Mountain Biking Tour in Bhutan (Cycling)

Your tour guide and driver will be waiting for you when you arrive in Paro and will transport you to your hotel in Paro. Time permitting, we will tour several sites in the afternoon, possibly the National Museum, displace artifact collection of various pre and modern, and Paro Rimpung Dzong, the jewels on heaps of hills. If time permits check with your equipment of your bike.
Overnight in Paro

To kickstart the day, we'll embark on a practice ride in the captivating Paro valley, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the terrain and test your bike and equipment before our upcoming adventures. Today's itinerary includes visits to the historic ruins of Drugyal Dzong, the revered Kichu Temple, and the culturally significant Dungtse Lhakhang on bike. After an eventful day, we'll spend the night in Paro, ensuring you have a comfortable and restful overnight stay.

We will start today with a hike to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest. This hike is one of the highlights of any trip to Bhutan. This breathtaking monastery is perched tentatively on the cliffs overlooking Paro valley. The site gets its name "Tiger's Nest" as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress. It is approximately a 2 to 2.5-hour hike (one way), but so worth the journey. If you do not feel you can make the whole walk, we can arrange a horse ride for you to the cafeteria (about ½ way up). In the afternoon we will depart for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The 55km drive traverses through rice fields, pine forests, and wayside mountain villages. We will be making stops at regular intervals for rest and simply to enjoy the pristine mountain scenery. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.

Today's adventure takes us on a cycling expedition around the enchanting city of Thimphu, where we'll have the opportunity to explore and immerse ourselves in its rich cultural offerings. Our tour will encompass several remarkable sights that showcase the unique heritage of Bhutan such as sacred Changangkha Temple, a revered place of worship perched on a hilltop. The Takin Sanctuary, a natural habitat for Bhutan's national animal, the takin. Continuing our exploration, we'll visit the Zilukha Nunnery, a peaceful haven where Buddhist nuns dedicate their lives to spiritual practice and the Giant Buddha statue. Capture breathtaking views of Thimphu from this vantage point, allowing the serene surroundings to inspire and captivate you.

Today will be our first conquest of the true Bhutanese mountains. We will cycle a scenic 22 km ascent to the Dochula Pass (3050m). This pass offers a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan ranges on clear days and we will stop to enjoy the view and a cup of tea. Once we leave the pass, we enjoy a 41 Km spiraling descent into the Punakha Valley, which is located at an elevation of 1350m. We will also take several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery. Before we reach Punakha, we will have the opportunity to cycle through a village to the Chimi Lhakang, a temple dedicated to the divine madam who is revered as the saint of fertility and Punakha Dzong. Everyone visiting Punakha should visit this temple and the associated village. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdi

The Punakha valley is about 1200 m above sea level (more than 1000m lower than Thimphu or Paro), and, therefore, has a semi-tropical climate. Today, after breakfast, we will hike about 45 minutes to Khamsum Chorten, located on a ridge-top with a great view of the valley. We will spend the rest of the morning biking to the villages located along with the Pho Chu River. In the afternoon, we will drive to the village of Limukha and, after our visit, you have the opportunity to cycle downhill on the road back towards town.

Today we will do a combination of driving and cycling. In the morning we will drive up the black mountains (JSW National Park), and cross the Lawala Pass to arrive in the Gangtey Phobjikha Valley. Once we reach the pass, we will cycle the rest of the way downhill. We will tour the ancient Gangtey Gompa monastery and bike downhill to see the black-necked cranes that make this valley their winter home. These endangered birds are special to Bhutanese and Himalayan Buddhist culture and migrate from the Tibetan plateau. We will spend the rest of the day biking around the valley and observing these special birds everywhere. Overnight in hotel in Gangtey

Today will be a long day cycling. We start the day with an 80km ride to Trongsa. The ride will begin with a climb to the Pele-la Pass (3300m) in the Black Mountain ranges. This pass is the traditional boundary between eastern and western Bhutan. Once we reach the pass, it is all downhill from there to Trongsa town. In the afternoon, you have the option to tour the Trongsa Dzong and Taa Dzong. We may also drive to Yotongla and bicycle down to Chumey – on the way we can visit the Yathra weaving center.

After breakfast, bicycle the entire Bumthang valley on a bike and visit the Jakar Dzong (The castle of white bird) built in 1667 and is the seat of district administration and regional monastic body of Bumthang. We will also visit the Jambay Temple, founded in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and it is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The Kurje Temple, where the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan subdued a local demon and left his body imprint. The Tamshing monastery was founded in 1501 by Terton (Treasure Revealer) Pema Lingpa, the incarnation of Guru Rinpoche. The monastery has some of the oldest murals in the country. In the afternoon you can leisurely explore the Chamkhar market, the main trading post of Bumthang. We will have dinner in a local farmhouse.

Today will conclude our cycling adventure in Bhutan. What better way to end a tour, than cycling to the hidden valley of Tang. We will stop briefly at the Member Tso (the burning lake) where the saint Pemalingpa retrieved sacred treasures from its murky depths. We will also be visiting the ancient Tak Rimochen temple (Tigerstripe temple) located below a cliff bearing the distinctive tiger stripes. In the afternoon we will embark on a short hike to the Ugyencholling manor museum which offers fascinating insights into the traditional aristocratic families of medieval Bhutan. This museum has one of the finest displays of articles, textiles, and items of daily use.

You'll embark on a convenient and swift domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro, providing you with an opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Bhutan Himalayas from above. Upon arrival in Paro, you'll have the afternoon to explore the charming town at your own pace. Paro offers a delightful blend of traditional Bhutanese architecture, bustling markets, and serene surroundings. Take a leisurely stroll through the town's winding streets before going to dinner.

This morning we will transport you to the airport and say our goodbyes. We will help you get checked in for your return journey.