhang. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the final leg of our Trans Bhutan Trail adventure, as we trek from Geytsa to Jakar, covering 16km in 7-8 hours. Along the way, we’ll pass Kikila Pass before descending into Bumthang Valley. The views are stunning as we make our way down to Jakar Dzong. Of course they would be - this part of the trail is the route traditionally taken by the royal family en route to their summer residence. Tonight, we’ll sleep in the comfort of a hotel, celebrating the completion of this epic journey. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring the cultural highlights of Bumthang, visiting sacred temples like Jakar Dzong and Kurjey Lhakhang, linked to the origins of Tantric Buddhism. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to wander around Chamkhar Town and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll catch a flight from Bumthang back to Paro. Upon arrival, you’ll have the afternoon free to relax or visit some of Paro’s cultural highlights. You could explore Paro Dzong or enjoy the serene views of the valley from a café. There's plenty of souvenir shopping to be done with some painted penises and phallic carvings galore. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you’ll embark on one of Bhutan’s most famous hikes to the incredible Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched 900m above the Paro Valley. After a hearty lunch halfway up, we’ll continue exploring the sacred site before descending. It's not easy but you'll be well set after the previous weeks' work on the Trans Bhutan Trail! Meals Included: Breakfast
Your time in Bhutan comes to an end today. After breakfast, we’ll arrange your transfer to Paro International Airport, where you’ll say goodbye to this unforgettable country. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of your journey along the Trans Bhutan Trail. Safe travels! Meals Included: Breakfast
Where We'll Stay
We’ve taken on the tough task of staying at some of the best hotels and guest houses around the world to hand pick those that we think you’ll love. They’ll always be locally-owned where possible. Below are some examples of where you’ll be staying on your trip, although please note, we don’t guarantee which hotels or guesthouses we use. On this trip, most of the time we’ll be staying in locally-owned guesthouses and hotels. They’ll always be clean, well-located, provide great hospitality, have breathtaking views and be a welcome place to get some rest after long days exploring! And of course, we’ll be camping for a couple of nights as we trek the Trans Bhutan Trail. It’ll be basic but our team will make sure you’re comfortable, well-fed and with all the hot drinks you need!
Like the sound of this trip, have a question or want to check something before you book? Maybe even have a great idea to customise this itinerary? Get in touch and start your adventure!
Interactive Route Map
Check out the interactive map of this trip below. You can simply zoom in and have a look at the route.
Or, if you’re wanting to get a feel for the route or to dive into the daily details then click on any of the steps and you’ll be redirected to our Polarsteps page.
What is Polarsteps?
We’ve loaded all of our itineraries onto Polarsteps. It’s an app that can help you plan, track and relive your travels. We’ve used it to display our trips in all their glory but anyone can easily create on-the-go mementos of their adventures.
Carbon Emissions
This trip emits approximately 357 kg of carbon per person. This includes emissions from transport, accommodation, food, activities, and the operations behind the scenes to run the trip.
What does this mean?
This is roughly the same as driving a typical petrol car about 1,130 miles.
It’s equivalent to the carbon emissions from heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for about 15 days during winter.
Our Approach
We recognise the significant carbon emissions from international travel, but we believe that the positive impact on the countries and communities we visit outweighs these challenges. We provide this estimate to help you make informed decisions about your carbon footprint and consider any offsets you may wish to support.
More Information
What's the fitness level required for this trip?
We grade all of our trips to try and make it easy to understand the fitness levels required. These are broad guidelines however so you’re welcome to chat to us about any specific concerns you might have.
You’ll find more information about these levels here and you can find the difficulty rating for this specific trip at the top of the page.
What if someone under the minimum age wants to travel?
It might not be an issue. Some destinations such as Rwanda have firm rules in place about how old people should be in order to visit the gorillas. In other destinations it’s more of a guideline.
Please do contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Can I customise this trip in any way?
- adding in extra days or cutting out a day here or there;
- squeezing in other destinations or removing them;
- starting or finishing the trip in a different place;
- staying in a hotel or guesthouse that we don’t list as an option.
What are your payment terms and is my booking financially protected?
Yes, absolutely. Here’s a link to where you can read more about how we are an ABTOT member and have an ATOL licence and what this means for your financial protection when booking a trip with us.
