Discover the Majestic Ancient Trail in Thimphu

Explore the Ancient Trail in Thimphu - a breathtaking hiking experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich Bhutanese culture.

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The Ancient Trail

The Ancient Trail in Thimphu offers an unforgettable hiking experience, blending natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. This scenic path winds through lush forests and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, providing an ideal escape for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, this trail invites you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Bhutan.

A brief summary to The Ancient Trail

FJJ8+5Q5, Thimphu, Motithang, BT

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Start your hike early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the serene environment.
Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are few facilities along the trail.
Wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions.
Consider hiring a local guide for a richer understanding of the trail's history and ecology.
Respect local customs and wildlife; stay on marked paths to preserve the natural environment.

Getting There

Walking

If you are in central Thimphu, start at the Clock Tower Square. From there, head south along Norzin Lam Street. After about 15 minutes, you will reach the intersection with Chhogyal Lam. Turn left onto Chhogyal Lam. Continue for about 10 minutes until you reach the Tashichho Dzong. The dzong is a prominent landmark, so continue walking past it into the Motithang area. Keep walking straight; you will now be on a path that leads to the outskirts of the city. After about 20 minutes, you will notice a trailhead sign marking the entrance to The Ancient Trail. Follow the signs and the trail to enjoy the scenic views.
Walking

If you are staying near the Motithang area, make your way to the main road. Once you are on the road, head towards the Bhutan Post Office. After passing the post office, continue walking straight for about 15-20 minutes. Look for signs indicating The Ancient Trail; they will guide you to the entrance. The trailhead is well-marked, and you will see a small sign that says 'The Ancient Trail' at the beginning of the path.
Walking

From the National Memorial Chorten, head north on Chorten Lam for about 10 minutes until you reach the intersection with Chhogyal Lam. Turn right onto Chhogyal Lam and continue straight for another 15 minutes. You will reach the Tashichho Dzong. Pass by the dzong, and continue walking until you enter the Motithang area. You will soon see signs leading you to The Ancient Trail. Follow these signs to reach the trailhead.

Discover more about The Ancient Trail

The Ancient Trail is a renowned hiking area located in the beautiful city of Thimphu, Bhutan. This trail is not just a pathway; it is a journey through the heart of nature, offering visitors a unique blend of scenic beauty and cultural insights. As you traverse the trail, you will be surrounded by towering trees, vibrant flora, and the melodious sounds of nature, creating a serene atmosphere that is perfect for reflection and exploration. The trail has been designed to cater to hikers of all skill levels, making it accessible for families, solo travelers, and seasoned adventurers alike. The well-marked paths guide you through various terrains, allowing you to experience the diverse ecosystem of the region. Along the way, hikers will also encounter several cultural landmarks, including small monasteries and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the hike. Each step on the Ancient Trail is enriched with the opportunity to witness local wildlife and stunning vistas that showcase the majestic Himalayan mountains. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild, and the flora is at its most vibrant. For those looking to enhance their experience, consider hiring a local guide who can provide insights into the area's history and ecology. The Ancient Trail promises a memorable adventure that connects visitors not only to the natural beauty of Bhutan but also to its rich cultural heritage.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Amankora, Thimphu

0.7 km

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Namgay Adventure Travels

1.2 km

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Zilukha Nunnery

1.2 km

Discover the tranquil beauty and spiritual essence of Zilukha Nunnery, a serene sanctuary in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan.

Bhutan Swallowtail Travels

1.3 km

Experience the beauty and culture of Bhutan with Bhutan Swallowtail Travels, your gateway to unforgettable Himalayan adventures.

Folk heritage museum restaurant

1.4 km

Experience the rich flavors of Bhutan at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant in Thimphu, where culture and cuisine intertwine.

Keys to Bhutan

1.4 km

Explore the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of Bhutan with personalized travel experiences from Keys to Bhutan in Thimphu.

Himalayan Experts Tours & Travels

1.8 km

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Trekking In Bhutan

1.8 km

Explore Bhutan's stunning landscapes, rich culture, and sacred spirituality with expert-guided treks in the heart of the Himalayas.

