Adventurous Mountain Biking & Trek in Bhutan

You will need to check-in 2 hrs before departure. On arrival in Paro, you will be met by your guide and driver and taken along the national ‘highway’ to the capital of Thimphu, stopping off at Thamchu Lhakhang on the way. The view over Thimphu from the big Buddha statue helps us get our bearings before heading into Thimphu town. Later this afternoon head up to Mothitang to see Bhutan’s national animal, the rare and elusive Takin, and other sites as per availability of time. Or Check your Bike. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.

Today we will drive to Gangtey or Phobjikha valley, which is a beautiful glacial valley at about 3000m. Upon reaching Dochula you may make an on-road ride downhill till Chuzom in Wangdue. From Chuzom catch your bus and drive to Gangtey. Upon reaching spend the day in the valley, riding your bikes to explore many small quaint villages located on the slopes of hillsides. Sometimes you have to dismount and walk or carry bikes. Visit the ancient Gangtey Monastery located on the hillock, then return to the valley by riding the bike along the Nature trail that cuts across the valley into Black Neck Crane Info Centre. You may also be able to visit a local school. (If your travel period falls between late October till early March, then you can also watch large flocks of endangered Black Necked Crane, highly revered birds that migrate from Central Asia). Overnight in Hotel in Gangtey.

After your breakfast in one of the hotels in Phobjika/Gangtey (2900 m), you still have time to explore the beautiful valley of Phobjika. This U-shaped glacial valley is at an average altitude of 3000m and is designated as a conservation zone within the Jigme Singye National Park, a natural habitat for wildlife. It is the winter nesting grounds for rare and endangered Black-necked cranes who migrate in large numbers from the Tibetan plateau (they arrive around late October and stay until March). In the Black-necked Crane Information center, you can learn about these beautiful birds. The ancient Gangtey Monastery, located on a ridge overlooking the valley, is also worth a visit. From the monastery, you can start the Gangtey nature trail (around 2 hours walk ). Your biking adventure starts. To warm up it is advisable to take a short ride on the relatively flat roads on the valley floor. We start biking down from Gangtey Gompa to the Information Center, combining nice valley views as well as charming village life. About 1 kilometer after the Information Centre, take a turn to the right and the road starts to climb to the first pass: Tsele La (3430m). It is a steady climb, about 8 km long, to the pass. Because of the altitude, it is advisable to go very slowly in the beginning and find your steady pace. Don’t forget to look back into the valley for views over beautiful Phobjikha. Once you see the prayer flags at the pass you will have climbed up to 3430m above sea level. After the pass, it is a nice descent to Gogona Village (3200 m). The village is spread out over a few meadows and most people here are still making a living through farming activities. Here you will camp on one of the beautiful meadows. In the afternoon the guide will take you to the village and possibly you can meet some villagers and witness their lifestyle. Overnight in deluxe tent.

After about 1,5 km from the village, take a right turn to start climbing to the second pass of the route: Shobe La (3475m). This climb is slightly shorter than the one you did yesterday but it will still take some of your energy to reach the pass. From the pass, there is a long and beautiful descent through a magical forest. You will pass through a rhododendron forest with lots of mosses hanging from the tree branches. Lower you will pass through pine forest with fern undergrowth. Some sections of the trail include bridges made from wood logs, and some muddy and wet parts of the road have wood logs also. Eventually, you will enter Khothokha Village at 2650 m elevation. Just outside the village, there is a newly built monastic school. Over 100 monks study here at it is definitely worthwhile visiting. Overnight in Deluxe tent.

