Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 1: Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, Collect your baggage and meet with your tour guide who will accompany you for the rest of your biking tour. The elevation of Paro is at 2250 Mts. and check in the hotel. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the weather, clothing and the route of biking. In the evening meet for dinner.
Overnight Hotel in Paro
Day 2: Paro — Thimphu (56 Kms: 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, handover all the baggage to the Tour guide and the drive. The van will drive slowly ahead of you till Paro town. The guide will instruct you the way to Drugyal Dzong, which is 16 Kms away and you can ride on your own. The van will follow you and on reaching Drugyal Dzong, visit the ruins of the fortress that played a very important role in defending the valley from Tibetan Invasion. The van will drive ahead of you and stop at Satsam Chorten to show you the view of the famous pilgrim spot Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) temple. Then the van will drive ahead of you and stop just before the town to divert the bikers to the National Museum. Visit the National Museum located on a promontory overlooking the valley. Visit the Paro Ringpung Dzong.
After Lunch, start biking to Thimphu “The Capital City of Bhutan”? passing through the confluence of Paro and Thimphu River. The road offers good view of many hamlets and terrace farming. The route follows the valley of Thimphu river through an arid landscape. The ride would take about three hours and on reaching Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 3: Thimphu — Thimphu
After breakfast, ride towards Tango and Cheri Monastery.
After Lunch, ride to Memorial Chorten built in Memory of the late king. Then ride up the valley to Taking Sactuary to see the Takin (national animal) and to the viewpoint of Thimphu to enjoy the view of Thimphu city. On the way, back to the town, visit the Zilukha Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum and Textile museum. In the evening, explore the Thimphu city on your own. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 4: Thimphu — Punakha (77 Kms: 4.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, the van will ride ahead till Simtokha (8 Kms away) and divert all the bikers to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3,050 Mts. Since there is no diversion in the road the van will follow. Stop for a tea break at the Dochula pass from where you can see the whole range of eastern Himalayas if the sky is clear. Then descend to Mitsena where the van will divert you to Punakha (1350 Mts.). Punakha is about 12 Kms from this place at the altitude of 1,250 Mts. so in about 3.1/2 hrs biking the total distance from Dochula to Punakha is about 1,800 Mts. In Punakha check in the hotel and if time permits, visit the newly established Khuruthang Town.
Overnight Hotel in Punakha. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 5: Punakha — Wangdue Phodrang (23 Kms: 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast ride to Punakha Dzong built in 17th Century and visit the Punakha Dzong. Ride further to Kabisa and get a view of the Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Supta and ride back to Hotel for lunch. After Lunch, ride to Wangdue and if you wish, hike to Chime Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the famous divine madman. Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Overnight Hotel in Wangdue Phodrang
Day 6: Wangdue — Gangtey (63 Kms: 4.5 hrs)
After Breakfast, biking to Gangtey gaining altitude of about 1,800 Mts. afternoon excursion to Phobjikha valley which is a designated conservation area and famous for black-nacked cranes. Overnight Hotel in Gangtey. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 7: Gangtey — Trongsa (61Kms: 6 hrs)
After Breakfast, proceed to Central Bhutanese town of Trongsa crossing Pelela pass (3300 Mts.) climb. The van will wait at Nobding and then follow the bikers in the descend till Chendebji 2,400 Mts. (27 Kms: 1.1/2 hrs). After a short rest at Chendebji, ride to Trongsa, 2200 Mts. (41 Kms: 2hrs). Overnight Hotel in Trongsa
Day 8: Tronga — Bumthang (68Kms: 4.5Hrs)
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong. Ride to Bumthang which is 68 Kms away. The road ascends all the way up to the Yutongla pass (3400 Mts.) and then descends till Chume Valley at an altitude of 2600 Mts. In Chumme, visit the Yatha weaving center and then the road again ascends to Kikila pass at an altitude of 2,740 Mts. Then the road descends till the Bumthang town. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang
Day 9: Bumthang Sightseeing and Ride
Today you can visit all the pilgrim places on bikes and have a leisurely biking in the beautiful valley of Bumthang valley. The van will drive ahead of all the bikers. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Kurjey and Jambay Lhakhang. For those who wants to bike on their own, they are free to do so or rest in the hotel and explore the town. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 10: Bumthang — Ura (61Kms: 4Hrs)
After Breakfast, ride to Ura (Camping site is about 60 Kms) 4hrs. Enroute cross 3,300 Mts. High Shertangla pass and then decend to Ura village situated at the altitude of 3,000 Mts. Later explore pleasant Ura Village. Overnight in Ura.
Day 11: Ura — Limithang (81Km: 6hrs)
Proceed to Limithang crossing 3,750 Mts high Thrunshingla pass, the highest point during this trip. From Thrunshingla it is all the way downhill (About 700 Mts) decent till the camp at Limithang. Overnight camp in Limithang. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 12: Limithang — Mongar (28Kms: 1.5Hrs)
It is one of the shortest trips. Ride about 1,400 Mts. Evening visit Mongar Dzong and local market. Overnight Hotel in Mongar. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 13: Mongar — Gom Kora (81Kms: 5.5 hrs)
After breakfast, proceed to Gom Kora. The Kori la pass Enroute is at 2,450 Mts. The road later descends rapidly till Sheri Chuu. Overnight in Gom Kora.
Day 14: Gom Kora — Trashi Yangtse (64Kms — 5.5hrs)
After breakfast, ride to Trashi Yangtse. The road reaches to Doksum after 2 Kms from Gom Kora, a village where two valleys meet. This place is also known for its weaving. Later arrive at Tashi Yangtse Dzong, situated at altitude of 1,850 Mts. Heading further northwards in the gorge for about 4 Kms, the rout leads to gigantic Chorten Kora, the stupa built in Nepalese style of architecture.
Overnight in Tashi Yangtse. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 15: Trashi Yangse — Trashigang (65Kms: 5 hrs)
After breakfast, biking to Trashigang. The trail is gradually up and down till 55Kms and later about 10kms upwards the Trashigang. Evening explore the town area, which is the biggest urban centre in Bhutan after Thimphu.
Overnight Hotel in Trashigang. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 16: Trashigang — Mongar (90 Kms: 3Hrs by Car)
After breakfast drive back to Mongar. Afternoon Mongar town sightseeing
Overnight Hotel in Mongar
Day 17: Mongar — Bumthang (197Kms: 7 Hrs by Car)
After Breakfast, drive back to Bumthang. Evening visit Yatha weaving centre and local market. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang. Bhutan Cross Country Mountain Biking 20 Days
Day 18: Bumthang — Thimphu (266 Kms: 8hrs by Car)
After breakfast, drive back to Thimphu Enroute visiting village house and mingling with local people. Lunch in Wnagdue Phodrang which is known for its Majestic Dzong and its bamboo products, slate and stone carving. After lunch continue drive back to Thimphu. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day 19: Thimphu — Paro (56Kms: 2Hrs by Car)
After breakfast, drive back to Paro. Excursion to remote beautiful Haa Valley
Overnight Hotel in Paro.
Day 20: Drive to Airport and board flight fro departure.
Wishing you safe journey and Thank you for visiting Bhutan with us