- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Trekking tour · 12 days, 11 nights
12 Day Trans Bhutan Trail Hike: Haa to Bumthang on the Ancient Path
Walk the best sections of the restored 403 km Trans Bhutan Trail, from the Haa valley across Dochula and Pele La to the Royal Heritage Trail in Bumthang, sleeping in hotels and farmhouses, not tents.
- 12 days, 11 nights
- 4 to 7 hours of walking most days
- Hotels and farmhouses, no camping
403 km
Length of the full trail
9
Districts the trail crosses
18
Major bridges restored
10,000+
Steps rebuilt or restored
Trip overview
The old road across Bhutan, open again
For hundreds of years, the only way across Bhutan was on foot. A network of paths linked the dzongs, villages and monasteries from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east, and messengers, pilgrims and traders walked it for weeks. When the national highway was built in the 1960s, the old path fell out of use and much of it disappeared into the forest.
From 2018 a restoration project led by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Trans Bhutan Trail organisation brought it back to life. Workers, many of them people whose jobs had been lost during the pandemic, rebuilt 18 major bridges and more than 10,000 steps. The trail was formally reopened to visitors on 28 September 2022. It now runs about 403 km through nine districts and links hundreds of cultural and historic sites.
Walking the whole trail takes over a month. This 12 day trip picks the most beautiful sections in the west and centre: the old path near Haa, the descent from Dochula to the Punakha valley, the forests and meadows near Pele La and the Royal Heritage Trail between Trongsa and Bumthang. Each evening you stay in a hotel or farmhouse, and our car carries your luggage between them.
- The finest sections in the west and centre
- Daily walks of 4 to 7 hours, luggage moved by car
- Hotels and farmhouse stays, no camping
Highlights
Sections you will walk
Haa valley
Quiet farmland and old paths near the western end.
Dochula to Punakha
From 108 chortens down through forest to the rice fields.
Gangtey and Pele La
Glacial valleys, dwarf bamboo and yak pastures.
Royal Heritage Trail
The old royal road from Trongsa into Bumthang.
Village life
Farmhouses, temples and lunches with local families.
Tiger's Nest
A warm-up hike in Paro before the trail begins.
Itinerary at a glance
Twelve days on the ancient path
Walking sections are linked by short drives where the old path has become the road.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro
Land in Paro, short walk, briefing.
Day 2: Tiger's Nest
Warm-up hike to Paro Taktsang.
Day 3: To Haa
Over Chele La to the Haa valley, first trail walk.
Day 4: Haa trail section
A full day on the trail near Haa.
Day 5: To Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu, afternoon in the capital.
Day 6: Dochula to Punakha
Walk down from Dochula through forest to the Punakha valley.
Day 7: Punakha, to Phobjikha
Punakha Dzong, drive to the Phobjikha valley, Gangtey trail.
Day 8: Pele La section
Trail section near Pele La, drive to Trongsa.
Day 9: Royal Heritage Trail
Trongsa Dzong, then walk the old royal road towards Bumthang.
Day 10: Bumthang
A village walk to Tamshing and Kurjey, Jakar Dzong.
Day 11: Fly to Paro
Domestic flight back to Paro.
Day 12: Depart
Transfer to Paro airport.
Day 1
Arrive in Paro
Your trekking guide meets you at Paro airport. After lunch, a gentle walk along the Paro Chhu and through the town helps your legs after the flight. In the evening your guide runs through the trip, checks your gear and explains how the Trans Bhutan Trail works.
- Overnight: Paro
- Walk: about 1 hour, easy
- Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 2
Warm up on the Tiger's Nest trail
The hike to the Tiger’s Nest, about 3,120 metres, is the perfect first day on foot. It takes five to six hours return, climbing through pine forest to the cliff monastery. It also helps your body adjust to the altitude before the longer days ahead.
- Overnight: Paro
- Hike: 5 to 6 hours return
- Altitude: about 3,120 metres
Day 3
Into the Haa valley
You drive over Chele La, at about 3,988 metres, the highest road pass in western Bhutan, and down into the Haa valley, where the Trans Bhutan Trail begins. In the afternoon you walk your first trail section through farmland to Lhakhang Karpo, the White Temple, and the village around it.
- Overnight: Haa farmhouse or hotel
- Walk: about 3 hours
- Drive: about 2.5 hours
Day 4
A day on the old Haa path
A full day on the trail near Haa: old paths past farmhouses, prayer wheel houses and fields of buckwheat and potatoes, with lunch in a village. Haa sees few visitors, and people here still greet walkers with curiosity. The walk ends at the car, which takes you back to your farmhouse.
- Overnight: Haa farmhouse or hotel
- Walk: 5 to 6 hours
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 5
Rest day in Thimphu
You drive to Thimphu, about three and a half hours. The afternoon is a lighter day: the Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, the craft bazaar and Tashichho Dzong. Legs rest, mind keeps busy.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Drive: about 3.5 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
From Dochula down to Punakha
You drive up to Dochula, at about 3,100 metres, and set off on foot from the 108 chortens. The trail drops through rhododendron and oak forest, past old chortens and small farms, towards the warm Punakha valley. It is mostly downhill, so trekking poles help your knees. The car meets you at the end and takes you to your hotel.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Walk: 5 to 6 hours, mostly downhill
- Altitude: from about 3,100 to 1,300 metres
Day 7
Punakha Dzong and the Phobjikha valley
In the morning you visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where two rivers meet. Then you drive up to the Phobjikha valley, a wide glacial valley at about 3,000 metres, and walk the Gangtey trail across the valley floor in the late afternoon.
