Riding through the Dragon

• Explore Bhutan from West to East and less Visited places in Eastern Bhutan
• First had experience of Buddhist Culture and traditional rural village life.
• Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
• Visit Phobjikha, the most beautiful glacial valley of Bhutan.
• Cover whole of Bhutan in one tour.
• Explore Bhutan’s Central Valley rich with ancient, historical and sacred sites
• Ride through high mountains, offering sensational view of Himalayas.
• Ride along the meandering road that takes you to some of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan
• Traverse beautiful landscapes and varied vegetation from alpine shrubs to temperate forests.
• Ride through traffic, clean air, natural forests, sinuous mountains, meandering rivers, alpine flowers and birds chirping, smiling faces, medieval fortresses and temples, far-off villages.
• Support crew throughout the tour.

Day 1. Bagdogra - Phuentsholing:

Distance: 160 Kms; Driving Time: 3 hrs 45 minutes.
Upon your exit from the Airport, you would be greeted by our local representative and your tour guide. You would be driven to Phuentsholing, the border town of Bhutan. On the way we shall be stop for lunch. After arriving in Phuentsholing, if time permits, we start the immigration formalities to cross the border in the morning and start our ride through the Thunder Dragon Kingdom. Your guide shall assist you with the Immigration Formalities and then check in to hotel. This is one the few occasions where you cross into a new country over foot. As soon as you enter Bhutan, you would notice how drastic the transition is. You leave the crowd and the congestion behind. You would notice how cleaner the roads are with little or no litter. The architects of the building, increases the feeling that you have entered into new country. Later you may choose to relax in the hotel.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Phuentsholing.

Day 2. Phuentsholing - Paro:

Distance: 180 Kms; Riding Time: 5 hours 6 minutes; Altitude of Paro 2,280 m
Have your breakfast, in the morning. Later, you would start your uphill ride to Paro. On the way, you can make few stops for photography opportunities. While riding you would notice dramatic change in the flora, fauna and vegetation. You would find yourself in sky heights above the clouds. You shall come across diverse flora, fauna, beautiful landscapes, villages and other elements of nature such as waterfalls. You would also have the opportunity of enjoying the panoramic views of the Himalayas during the ride. Enroute stop for lunch. After reaching Paro, check in to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 3. Paro Sightseeing:

After breakfast, start your day with a hike to

• Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.

After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, ride to

• Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.

Later in the day, you would then ride to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or ride back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 4. Paro - Thimphu:

Distance: 65 km, Riding Time: 2 hrs. Altitude of Thimphu: 2350 m.
After breakfast, visit

• Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
• Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum

Drive back to hotel. Ready your Bikes and you would ride to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. You ride through the fertile plains of Paro to have great views of the rich farms and terraced rice fields. All along you would ride parallel to the Paro River and then to the Thimphu River. Upon reaching Thimphu, you would check into your hotel and be at leisure to explore the city. Through the course of the day, you would visit

• Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
• National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten.
• Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.

Thereafter you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon visitTakin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope

• Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.

Later ride back to the hotel. In the evening explore the Thimphu town by walk.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5. Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing:

Distance: 77 kms, Riding Time: 4 hrs. Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m.
After breakfast and completion of Check Out formalities, you would start your ride to Punakha/Wangdue, for your next leg of the tour. On the way, you would stop at

• Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.

During the ride, you would enjoy the blacktopped and smooth roads as well as unpaved roads due to road widening work. After crossing Dochula, there would be a downhill ride to Punakha Valley where you would be riding along with the slopes of the Himalayan range.
On reaching Punakha, check in to the hotel. After lunch, you would visit

• Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan).
• Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.

Day 6. Punakha - Gangtey/Phobjikha:

Distance: 78 kms, Riding Time: 4 hrs, Altitude of Gangtey/Phobjikha: 2900 m.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and ride to Gangtey/Phobjikha in Black Mountains. You would notice that the road ascends gradually in many turns with beautiful views. On the way, you may see some obstruction as road widening process is going on. We will reach to the Pele Pass (3,350 m) and will descend to pristine glacial valley.  While in Phobjikha, ride to

• Gangtey Goemba, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is one of the the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan.
• Phobjikha Valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas. It lies at an elevation of 3,000 m.  It is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the monastery. Phobjikha is best known for the rare black necked cranes that migrate here from the Tibetan Plateau to avoid the extremely cold winters.

Thereafter you return to your hotel. Evening free for relaxation.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at Hotel in Phobjika/Gangtey.

Day 7. Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang:

Distance: 188 kms, Riding Time: 8 hrs - 9 hrs, Altitude of Bumthang: 2600 m.
After breakfast, check out from hotel and ride to Trongsa across Pele-La-Pass (11.120 ft.). Here you would witness an abrupt change in vegetation, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboos. Today is one of the longest rides for this trip. On the way stop to view

• Chendbji Chhorten, built during the 18^th century by Lama Shida in the style of the great Boudhanath Chhorten of Nepal to cover the remains of an evil spirit which is said to have manifested as a gigantic snake.

Further ahead visit

• Trongsa Dzong, the seat of power over Central and Eastern Bhutan. It was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa was later enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. The first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong.

Ride further to Bumthang over the Yutong-La-Pass (11,155 ft.).  While in Chumey valley in Bumthang (if time permits), visit the.

