Take a Dream Ride Through Bhutan

See the delightful traditions and the spectacular natural scenery of Bhutan through a bicycle adventure.

Ancient monasteries, rising stupas, humble bazaars and daily life of the locals are some of the basic things you will encounter on your tour. You will also witness mountain passes, deep valleys along with the canopy of the Himalayas over you as you take your bicycle through the various towns of this tiny kingdom.

Cycling allows you to explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in every inch of this small yet happy country. It is a perfect blend of challenging climbs rewarded with marvelous views and cultural adventures.

Journey

  • Day 1 Arrive Paro - Drive to Thimphu
  • Day 2 Thimphu - Gyelsa Tewa
  • Day 3 Thimphu - Punakha
  • Day 4 Punakha
  • Day 5 Punakha - Gangtey (Phobjikha)
  • Day 6 Gangtey - Paro
  • Day 7 Paro - Cheli La Ride
  • Day 8 Paro - Thousand Fairy Ride
  • Day 9 Paro - Tiger’s Nest
  • Day 10 Paro - Departure

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1Arrive Paro - Drive to Thimphu

Flight into Paro crosses over the giangatic Himalayas, affording amazing views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari 7314m and Jichu Drake 6794m peaks in Bhutan. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal from where we will take an hour drive to the capital Thimphu. Stop at the magnificent Tachocho Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s Iron Bridge Builder. Little further we arrive at Chuzom , which marks the confluence of the Paro Chu (river) and the Wang Chu. Check in at the hotel and refresh.

Later, your guide will go through the all-important pre-trip briefing,we will take an evening visit to the Majestic Tashichoe Dzong. The house of the monastic body and office of the king.

Arrive Paro - Drive to Thimphu

DAY 2Thimphu - Thimphu City Ride

Your first ride in the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan a.k.a Druk-Yuel will be a combination of some enduro feature ride and acclimatization. Proceed by visiting the Memorial Stupa to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle climb, the 51m tall Buddha statue overlooking the Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on an MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride in the capital’s popular trails alongside the KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang.

After a picnic lunch, we’ll hit the hills up to the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal first. Then continue to the Radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single-track trail starts. The loop is about 6 km. Ascend to 300m into blue pine forests and then descend to Wangditse temple that is currently being renovated. Continue to ride down to Pamtsho village. The entire ride is on a fantastic singletrack punctuated with great views over the capital city. You may also likely come across some of our local MTB riders on this popular trail. (Time permitting) Kabisa village ride on the cross-country trail till Begana village is another great experience.

Thimphu - Thimphu City Ride

DAY 3Thimphu - Punakha

Drive till Dochu La, enjoy the view of eastern Himalayan ranges. The beauty is further enhanced by Druk Wangyal Chorten 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen Mother. From here we will set off to ride to Lobesa. The trail descends from 3500m to 1200m all the way down to Wangdue valley for more than 25km, thus making it one of the longest freeride trails in the country. As we approach Chimi Lhakhang the ride involves both mental and physical relaxation as we ride through the beautiful Sopsokha village surrounded by paddy fields and locals working. From here to Talo we drive by car and visit the site. On return, enjoy the best downhill singletrack stretching 9km until reaching the valley floor. The road is narrow but often covered with amazing viewpoints and monasteries.

Check in and relax.
Ride time 6-7 hours, 60 km ride

Thimphu - Punakha

DAY 4Ride the Richness of the Punakha Valley

In the morning, we’ll explore the town a bit and ride the Tshotsacha trail and the Punakha cross-country trail including the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. Continuing to ride to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers is considered as the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. After visiting the fortress we’ll have a picnic lunch at Zomlingthang and then ride on to the breathtaking Sewla trail.

Ride time 6-7 hours, 50-60 km ride

Ride the Richness of the Punakha Valley

DAY 5Punakha - Gangtey (Phobjikha)

After breakfast, we’ll load the bikes on the pick-up truck and drive 2hrs to Phobjikha valley. Once we reach the pass before entering Phobjikha valley, we’ll unmount the bikes and start riding down 8km to the famous Gangtey Gonpa (monastery). From here, we will continue riding on a beautiful stretch of trail in cross-country style. Most riders prefer this ride as it is seen covered with nature, specially colorful in spring and offering a spectacular viewpoint. It is not only home to the villagers residing here but they share their habitat with the endangered Black-necked cranes flying all the way from the great Tbetan plateau.

Ride time 7 hours, 32 km ride

Punakha - Gangtey (Phobjikha)

DAY 6Gangtey - Paro (5hrs distance)

In the morning drive to Paro and check in. After wash and change visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan.

Paro is also a place best to experience herbal hot-stone baths at a farmhouse. The locals believe that the bath is a well known natural therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches especially after a week of motorbiking and eventually ease your mind and body.

Gangtey - Paro (5hrs distance)

DAY 7Paro - Cheli La Ride (3840m elevation)

After breakfast, shuttle the bikes to Cheli La, and ride to Kila Goenpa (90mins). Enjoy an hour and half descent down to Paro. This singletrack follows on a peaceful road through rhododendron forests down to blue pine forests as we start to reach the valley floor.

Afternoon, drive to the Damchena, from there we will hike-a-bike for 2 hours to reach the Jela temple which sits on a ridge overlooking the valley. Grab a bite before riding down Jela for about a 15km descent.

Ride time 4-5 hours, 40 km

Paro - Cheli La Ride (3840m elevation)

DAY 8Paro - Thousand Fairy Ride

The Thousand Fairy ride begins at Sangchhokhor Buddhist College at 2800m before passing the yak pasturelands and finally arriving at Bumdra. The first half of the ride takes about one to two-hour ascent of a shady and forested ridge from where you can view Paro valley. After a final 20-minute climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we plunge back into ancient forest, and, after traversing for about 40 minutes, we come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags.

After lunch, we can visit the monastery and ride further up to the peak if you still have some gas. Return to camp and enjoy the nice camping facilities of this community-run campsite. Our home for the night is tucked away just under Monastery offering unimpeded views of the Himalayan range. Overnight at the campsite

Paro - Thousand Fairy Ride

DAY 9Paro - Tiger’s Nest

We’ve saved the ultimate ride for the last day of your cycling adventure in Bhutan. It’s a 2000 m descent on some spectacular trails. Switchbacks, off-camber, downhill, rock gardens, flowy trails, enduro style of riding – you name it and it’s all there. Moreover, the trails bring you to the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery - the ultimate highlight of Bhutan. After visiting this spectacular temple, we’ll enjoy some proper downhill type of riding to end a spectacular adventure in Bhutan.

Later, stroll around town visiting local stores and enjoy a short walk around the most traditional town in the country.

Paro - Tiger’s Nest

DAY 10Paro - Departure

Drive to the airport 2 hrs prior to the flight departure for the flight back home.

Accommodations