BHUTAN ON WHEELS

The flight to Paro from Kathmandu will always be an unforgettable memory with views of the World’s highest mountain and the spectacular ranges of the Mighty Himalayas. Upon descending to the fairy tale kingdom of Bhutan, you will be received and welcomed by a representative from Bhutan, who will then take you on a short sightseeing around Paro. The evening can be spent preparing for next day’s exploration of the Hidden Kingdom.

First day’s biking will begin from Paro with Thimphu as our first stop. Thimphu is a capital of Bhutan and is 65 kilometers of moderate ride. The road to Bhutan’s capital follows the valley of the Thimphu River through a mixture of rice fields and conifer forest. Thimphu, the only large settlement in Bhutan, is spread out across a wide valley. Upon reaching Thimphu, we will check into our hotel; the rest of the afternoon will be spent at leisure.

Our stay in Thimphu will be only a short one. After breakfast, we will tackle the 22 kilometer, 585 meters climb to the first pass, the Dochu La (1658 meters). As we begin our climb, we will leave the forest plantations around Thimphu, entering a magnificent temperate forest. A stop for lunch will be at Dochu la pass and it’s a place where we will be able to take a good relaxation even for a while viewing mountains and take fresh crispy air. This pass offers a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalaya, including all of the giant peaks (7,000 meter) of the Lunana region in northern Bhutan. The descent from the Dochu La into the Punakha Valley is memorable. On our descent, we will pass first through leafy temperate forests, and then through a semi-tropical zone. Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan and a winter home of the Monastic bodies.

Biking towards the Kamsum Yuelley, you will discover that there is like no place like this on earth. Located on ridge above Punakha valley at a distance of 3 kilometers, Khamsum Yuelley Monastery is built by the present Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the base. It is an hour’s hike from the base to the monastery. A picnic lunch will be served.

Today’s ride will be to Phobjika, a large glacial valley which also houses the rare Black Necked cranes that migrates from the harsh winters of the Tibetan plateau. The road is smooth for the first 10 kilometers, and then it begins its long ascent to the summits of the Black Mountains. This is will be the first big climb of the trip. The altitude gained will be almost 1463 meters of altitude over the next 40 kilometers, culminating at the junction with the side road into Gangtey, which crosses a few miles beyond Nobding.

We will load our bikes into the support vehicles for the short (304 meters of ascent) climb back to the pass, for the superb "off-road" descent back down to the main road. Heading eastwards once again, we will continue our climb for 14 kilometers to the Pele La (3218 meters). Some wild animals like Langurs could be spotted sometimes while on the journey. Mount Jomolhari rising in Western Bhutan can also be visible on the fine day. The Pele La pass is traditionally known as the boundary between Western and Central Bhutan. It is the second of our "five big passes". Lunch will be served at Chengdebji. After so much downhill riding, you should be sure to conserve energy for the final 300 meters climb into Tongsa village. Depending on the time we have in hand we will involve ourselves for a short sightseeing of the Dzong, which is situated on a spur over the Mangde Chu, with a commanding view in every direction.

The road climbs rapidly through a series of hairpin turns out of Tongsa, with great views back towards the dzong and out across the valley. After passing through cultivated fields, we will re-enter the forest. Approximately 129 kilometers out of Tongsa, we will reach the Yutong La (3316 meters). From that pass, we will descend to a low point of 2585 meters at a village called Chumey, where the scenery once again changes as we enter the wide-open Bumthang Valleys. After a short climb to Kiki La, we will round a bend and begin a great descent into Jakar, home of one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, founded by the Dorje Linpa in 1445. From almost 21 kilometers, we will begin catching glimpses of Jakar Dzong, high above the village.

This day, we will load all the bikes on the bus and journey to the capital, passing the same road.

Most of the morning will be spent on sightseeing and visiting places of interest within Thimphu. After lunch, we will proceed to Paro. Evening will be spent on leisure /shopping souvenirs for families.

Morning drive to the trail route of the famous Taktsang Lhakhang. Clinging to a black rock face, 900 meters above the valley floor, nestles Taktsang Lhakhang, one of the holiest and the most beautiful site of Bhutan. Taktsang, the tiger’s lair, acquires its name from the legend of its foundation, when in the 8th Century Guru Rinpoche, widely revered as the second Buddha, arrived from Tibet flying across the mountains on the back of a tigress. He meditated at the site for three months, from where he used the religious cycle of the Kagye to subjugate the Eight Categories of Evil Spirits, and thus converted the region to Buddhism. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria. After lunch, we can make our way to either Chele La Pass or Kyichu Lhalkhangwe. Complimentary hot stone bath will be offered in the evening.

Drive to airport where our guide will bid farewell to your trip back home and hoping that you take a beautiful memory of our country.