TRIP FEATURES
- Unique Experience- Cycle through Bhutan’s central valleys, rich with ancient historical and sacred Buddhist sites, mixed forests, pasturelands and valleys dotted with villages rich in culture.
- Ride down mountains with exhilarating drops of thousands of metres.
- Challenge yourself with surmounting high passes of over 3000 metres
- Opportunities and time to connect with the locals are also included into our mountain biking itineraries
- Incorporate a Value-Added Option such as a cooking lesson or meditation session with a monk.
Day 1: Welcome to Paro and Drive to Thimphu.
Paro Altitude: 2,250 m (7,200 feet)
Driving distance: 1 hr. 15 minutes
Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by Bhutan Rila’s representative. On completion of airport formalities, drive towards Thimphu. On the way to Paro- visit Tachog Lhakhang. Tachogang means ‘temple of the hill of the excellent horse’. It is said that while Thangtong Gyalpo was meditating here, he had a vision of the spiritual horse Balaha-an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. He decided there upon to build a temple at this spot, in addition to one of his famous iron bridges later carried away by floods in 1969. A traditional style bridge with iron chains was restored in 2005. The temple is privately run by the descendents of Thangtong Gyalpo.
Check-in to your hotel in Thimphu and sightseeing after lunch includes the Folk Heritage Museum; the Institute of the 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan and where you can interact with the students; and the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s most unusual national animal.Later in the evening visit the Tashichho Dzong/Fortress of the Auspicious Religion and office of the Golden throne of the Dragon King of Bhutan. Join Kevin in offering 108 butter lamps and long life prayers at Zangtho Palri Temple in Thimphu.
Overnight in Thimphu
Day 2: Explore Thimphu on Bicycle
Thimphu Altitude: 2350m
After breakfast visit Changangkha temple built on top of a hill from where one can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Thimphu valley below.After the customary three rounds around the temple and getting spiritually blessed, you will mount on your bike, ride a little further up till the Nado incense factory, where religious incense is made. To the left is a trail that leads towards the giant Buddha Statue at Kuenselphodrang. The trail will take you through sparsely populated blue pines giving a perfect view of the Thimphu valley and as you enter further, the jungle gets thicker with thick leaved coniferous trees like oak and shrubs of bamboo. The trail especially in winter is carpeted with Oak and Blue pine leaves and in the spring beautiful with colorful cherry blossoms and rhododendron flowers. However the trial maybe a bit tricky during the monsoon due to heavy rain, but your tour guide will help you on the muddy stretches.
The trail leads through gentle slopes as well as steep rugged mountain paths between the placid woods. We would suggest you to get down from your bike when the rocky cliff tests your tires in between some unfinished trail.
After 2 hours of cycling g under the cool shade, you will come to an open space where you will see the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma – the biggest sitting Buddha in the world. On the down hill visit the beautiful Memorial Chorten/stupa in town is another favorite with the tourists and a regular sight for congregation of devout Buddhists circumambulating the Chorten from dawn till dusk. The main statue of the Buddha inside the Chorten is said to grant wishes for the earnest and honest hearted!
Later in the afternoon visit
• Folk Heritage Museum
• The Institute of the 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan
• Then visit Postal Musuem. The postal museum narrates the story of the evolution of communication, transportation and postal services in Bhutan’s history.
Overnight in Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu – Pangrizampa – Hongtsho- Punakha
After breakfast start your day to ride through the Thimphu- Pangrizampa – Hongtsho trail which continues along the Thimphu-Dechencholing road until the Tango/Cheri junction and from here we follow the dirt road to Pangrizampa.
From Pangrizampa the biking ascends along the logging road until Taba Top at an average gradient of 11%. The logging road ends here. We continue biking descending to Hongtsho village, where there is an opportunity for a short hike to the nearby Lhakang (temple) The trail falls between an altitude of 2,300 and 3,700m above sea level. The total length of trail loop is 46 km. After a picnic lunch in the woods ride down hill towards Punakha Valley.
Overnight in Punakha Valley.
Day 4: Punakha
Altitude: 1350 m
In Punakha we will begin our day to ride through the Khuruthang-Samdingkha-Punakha trail and explore the beautifully situated dzong at Punakha, once the summer capital. While pedaling down a mostly unsealed back road, we get great views of the river and Punakha Dzong. Before reaching the dzong we cross an exhilarating suspension footbridge (the feeling depends on your perspective). This is the longest and highest suspension footbridge in the country, stretching over 200m above the Pho Chu River. After a picnic lunch by the tranquil riverside of Punakha ride up to visit Khamsum Yuelley monastery the rest of the afternoon is free for rest and relaxation off the bike or you may choose to wander around for a brisk walk in the valley or spend some time exploring town.
Overnight in Punakha
Day 5: Punakha- Paro
After breakfast drive back to Paro. On the way visit Chimi Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley {popularly known as “The Devine Madman”} in the 15th Century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.The divine madman is a famous teacher with whom the phallic symbol is associated. Tales told by your guide would have excited you to visit Chhimi Lhakhang. The Divine Madman sits there though a statue this time. Do not miss the master’s deeds painted on the walls. Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children.
Stop over at Dochula. Dochula Pass is one of Bhutan’s most famous sites, perched at an altitude of 10,200 feet and located along the road from the country’s current capital of Thimphu to its former capital Punakha. A hidden surprise awaits the few who take the time to venture away from the touristy hub. These curious visitors will discover the meditation caves tucked into the hills just above the pass. At first resembling Hobbit homes, these tiny, open-faced caverns are built from stone and painted in colorful detail with Buddhist symbolism. The druk, or dragon—Bhutan’s long-time national symbol and spirit animal—stretches over the cave entrance, bringing good luck and good tidings.
Option to ride half way through and half way by car
Overnight in Paro
Day 6: Paro: Hike to The Tigers Nest Monastery
No journey to Bhutan is complete without a visit to Takstang monastery. After breakfast drive through Paro valley-one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan with its slate-roofed farmhouses, graceful willow trees and rushing glacial river beneath snow covered peaks to take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, (one of the most sacred places in Bhutan due to its association with Guru Rinpoche). It is believed that Guru Rinpoche reputedly flew to Paro Taktsang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747 A.D., where he meditated and subdued evil spirits.
Later in the evening visit Paro town and explore at your own.
Overnight in Paro- Dewachen Resort & Spa.
Day 7: Paro- Depart Bhutan
After breakfast an early morning transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight. Thank you for visiting Bhutan.