Bhutan Karma Trails

2.0 km

Unleash your wanderlust with Bhutan Karma Trails, your trusted travel agency for unforgettable adventures in Bhutan's breathtaking landscapes.

Khamsum Inn

2.0 km

Discover the warm hospitality and comfort at Khamsum Inn in Thimphu, your perfect base for exploring Bhutan's cultural riches.

Hotel kenny

2.0 km

Discover comfort and local charm at Hotel Kenny in Thimphu, your gateway to exploring Bhutan's vibrant capital with ease and style.

Tarayana Park ཏཱ་ར་ཡ་ན་སྐྱེད་ཚལ།

2.1 km

Explore the serene landscapes and cultural artistry at Tarayana Park, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan.

Unmissable attractions to see

Sangaygang – Phajoding Trail

0.5 km

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Sangaygang View Point

0.7 km

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Royal Takin Preserve

0.7 km

Explore the Royal Takin Preserve in Bhutan, a breathtaking sanctuary for the rare Takin and a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery

1.2 km

Discover the tranquility of Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery in Thimphu, a sacred site that embodies the essence of Bhutanese spiritual culture and breathtaking natural beauty.

Changangkha Lhakhang ལྕང་སྒང་ཁ་ལྷ་ཁང་།

1.3 km

Explore the ancient beauty and spiritual significance of Changangkha Lhakhang, a serene Buddhist temple in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan.

National Institute for Zorig Chusum

1.3 km

Discover the essence of Bhutanese culture at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where traditional arts come to life in the heart of Thimphu.

Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa

1.4 km

Explore Bhutan's cultural roots at the Folk Heritage Museum, where tradition meets history in the heart of Thimphu.

National Library & Archives of Bhutan

1.4 km

Uncover the treasures of Bhutanese culture at the National Library & Archives, a gateway to the nation's history and literary heritage.

Bhutan Nature Kind Tours

1.5 km

Discover the untouched beauty and rich culture of Bhutan with immersive experiences at Bhutan Nature Kind Tours in Thimphu.

Thimphu Ecological Park

1.6 km

Explore the serene beauty of Thimphu Ecological Park, a haven of biodiversity and tranquility in Bhutan's capital, perfect for nature lovers and eco-enthusiasts.

Buddha point hiking trail

1.6 km

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Simply Bhutan

1.7 km

Explore the essence of Bhutanese culture at Simply Bhutan, a vibrant heritage museum in Thimphu showcasing the nation's rich traditions and history.

Royal Textile Academy རྒྱལ་འཛིན་ཐག་རིག་སློབ་སྡེ།

1.8 km

Discover the rich textile heritage of Bhutan at the Royal Textile Academy, a unique cultural hub celebrating traditional weaving and artistry.

Royal Textile Academy རྒྱལ་འཛིན་ཐག་རིག་སློབ་སྡེ།

Tashichho Dzong Viewpoint

1.8 km

Experience the stunning vistas of Tashichho Dzong at this breathtaking viewpoint in Thimphu, Bhutan - a must-visit for every traveler.

Dagala, The Thousand Lake Trek, Bhutan

1.9 km

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Essential places to dine

ZaSa restaurant

0.5 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at ZaSa Restaurant in Thimphu – a culinary gem reflecting rich cultural heritage.

Nangyi Aum- Bhutanese Restaurant

0.7 km

Discover authentic Bhutanese cuisine at Nangyi Aum - where tradition meets taste in Thimphu's vibrant dining scene.

ZaSa

1.2 km

Experience exquisite dining at ZaSa in Thimphu - where local flavors meet global cuisine in an inviting atmosphere.

Simple Restaurant

1.3 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese cuisine at Simple Restaurant in Thimphu - where flavor meets warmth in every dish.

Chickazaa Thimphu

1.3 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at Chickazaa Thimphu - where every dish tells a story.

Wangchang Restaurant

1.3 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at Wangchang Restaurant in Thimphu – where tradition meets taste.

Simply Bhutan Restaurant

1.6 km

Discover authentic Bhutanese flavors at Simply Bhutan Restaurant in Thimphu - where tradition meets taste.

