Bhutan in Bicycle
Bhutan, small nation in south Asia that boasts for its nickname ‘the last Shangri-la’, is as adventurous for cycling experiences as it is for viewing its impeccable mountainous beauty. Fluttering flags, prayer wheels, stupas are present everywhere. Anyone who has traveled to Bhutan can tell how untouched and remarkable the place is. Bhutan off late has slowly started to gain in popularity as a cycling destination. Interminable climbs and descents on winding mountain roads of variable quality render motor power travel slow and clumsy. This is a relatively short and demanding trip that would take you to the highest motorable pass in Bhutan – Chele la Pass.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
- A chance to explore one of the least visited of the Himalayan countries on pedal.
- Meet Bhutan’s colorful people on bike.
- Picnic lunch.
- Ride to old Monasteries and majestic fortresses.
- Drive over high mountain passes affording sensational views of the Himalayan peaks.
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan.
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture.
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality.
- Prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life.
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More.
- Structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”.
Day 1. Paro - Thimphu/ Cycling in Thimphu:
Distance: 65 kms; Driving time: 1.50-2 hrs; Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m; Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m.
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu (River). Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine. Post lunch ready your mountain biking gears and cycle around Thimphu Valley which includes ride towards:
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
Cycling Distance: 6 kms uphill and 6 Kms downhill
Cycling Time: Uphill – 30 minutes; Downhill –15 – 20 minutes
Elevation: 2350 m to 2500 m at Kuensel Phodrang
Road: Smooth and good, uphill.
During this riding session, you shall ride through city traffic for some time and then ascent the popular recreational road towards Kuensel Phodrang around 6 km from Thimphu. Spend some time appreciating the view of the Thimphu Valley and enjoy the company of one of the largest statue of Buddha Dordenma. Then continue your ride around the biking trails near Kuensel Phodrang. Once done, follow the same road downhill and ride towards Changangkha and then via the road from Zilukha. From Zilukha, you can enjoy excellent view of the Tashichhodzong. Freshen up in Hotel.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m.
After breakfast, pedal towards Tango Cheri Road in upper Thimphu through several villages. Relax and walk around the villages when in Dodena. You may also choose to hike
- Cheri Monastery, will take about 45 minutes to hike. Apart from being one of the most beautiful monasteries, here we also have an option of meeting with the students and the monks. You would also be see pretty phalluses that are believed to ward of the evil.
Cycling Distance: Total of 30 Kms
Cycling Time: Total of 3 hours
- Initially Black top roads, later dirt roads.
Picnic Lunch shall be provided on the venue. Return back to the hotel in evening. You shall have the opportunity to enjoy adventure, nature, culture and the way of life in Bhutan.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu - Paro :
Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
After breakfast, cycle the well maintained road towards Paro.
- The journey to Paro covers,
- 65 kms
- - 3 – 3.5 hrs
- Winding but well maintained and smooth
On the way to Paro, you would have following options
- Visit Tamchog Lhakhang, located along Paro-Thimphu highway on the base of a mountain across the Pa Chhu river built in the early 15th century by the great iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.
- Spend time by the side of river, to enjoy the natural & non polluted beauty.
Continue your ride to Paro. Check in Hotel and Freshen up. Later in the day post lunch, cycle from Paro to
- Dzongdrakha dirt road ascending approximately to 300 m.
- Total 12 Kms
- Total 1 hour 30 minutes
- Paved and Dirt Road
Enjoy the breathtaking view of the valley from Dzongdrakha and ride back to Paro through villages and orchards. In the evening, 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 or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 4. Paro - Chele La - Paro:
After early breakfast, cycle towards towards
- Chele la (pass) is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. The ride passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake
Distance: Uphill - 39 kms; Downhill – 39 Kms
Time: Uphill – 3.5 – 4 hrs; Downhill – 1.5 – 2 hrs.
Elevation at Chele la Pass – 3,988 m
Road: Uphill and Downhill
The roads wind up with curves and turns through beautiful conifer forest adorns with lichens and wild alpine flowers (in spring). On this route you will encounter with wild lives such as a common jungle fawls, Kalij, patriarch, blood pheasants and monal. On arrival at the pass enjoy hot picnic lunch with perfect setting of snow caped peaks in distance. Post lunch, you ride back to Paro.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 5. 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, pedal to
- 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.
Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 6. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. 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.