After Khotokha village, the road starts climbing again, but less steep and less long than the two ascents on the previous days. The road you follow today may see a few Jeeps/tractors or motorbikes than the first part, but you can still bike here for an hour and not see a single car. From the Tashi La (2820 m), the final descent of this bike tour starts: endless switchbacks will bring you down to warmer elevation, down to the main east-west highway at 1400 m. The road is more sandy than previous days but also can have more mud. When you reach the bottom of the valley and the main road, you can proceed by car or continue biking until Wangdue Prodang (14 km). Upon arrival Visit Punakha Dzong– arguably the most beautiful Dzong in the country at the confluence of Mo and Po Chhu river. This Dzong was once Bhutan’s winter capital, the tradition that is still followed by the head monk and the monks of the central monastic body. Overnight in Hotel in Punakha

After breakfast drives Sobsakha and hikes visit Chimi Lhakhang temple dedicated to 15-century saint Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as ‘the divine madman, a folk hero and a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, stories and legends have been spun. Upon reaching Dochula pass if it is clear spend some time at the pass taking in the fantastic views before stopping in Thimphu. Later drive to Paro for an overnight stay. If Time permits visit the township to buy anything for your trekking. Overnight in Hotel in Paro.

From your hotel in Paro, transfer to the trailhead above the Ta Dzong museum and begin trekking. Camp at 3570m. Since there is new road construction reaching near Jili Dzong you can either opt to take a car till the road point or start hiking a little above Ta Dzong. The hike will continue till Jili Dzong, a quiet small monastery perched on the hilltop overlooking Paro valleys. Lunch at the monastery and start hiking till your campsite through the temperate vegetation and Rhododendrons trees. Overnight in Deluxe tent.

Visit Jele Dzong and trek to Jigmelangtsho camp near the lake at 3870m. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and beautiful dwarf rhododendron trees. Now you are on the tree line and one step up is above treeline with small shrubs, some exotic Himalayan flowers like primulas, and different species of Rhododendron flowers. Cross your lunch spot at Jangchulakha, you will continue to hike another 2 hours to react to the beautiful campsite by the huge mountain lake called Jigme Langsto. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized trout and if you wish, you may fish a trout or two for dinner and of course with prior permission and approval from the concerned agencies. One the way and around the campsite you may see yaks and yak herders. Overnight in Deluxe tent.

Climb up gradually up to 4150m and descend to Simkota, which takes 7-8hrs. Then gradually trek uphill and climb to Laban La pass at 4210m, after which the trail makes a long and steep descent past Thujidrag to Phajoding. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder’s camps and may take some time to acquaint yourself with the life of the Nomad people. On a clear day, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan (and the highest unclimbed in the world) and other Himalayan peaks. The campsite is near the hermitages and monasteries at 3700m. Overnight in deluxe Tent.

After visiting the temples and monasteries in Phajoding, walk downhill for about 5km/2-3hr to Motithang (2540m). This is the last day of the trek. Watching the sunrise from Phajoding is a treat in itself. The walk downhill to Thimphu valley, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours through blue pine and rhododendron. The sun rises at the campsite from Phajoding is spectacular. You can see Thimphu city down the valley and the sun timidly showing off as it rises from the surrounding mountain behind. Meet and transfer to your hotel or city center. Upon arrival in Thimphu, you can explore some sites including a visit to the Memorial Chorten, which is so important to Thimphu’s inhabitants, and the Folk Heritage Museum which will give you an insight into how many rural Bhutanese live. Buddha Statue Later visits the weekend market. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.

One of the most sacred pilgrimages in the Himalayas, this hike is quite tough – but most abilities will be able to cope with it if it is taken at a steady pace. Although those accustomed to the altitude might take 2 hours to climb to the temple, we allow the full day for the excursion and stop regularly, including: for coffee on the way up, and lunch on the return leg. Today we will be riding a pony to a cafe (cost is included in the package) and if you prefer to stop at the cafe or viewpoint a little higher up, that is fine. Walking through oak, rhododendrons, and trees draped in lichen, is a rewarding and photogenic hike. If there is time Upon arrival back to Paro we’ll cover a visit to some of Paro’s prominent attractions such as Kichu and Dumtshe Lhakhang (Temples). Evening Farewell dinner. Overnight in Hotel.

Guide and driver will escort to Airport for onward departure.