• Yathra Weaving Factory, located in the Zungye village in Chumey, around 17 kms approximately, before reaching the main town of Bumthang. Yathra is the most famous textile product of Bumthang. Yathra is a hand woven fabric made from the wool of sheep or Yak.

On arrival check in to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
(Note: the roads to Bumthang are not good due road widening work going on)

Day 8. Bumthang Sightseeing:

Today you have a date with the history. After breakfast, visit the

• Jakar Dzong, literally meaning the Castle of White Bird. The current structure was built in 1667. Jakar Dzong is now the main administrative center for Bumthang District, the Dzong also houses the regional monk body.
• Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century and is one among the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan Region. October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here.
• Kurjey Lhakhang, named after body print of Guru Rimpoche. It consists of three temples. The first temple was built in the year 1652 on the rock face, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. The second temple is considered to be the most holy as it is built on the site of the cave which contains the imprint of the Guru's body. In the year 1990, Ashi Kesang, the Queen mother built the third temple. All the three temples are surrounded by 108 chorten wall.

Thereafter you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would ride to

• Tamshing Lhakhang, literally meaning the Temple of the good message. It was established in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa and has ancient religious paintings such as 1000 Buddhas and 21 'Taras' (female form of Bodhisattva).
• Membar Tsho, also known as “The burning Lake”. It is one of the most sacred sites in the region and relates to the famous treasure revealer, Terton Pema Lingpa. Following a prophecy by Guru Rinpoche, Terton Pema Lingpa unearthed a treasure from the bottom of the lake. He dived into the lake with a burning butter lamp and reappeared with the butter lamp still burning and a chest and scroll of paper in his hand (treasures)

Finally, return to the hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 9. Bumthang - Mongar:

Distance: 190 kms, Riding Time: 8 hrs - 9 hrs, Altitude of Mongar: 1600 m.
Today is another the long day. After breakfast, drive to Mongar. Stop at places to view scenery and for photography. Drive from Bumthang to Mongar shall take you across the highest point in Bhutan’s motorable road. The point is known as the Thrumsingla Pass at an altitude of 4000 m. Picnic lunch on the way. The evening ends exploring the Mongar town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Mongar.

Day 10. Mongar - Trashigang:

Distance: 91 kms, Riding Time: 4 hrs - 5 hrs, Altitude of Trashigang: 1500 m.
After breakfast, visit

• Mongar Dzong, which was rebuilt in 1953 and it is unique as it has two entrances. There are about 60 young monks residing in this Dzong. You will see the images of the Buddha of long life, as well as Guru Rinpoche and the Shabdrung. No drawings or nails have been used in building the Dzong

Then ride to Trashigang and have lunch. While in Trashigang, ride to
In the evening, explore the Trashigang town and nearby areas.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at Hotel in Trashigang.

Day 11. Trashigang - Trashiyangtse - Trashigang:

Distance: 52 kms, Riding Time: 3 hrs - 4 hrs, Altitude of Trashiyangtse: 1715 m.
After breakfast, you would go for a day excursion to Trashiyangtse. Trashiyangtse was established as a district in 1992 and lies at an elevation of Dzongkhag is 1750-1880 m. This place is also the winter homes to endangered black-necked cranes. It is also the home to Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory, the national butterfly of Bhutan. The place is also famous for “dapa and phop” (hand crafted traditional wooden plate and mugs).  On the way visit the

• Gomkora Lhakhang, situated 24 km from the Trashigang Dzong in Trashigang in the eastern Bhutan. The name Gomphu Kora (Gomphu - “Meditation Cave”, Kora - “Circumambulation”) is derived from a cave in the place. It is said that in the 8th century, an evil spirit named Myongkhapa escaped from Samye in Tibet and concealed himself inside a rock where Gomphu Kora stands today. Guru Rinpoche meditated for three days inside a rock cave in this place and subdued the evil spirit. Gongkhar Gyal, grandson of Lhasay Tsangma, built a small shrine at Gomphu Kora around the 10th century A.D. In the 14th century, Terton Pema Lingpa, visited Gomphu Kora and enlarged the existing shrine. It was renovated and enlarged in the 15th century by Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk, the grandfather of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. He also inscribed murals on the walls of the temple.

Ride further to Trashiyangtse and visit the

• Chhorten Kora, the most important stupa in Trashiyangtse built in the year 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday, the nephew of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The stupa was built to subdue a demon believed to have been living at the site where the chorten is now located. Modeled after the famous Boudhanath stupa in Nepal and was consecrated by the 13th chief Abbot of Bhutan Je Sherub Wangchuk.

In the evening, ride back to Trashigang.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at Hotel in Trashigang.

Day 12. Trashigang - Samdrupjongkhar:

Altitude of Samdrupjongkhar 220m
After breakfast, visit the

• Trashigang Dzong - This Dzong lies on the headland of the Dzongkha that gives us the confluence of the Drangme Chhu and the Gamri Chhu. The Trashigang Dzong was built in the year 1659 and serves as the administrative and religious seat for the Trashigang district.

Then, ride to Samdrupjongkhar. In the evening, explore the Samdrupjongkhar Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight in Hotel.

Day 13. Departure:

Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.

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