Deposits vary from destination to destination and from trip to trip. Generally speaking we require a deposit of 25%. This amount may be higher for certain trips where more services that usual need to be booked and paid for in advance (such as gorilla permits in Rwanda). Deposits are non-refundable.
Balance payments are required up to 70 days prior to travel.
If you need to cancel your booking, the following fees will apply based on the time before your scheduled departure:
- Immediate loss of deposit (25% of total cost) upon cancellation.
- 50% of the total cost if cancelled after the balance is paid and up to 45 days before departure.
- 75% of the total cost if cancelled 30 to 45 days before departure.
- 100% of the total cost if cancelled within 30 days of departure.
These fees compensate for expenses and bookings made on your behalf in anticipation of your trip.
Which airport do I need to fly into and out of for my trip to Bhutan?
Paro International Airport (PBH). It’s one of the more challenging destinations to arrange flights for and so should you need assistance when booking your trip, we can also offer help with booking the flights.
How do visas work for Bhutan?
There’s a special process for visa applications for Bhutan which need to go through a Bhutanese agency. We’ll sort all that out for you so you will just need to submit your passport details to us and we’ll do the rest.
How do I find out which hotels, meals and activities are included?
Unfortunately we can’t provide an exhaustive list of everything included in the ‘What’s Included’ section of this page as we include a whole bunch of stuff on our trips!
If it’s in the itinerary and we’ve not explicitly said that it’s an optional activity, then yes – it’s almost certainly included. If you’re not sure, please ask.
The meals that are included are all listed on the daily itinerary.
For the accommodation, we’ve got a shortlist of properties that we use. You can get a sense of the types of accommodation we use higher up the page in the ‘Where We’ll Stay’ section. We cannot guarantee any specific properties for your trip as it’s based on availability. If you are wanting to specifically request a property then please get in touch as we’re able to customise our trips.
How much should I tip in Bhutan?
Tips are not included in any of our trips. They are entirely discretionary but in most cases are expected by the teams that will be looking after you. We know it can be daunting to work out exactly what to give so whilst this guideline hopefully helps, please remember that it’s a completely personal choice and you should feel free to tip more or less based on the quality of service that you receive.
Guide: $10-20 USD per day
Porters or Support Staff: $5-10 USD per day
Drivers: $5-10 USD per day
Again, tipping is not compulsory and please only do so if the service you’ve received warrants it. It’s hugely appreciated and a way for the teams looking after you to supplement their income.
What should I know about the possible cold climate?
This trip spends time in locations where there might be significantly cold temperatures (below freezing) during the day with further temperature drops at night. You might be staying in poorly insulated accommodation in rural locations. It’s important that you are adequately equipped and that you remain sufficiently hydrated and nourished.
Our guides are trained to mitigate the risks associated with undertaking activity in cold weather but you should be aware of the risks and ensure you’re appropriately prepared.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes, it is. We run adventurous trips and it’s mandatory that you have suitable travel insurance in place to cover overseas medical treatment as well as evacuation or repatriation.
We can’t recommend which provider you use but the main things we’d encourage you to look out for is that you’re fully covered for the activities you’re taking part in (i.e., covers you up to the altitude you’ll be trekking at) and that it covers cancellation in the event that illness or other circumstances prevent you from travelling.
What information will I receive after I book?
After you book, we’ll get to work confirming that the dates you’ve selected are completely available.
There are extremely rare circumstances that may mean we’re unable to confirm your booking. These circumstances are limited to events beyond our control or not being able to secure the services that you wanted to book.
In the extremely rare event that we’re unable to confirm your booking you will be offered an alternative itinerary or a full refund without any fees. Please do not book any non-changeable travel plans until you receive the confirmation from us. This will be within 72 hours.
A detailed Trip Dossier will then be sent to you after you make your booking. It’ll contain all the information you might need to help you pack and get prepared for your trip, including information on visas, vaccinations, packing and training.
We encourage you to refer to the UK Government’s official travel advisory service when planning your trips. You can find the FCDO advice here.
And when you travel, we work closely with local experts to put together the best itineraries. We’ve worked with them exhaustively to provide safe adventures at great value. They know their destination better than we ever could so you’ll be in good hands! You can read a bit more about why we will only ever have locally-led trips here.
Book Now
Whether you’d like more information about this itinerary or to customise it to exactly what you want to do, drop us a line and let us know your plans!
