Bhutan Biking -
The Great Journey Across Bhutan 

Paro - Thimpu - Dochula - Punakha -Trongsa - Jakar - Bumthang  - Mongar - Ranjung - Haa
16 Days

The ultimate in Bhutan biking, this epic  journey across  Bhutan is a wonderful way to experience this exotic, magical Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom, shrouded in myth and legend ...

And the biking is fantastic, some of the most scenic and traffic-free in all of Asia. We've built in several extra days to explore the traditional villages and remote valleys of Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon ...

We'll also 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!

Outline Itinerary

Day 1  - Thursday, 24 Feb 2011 - Arrive Paro

Day 2 - Bike to Haa (return Paro)

Day 3 - Bike to Thimpu

Day 4 - Bike to Punakha

Day 5 - Bike Punakha Valley

Day 6 - Bike to Phobjikha

Day 7 - Bike Phobjikha Valley

Day 8 - Bike to Trongsa

Day 9 - Bike to Jakar (Bumthang)

Day 10 - Bike to Tang O'chholing
(Bumthang Valley)

Day 11 - Bike to Mongar (part by jeep)

Day 12 - Explore Mongar

Day 13 - Bike to Ranjung/Trashigong Dzong

Day 14 - Explore Ranjung on fiddle road

Day 15 - Bike to Samdrupjongkhar (part by jeep)

Day 16 - Friday, 11 March - Depart (Transfer to Guwhati Airport)

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 in Paro at 11:50 AM, transfer to the hotel. After lunch fix the bike and go for a test bike ride to explore Paro town. We'll have time to see the charming capital city of Paro, visiting the many small shops that sell everything from beetle-nut to exquisite traditional fabric. In the evening you will get the chance to watch the locals playing the traditional game, archery.Dinner at hotel. Overnight: Gangtey Palace.

Day 2 - 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. (Distance - 114 km)

Day 3 - Bike to Thimphu 2380m
The route has no major climb or drop. We follow the wide Paro river valley until we reac the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers. Continuing to bike along the more narrow Thimpu valley, we soon reach the busy town of Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. We'll probalby have time for some sightseeing in the afternoon. (Distance - 54 km)

Day 4 -  Bike to Punakha (over the Dochula pass) 1350m
Today's scenic route follows old roadway for 7 km, cycling at 2250m, and then climbs gradually for another 17 km to the top of the Doclula pass at 3100m. After the top of the pass the route drops through an open forest and continues to drop for another 42 km until the junction of the Punakha – Wangdi road. The route continues further for 5 km to the saddle of Olakha and then to the hotel, a further 850 meter climb uphill. We'll visit the Punakha Dzong in the evening. (Distance - 71 km)

Day 5 - Explore Punakha (on bike)
We've scheduled a free day to explore this wonderful region on our bikes. Options are to cross the bridge in Punakha town (1250m) to the other side of the river and bike all along the farm roads along the beautiful Punakha river.

Day 6 - Bike to Phobjikha Valley 2900m
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 7 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 just before reaching Pelela Pass at 3360m take a detour for Phobjikha valley. The gravel road then drops to the Phobjikha valley for another 8 km. (Distance - 83 km)

Day 7 - Explore Phobjikha Valley (on bike)
The wide and forested Phobjikha valley is a paradise for bikers with its many dirt road running through the valley, all with a complete absence of traffic. We'll spend the day exploring it!

Day 8 - Bike to Trongsa 2180m
Today's journey starts with climbs over the Phobjikha and Pelela Passes, the later at a height of 3420m. After cresting the pass, the route opens up as we bike through high alpine grass fields, and then drops to the river gorge at 2610m after 22 km of biking. The road continues to descend to a white-washed Stupa at Chendibji, which sits at 2430 meters, almost a thousand meters below the pass. We bike another 39 km to Trongsa where we head to the hotel for the night. (Distance - 69 km)

Day 9 - Bike to Jakar 2860m
We'll have to work this morning as the road starts climbing immediately, switch-backing to the top of the Yotungla Pass (3425m), 28 km morning's ride. We descend for 24 km and ride through a lovely, open valley which passed through several Butanese villages and an interesting weaving centre. The road then ascends to a crest at 2860m and then drops gently for 16 km to the beautiful, wide valley of Jakar. (Distance 68 km)

Day 10 - Bike to Tang O’Chholing (day ride)
We've got a fantastic ride scheduled for today, the first 10 km on paved road but continuing along 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. Visit the remote museum of O’Chholing and back to Jakar in the evening.

Day 11 - Bike to Mongar
Today’s route is one of the most challenging and one of the longest route of your trip, over the highest pass of Bhutan, the Thrumshingla Pass 3980m. After cresting the pass, we have a wonderfu, continuous descend until we reach the warm valley of Limithang. After crossing the bridge, we climb until reaching the town of Mongar. (Distance - 95km + 98 km, part by jeep)

Day 12 - Explore Mongar (by bike)
A free day to get out on the bikes and explore the countryside around Mongar, perhaps visiting a Bhutanese home, a great day.

Day 13 - Bike to Ranjung 1700m
The day begins with a sudden climb to the Kikila Pass followed by a long descent with beautiful view of traditional Bhutanese villages which are spread around the surrounding hillsides. We descend and follow the river until the bridge and start the steep climb to Trashigang Dzong. After passing the dzong, the riding becomes easy until we reach Ranjung. (Distance - 107km)

Day 14 - Explore Rajung (on fiddle road)
After biking all the way from the West to the East end of Bhutan, we've scheduled a much deserved day to relax and do a bit of cultural touring, and to go for a short bike ride on the 'fiddle roads' which surround Rajung.

Day 15 - Bike to Samdrupjongkhar 150m
Having reached the west of Bhutan, we now head down south tot he border of India. This is another day that we'll have to break-up to avoid camping en route, so we'll do part of the day by jeep. The journey starts with an uphill ride until above Kanglung College with a wonderfully long downhill ride following. We continue to descend, and descend, noticing the changing vegetation as we near the last town in Bhutan before the border of India, Samdrupjongkhar at 150m. (Distance - 81 km + 150 km, part by jeep)

Day 16 - Depart
Morning transfer to Guwhati airport (3 Hrs), Assam, India for your departure flight.

 

Namaste & Tashi Delek!