G Adventures will offer more than 1,400 trips in September, with Australia, New Zealand and Bhutan returning to the company's portfolio of offerings.
Yves Marceau, VP of product at G Adventures, says the operator is excited to be heading back to these three countries, which are some of the last to reopen to foreign travellers, and to be bringing tourism dollars back into local communities, specifically in Bhutan.
In September, following two years of extensive restoration and a delayed launch due to COVID, the Kingdom of Bhutan will reopen its historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years.
"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, and we're thrilled with how popular the new trips have been, even with the delay in reopening," said Marceau.
"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; both philosophies that align with our values as an organization."
The trail will be officially reopened in a formal ceremony in Bhutan on September 28, and as its exclusive launch partner G Adventures will be the first group adventure operator to take travellers along the Trans Bhutan Trail when its inaugural, sold-out, departure leaves on October 2.
"Trails have historically connected remote communities and helped distribute much-needed income to local people as travellers move across the landscape," Marceau says.
"Our new trips cover the highlights of the trail as hikers traverse forests and meadows and travel through rural settlements around the Dzongs. Travellers can expect an average of three to four hours of hiking each day and delicious local meals each night, whether they are camping or staying in homestays, hotels or local guest houses."
Two new Active trekking itineraries are available to book with G Adventures in Bhutan into 2023. There is 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 two tours focus on trekking specially selected parts of the 403-km (250-mile) 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.
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