Pedaling in the Himalayas
If anyone’s up for some adventurous ride passing along green forests, hills, creeks, villages and monasteries then cycling tour in Bhutan certainly is the perfect choice. Mountain biking is a relatively new sport gaining popularity since the government opened up the country for tourism. It’s like taking a breath of fresh air when biking in Bhutan. If you have ever dreamed of a pleasant ride through the lush green forests, over the rolling hills, along creeks and pristine villages and ancient monasteries, Bhutan, also known as ‘the Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is the place to be in. The cycling trip is a once in a lifetime experience collecting moments riding around Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. Interminable climbs and descents on winding mountain roads of variable quality render motor power travel slow and clumsy.
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.
Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue is located in the same valley. These two places are located within a distance of 13 km. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 - The valley is fed by the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers - It is one of very few places in Bhutan which offers Rafting facilities - It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body at present.
- A chance to explore one of the least visited of the Himalayan countries on pedal.
- Meet Bhutan’s colorful people on bike
- Picnic lunch
- Sightseeing and Riding excursion around Punakha
- Ride to old Monasteries and majestic fortresses
- Ride 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 hrs - 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. A traditional cultural show in the evening.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:
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 to the hotel by evening. You shall have the opportunity to enjoy adventure, nature, culture and the way of life in Bhutan.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu - Punakha:
Distance: 78 km. Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 m
After breakfast, cycle to
- 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
Distance: 22 kms
Time: 1 hour – 1 hour 30 mins
Elevation at Dochula: 3300 meters
Road: - blacktopped and smooth,
- in some places road maintenance and widening are going on,
- uphill and winding road along the slopes of the Himalayan ranges
The road widening work is going on and you shall be riding unpaved road in most places. It is a 22 km ride till Dochula pass with an ascent of 700 m. The ride through the winding roads shall first give you a good view of the Simtokha Dzong and shall climb through pine forest and apple orchards till you reach the Hongtsho village, where there is an immigration check post.
After a short stop cycle downhill to
- Punakha Valley for about 50 kms.
- Distance: 56 kms
- Time: Around 4-5 hrs
- Road: blacktopped and smooth,
- in some places road maintenance and widening are going on,
- downhill and winding road along the slopes of the Himalayan ranges.
On reaching Punakha, check in into your Hotel. After lunch, 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.
In the evening, explore the Punakha/Wangdue valley and town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 4. Punakha/Wangdue valley (Cycling):
Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 m
The whole day is kept for you to cover the Punakha Valley. Ride across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan covering villages and also towards Tashithang in the north of Punakha which passes through lush forests, famous for rhododendron trees, birds and wild orchids. Lunch would be provided at a local restaurant. In the evening relax in the hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 5. Punakha - Paro:
Distance: 135 kms, Driving time: 4 hrs - 5 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m.
After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way, cycle in the 14 km trail of
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden, is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of Rhododendrons.
After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Post lunch, 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.
Evening is free for leisure activities such as Archery experience, National Dress wearing experience and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 6. Paro: Ride to Chele La:
Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m.
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. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 7. 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, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
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 8. 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.