Itinerary (day-by-day)

Day 1 - Your journey through the fabled kingdom starts with one of the world's most scenic flights, coming into the Paro Valley. After stepping off the plane into the cool mountain air, we will enjoy lunch and then a short drive to Thimphu (60kms/2 hours). Time permitting we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan. You will have time to admire the museum's collection of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectric pieces. This afternoon we will prepare the bikes and enjoy a brief sightseeing pedal around the city. Wind down your first day in Bhutan with our welcome dinner and orientation. 15 mi / 25 km.

Day 2 - After breakfast you will tackle the 14 mile climb to Dochula Pass. The views from the pass are magnificent, offering a panorama of the eastern Himalayas. Enjoy lunch at the pass before starting the 26 mile descent from the pass to Wangdue through the leafy temperate forests and semi-tropical zone with abundant orange trees, bananas and bamboos. Evening you will visit a local farmhouse located about 10 minutes from your hotel, offering you a closer look at the Kingdom¹s unique culture, which dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all guests, even to perfect strangers. Our hotel is in Wangdue tonight. 43 mi / 69 km, Pass: Dochula (3100 m).

Day 3 - Today's ride starts out level, but a few miles up the road after we cross the Tikke-Zam (river), we begin the long ascent to the summit of the Black Mountains. Today's climb is our first really big climb, gaining over 4800 feet over 25 miles. Lunch will be served on route depending on the time. After lunch more climbing up to small pass marked by a stupa and finally some downhill to finish the day. We will be enjoying the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, this evening, exploring the monastery of Gangtey and the village. Perhaps we will spot some Black Neck Cranes, which migrate here to escape Tibet's harsh winters. 41 mi / 66 km.

Day 4 - A short 1000 feet of ascent takes us back to the small pass we crossed yesterday afternoon. From the pass it¹s downhill to the main road from where you will continue your climb for 9 miles to Pelela Pass, the traditional boundary between the Western and Central Bhutan. Today¹s ride is a pleasant change from yesterday. On clear days you can enjoy the views of the Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) rising in western Bhutan. It is a downhill almost all the way to Trongsa. Lunch will be served at Chendebji Choten by the river side. After lunch the road contours around small ups and downs until you finally see the Trongsa Dzong. Evening you will visit the Trongsa Dzong and explore the Trongsa Town. 43 mi / 70 km, pass: Pelela (3300 m).

Day 5 - Approximately 18 miles after leaving Trongsa, you will reach Yotongla Pass. Then you descend to Chumey village where you will stop for tea and a visit to local handicraft shops where they make Yahthra a handwoven woolen fabric, the specialty of Bumthang valley. After a short gradual climb to Kikila (about 2 miles), a great descent to Bumthang valley.We will reach town in time for lunch, then set out to visit Jakar Dzong (the fortress of the white bird) and Jakar town. 44 mi / 71 km, pass: Yotongla (3400 m).

Day 6 - Our day is pretty relaxed today. The morning is free to explore more of Jakar town or sleep in after several days of alpine pedaling. We will say good bye to Jakar with the visit to 7th century Jambay Lhakhang built by the Dharma King Songtsen Goenpo. It is said he built 108 temples in one day to pin down an ogress. One is Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, Potala Palace in Tibet and others are said to be along the Himalayas. Around lunch time we will load up in our support vans and start the drive back towards Thimpu (unfortunately Bhutan has only one airport and no loop road, so we have to retrace our cycling by van). We will break up the drive with a stop in Punakha.

Day 7 - We break out the bikes for a daytrip around Punakha town and the Wangdue Valley. This relatively flat ride will be a sharp contrast to our previous cycling. And offers opportunities to visit some of the famed temples and enjoy the quiet rural countryside. Today you will visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a buddhist saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and it still is the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the central monk body. We will again spend the night in Punakha. 28 mi / 45 km.

Day 8 - Another half day drive returns you to Thimphu, from where we started our first leg. After breakfast we will hike to Chimi Lhakhang dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay who is also known as "Devine Madman" in the west. This temple is also a worship place for woman for fertility. It is an easy hike through the rice paddies and the village of Yulakha. Resume your drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon, you have free time or for those wanting to pedal some more, we will organize a half day local ride to explore some more of the sights nearby town. We will relax tonight Thimphu. 47 mi / 76 km.