- Overnight: Phobjikha farmhouse or lodge
- Walk: about 2 hours, easy
- Drive: about 3 hours
Day 8
Over the hills to Pele La
From Phobjikha you walk a trail section through forests of dwarf bamboo, rhododendron and fir towards Pele La, at about 3,400 metres, the pass between western and central Bhutan. Yak herders graze their animals here in summer. The car meets you near the pass and drives you on to Trongsa.
- Overnight: Trongsa
- Walk: 5 to 6 hours
- Highest point: about 3,400 metres
Day 9
The Royal Heritage Trail
After a visit to Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral seat of the royal family, you walk part of the Royal Heritage Trail, the old route the kings of Bhutan used between Trongsa and Bumthang. The path climbs through forest towards Yotong La, at about 3,400 metres, before the car takes you down into Bumthang.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Walk: 5 to 6 hours
- Drive: about 2 hours
Day 10
A walking day in Bumthang
Bumthang is the spiritual heart of Bhutan, and the best way to see it is on foot. You walk from Jakar to Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang, cross the river on a suspension bridge to Tamshing, and climb back up to Jakar Dzong for the late afternoon view.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Walk: about 4 hours, easy
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11
Fly back to Paro
You fly from Bumthang back to Paro, about 30 minutes over the mountains, instead of two long days on the road. Drukair flies this route on set days, so we time the trip to match. The afternoon is free; many walkers book a hot stone bath.
- Overnight: Paro
- Flight: about 30 minutes
- Optional: hot stone bath
Day 12
Fly home
After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport for your flight home.
- Transfer: about 15 minutes
- Meals: breakfast
Where you stay
Where you stay
Comfortable hotels and farmhouse stays. Your luggage travels by car.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 and 11 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Near the Tiger's Nest trailhead |
| 3 and 4 | Haa | Farmhouse or hotel | Village setting |
| 5 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Central |
| 6 | Punakha | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Valley views |
| 7 | Phobjikha | Farmhouse or lodge | In the valley |
| 8 | Trongsa | 3-star hotel | View of the dzong |
| 9 and 10 | Bumthang | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Chamkhar valley |
Farmhouses are simple but clean. Hotels can be upgraded on request.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
- Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- A licensed English-speaking guide for the whole trip
- A licensed guide who knows the trail
- Domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro
- Luggage moved by car between stays
- Private car or SUV with a Bhutanese driver, and all transfers
- Entry fees to dzongs, temples and museums
- Bottled water in the car
Not included
- International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Drinks, laundry and other personal costs
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed under included
Price on request
Tell us your budget and we will send our best price
We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Trans Bhutan Trail hike.
How we price
What decides the cost of this trip
Government fees
The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.
Hotels you choose
Group size and hotel style change the total most. Walking the trail itself is free.
Season and dates
Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.
Group size
Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.
We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.
Good to know
Planning your Trans Bhutan Trail hike
How hard is it?
This is a moderate hiking trip. Most walking days are 4 to 7 hours on old paths, forest trails and stone steps, with climbs and descents of a few hundred metres. The highest points are passes around 3,400 metres, plus Chele La by road at about 3,988. You don’t need trekking experience, but you should be comfortable walking for a full day and fit enough to enjoy it. Regular hiking in the months before helps.
Trail fees and guides
Walking the Trans Bhutan Trail is free; the organisation behind it calls the path a gift to Bhutan. As everywhere in Bhutan, visitors must walk with a licensed guide. Profits from the Trans Bhutan Trail organisation’s own trips go back into maintaining the trail, and village lunches and farmhouse stays put money straight into local homes.
Best seasons
March to May brings rhododendrons in flower and warm days. October and November have the clearest skies and mountain views. December to February is cold but bright, and some higher sections can have snow. The monsoon, June to August, makes the trail muddy and slippery and brings leeches, so we don’t recommend it.
Walking the whole trail
The full trail, from Haa to Trashigang, takes about a month. If you have the time and want to go further, we can extend this trip east through Ura and Mongar to Trashigang. You can also add a section to our Eastern Bhutan tour.
What to bring on trek
Broken-in waterproof boots, a down jacket, thermal layers, a waterproof shell, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles and a four-season sleeping bag (we can rent one). Our crew carries tents, mattresses, the kitchen and all food. See our packing list for the basics.
Altitude
Paro sits at about 2,200 metres and Thimphu at about 2,300. Most people feel fine after a slow first day. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol at first, and tell your guide about headaches or poor sleep. The Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, comes later in the trip for this reason.
Visa, SDF and guide rules
Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.
Flying into Paro
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, mainly from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore. Pilots land by sight between the ridges, so morning flights are the most reliable. We suggest a night in your hub city on the way in. Our flights to Bhutan page lists every route.
Trans Bhutan Trail hike: questions
It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.
About 403 km, from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east, through nine districts.
No. On this trip you stay in hotels and farmhouses every night.
No. The trail itself is free, but all visitors must walk with a licensed guide.
Fit enough to walk 4 to 7 hours a day on hilly paths. No technical skills are needed.
Yes, in about a month. We can plan a longer trip.
It was formally opened to visitors on 28 September 2022.
Three to five months ahead for spring and autumn.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, your hiking experience and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Trans Bhutan Trail hike.
- Share your budget, we shape the trip around it
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.