Bhutan Biking -
Bumthang & the Phobjikha Valley
 

 

Paro - Thimphu - Dachula - Punakha - Trongsa - Bumthang - Phobjikha - Chuzoma - Haa
14 Days

The ultimate in Bhutan biking and the best way to experience this remote Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom, join us for our wonderful  journey though magical eastern Bhutan by mountain bike. We start in the quiet and green capital of Bhutan, Paro, and make our way through idyllic countryside roads east to Punaka and the Phobjikha valley, home of the black-necked cranes. Journeying further west, we reach the heartland of Bhutan, the Bumthang valley, full of ancient monasteries, palaces and fortresses. We'll also have a day in the remote and mountainous Haa valley, one of the most pleasant biking regions of Bhutan.

We'll have plenty of time in Paro, Thimpu and Bhutan's other large towns to explore the monasteries, fortresses and visit the museums and restaurants.

Join us!

ITINERARY

Day 1  - Arrive Paro

Day 2 - Bike to Thimpu

Day 3 - Bike to Tango Cheri

Day 4 - Bike to Punakha

Day 5 - Bike to Trongsa

Day 6 - Bike to Jakar

Day 7 - Jakar Explore

Day 8 - Bike to Tang Ugyencholing
(Bumthang Valley)

Day 9 - Bike to Trongsa

Day 10 - Bike Phobjikha Valley

Day 11 - Pabjikha Explore. Bike to Chuzomsa

Day 12 - Bike to Paro (over the Dochula Pass)

Day 13 - Bike to Haa

Day 14 - Depart

 

Bhutan
Shrouded for centuries in the misty serenity of the great Himalayas, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, or Bhutan, as now known to the rest of the world, developed its own distinct civilization. This deeply spiritual land is home to a unique identity, derived essentially from a fertile religious and cultural heritage. Bhutan brims with myth and legend. As a befitting testimony, a great Buddhist heritage of over 2000 monasteries and 10,000 monuments dot its peaceful open space and regal mountains. An ambience of near sacred tranquility permeates the land, fostering an environment of spiritual affluence that has shaped the foundation of that rarity that we know as Bhutanese life.

The Bhutanese have deliberately and zealously safeguarded and preserved their rich culture and traditions, its ancient way of life, in all its aspects. And it is perhaps one of the world’s last strongholds of unspoiled wilderness. It is a part of the earth that represents a fabled realm. Bhutan is a land where the past and the contemporary co-exist in harmony, a recipe that makes a journey undeniably amazing. A trip through Bhutan, in many ways, is still a journey into the past. In this small tract of land, one of the most rugged terrains in the world frames one of the world’s richest vegetations. It is a land of about 700,000 people who believe that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. Bhutan is a country with a different face. And a different story to tell.

Apart from trekking along the northern frontier, you will be also visiting the main western towns of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. Western Bhutan is comparatively more developed than the rest of the country. Thimphu, the capital, has all the important government offices, including the King’s Secretariat. Paro has the only airport and Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan

Day 1 - Arrive Paro 2250m
Upon your arrival, drive to the hotel. After lunch explore the charming capital city of Paro, visiting the many small shops that sell everything from beetle-nut to exquisite traditional fabric. Evening you will get the chance to watch the locals playing the traditional game, archery. Evening tea in a local restaurant. Dinner at hotel. Overnight: Gangtey Palace

Day 2 - Bike to Thimphu 2380m
The route has no major climb or drop. It follows the wide Paro river valley and Sightseeing in the afternoon then the narrow Thimphu river valley until Thimphu. (Distance - 53 km)

Day 3 - Bike to Tango Cheri 2380m
We have a lovely morning ride through the countryside todahy. The route takes you north up the valley passing through farm houses and crop fields. The route ends at the end of the valley at 2600m. Afternoon free. (Distance - 14 km)

Day 4 - Bike to Punakha (over the Dochula pass)
After the top of the pass the route drops through the open view forest. The route continues to drop for 42 Km until the junction of Punakha – Wangdi road at 1550m. The route continues further for 6 Km to the saddle of Olakha and then to the hotel further 850m climb uphill. Visit the Punakha Dzong in the evening. (Distance - 70 km)

Day 5 - Bike to Trongsa
Today’s route will take you to 3420m over Pelela pass. The route is challenging. It will take you down to the road from the hotel and a gentle climb to the Punahka – Wangdi Junction for 6.8 Km. The route follows east until the dip on the bridge at 1200m. This is your lowest point. Cross the bridge, bike through small Wangdi town and continue for another 61 Km to the Pass at 3360m (your highest point). The route opens with open high alpine grass fields and drops to the river gorge at 2610m after 24 Km. The route drops further to 2430m at a white washed Stupa at Chendibji. The route continues 41 Km to Trongsa at 2180m. (Distance - 135 km)

Day 6 - Bike to Jakar
The route starts climbing immediately with switch backs to the top of the pass at Yotungla (3425m) after 28 Km. This is the highest point on your trip. For rest 24 Km the trail drops and passes through the open wide valley passing through villages and a weaving centre. The route then for a short while climbs a crest at 2860m and then drops gently for 10 km to the wide open valley of Jakar. (Distance - 69 km)

Day 7 - Explore  Jakar by Bike
Bike around the wide valley of Jakar a perfect valley for getting into the countryside on our mountain bikes.

Day 8 - Bike to Tang Ugyencholing (Bumthang Valley)
Bike for 10 Km and then go offroad on the unpaved road that stretches for more than 20 Km to the sheep rearing farm. The route here is stony, rough and it consist of the most remote part of Bumthang valley.

Day 9 - Bike to Trongsa
Bike back to Trongsa on our bikes ...

Day 10 - Bike to Phobjikha Valley
The route is challenging. It will take you down to the road from the hotel and a gentle climb to the Punahka – Wangdi Junction for 6.8 Km. The route follows east until the dip on the bridge at 1200m. This is your lowest point. Cross the bridge, bike through small Wangdi town and continue for another 61 Km to the Pass at 3360m (your highest point). The gravel road then drops to the Phobjikha valley for another 3 Km to 2700m. (Distance - 76 km)

Day 11 - Explore Phobjikha. Bike to Chuzomsa 1350m
We have the morning to explore Phokjika on our bikes. After lunch, we'll retrace the route back until Chuzomsa where you meet the river in a narrow valley. (Distance - 56 km)

Day 12 - Bike to Paro over the Dochula Pass
Retrace the ride back passing through wangdi town after 8 Km. It is further 47 km up to the Dochula pass at 3100m. The route drops 17km to Simtokha at 2250m and follow the route all along the river to Paro 2250m for another 48 Km. (Distance - 120 km)

Day 13 - Day excursion to Haa Valley
Today’s route is one of the most challenging climb, over one of the highest pass of Bhutan, Chelela pass 3,850m. making this the most spectacular climb in the country directly overlooking the highest mountain peak of Bhutan, Mt. Jumolhari 7,230m. After the pass follow the steep descend down to the valley of Haa. Picnic lunch and afternoon back to Paro.

Day 14 - Departure
Morning transfer to airport (15 mins) for your departure flight out of Paro ...