15 Mar 2022
Tags: Bhutan, Bhutan Treks, Norway, Atlas Mountains, Ladakh, India, Ladakh india, Morocco
09 March 2022
WALK LIKE A PILGRIM
Original Travel has created a NEW itinerary for the reopening of the Trans Bhutan Trail, and rounds up its favourite trails around the world
The 250-mile historic Trans Bhutan Trail is reopening in March for the first time in 60 years and Original Travel has created a NEW 15-night itinerary taking in some of the highlights of the trail, ready for when Bhutan starts to welcome visitors back. In the meantime, here are some other trails you can walk now.
From the ancient Gudbrandsdalsleden Trail and St Olav's Way in Norway to rural Ladakh, these are all ancient pilgrimages which are the very definition of the 21st century concept of 'Slow Travel' and the perfect way to Travel Less, Travel Better.
Tom Barber, Founder of Original Travel says: 'The booking trend we are seeing for 2022 is that people want to travel less, travel better – essentially swapping last-minute, throwaway trips for longer, more meaningful ones; and it doesn't get much more meaningful than following an ancient pilgrimage trail, knowing you are following in the footsteps of thousands across the centuries. It's a chance to go slow, soak up the surroundings and learn about the local culture, which all makes for an incredibly powerful – and unforgettable – experience.'
The Trans Bhutan Trail
A 250-mile historic pilgrimage trail that runs the breadth of the country from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east - is reopening in March for the first time in 60 years. Once the only way to travel across the country, it was used by pilgrims, messengers, armies and traders - and even the Royal Family - for hundreds of years; now, it is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich and least explored trails in the world. Original Travel has created a 15-night itinerary, which includes seven days' trekking a total of 30 miles along the trail, starting at Dochula Pass, some 10,170ft above sea level and finishing at the Trongsa viewpoint. Along the way, you will visit remote villages, temples, fortresses, nunneries, monasteries and even a brewery, each day enjoying traditional Bhutanese food cooked in local farmhouses.
Prices from £7,350 per person, based on 2 sharing and including return flights via Bangkok, all overland transport, 15 nights' B&B accommodation and guided treks with lunch. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Two pilgrimage trails lead into the heart of Trondheim and the city's Nidaros Cathedral and you'll walk sections of both on this five-day trip to Norway. St Olav's Way stretches in its entirety from coast to coast across Sweden and Norway and dates back to medieval times. To walk it is to immerse yourself in the region's spiritual heritage. The Gudbrandsdalsleden Trail has been the main walking route from Oslo to Trondheim since the Middle Ages, when pilgrims flocked to Nidaros Cathedral to pray at the tomb of King (later Saint) Olaf, the one-time King of Norway who died in 1030. His canonisation was a major spur to the conversion of many in Norway from worshipping the old Norse gods to Christianity. Approaching the cathedral through pretty countryside and then along the banks of the Nidelva River is very special. This trip also includes a food tour of the Golden Road and a Musk Ox Safari.
Original Travel's 5-day Reconnect in Norway itinerary costs from £1,330pp, based on two sharing. The price includes all flights, transfers, guided activities and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
After two days exploring the souqs and ochre-coloured streets of bustling Marrakech, you will be whisked to the heights of the Atlas mountains. With a donkey to carry your luggage, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Azzaden Valley, barely touched by the modern way of life on a two-day trek, spending the night in a remote lodge. This is a pilgrimage route because the fresh water spring at Sidi Chamarouch is considered to have healing properties. Choose between a moderate walk amongst the villages of the Azzaden Valley, a taxing seven hour circular route passing the Lepiney refuge hut and the Tizi n'Tzikert col, at over 9000ft, or the slightly easier and very beautiful seven-hour circular walk passing the cols of Tizi n'Teouti at 8038ft and Tizi n'Tougdalt at 8858ft. Whichever route you choose, since your guide is totally private, the trek can be adapted to suit your exact preferences.
Prices from £1,470 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all transfers, the guided trek on a full-board basis and eight nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990)
This 12-day trip includes a three-day trek through stunning mountainous scenery of rural Ladakh. Sleeping in domed tents along the way, you will stop at charming teahouses, visit village communities and follow glacial streams through high altitude meadows. Other highlights of the trip include travelling through the Zanskar canyon to the wonderfully named village of Chilling to meet metalsmiths and local craftsmen and see their handiwork before it's sent to market in Leh; visiting the royal village of Stok for views of Stok Kangri, one of Ladakh's most beautiful mountains; sunrise prayers with the Buddhist monks of Thiksey monastery; learning the basic tenets of Tibetan Buddhism as you meditate with Buddhist monks; joining the locals for a Bhutanese puja (ceremony); and being introduced to a mystical Indian oracle to witness her communicate with the spirits.
Prices from £5,650 pp, based on four sharing and including return flights, all transfers and overland transport and 11 nights' accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
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For more information contact:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
Original Travel curates tailor-made itineraries, crafted by destination experts, to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Original Travel launched a flexibility pledge that allows clients to change their dates or destination up to 30 days prior to departure. For new bookings made before 30th April 2022 and for departures until 31st December 2022, while you still need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking, your final balance is now not due until 30 days before travel (this is usually 60 days). We will also offer you the full flexibility to change the trip up to 30 days prior to departure. You can, for any reason, change your destination to any other, and to any date up until the end of 2022, and there will be no charge. For all bookings where we cannot fulfil the trip due to changes in travel restrictions, we will postpone your trip - again at no charge - to any departure date until the end of 2022, or offer credit against any future departure, or refund all monies paid.
Original Travel is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and who offer a brand new travel insurance policy that includes cover for cancellation or curtailment of a trip due to contracting coronavirus, or through being quarantined or refused permission to travel due to infection or suspected infection. This insurance policy is only valid for travel to countries where there is no FCDO advice against all but essential travel. Full details can be found on a new section on Original Travel's website, entitled 'Coronavirus Confidence'.
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