Bhutan Biking Tour - 7 days

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: PARO ARRIVAL
Total Distance 65 kilometers/44miles;
Arrival at Paro: You will arrive at Paro Internatinal Airport via a Druk Air flight. Upon clearing immigration and customs you will be greeting with a traditional scarf welcome by one representative, from where we will visit the national museum by car.

We begin our biking expedition from Paro town and head towards Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is situated at the altitude of approximately 2370 meters. The bike ride will start from the winding road of Paro, following the Paro river to the confluence where it joins with the Thimphu river. Today we will be experiencing cycling on one of the quietest and wider roads of Western Bhutan. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu and a short brief will be provided for the next place of visit by your guide.

Day2: RIDE TO TANGO
After breakfast, we start our journey to Tango. It is only a short 18 kilometers/12 miles north of Thimphu, however it will be slightly uphill making it a bit of a challenge and some of the roads towards the end are unpaved. Today’s off-road biking starting point will be from the parking lot where we normally choose to hike to the monastery. A picnic lunch will be served at the base of the Tango Monastery besides the crystal clear river. The later part of the day BBS radio tower station (Off road) to Wangdetse goemba and back, or else we can also do on-road biking ride to the Buddha point both offering a spectacular view of the capital. You can stroll around the town during the evening or take a walk to view the National Memorial Chorten lit up.

DAY 3: TO PUNAKHA
Total distance: 76 kilometers/51miles; 20 kilometers uphill and 56 kilometers downhill. After breakfast we will take on the toughest challenge of the tour. The climb up the west side of the mountain takes us from an elevation of 2370 meters to 3100 meters at Dochu La pass.On a clear day, theGangkharPhunsum in the Himalayan range can be seen towards the North East. At the pass are 108 monumental chortens and the hillsides are covered in fluttering prayer flags.Lunch is served at the Cafeteria near the pass. After lunch, we will have a very easy trip descending down into the sub-tropical valley of Punakha, the winter capital of Bhutan. Be sure to check your brakes before making the descent as we will be losing about 1800 meters of elevation during the 37km down-hill trip. Upon reaching Punakha we will visit the Punakha Dzong which is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan situated at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.

Day 4: DAY TRIP IN PUNAKHA
Do you want to feel you are in heaven? Biking towards the KamsumYuelley you will discover that is like no place on earth. Located on ridge above Punakha valley at a distance of 18 kilometers/12miles it will take approximately 40 minutes to reach the base. KhamsumYuelley Chorten is built by the present Queen Mother AshiTsheringYangdonWangchuck. It is an hour’s hike from the base to the stupa. A picnic lunch will be served.

Day 5: DRIVE FROM PUNAKHA TO PARO
Early morning drive back to Paro. Visit Kyichu lhakang or take a ride to the ruins of Drugyal dzong in the afternoon (22km/14miles, 30-40mins). Evening is free to relax or take stroll through town. Overnight stay at hotel, Paro.

Day 6: HIKE TO TIGERS NEST
Today a short trek to the monastery passes through a dense pine forest. You can hear the insects chirp as you pass along the clearly marked and maintained pathway. You will stop at a traditional Bhutanese cafeteria for rest and refreshments Bhutanese style. You will then continue the hike till you arrive at the ruins of the ancient Taktsang monastery. This abode of traditional Buddhist religious prayer and worship was built in the 17th century AD. It literally hangs from the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. According to a legend, Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came to Bhutan from India flying on a tiger.

You will have Lunch and refreshments at the cafeteria. Take in the amazing views of Bhutan's majestic peaks and valleys as you enjoy your meal. The hike may be quite a challenge for the uninitiated and your tour guide can arrange for a pony for you at a nominal expense. The pony ride is very safe and an experience in itself.

Following the visit we can either bike or drive back to the hotel depending of your level of fatigue after the hike. Once back you will have evening at leisure either to do some last minute shopping or indulge yourself with a spa treatment before having dinner and calling it a night.

Day 7: Departure
After a heavy breakfast we will drop you off to Paro International Airport for you flight back home.