Under the patronage of The Royal Govt of Bhutan, Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF) and Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) along with several other local partners have been engaged for over two years to restore and reconnect the historic trail through the Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) project. The TBT project will rejuvenate 403km (250 miles) of trail from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the eastern corner of Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
The Trans Bhutan Trail in earlier days was used by messengers, monks, armies, traders; it was the only way to travel across the country until motor road was constructed in the 1960s.
Bhutan Canada Foundation and its partners initiated the project work in late 2019 and by the end of 2020 the first phase of the project was completed with the physical trail restored. Restoration of the trail in 2020 also played a key role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. With international borders closed and the subsequent collapse of Bhutan’s tourism industry, the TBT project worked with the Royal Government of Bhutan to provide work to over 700 people who had lost employment. Through their work on the trail, these people not only gained access to meaningful employment, but they also accelerated to completion of the trail’s restoration and further connected TBT to the communities along its length. The project aims to connect local communities, provide educational opportunities for youth, stimulate local economic development, promote healthy lifestyles and reconnect Bhutanese to a heritage site of historic importance.
The Trail runs across mountain ridges, dips into lush valleys and connects dozens of towns and villages with hundreds of historic and cultural sites along the route including 9 imposing Dzongs (fortresses). Some parts of the trail are gentle while some terrains are comparatively challenging. Adventurers have options to do parts or all of it.
Now the project is in its final phase of completion and is expected to open for adventure enthusiasts by mid-March 2022.
(Image credit: Bhutan Canada Foundation)