Phuntshum Restaurant

1.6 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at Phuntshum Restaurant in Thimphu, where tradition meets taste in every dish.

TAURUS RESTAURANT

1.7 km

Discover the essence of Bhutanese culture through authentic dishes at Taurus Restaurant in Thimphu.

Eatery 108 Restaurant

1.7 km

Discover authentic Bhutanese cuisine at Eatery 108 in Thimphu - a culinary haven for travelers seeking local flavors.

San Maru Restaurant

1.7 km

Experience authentic Korean cuisine at San Maru Restaurant in Norzin - a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking delightful flavors.

Hada valley resturent &bar

1.7 km

Experience the flavors of Bhutan at Hada Valley Restaurant & Bar in Thimphu - where tradition meets culinary excellence.

LOMA GU RESTUARANT

1.8 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at Loma Gu Restaurant in Thimphu – where every dish tells a story.

Mughlai Kitchen

1.8 km

Experience authentic Indian flavors at Mughlai Kitchen in Thimphu - where every dish tells a story of tradition.

Jholha Restaurant

1.8 km

Experience authentic Bhutanese flavors at Jholha Restaurant in Thimphu – a culinary gem showcasing local cuisine amidst warm hospitality.

Explore the Empowering Youth of Bhutan Outlet for unique souvenirs that support local artisans and celebrate the rich culture of Bhutan.

EMPOWERING YOUTH OF BHUTAN. Souvenir Production Outlet

Discover the perfect blend of Bhutanese culture and culinary delight at Kell’s Restaurant Cum Bar in Thimphu, where every visit is a warm embrace.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Discover the Majestic Ancient Trail in Thimphu

A brief summary to The Ancient Trail

Local tips

Getting There

Walking

Walking

Walking

Unlock the Best of The Ancient Trail

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about The Ancient Trail

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Amankora, Thimphu

Namgay Adventure Travels

Zilukha Nunnery

Bhutan Swallowtail Travels

Folk heritage museum restaurant

Keys to Bhutan

Himalayan Experts Tours & Travels

Trekking In Bhutan

Bhutan Karma Trails

Khamsum Inn

Hotel kenny

Tarayana Park ཏཱ་ར་ཡ་ན་སྐྱེད་ཚལ།

Unmissable attractions to see

Sangaygang – Phajoding Trail

Sangaygang View Point

Royal Takin Preserve

Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery

Changangkha Lhakhang ལྕང་སྒང་ཁ་ལྷ་ཁང་།

National Institute for Zorig Chusum

Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa

National Library & Archives of Bhutan

Bhutan Nature Kind Tours

Thimphu Ecological Park

Buddha point hiking trail

Simply Bhutan

Royal Textile Academy རྒྱལ་འཛིན་ཐག་རིག་སློབ་སྡེ།

Tashichho Dzong Viewpoint

Dagala, The Thousand Lake Trek, Bhutan

Essential places to dine

ZaSa restaurant

Nangyi Aum- Bhutanese Restaurant

ZaSa

Simple Restaurant

Chickazaa Thimphu

Wangchang Restaurant

Simply Bhutan Restaurant

Phuntshum Restaurant

TAURUS RESTAURANT

Eatery 108 Restaurant

San Maru Restaurant

Hada valley resturent &bar

LOMA GU RESTUARANT

Mughlai Kitchen

Jholha Restaurant

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

8 Eleven

SIKKA TRADERS

JK MINI MART

Tshering Yangzom Tshongkhang

SHOP NO. 7, LHATSHOG TSHONGKHANG

My Store Bhutan

Berger Paints: Colors & Style

B-Mart

Druk Herbal Cordyceps

Bhutan Handicraft Shopping Centre

Choki Handicrafts

Bhutan Archery Shop

One Gewog One Product Shop

Bhutan Craft Market

EMPOWERING YOUTH OF BHUTAN. Souvenir Production Outlet

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

The Roof

Booze o'clock

Country Lounge

Tiger Pub

Hydeout bar

Garuda Bar & Cafe