Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 days is one of the most popular cycling tour that we organize during the Spring – Autumn and Summer season as Winter remains too cold to be on the bicycle.
It’s quite a challenging as you bike from Western Bhutan to Far Central Bhutan. The itinerary depicts that you ride one way and drive back to Paro with the primary reason that you don’t sit in car for the whole journey but see different Bhutan! It is a special biking trip mainly designed for Experienced Biking Enthusiast but can be arranged for First or Amateur rider as well and also we can either shorten the trip based on your holiday, just feel free to let us know.
Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 days will make you miss Bhutan more and wanna come back sooner then you know it! You can do half day biking and the rest in car, we are flexible. We had great feedback from our past and continuing guests who comes back to challenge time and again.
We hope and look forward that you will be one of them! In order for us to organize this trip we need more then 2 person in a group. You can catch Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines, National Flag Carrier flight from Bangkok, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka & Singapore.
Duration: 12 Night 13 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy – Medium – Challenging
Advice: One needs to be experienced on bikes and Mountains
Attractions: Experiencing true nature, air, atmosphere, vegetation, flora and fauna and feels like Bhutanese at the end of Bhutan. Anticipate rough terrain, steep slopes, tongs of potholes etc. Its truly a real tour of Bhutan.
Season: Spring – Summer and Autumn.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
| Day | Day to Day Trip Schedule | |
| Day 1 | Arrive Paro | Hotel |
| Day 2 | Paro | Hotel |
| Day 3 | Bike to Thimphu | Hotel |
| Day 4 | Thimphu | Hotel |
| Day 5 | Bike to Punakha / Wangdue | Hotel |
| Day 6 | Bike to Trongsa | Camp |
| Day 7 | Bike to Bumthang | Hotel |
| Day 8 | Bumthang | Hotel |
| Day 9 | Bike to Ura Valley and backBumthang | Hotel |
| Day 10 | Drive to Punakha / Wangdue | Hotel |
| Day 11 | Drive to Thimphu | Hotel |
| Day 12 | Drive to Paro and Hike to Taktsang – Tiger’s Nest | Hotel |
| Day 13 | Depart Bhutan |
Travel during Off Season: Jun-Jul-Aug Couple or Two Person Traveler – Free Independent Traveler (FIT) : US$ 2560 per person Group of 3 & More : US$ 2200 per person
Travel during Peak Season: Mar-Apr-May-Sept-Oct-Nov Couple or Two Person – Free Independent Traveller (FIT): US$ 3100 per person Group of 3 or More: US$ 2740
The Above Price includes following services;
Not included:
Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
If flying in from Delhi-Kathmandu, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s sacred Mount Jhomolhari and Jitchu Drake. On arrival at the Airport, representatives of Bhutan Majestic Travel will receive and escort to Hotel. Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days Tour Programme with the Tour Guide and rest leave for acclimatization. Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day 2 Paro - Paro
The entire Paro valley is relatively flat and is a great start to your first day of bicycling. Bicycle to Drukgyal Dzong (a ruined fortress 16 Kms away from Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. One a clear day one can see Mount Jumolhari, Abode of the Goddess Jumo, rising 7,314 meters. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: Visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. This was the watch tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968, and is located on a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking the Paro valley. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge. Today the Dzong is the administrative seat of the district of Paro, and it also contains a state monastic community of approximately 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb wood work, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This Dzong was built in 1646 AD. Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day 3 Paro – Thimphu
After breakfast, either drive or ride bicycles to Thimphu, the capital city. The drive meanders along the Paro and Thimphu River and takes approximately 2 hours (65 kilometers) by car and by Bike it depends on ones’ riding speed. The gradient of the road is excellent for bicycling as there are no steep climbs or descents. Check into Hotel Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten (huge stupa) built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu – Thimphu
Morning: Bicycle to the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country (built in 1629 AD). Opportunity to visit with some of the monks and observe life within the monastery. In the old days, the oldest son of every family was offered to a monastery where the child grew up as a monk. Even now, it is not uncommon for some families to continue the practice. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are displayed and can be purchased. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon, visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Ministries, the offices of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still practiced through the instructions in the art of painting Thankas (sacred Buddhist scrolls).Bicycle to Pangri Zampa Monastery which is just beyond Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days Dechencholing (5 Kms from Thimphu). This monastery was the residence of the founder of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 AD. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu
Day 5 Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdue
After an early breakfast, set out for Punakha and Wangdi. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass 3150mts. (10,00 ft) for a hot cup of tea/coffee and to enjoy a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges (on a clear day). From Dochula, bicycle down into Wangdi which is located 51 Kms down. It is an exhilarating ride. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong which houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot, the Je Khenpo. Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River). This Dzong was built in 1637 AD. Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong which is 13 Kms from Punakha. This Dzong and the town is perched on a hill, between two rivers and has a spectacular view. The Dzong was built in 1638 AD; a year after the Punakha Dzong was built. A tour vehicle will follow the bicycle group at all times in case of emergency or general weariness. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue or Punakha
Day 6 Punakha/Wangdue - Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa, and on the way guests can bicycle certain stretches of the road. The terrain has steep ascents and descents and has some spectacular scenery. Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa.
Day 7 Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast visit the ancient Watch Tower in Trongsa. This structure sits atop a hillock overlooking the Trongsa Dzong and town. Ancient armors are displayed in the Watch Tower. Visit the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the present Royal family of Bhutan. It was built in 1648 AD and is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan. It is presently the administrative seat of the Trongsa district and the home of the monastic school. Built split levels on a narrow spur, this Dzong is an architectural marvel. Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see for many miles. In the old days, it was the vigilance point for both the eastern and western trade routes, thus a strategically important Dzong. After a light refreshment at the hotel, drive to Bumthang. Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days After crossing a high pass, guests can bicycle all the way to Bumthang. The road is broad and all downhill after the pass. Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang.
Day 8 Bumthang - Bumthang
After breakfast, bicycle around the most beautiful valley in Bhutan. It is possible to bicycle a radius of 60 Kms around the valley. Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang
Day 9 Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang
After breakfast bicycle to Ura valley some 69 Kms from Bumthang. Ura is another beautiful valley over 9,500 ft high. Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days Sightsee in Ura valley and drive back to Bumthang. Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang
Day 10 Bumthang to Wangdue
(197 Kms). On the way as and when possible, guests can bicycle certain stretches of the road. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue
Day 11 Wangdue – Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu. After crossing Dochula Pass guests can bicycle all the way to Thimphu (26 Kms downhill). Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days Sight seeing in Thimphu and if the day falls on the weekend visit the famous week end market in Thimphu where the local populace gathers for weekly shopping for produce. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu
Day 12 Thimphu - Paro
Guests can either drive to Paro or bicycle. Check into hotel and have lunch. After lunch hike to the view point of the famous Taktsang Monastery. Central Bhutan Bicycle Tour 13 Days The hike takes about 4 hours round trip. Evening: Stroll around Paro town and overnight hotel in Paro
Day 13 Drive to airport for departure, where your Guide and Driver would bid you farewell.