Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail Tour with 7 Reviews by G Adventures

11 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

15 peopleMaximum group size

12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Paro, Bhutan

Ends

Paro, Bhutan

Highlights

Enjoy camping and farm stays in some of the most remote and idyllic locations of Bhutan.

Hike and explore a specially selected section of the ancient Trans Bhutan Trail.

Experience some amazing local farm and picnic lunches.

Hike up to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) one of the marvels of Bhutan

Itinerary

Ever wanted to camp along a legendary Himalayan trail? The "Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail" tour invites you to do just that, with 11 days of trekking and hiking along Bhutan’s storied 403 km route. Starting and ending in Paro, you’ll journey through Gyetsa, Trongsa, and traditional villages where time seems to stand still.

This small-group adventure blends challenging treks with authentic cultural immersion—think idyllic camping spots under starry skies and nights spent in welcoming local homestays. Experience Bhutan’s breathtaking landscapes, spiritual sites, and rural communities, retracing the footsteps of traders, monks, and royalty who traveled this path for millennia.

The unique selling point? An off-the-beaten-path Himalayan trekking experience that combines natural wonders with overnight stays in true Bhutanese style. For those seeking to reconnect with nature and history in a way few travelers ever do, this trip is a rare and rewarding journey.

day 1 - Paro/Thimphu

After arriving in Paro enjoy an included transfer to your hotel in Thimphu where you will meet the rest of the group and your local tour leader. If time permits, head out in the afternoon to Buddha Point, home to Thimphu’s most recognized landmark, the Buddha Dordenma. Then, visit the Memorial Chorten, a Tibetan-style stupa built in 1974 and one of Thimphu’s most impressive religious sites. This evening gather as a group at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner and your first chance to sample Bhutanese cuisine.
With elevations ranging between 2,248 meters (7,375 feet) and 2,648 meters (8,688 feet) above sea level, Thimphu is the fifth highest capital city in the world by altitude. It is also the only capital city in the world without any traffic lights. The city offers a unique blend of the modern world with Bhutanese tradition.

Meal:Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Hotel Kisa Villa (or similar)

Transport:Airport Transfer

Included Activities:Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting, Buddha Point Visit, Memorial Chorten Visit, Bhutanese Group Dinner

day 2 - Thimphu/Chendebi

Today will be your first Day trekking on the Trans Bhutan Trail. The group will transfer eastwards to Pelela for the start of the hike at 3,407 metres (11,177 feet) above sea level. As you descend through the meadows below Pelela, keep an eye out for the yak herder camps which can be seen scattered around the valley. For lunch you’ll stop in at a traditional farmhouse in the village of Rukubji to enjoy a hot lunch, before visiting Rukubji’s village Lhakhang (temple), also known as Kuenzang Choling. Rukubji is also famous for its unique local language, and you will have the chance to learn about it from the villagers over tea.

After lunch, rejoin the trail for a gentle climb out of the valley, through the forest, and back down to the village of Chendebi, where the group will camp for the night. Once there, visit the Chorten (stupa), which is believed to have been built on the point on which the three ridges and the three edges of the sky meet. A delicious organic, locally sourced dinner will be served at the campsite in the evening.
This ancient route, which runs 403 kilometres from Haa in the West of Bhutan to Trashigang in the East, dates back at least as far as the 16th century, when it would have been the only means of communication between the strategically located dzongs (fortresses) along the route. The Trail’s Garps (messengers) were quite legendary, travelling with vital messages between Dzongs at great speeds with little food or rest. Over time, the Trail came to play a major role in uniting the region’s many kingdoms, culminating in the birth of Bhutan as a nation in 1907. With the advent of Bhutan’s National Highway in the 1960s, the Trail fell into disrepair but was restored in 2019 thanks to a partnership between the Royal Bhutanese Government, the Tourism Council of Bhutan, and the Bhutan Canada Foundation. The Trail now receives visitors from across Bhutan and the world. When stopping the the village of Rukubji learn more about the local language from the locals. The dialect, called Ngyen-Kye, is a mix of other dialects from across Bhutan and even some English words, and is now only spoken by a dozen or so households.