Straining every muscle to gain the high mountain pass or sailing downhill with the wind in your face, this is bicycling in Bhutan.
One moment along the twists and turns of a deep ravine along narrow mountain trails and the next with the vista of the majestic Himalayan ranges stretching to the horizons before you, this is bicycling in Bhutan. A Bhutan bicycle tour is a reminder of the ups and downs of life itself. The thrill of bicycling in the panoramic terrain of Bhutan is an adventure that beckons to every cyclist looking for something out of the ordinary.
Depending on the choice of route, one can traverse long and winding roads passing through low foothills, the higher river valleys and the high Himalayas, the three zones that comprise the geographical variations of the country. The drama of magnificent scenes and sights unfolding with every turn of the wheel is something to fulfill a cyclist's dream.
The best time for making the most of cycling in Bhutan are the spring months of March, April and May. Autumn months of September, October and November are equally excellent times as well. The following itinerary is a basic tour. Custom itinerary can be provided. Cyclist will be led and followed by two vehicles carrying baggage and mineral water at all times.
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by our representative
and transferred to hotel. Afternoon: Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambunath (monkey temple). Stay overnight at hotel on B.B basis.
Day 2: Fly to Paro. Our Bhutanese guide will come to receive us. Then we take a one-and-a-half- hours drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan, through the beautiful Paro Valley / Hotel.
Day 3: First day sightseeing on bike. We bike to Tangu and Cheri monasteries, Tashichoe Dzong, which houses the office of the King Jigme Singe Wangchuk and the Jey-Kenpo (Chief Abbot). We also visit Dechencholing Palace. From Dechenphodrang, a Buddhist College, you can see the Royal Palace of the present king. We visit the Memorial Chorten, which was built in the memory of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. We stop along the way for refreshments and after lunch we bike to the painting school and National Library. Evening back to Hotel.
Day 4: Leave Thimphu and bike to Dochula, 22km from Thimphu, then on to the Punakha Valley where we will camp close to a river.
Day 5: Today we head off along dirt track to Wangdi, where we stop for lunch at the Wangdi Guest House. If time permits we will bike as far as Garzikha Zam then drive to Pelayla and back on our bikes for the descent into Chendbji Chorten. Here we camp at the confluence of two streams.
Day 6: We have the option of driving or cycling to Tongsa to visit the Ta Dzong. After lunch we drive on to Yotungla and then down into the Chumey Valley. From here we ascend to Kikela and another descent in to the Jakar Valley, the largest valley in Bhutan.
Day 7: Explore the Jakar Valley. First we stop on the way to Kujee Lhakhang to visit Jakar Lhakhang. From Kujee Lhakhang we head towards Tamshing Lhakhang via Jampay Lhakhang, one of the oldest Lhakhangs in the kingdom.
Day 8: We leave Jakar Valley to enter Tang Valley the ancestral home of the King of Bhutan. We have an option to camp near the Ugyencholing Palace or bike back to Jakar. We have time to visit the Membartsho (flaming lake).
Day 9: Drive to Nobding and bike uphill to the ridge and then have a screamer of a downhill through the beautiful glacial Phobjikha Valley. We visit the Gangtey Monastery, the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. Overnight in a lodge.
Day 10: We bike or drive as far as the ridge and bike to Wangdi. After lunch at the Wangdi Guest House we bike to Mendaygang where we stay overnight at Dechhen Cottage.
Day 11: Today we drive as far as Dochula from where there is the option of driving or continuing by bikes into Thimphu. In the afternoon we visit handicraft emporiums and other textile centres.
Day 12: We have a lovely 57km bike ride ahead of us today on pothole free tarmac roads. We stop for lunch at Sonam Trofel, the best restaurant in Paro town.
Day 13: We spend the whole day sightseeing, visiting the Kyichu Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan then bike to Drugyel Dzong built in 1647-49 to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan invaders. We go on to visit the National Museum and after 5pm we are able to visit the Ripgung Dzong.
Day 14: Today's biking is the most difficult. The road meanders uphill to Chalayla, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, at 3988m. We stop for lunch at Sonam Trofel then bike or drive back to Paro.
Day 15: Our last day in Bhutan. Today we hike up to Taksang (Tiger's lair), which clings to a cliff face 1,000m above the valley. Taksang is one of the most beautiful temples in Bhutan, built by the temporal ruler Tenzin Rabgye in 1684.
Day 16: Paro-Departure
Morning transfer to airport for departure to Kathmandu / transfer hotel.
Day 17: Departure Transfer to airport flight onward or additional tour in Nepal.
1. Royalty and taxes to the government
2. Accommodation on twin sharing basis
3. Transportation within Bhutan
4. Services of guide
5. Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
6. Tea and Snacks
7. All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
8. Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
9. Entrance fees to temple and monuments
10. Visa Fee and One time payment of US$ 10 each for Tourism Development Fund
11. Air Ticket - Kathmandu / Bangkok - Paro - Kathmandu/Bangkok
1. Personal Travel Insurance
2. Laundry bill
3. Phone call
4. Personal expenses
5. Drinks and beverages
The above rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. The rate can be higher depending upon the nature of services desired beyond the set of entitlements.
On the day of departure from Bhutan, our obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirement shall be payable on actual basis.
In order to secure Druk-Air tickets to and from Bhutan and good hotels, tour payment must be made 2 months prior to the date of arrival in Bhutan. Visa is cleared by the government only after the receipt of full tour payment. Without visa, Druk-Air will not issue tickets.
Once the tour reservation has been confirmed, Ghale Treks and Tours will provide advance payment options.
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