Bicycle Tour, Bhutan
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Paro.
Arrive Paro International Airport. If flying in from Delhi or Katmandu, you will experience majestic views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaking including Bhutan’s sacred Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. You are received by your tour representative after process of your visa. Your are then escorted to your hotel in Paro, altitude of 7,500 ft. After lunch you will bicycle to visit the Ta Dzong,
En route you will visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in Paro Valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge. Today the Dzong is the administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of approximately 200 monks This Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. Enjoy dinner and discuss itinerary with your guide. Overnight in Paro.
DAY 2
Paro-Thimphu.
After breakfast, bike to Thimphu, the capital city. Your ride meanders along the Paro and Thimphu river and takes approximately 2 hours. The gradient of the road is excellent for bicycling as there are no steep climbs or descents. Check into Hotel. After room check in, and shower, you enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the hotel. Then bike around Thimphu and visit the Memorial Chorten, (huge stupa) built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who reigned from 1952 – 1972. Also visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 3
Thimphu.
After hearty breakfast bike to the Semtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country (built in 1629 A.D.) You will have an opportunity to visit with some of the monks and observe life within the monastery. In the old days, the oldest son of every family was offered to a monastery where the child grew up as a monk. Even now, it is not uncommon for some families to continue the practice. In the evening you can bike around Thimphu town for shopping. Enjoy traditional/western dinner at a popular local restaurant. Overnight and rest up for your uphill adventure tomorrow.
DAY 4
Thimphu-Punakha.
After early breakfast setout for Punakha and Wangdue. It’s an uphill climb up to Dochula pass at 10,500 ft. When you reach the pass, you can take a long well deserved rest and enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. You will
be served tea/coffee and snacks. Departing Dochula it is a downhill exhilarating ride all the way down to Punakha and Wangdue. Feel the Freedom! Enjoy your dinner and relax at Resort, alongside a pristine river with gorgeous views and wonderful food and ambience.
DAY 5
Punakha.
In the morning bike to Punakha Dzong, which houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot, the Je Khenpo. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pho Chhu (male) and the Mo Chhu (female). This Dzong was build in 1967 A.D. One the way back from Punakha leave your bikes on the main road guarded by your drivers and take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang. This is a fertility temple visited by believers from all over the country. Overnight and dinner at Resort.
DAY 6
Punakha-Thimphu.
Begin your return to Thimphu, You can choose to ride your bike or take the van. Photo stops along the way. Shopping in Thimphu if you like, or relax and unwind in the lounge. Dinner and overnight Thimphu.
DAY 7
Thimphu-Paro.
Depart Thimphu for your 2-hour drive to Paro. After check in at the hotel and lunch, prepare to bicycle through beautiful Paro Valley, pictured on this page. Leave your bikes with the drivers and take a hike to famous Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest; Taktsang means Tiger. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 3000ft. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambbaava alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Picnic lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 3 hours. Return to Paro and enjoy one of Bhutan’s most unique ancestral inventions, the hot stone bath at a farm house – a pastoral property where arrangements will be made for you to participate in building the fire that heats the rocks to a glowing red lava-like temperature. The stones are then placed in a wood lined tub dug into the rocky streambed and don your bathing suit for this Himalayan Jacuzzi! Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 8
Paro-Haa-Paro.
After breakfast take a day excursion on bicycle to Haa Valley crossing Chelila Pass. Haa Valley borders Tibet and was closed to tourists until recently. Enjoy picnic lunch on the way and in the evening drive back to Paro. Farewell dinner with your group. Overnight at Hotel in Paro.
DAY 9
Paro-Departure.
Prepare for your departure home.
DAY 10
Paro Departure
In the morning after early breakfast we will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.
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