Aether Bhutan Tours and Travel
Thimphu, Bhutan | +975 77391059 | sonamnamdrel000@gmail.com
Aether Bhutan Tours and Travel
Thirteen days walking sections of the Trans Bhutan Trail
For centuries the only way across Bhutan was on foot. The route linking the western dzongs to the east carried traders, pilgrims, monks and the garps — royal messengers who ran it in relays. When the national highway was built in the 1960s the trail was abandoned, and much of it disappeared into the forest.
It has been cleared and restored, and it is now possible to walk it again. This journey takes the best sections rather than the whole thing — day walks of three to six hours with vehicle support, sleeping in hotels and farmhouses rather than tents.
It is the most rewarding way we know to see central Bhutan. You walk into villages instead of driving past them, cross the old cantilever bridges, and arrive at dzongs the way people arrived at them for four hundred years.
Met at arrivals; an easy afternoon and an early night to begin adjusting to the altitude.
The Tiger’s Nest from first light, which sets the tone: this is a journey done on your feet.
The first trail section — out of the Paro valley and over into Thimphu on the old route, with the vehicle meeting us at the far end.
Driving to the trailhead and walking up to the Dochula pass through hemlock and rhododendron, arriving at the 108 chortens on foot rather than by car. It is a completely different experience of the same place.
Down the old descent into the warm valley — 1,900 metres of losing height through changing forest, ending at Chimi Lhakhang across the paddy.
A gentler day. The trail along the Mo Chhu to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, then Punakha Dzong in the afternoon light.
Trail sections climbing out of the valley, with the vehicle bridging the longest stretch. Into the glacial bowl by late afternoon.
The nature trail across the valley floor and up to Gangtey Goenpa, then a longer loop through the villages on the eastern side. Flat, open and quiet.
Over the Pele La with a good walking section on the far side, descending towards Trongsa with the dzong visible for the last hour.
The trail over the Yotong La into the Chhume valley, arriving among the yathra weaving villages.
The old pilgrimage route linking Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing on foot, as pilgrims have walked it. A farmhouse night to finish, with a hot stone bath.
The long return west, broken at Trongsa, or the domestic flight if it is running — we will advise when we plan.
Breakfast and the airport.
No obligation, and no sales sequence afterwards.
Every one of these is a starting point, not a fixed package.
The Druk Path, camping on the high ridge between the two valleys.
Rafting, mountain biking and a night above the clouds.
The full traverse, Paro to Trashi Yangtse, with the Thrumshingla crossing.
Sections can be lengthened or shortened day by day. Tell us how far you like to walk and we will shape it around that rather than the other way round.
