Mountain Biking in Bhutan is relatively a new sport but gradually gaining momentum and emerging as one of the most sought-after activities for adventure enthusiasts. This tour program is crafted to offer a blend of cycling and cultural tour experience to travelers, amidst a landscape of incredible beauty. The average daily cycling duration does not exceed more than five hours hence it is adventurous and enjoyable, at the same time not taxing. The tour is also accompanied by a vehicle and at any point in time if travelers feel tired
Paro International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
You will arrive in Bhutan at the picturesque Paro International Airport aboard a Druk Air flight. After completing the custom and immigration formalities you Bhutan Travel Guide and Host will welcome you to Bhutan with a traditional scarf welcome and escort you to your designated hotel. After lunch, we will ride down to the Paro Dzong and its subsidiary Ta Dzong that houses the Bhutanese National Museum. We will first visit the national museum to have a look at some of the countries most treasured artworks, artifacts, and other things related to the history of Bhutan. The Dzong was constructed in the 16th century AD by the legendary Bhutanese warrior Sahbdrung Ngawang Namgyal. We will then return back to our hotel for a warm dinner and a night’s rest.
After breakfast, we will depart for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The ride will take about 3-4 hours and will take you along a scenic highway. Till we reach the beautiful capital city. The city is not very big in size and in fact, Thimphu is the only capital city in the world that has no red lights. After checking into our hotel and after having lunch we will get back onto our bikes to go exploring around the city of Thimphu we will visit the local marketplace and then move on towards the National Memorial Chorten, which is a large Stupa that was constructed in the memory of the 3rd king His Highness Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. We will also drop by at the post office to look at some rare Bhutanese stamps and will also give you the opportunity to pick up some of our world-famous postage stamps. We will then cycle up to the Sangaygang viewpoint to take in an awesome view of the valley below and gaze out towards the snowcapped Himalayas. We will then return back to the hotel.
After an early breakfast, we will depart for Punakha and Wangdue via the Dochu La pass. The first leg of our journey will take us to the Dochula pass which is at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. We will take a break here for a cup of hot tea or coffee and enjoy the breathtaking views from the pass we will also visit the 108 stupas. Then begins the fun part of the bike ride as we descend down to the Wangue and Punakha valley. We will bike down to the hotel which is located in the shadows of the mighty Wandgdue Phodrang Dzhong alongside a gushing river. we will have a warm dinner before turning in for the night.
After a hearty breakfast, we will bike down to the Kabesa Village to visit the Khamsum Yule Chorten which was built for the well-being of the crown prince. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and then we will hike down to the Punakha Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1638 AD. The Punakha Dzong is also the seat of the district administration and also the winter seat of the central monastic body and its chief abbot, His Holiness the Je Khenpo. In fact, Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan till the seat of government was moved to Thimphu in the 1950s. We will then continue along with the Po Chu river towards and enter the Wangdue Phodrang District. Overnight in Wangdue Phodrang.
After breakfast, we will bike around the district of Wangdue and explore the upper reaches of the Punakha valley. We will also visit the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which is a 16th-century fortress situated atop a steep hill with cacti growing around it. The Dzong is one of the most strategically located fortresses in all of Bhutan and has played a very important role in the country’s history. We will then drive up Khuruthang from where we will cross the river via a suspension bridge and ride up to scenic Shengana village the round trip will take about 4 hours. We will return back to our hotel in Punakha over a night’s sleep.
Today we will leave from Punakha and retrace our route via the Dochu La pass back to Thimphu. We will reach Thimphu by the afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure to do sightseeing, shopping, or plain old rest and relaxation. Some of the places we suggest visiting are the handmade paper factory, the institute for traditional medicine, the nation handicrafts museum, the Tashicoe Dzong, and the Mohitang Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal the Takin. Another interesting place to visit is the National Textile Museum. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
After an early breakfast, we depart for the valley, where we will be visiting the renowned Taktshang Monastery. After biking down to the road head we will begin a 2-hour hike up to the monastery. The Takshang Monastery or the Tigers Nest Monastery is perched atop a vertical 3000 feet cliff and is truly a wonder to behold. The monastery is said to have been built at the spot where the legendary Guru Rinpoche is believed to have landed in the valley after flying here on top of a flying tigress. For those of you not wanting to hike up we can also arrange for horses but, we need to be told this in advance so we can arrange for the same. We will then return back to the hotel for some well-earned rest before tomorrow’s last ride.
Post- breakfast we will undertake an excursion to the picturesque Haa Valley. We will first ride up to the Chele La pass which will the highest point of your Bhutan trip. The pass is located at an altitude of 3810 meters we will stop here for a brief rest before descending down to the Haa valley on the other side, the pristine valley was closed off the visitors and has only opened its doors to visitors. The Haa valley is an ideal place to witness the ancient ways of the Bhutanese people. We will have a picnic lunch in the valley before beginning our return via the same route. Upon our return back to the hotel, we will have a farewell dinner followed by a few drinks with your tour mates before turning in for the night. This will be the last night of the trip
Sadly all good things must come to an end so does our expedition to this wonderful nation. We hope you had a great time and take back memories that will last you a lifetime.
