TORONTO — According to G Adventures, the historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail will reopen in March 2022, after two years of extensive restoration work.

G Adventures has the honour of being the first group adventure operator to feature the trail when it reopens to the public, following G Adventures’ selection by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the non-profit that led the restoration of the trail.

Two new Active trekking itineraries are now available to book with G Adventures: an 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail trip, which features camping and homestays; and a 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail itinerary with accommodation in homestays, locally-owned guest houses and hotels.

The trail will be officially inaugurated by His Majesty the King of Bhutan next year and, starting in April 2022, international visitors will be able to walk the trail for the first time. The reopening will provide much-needed economic benefits to rural communities along the way, says G Adventures.

“We’re honoured to be working with the Bhutan Canada Foundation and the Trans Bhutan Trail to launch this newly restored route in magical Bhutan. It’s a country we’ve run tours in for more than a decade and have long admired for its commitment to the happiness of its people and sustainable way of life, which are both philosophies that align with our values as an organization,” says G Adventures’ VP Product, Yves Marceau.

Marceau says G Adventures’ two tours focus on trekking specially selected parts of the 403-km trail and connecting with local people to learn about Bhutanese life and culture, thus combining active travel and cultural immersion with the benefits of community tourism.

Since March 20202 a team of surveyors has been restoring the ancient route, starting by clearing jungles, fording rivers and reconstructing bridges. The Trans Bhutan Trail’s origins go back thousands of years to when it was part of the ancient Silk Road.

Sam Blyth, chair of the Bhutan Canada Foundation and lead donor for the Trans Bhutan Trail, says G Adventures “was an obvious partner” to help relaunch the trail given the company’s long history and success running small group tours and giving back to destinations through its commitment to community tourism. “As well as providing income opportunities for local people, especially youth, in rural communities, the restoration of the trail is a community-based project designed to preserve an ancient cultural icon and provide a sustainable experience for travellers,” says Blyth.

Bhutan’s borders are expected to reopen to tourism ahead of the Trans Bhutan Trail’s official opening ceremony in March 2022. The two new G Adventures trips on the Trans Bhutan Trail depart from May 1, 2022. Both are available to book now and include the permits required to walk the trail.

The tours include the 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Travel from Paro return and priced from $3,899 per person for departures from May 15, 2022);and the 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail, also from Paro return and priced from $5,199 per person for departures from May 1, 2022.

For tour information see gadventures.com or for more on the Trans Bhutan Trail see https://transbhutantrail.bt.