Day 9 - Back on the bikes today for a delightful ride downstream along the Thimphu Chu (river). When we reach the confluence with the Paro River, we will switch to a small road on the other side of the Thimphu River and start the ride into Haa Valley. This hidden valley was only recently opened to tourism and offers pristine landscapes and quiet village during a dramatic ride along the Wang Chu River. The road into Haa climbs slowly through quaint villages and thick conifer forests before opening into a valley dotted with fields of millet, barley, potatoes and wheat, where the farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted cornices and frames. 71 mi / 115 km

Day 10 - One last climb today, as we cross over to the Paro Valley. On clear days you can enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and Taktshang Goenpa (Tiger¹s Nest). Its a 26 km ascent to Chelela Pass through pine forests and alpine scenery, rewarded by a 35 km descent to Paro town. Lunch at the hotel. Upon checking into our hotel, we'll set out to explore town a bit before dinner. 38 mi / 61 km, Pass: Chelela (3988 m).

Day 11 - This morning we will swap travel modes and enjoy a hike to visit the renowned Tigers Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). We will have permits to actually visit the temple and will enjoy most of day here in the mountains, hiking and sightseeing. Upon our return to Paro, you will have a chance to finish your last minute shopping needs. We'll gather for a final Bhutanese dinner, swapping tales of the ride and country.

Day 12 - We will shuttle everyone back to the airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Prices:

Tour cost: $4195 - $4795
Single supplement: $650
Tour deposit: $400
Bike rental: $160
Bike rental deposit: $25

Lodging:

Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts
... More about this trip's lodges.

What's Included:

• 11 nights accommodation (double occupancy)
• 11 dinners
• 12 lunches
• 11 breakfasts
• Sagwagon
• Baggage transport
• Guide staff
• Visa fee
• International flights between Bangkok & Paro
• Paro Airport tax
• Shuttle from/to Paro Airport
• Route sheets

Meeting & Flights:

Arrive at Bangkok Airport 4:30 am on Day 1

Fly into Bangkok (BKK) before 3 am on Day 1.
Fly out of Bangkok (BKK) after 2 pm on Day 12.

Flight Notes:

International Airfare from your home to Bangkok, Thailand IS NOT included in the Package Cost for this trip. This cost is the responsibility of each guest.

Because we start cycling right away upon arrival in Bhutan, we heartily recommend that guests arrive in Bangkok at least a day ahead, to allow time to rest up from the long flights before pedaling.

If you elect to arrive in Bangkok on Day 1, you will need to claim your baggage and clear customs, then check in again in the departure area. Druk Air does not have a connecting counter in the transit lounge.

Visas & Travel Documents:

Passports are required for all guests. Your passport should have at least 6 months validity past your intended travel dates. Visas fees and processing are included with in the tour price.

Route Conditions

The entire ride is on paved roads, narrow but with little or no traffic. Pavement is a bit course and suitable for touring, sport road and also performance road bikes with wider tires (25 or wider). Terrain is quite mountainous and hilly, most days involve a moderate to long alpine style climb.

Payment Dates & Cancellations:

This tour has a 60 Day Prior to Departure deadline for balance due and cancellations. All bookings must be paid in full on or before 60 days prior to departure (not the 45 day deadline listed in our general booking conditions). In addition the cancellation deadline for receiving a partial refund or transferring to another date is also 60 days prior to departure. Please review the Booking Terms and Conditions Addendum for Bhutan for complete terms.

Pre/Post Tour Options

A variety of stopover programs are available for Bangkok, with hotels, airport shuttles and some sightseeing. We also have several delightful tour packages that could be enjoyed before or after your ride in Bhutan. Perhaps a visit to fabled Angkor Wat on our 4 day package, that includes cycling through the ruins and a boat trip to visit remote inaccessible temples. You might want to enjoy a cruise along the Mekhong River as it travels from Chang Khong, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos, then enjoy a couple of days exploring the UNESCO Heritage City of Luang Prabang. For complete details visit our Asia Stopovers Page.

Trip Starts

Trip Ends

Price

Sgl Sup

Deposit

Bike Rental

Sign Up

Oct 23, 2008

Nov 3, 2008

$ 4195

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Mar 10, 2009

Mar 21, 2009

$ 4795

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Jun 9, 2009

Jun 20, 2009

$ 4795

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Jul 14, 2009

Jul 25, 2009

$ 4195

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Aug 19, 2009

Aug 30, 2009

$ 4195

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Oct 6, 2009

Oct 17, 2009

$ 4795

$ 650

$ 400

$ 160

Go When You Want
Private departures can be scheduled pretty much year round. December through February can be a bit cool, with a some chance of snow at higher altitudes. The rest of the year is fine.

Get the wheels rolling and Request Your Personal Date today.

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