Himalayan Bike Riding
Note: (This is just a sketch itinerary)
Tour Route: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
5Days / 4Nights
Day 1: PARO ARRIVAL
Total Distance 65 kilometers/44miles;
Arrival at Paro: You will arrive at Paro Internatinal Airport via a Druk Air flight. Upon clearing immigration and customs you will be greeting with a traditional scarf welcome by one representative, from where we will visit the national museum by car.
We begin our biking expedition from Paro town and head towards Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is situated at the altitude of approximately 2370 meters. The bike ride will start from the winding road of Paro, following the Paro river to the confluence where it joins with the Thimphu river. Today we will be experiencing cycling on one of the quietest and wider roads of Western Bhutan. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu and a short brief will be provided for the next place of visit by your guide.
Overnight at Thimphu, Khang residency, Dorji elements or similar
Day 2: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING AND BICYCLE RIDE
20mins ride uphill to Buddha point; a 165ft tall statue of Buddha has recently been built for world peace. Next stop at the Takin preserve centre; Sangaygang tower; Drubthob nunnery; Dechenphodrang and finally to Jungshi hand-made paper factory approximately for about 2hrs or more. Our transport will pick us up from the paper factory.
Overnight at Thimphu, Khang residency, Dorji elements or similar
Day 3: RIDE TO PUNAKHA
(Total distance: 76 kilometers/51miles, 4 ½ hrs; 20 kilometers uphill and 56 kilometers downhill)
After breakfast we will take on the toughest challenge of the tour. The climb up the west side of the mountain takes us from an elevation of 2370 meters to 3100 meters at Dochu La pass. On a clear day, Mt. GangkharPhunsum (7239m/23165ft) in the Himalayan range can be seen towards the North East. At the pass are 108 monumental chortens and the hillsides are covered in fluttering prayer flags. Lunch is served at the Cafeteria near the pass. After lunch, we will have a very easy trip descending down into the sub-tropical valley of Punakha, the winter capital of Bhutan. Be sure to check your brakes before making the descent as we will be losing about 1800 meters of elevation during the 37km down-hill trip. Upon reaching Punakha we will visit the Punakha Dzong which is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan situated at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.
Overnight at Punakha, Drubchhu resort, Meri phuensum resort or similar
Day 4: PUNAKHA – PARO (4 HOURS DRIVE)
Early morning ride on an unpaved road to the temple of fertility before driving back to Paro in the evening.
Overnight at Paro, Hotel Drukchen, Ravens nest resort or similar
Day 5: DEPART
Black-Mountain Ride
10Nights/11Days
Toue route: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha/Wangdue, Trongsa. Kuenga Rabten, Bumthang and Ura
Day 1: ARRIVE AT PARO
Transfer to your Hotel, You will be briefed by your guide about traffic rules prior to the ride. Gear yourself up for bike ride to the ruins of Drugyal dzong and depending on the availability of time one may visit Kyichu on the way.
Overnight at Paro, Hotel drukchen, Ravens nest Resort (or) similar