Day 1: Arrive Paro- Thimphu
Distance: 47.6 Km.
Min. Altitude: 2195 m,
Max. Altitude: 3370m.
While flying into Bhutan, from the left hand side of the aircraft you can see the Majestic Himalayan Range with the Peaks of Mt.Everest, Mt.Kanchanganga, Mt.Jumolhari and Mt.Jichu Drake whereby the latter two Mountains are in Bhutan.
On arrival at the Paro International Airport, we will be there to receive you all. We drive to Thimphu, the Capital City.
Enroute we will visit Tachogang Temple on the way. It was built by ThangthongGyelpo, The Iron bridge builder Saint. We can also see the ancient iron bridge there.
If time permits, we will visit Memorial Stupa and Kuenselphodrang. At Kuenselphodrang we will see the tallest sitting Buddha statue in the world.
Overnight in Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu-Trongsa
Distance: 197km. Min. Altitude : 1387 m, Max. Altitude: 3390 m.
Today we start our ride. We will ascend for 16 km to Dochula pass (3050m) and enjoy the panoramic view over the Himalayas. On a bright day we can have a spectacular view of all the major mountains of Bhutan.There are 108 stupas and a temple built by the Queen Mother for long life of His Majesty the fourth King and the well being of all the sentient beings.
Then Descend all the way to the Valley of Lobesa and ride through Wangdue. The Ride continues towards Trongsa, passing several beautiful villages of Rukubji, chendebji and Tangsibje. Visit Chendebji Stupa.
Overnight in Trongsa
Day 3:Trongsa- Bumthang
Distance: 110 Km. Min. Altitude: 2200 m. Max. Altitude: 3400
Visit Trongsa Dzong and Trongsa Tower museum after breakfast and continue riding to Bumthang.It is a climb as the road climbs rapidly through a series of hairpins out of Trongsa for 49 Km to reach the Yutong La pass (3400m). After the pass descend to Chumey valley and then continue with a short climb to Kiki La, after which you arrive to the beautiful valley of Bumthang. Enjoy local delicacies for lunch at Chris’s Favourite Farm House( Aum Tshomo’s ). Local sightseeing after lunch.
Overnight in Bumthang
Day 4: Bumthang Halt
Distance: 160km. Min. Altitude: 2800 m, Max. Altitude: 3350 m.
Today we ride to back to Kikila pass and take biking trail to Tharbaling. From Tharbaling we descend to Chumey Village on a dirt road. Then we take the Nangar-Ura- Chamkhar Loop. We will visit Pemacholing Nunnery on the way. The Ride will be approximately 160 Km.
Overnight in Bumthang
Day 5: Bumthang Halt
Distance: 75km . Min. Altitude: 2700 m, Max. Altitude: 3100 m
After breakfastwe will ride to Padselling Monastery which is aprox. 12 km on a dirt road and then continue to decend on the otherside on a biking trail. After lunch we will ride to Dur Village. Dur Village is a village of Yak hearders. They have around 80 households. It is around 14 km (one way) away from Bumthang town.
Overnight in Bumthang
Day 6: Bumthang – Gangtey Valley
Distance: 193km. Min. Altitude: 2800 m. Max. Altitude: 3425 m
Today’s ride comprise of cruising back through patchy mountains with hairpin loops and curves. After crossing Pele la pass, we turn towards Gangtey Valley. This breath-taking valley is marked by herds of yak that can be seen grazing around the meadows alongside the road. The valley is famous for being the winter home for the endangered Black necked cranes that fly all the way from Tibet. The ride here after the mountain road is a refreshing change and offers an indescribable experience.
Overnight in Gangtey Valley.
Day 7:Gangtey Halt
Distance: 50km. Min. Altitude: 2830 m. Max. Altitude: 2830 m
Today we have an easy ride through the beautiful valleys of Phobjikha and Zee Zee on a Dirt Road. Phobjikha and Zee Zee are high altitude Villages inhabited by friendly highlanders called “Lagaps”. We will have a Picnic lunch. Towards afternoon we will visit the Gangteng monestary and interact with the monks. Gangteng Monestary is a very important seat of the Peling Tradition, a sect of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Overnight in Gangtey Valley
Day 8: Gangtey – Gogona- Khotakha- Punakha
Distance: 105 km. Min. Altitude: 2600 m. Max. Altitude: 3700 m
This is one of the highlights of the ride. Normal tourist do not travel this route. The road is rough and rocky and weaves through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, rhododendrons and magnolia. After crossing Tsele La Pass (3440m) we descend to beautiful Gogona Village. The road winds gently above the village, then a long gradual climbs to Shobju la pass (3410m). Riding down, we overlook the broad Khotakha Valley. The village comprises of about 60 rustic houses.
We ride along the steep terraced wheat fields to a cluster of houses of Whachay village and eventually meet the paved road at Tikke Zampa Bridge. The ride continues to Punakha through the rice fields of Lobesa. Punakha is the Old capital of Bhutan and the winter residence of our Central Monk Body.
Overnight in Punakha Valley
Day 9: Punakha – Haa
Distance: 195km. Min. Altitude: 1200 m. Max. Altitude: 3100 m
We will head back to Thimphu. Enroute, we have an option to visit Chimi Lhakhang if the group wishes. Chimi Lhakhang is known as The Fertility Temple, built in honor of a Naughty Siant, Drukpa Kunley. Many childless couples ( Bhutanese as well as Foreigners) have been blessed with babies( We can see a photo album of the couples and babies at the temple
We will have our lunch in Thimphu. After, we will ride till Chunzom confluence and turn left towards Haa. Visit Dobji Dzong on the way. Haa valley is only recently opened to tourism and has remained beautifully quaint and untainted by the modern development.
Overnight in Gangtey Valley
Day 10: Haa – Paro
Distance: 160km Approx. Min. Altitude: 2200 m. Max. Altitude: 3988 m
After breakfast we go for Haa valley Sightseeing. We leave Haa valley and ride towards Paro via Chele La pass (3988m) This is the highest Altitude we will touch on this ride. If the sky is clear, we will have a spectacular view of Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt. Jhomolhari (7314 m). We then descend through dense rhododendron forest, possibly sighting yak,s to Kila Goemba Nunnery. Kila Goemba is a serene retreat for 32 Anims (Buddhist nuns) who lead a undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and meditation. We ride further down to Paro. Lunch at Paro. Afternoon we will ride to Dongkola Temple. Dongkola Temple is 18 km of Dirt road (one way) from Shaba road point. It is located at an altitude of 3,370 m and is the only place from where we can have a spectacular view both Paro and Thimphu Valley.
Overnight in Paro
Day 11: Paro: Hike to Tiger’s Nest
Distance: 30km. Min. Altitude: 2200 m. Max. Altitude: 3120 m
No visit to Bhutan is truly complete without a trek to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 m above the floor of Paro valley.
Ride to the base of the Tiger’s Nest and begin your hike up hill. While this hike is a constant climb uphill, it takes only around 2 hours to get up and the views are well the worth.
Day 12: Depart Bhutan
After breakfast an early morning transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight. Thank you for visiting Bhutan. Tashi Delek!
