Reopening Bhutan draws tour operators: Travel Weekly

Adventure tour operators are flocking to Bhutan this fall as the kingdom gears up to reopen to tourism, including a well-known trail in the country that’s been closed for decades.

The Trans Bhutan Trail will reopen on Sept. 28 to travelers after it had been closed for more than 60 years. The 250-mile trail was once a Buddhist pilgrimage route but fell into disrepair as the country began to invest more in building national roadways.

Tour operators such as G Adventures and EF Go Ahead Tours already have departures scheduled for the fall and spring of 2023 for small groups.

G Adventures will have its first departure on Oct. 2, which has already sold out, with more departures lined up for 2023, including two new itineraries.

There’s an 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail, which will feature camping and home stays, as well as a 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail that will include accommodations in home stays and locally-owned hotels and guesthouses.

Travelers can expect an average of three to four hours of hiking each day through forests and rural areas along the trail, followed by meals each night. 

EF Go Ahead Tours is also offering group tours to Bhutan with departures starting in March 2023. The company’s 13-day Bhutan Adventure: the Trans Bhutan Trail will include meetings with monks, visits to monasteries and various hikes along the trail.

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