Cycling through the mountains and meadows among the Himalayan range, The tour is nothing but rejuvenating and energizing.
This tour covers the capital, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and also does a loop of the much visited Chelela Pass
Altitude: 2200 meters
Roads: Winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes
Paro is the most breath-taking valley ever found on Earth. Upon landing on Paro International Airport, you will be mesmerized to be greeted by clean, serene and cool fresh air with the view of luscious green environment. After immigration formalities and luggage collection, our representative will be met and drive you towards your designated hotel.
After freshening up, you will be guided to explore the Paro town and beautiful valley. Alongside you will also be able to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the important Himalayan Buddhist temple on the way towards Paro Taktsang.
Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Distance: 50.8 Kilometres
Roads: Winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes
ETA: 2.5 to 3 hours
After nutritious breakfast, you will start your full day biking to the capital city stopping at places for photography and admiring wonderful sceneries. On the way you will be visiting Tamchog Lhakhang, built in the 13th century by Iron bridge builder, Thangthong Gyalpo. It is located on the hill top across the Paro River (Pa Chhu) where you be crossing the ancient iron bridge to reach it.
Resuming the journey, you will cross the Chuzom and ride along the side of Thimphu River (Wang Chhu). You will be cycling between the widening valley of Namseling from which greenbelts of Thimphu begin to appear and soon have a glance of primely built Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan.
Continuing the adventure through streets of Thimphu main town you will be steered to your hotel. After lunch enjoy the remaining day at leisure.
Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Altitude: 2334 meters
Roads/ Slopes: Uphill and downhill, winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes with ample of vehicles on the road.
After breakfast ride on bicycle to the National Memorial Chorten (Stupa), built in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan. Visit the Art School and Changangkha Lhakhang (a temple built in 12th century by a Tibetan saint).
After rejuvenating with delicious lunch, you proceed biking uphill to visit the National Takin Reserve Centre to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and Trashichhodzong (fortress of glorious religion). Trashichhodzong in its current form was completed in 1968 and it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. It is also a centre of monastic body and houses main secretariat building. The majestic Dzong located along the Wang chu (Thimphu River) has a Tendrel Thang which is the venue for Thimphu Dromchoe and Thimphu Tshechu, the annual Thimphu Festival where thousands of people fill the courtyard to witness the mask dances, traditional dances, and many more.
Cycling downhill, you will visit Semtokha Dzong, five miles from main Thimphu town, the Dzong is considered to be the first ever built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629, therefore the oldest fortress in Bhutan. Located on a ridge overlooking the entire valley, the Dzong houses a chapel for protective deities Yeshe Goenpo (Mahakala) and Palden Lhamo of Bhutan.
Roads/Slopes: Uphill, downhill winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes with ample of vehicles on the road.
ETA: 4 hours
The joyous ride to Punakha begins from Thimphu after breakfast. You will be resting for a while at Dochula pass 3100 meters above sea level. Dochula pass is one of the famous landmarks in Bhutan from which one can sight the Himalayan Range of Bhutan on clear winter days. The place is adorned with Druk Wangyel Chorten, 108 stupas built to honour the 4th king of Bhutan and bring peace to the region. The stupas were built under the patronage of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
Cruising downhill to Punakha Valley (1242m).
Punakha valley served as the capital of Bhutan till 1955 until it was shifted to Thimphu. The Punakha Dzong is still the winter seat of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) of the monastic body as the place has a temperate climate with Phochu and Mochu Rivers flowing through the fertile fields of the valley.
Visit Punakha Dzong.
Punakha Dzong or Pungthang Dewa Chenpai Phodrang, the palace of bliss was built in 1937 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The second oldest Dzong is religiously and architecturally significant to Bhutanese as it houses several sacred relics, scriptures, statues and is the place where the first king of Bhutan was crowned in 1907. Punakha Dzong is also famous for Punakha Drupchen where the 17th-century battle scene with Tibetan invaders are recreated and is followed by Punakha Tshechu where grand Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche is unfurled with costumed mask dances and rituals.
Then you will be led towards your hotel for meal and resting.
Overnight at Punakha.
Altitude: 1242 meters
Roads /Slopes: Winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes with ample of vehicles on the road.
Right after breakfast, you will ride on bicycle and visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten.
The eminent Monastery which is also referred as Punakha Zangdopelri was built with the sponsorship of her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck under the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Lam Sonam Zangpo to bring peace in the world. The short hike up to the Lhakhang along the paddy fields is one of the most scenic short hikes one can take and the view from the top of the Lhakhang is often described as picturesque, breath-taking and enriching by the visitors.
Visit to the new Temple and nunnery of Sangacholing on way to Talo Village.
Photography: Anytime.
Overnight at Hotel at Punakha.
Altitude: Uphill, downhill winding roads but black topped, smooth and gentle slopes with ample of vehicles on the road.
Starting from the energetic first meal of the day, you will be riding bicycle from Punakha towards Chimmi Lhakhang, the temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley (The Devine Mad Man). Chimmi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by Lam Ngawang Chogyel on the spot where Lama Drukpa Kuenley subdued a demon who was fleeing away in form of a dog and buried the demon naming the spot as khe mae (no dog now). Hence the temple was named Temple of no dog (Chimmi Lhakhang).
Riding uphill we will stop for lunch at Dochula Pass or Thimphu Town depending on time taken and conveniences.
Overnight at Hotel at Thimphu.
After early breakfast, cycle towards Paro then progress uphill 35 kilometres for Chelela pass at 3988 meters above sea level for a marvellous bird eye view from mountain top. Then cycle back to Paro, for about an hour riding downhill.
Overnight at Hotel at Paro.
Have a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Then our representative will be driving you to the airport for the flight to your next exciting destination.
Tashi Delek
daily tariff:USD 250 Per person per night
surcharges:
Solo Traveller: USD 40 per night
Dual Traveller: USD 30 per person per night
Three travellers and above: surcharges not applicable
Visa fees: One time payment of USD 40 per person.
daily tariff:USD 200 Per person per night
surcharges:
Solo Traveller: USD 40 per night
Dual Traveller: USD 30 per person per night
Three travellers and above: surcharges not applicable
Visa fees: One time payment of USD 40 per person.
A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).
All meals
A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
All internal transport (excluding internal flights)
Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
