Bhutan Mountain Biking Tour

Tour Itinerary

Duration: (12 Nights / 13 Days)
Destinations Covered: Paro – Punakha – Phobjikha - Trongsa – Jakar – Tang Ogyen Choling - Wangdue – Thimphu - Paro

• DAY
  1

  ARRIVE PARO – TRANSFER TO HOTEL
  (BIKE FITTING AND TRIAL RUN (2,300m).

  

  On arrival at Paro, you will be assisted to hotel, you can take rest before lunch. Spend the afternoon fitting your bikes and, if time allows, set out on a trial run. After that enjoy your dinner followed by a brief up given to you by our representative regarding the bike tour.

• DAY
  2

  PARO - CYCLE TO PUNAKHA
  (Altitudes ranging between 1,200m and 3,000m).

  

  On the second day you set out for Punakha. You will cover the first 50kms on the best road in Bhutan before starting the uphill ascent towards the Dochula Pass. A 17km climb brings you to the 3000m Dochula Pass where we will stop for a view of the distant Himalayas and for taking lunch. The descent to Lobesa is mainly though pine, oak and rhododendron forests and lasts for 38 kms. The final 8km stretch into Punakha, passes through gently terraced rice-fields and skirts a large river. You are now at an altitude of 1,200m. Sights you will visit: Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong. Total distance: 100km. Duration: 7 hours

• DAY
  3

  PUNAKHA - CYCLE TO THE PHOBJIKHA VALLEY
  (Altitudes between 1,200m and 2,800m).

  

  On the third day of your trip you have to set out from Punakha for another uphill cycle towards Gangtey, situated in the Phobjikha valley at an altitude of 2,900m. Today’s trip will take approximately 5 – 6 hours and you will cover a total stretch of 75kms, the majority of which is uphill. Your support vehicle will be with you always and your leader will advise you on your pace and the best sections to cover by bus. Once you have crossed the Lawala Pass into Gangtey at 3,200m. the cycling is all downhill through dwarf bamboo across a few yaks and into the beautiful glacial valley. Total distance: 75km (uphill 55km). Duration: 5 – 6 hours.

• DAY
  4

  CYCLE EVER-WINDING ROADS TO TRONGSA
  (Altitudes between 2,500m and 3,300m).

  

  Your adventurous day begins with visiting some of the sights of the Phobjikha valley, including Gangtey Monastery and the Black-necked Crane center before setting out on your bicycle uphill for the first 10km towards the pass and then downhill for approximately 18km towards your lunch destination and a visit to the Chendibji stupa. In the afternoon, a gradual, winding ride brings you all the way to Trongsa along roads that cut through the steep-sided Black Mountains.
  
  Overnight stay in Trongsa.

• DAY
  5

  CYCLE TO THE BUMTHANG VALLEY
  (Altitudes between 2,500m and 3,400m).

  

  Day 5 of your amazing trip begins with visiting the Trongsa Museum before setting out towards the Yotong-La pass. Start by driving for about an hour and then you can test yourself by challenging you to reach the highest pass on the tour at 3,400m. The pass may well be covered in mist. This is a difficult, long uphill climb for about 7 – 8 km but we will adjust the cycling time according to your fitness level and at all times you will have access to the bus. A 12km downhill ride takes you all the way to Chummey for lunch. Spend the afternoon in gentle cycling, mainly downhill, with a few stops here and there to see local women weavers and scenes of rural life. There is just one mini-pass of 2,900m known as Kiki-la. Then you will lead to all the way down to Jakar Village in the Bumthang plateau (2,700m).

• DAY
  6

  REST DAY IN JAKAR, BUMTHANG.

  

  You can spend your day in sightseeing by bicycle in and around Jakar. You can visit Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang, the three most important temples in this place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Try out some of the mouthwatering Bumthang delicacies such as the honey, cheese and fresh beer. Relax in the fresh and beautiful plateau of Bumthang. You may take a hot-stone relaxing bath or just stroll around the tiny Jakar town.

• DAY
  7

  EXCURSION CYCLING TO THE TANG VALLEY
  (Altitudes between 2,700m & 2,800m).

  

  You have to start your day early on a 36km ride to Tang Ogyen Choling village and farmhouse. The trail follows a rough farm-road for almost the whole way and it will take 3 – 4 hours to reach the village and the newly-built traditional-style farmhouse where you will stay the whole night. After the traditional Bumthang lunch, spend the afternoon learning how to make some traditional Bhutanese dishes and even learn how to distill Bhutanese “ara”. Spend the evening relaxing deep in the Bhutanese countryside.
  
  Overnight stay in Tang Ogyen Choling

• DAY
  8

  RETURN CYCLE OR DRIVE TO JAKAR
  (Altitudes between 2,800m and 2,900m).

  

  On day 8 you can either opt to cycle or travel in the bus, travelling back the way you came yesterday. It’s possible that we can get the chance to stop at a small local school but it depends on the school schedule. For Lunch you can be back at Jakar. In the afternoon, cycle 9km uphill towards Kiki-La pass and continue on a gentle incline to Chumey village and enjoy an overnight stay at Chumey Nature Resort.

• DAY
  9

  CYCLE TO WANGDI
  (Altitudes between 1,200m and 3,400m).

  

  The day begins with an early start at around 06:30 and includes drive to Chendibji Chorten, via Trongsa. This journey will take about 4 hours. Here you get a challenging task to a 19km uphill cycle for about 2 hours until you reach the lunch stop just below the Pele-La pass. After lunch you have to cycle the final 8km up to the pass. From here there is a 50km downhill stretch all the way to Wangdi where we will have an overnight stay. O/N Wangdue/Chuzomsa

• DAY
  10

  CYCLE TO THIMPHU
  (Altitudes between 1,200m and 3,000m).

  

  On Day 10 you will travel through the Dochula Pass after a 10km downhill cycle followed by a 28km uphill climb. The lunch stop will be at Menchuna, half way up the hill towards the pass. A 16km cycle brings you to the pass just in time for a nice tea break with great views of the Himalayan peaks. A 21km downhill ride brings you back to Thimphu, the capital city.

• DAY
  11

  SIGHTSEEING AND RELAXING IN THIMPHU (2,400m).

  

  After a long trip on cycle ride, relax and leave the bikes behind for a day of sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the Buddha point, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Institute for the 13 Traditional Arts (Zorig Chusum), the Textile Museum, and the impressive Thimphu Dzong.

• DAY
  12

  DRIVE TO PARO (2,300m).

  

  You must start early and drive to Paro (1 hr). You will get the chance to hike to Taktsang monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”). The round-trip (hike or horse ride) takes about 4 hours and includes a visit to the monastery. You can spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring the Paro town.

• DAY
  13

  Paro Airport departure

  

  After breakfast you will be assisted to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.
  
  The Tour Ends with amazing memories and adventures which can be cherished for a lifetime.

BOOK THIS TOUR