Trans-Bhutan Trail Hiking Holiday
15 days from £4,401 pp
Our Trans-Bhutan Trail Hiking Holiday is a private, 15-day tailor-made walking holiday following six sections of Bhutan’s restored ancient trail, from the Haa Valley to Bumthang’s Tang Valley, finishing with the hike to Tiger’s Nest. Prices start from £4,401 per person and include your licensed guide and driver, homely hotels every night (no camping), your Bhutan visa and the daily Sustainable Development Fee, so there are no hidden charges. It suits keen walkers comfortable with 6–7 hours on the trail, with rest days to explore in between.
Trip Highlights
- Hike an ancient walking route, recently restored
- Experience the peace and serenity of a historical Himalayan path
- Explore imposing dzongs and remote monasteries
- Visit the incredible Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Our Expert Tip
”The Haa to Paro section is my favourite: quiet yak pastures, and we barely saw another walker all day”
Holly, Bhutan Expert
Trans-Bhutan Trail Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-2: Haa
Your guide and driver meet you at Paro airport for the two-hour drive over the Chele La pass to the Haa Valley. Haa was one of the last valleys in Bhutan to open to visitors, and it’s still wonderfully quiet today.
Next day, warm up your legs on the Haa Panorama Trail, a newer route along the ridge above the valley, with prayer flags strung across the passes and a stop at Katsho Goemba. Hiking time 5 hours, ending at 2,830m. Love Haa? Our Slow Travel Bhutan holiday spends longer here.
Day 3: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Haa to Paro
The full trail runs roughly 250 miles (about 400 km) across Bhutan; this trip walks six of its most rewarding sections. Restored with the help of local communities and the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the trail brings income to the villages it passes through. Your guide and support team come from our trusted ground partner.
Your first day on the trail starts at Katsho, on a route Haa’s families once used to take goods to market in Paro. It’s a lovely mix: riverside paths along the Haa Chhu, open grazing land where you’ll often share the path with yaks, and then the shade of the forest as you climb. Keep your camera handy near the top, as Mount Jomolhari sometimes shows itself on a clear day.
The descent brings you down through small farming villages to Olathang Cottages or similar in Paro. Hiking time 6 hours, distance 17km, ending at 2,490m.
Read more about the trail in our guide to the best treks in Bhutan.
Day 4: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Paro to Thimphu
Today is a big climb with a big reward. Leaving Paro, the trail heads up through conifer forest, and the trees thin out to stunted rhododendron and open pasture as you near the Pumola pass. Herders once walked their cattle all the way up here from Punakha for the cooler summer grazing.
Lunch is a picnic near Phajoding Monastery, high above the capital, before a long descent into Thimphu and a hot shower at Pelyang Hotel or similar. Hiking time 6-7 hours, distance 17km, ending at 2,820m.
Day 5: Thimphu
A day off from the trail, but there’s still plenty to see in Thimphu with your guide. Start at the National Memorial Chorten, where locals walk circuits and spin prayer wheels from early morning, then drive up to the giant Buddha Dordenma.
Spend the afternoon at the Royal Textile Academy and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts, and finish with the takin, Bhutan’s wonderfully odd national animal, at the Takin Preserve. For more ideas, see our pick of the best things to do in Bhutan.
Day 6: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Dochu La to Punakha
Back on the trail, today starts at Dochu La, where 108 chortens stand on the pass and, on a clear morning, the high Himalaya line the skyline. From here it’s downhill almost all day, on a section named after Drukpa Kunley, Bhutan’s much-loved ‘Divine Madman’, past Sew Drangsa and down into the warm Punakha Valley.
Tonight you stay at Meri Puensum Resort. Hiking time 6-7 hours, distance 22km, ending at 1,250m.
Day 7: Punakha
A gentler day exploring the valley with your guide. Punakha Dzong, at the meeting of two rivers, is many people’s favourite in Bhutan, and the suspension bridge nearby is strung with prayer flags.
Later, climb through the rice fields to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for a view right up the valley, and stop at Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple linked to the Divine Madman.
Day 8: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Punakha to Wangdue
Your longest day on the trail, so an early start helps. Cross the suspension bridge and follow the river past paddy fields and farmhouses, then tackle the steepest climb of the day, up to a hilltop stupa that makes a perfect breather. From there the path heads into the Lingmukha valley, under thick forest, with the views opening up whenever you reach the ridge.
Drop down to Wangdue for dinner and a well-deserved rest. Hiking time 6-7 hours, distance 25km, ending at 1,920m.
Day 9: Chumey
A day off your feet. Drive east over the Pele La pass to Trongsa, whose huge dzong was the seat of the Wangchuck family before they became Bhutan’s kings, then continue into the Chumey Valley for the night.
Day 10: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Chumey to Jakar
This section was once a royal route between the Chumey and Bumthang valleys. After a steady climb through pine forest to the Kiki La pass, the rest of the day is a gentle descent, with Jakar Dzong coming into view below.
Tonight you stay in Bumthang at Kaila Guesthouse or similar. Hiking time 6-7 hours, distance 17km, ending at 2,700m.
Day 11: Trans-Bhutan Trail, Jakar to Tang Valley
The last day on the trail, and one of the prettiest. Look back over Jakar as you climb away from town, and stop at the Swiss Farm, started in the 1960s by a Swiss friend of the royal family, before the Badai La.
The trail then drops to Pema Nunnery and into the quiet Tang Valley, where your team will be waiting to celebrate. You’ve walked the Trans-Bhutan Trail! Hiking time 6-7 hours, distance 15km, ending at 2,860m.
Day 12: Bumthang
Discover more of the beautiful valley with your guide. Visit Ogyen Choling and Ta Rimochen monastery to see the views of Babzur valley and the Nunnery University.
A relaxed day to explore at your own pace after your incredible hike.
Day 13 – 14: Paro
Choose to take the 8 hour drive, or a short flight to Paro. Your final days in Bhutan are spent exploring this fascinating town, seeing more temples and Dzongs, ambling through local shops and chatting to friendly locals.
We save the best until last as you take on the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the highlights of any trip to Bhutan. End with a touch of luxury at 4* hotel Amba Paro.
Day 15: Depart
Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight home. Want a camping trek with high passes? See our Bhutan Adventure Holiday, with the Druk Path or browse all our tailor-made Bhutan holidays.
When to Go
Best time to hike the Trans-Bhutan Trail
The best months to hike the Trans-Bhutan Trail are March to May, when rhododendron forests flower along the route, and October to November, for dry paths and clear views of Mount Jomolhari. December to February is quiet and clear, but nights are cold and higher passes may see snow. June to September brings monsoon rain, muddy trails and leeches in forested sections. Trail conditions vary each season, so ask us which dates suit your pace.
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
- Bhutan visa cost and daily SDF
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost aside from Bhutan
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
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Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
