12 Days Bhutan Himalaya Cycling Tour

Highlights: Visit landmarks in Paro including Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang after arriving in this amazing city by flight.

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city (2,250m).

This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro including Ta Dzong Museum

Highlights: Ride to Thimphu and explore Tashichho Dzong and the local market.

Today after breakfast, you will leave Paro on a bike and begins your ride to Thimphu (2,350m). You will follow the zigzag road beside the Pa Chhu river to its confluence with the Thimphu River. You are going to ride between the elevation of 2200m and 2350m. However, the road does undulate and there are no flat roads.

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel and you can have a short rest to refresh yourself. Then you will explore this capital city of Bhutan on your bike. Ride to the Tashichho Dzong, a Buddhist monastery on the western bank of the Wang Chu. It is the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

In the evening, you can stroll in the local market.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Ride to Thimphu Tashichho Dzong

Highlights: Visit National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory,and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

Today’s tour will first bring you to the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu

Highlights: Further explore Thimphu Valley along the Thimphu - Pangrizampa - Hongtsho Biking Trail.

Today's tour will enable you to take a bike to explore the beautiful Thimphu Valley, following the trail of Thimphu - Pangrizampa - Hongtsho. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Thimphu city square, where the riding journey begins. The amazing riding trail runs through the hills of Thimphu and leads you through places like Pangrizampa, Taba, Sinchula Road Forest, Sinchula Pass, Hongtsho and Simotokha.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu bike tour

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and transfer to beautiful Phobjikha Valley.

Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Gangtey via Punakha. First, you will travel northeast to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. One the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

In the afternoon, you will continue to drive up a winding mountain road to Phobjikha Valley from Punakha, passing through oak and rhododendron forest.

Stay overnight in Gangtey. 

Cross Dochula Pass by bike

Highlights: Ride in stunning Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Gompa and the village of Gophu.

Phobjikha valley (3,000m), also known as Gangtey Valley, is one of the most beautiful high-elevation valleys in Bhutan, and is the winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau.

You will stroll in the enchanting Phobjikha Valley in the morning and then visit Gangtey Gompa, the only and the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. Next in the afternoon, you can enjoy a half-day mountain bike starting from Gangtey Monastery. The cycling trail follows along the upper dirt road above the Gangte Nature Trail, taking you into the valley behind Khewang Lhakhang. You will pay a visit to the village of Gophu before descending to the main valley at Khewang Lhakhang.

Stay overnight in Phobjikha.

Ride in stunning Phobjikha Valley

Highlights: Transfer to Punakha and visit the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong.

Today, you will get up early and say farewell to the charming Gangtey valley. On the way, you will visit the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong, which is perched on a ridge overlooking the Punatsangchu and Dangchu Rivers. The dzong held a powerful position during the pre-monarchy days and currently it is the town’s visible feature.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Biking visit the Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Explore Punakha along the Khuruthang - Samdiingkha - Punakha Biking Trail and visit The longest suspension bridge, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

In today's itinerary, you will explore the biking trail of Khuruthang – Samdiingkha – Punakha. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Khuruthang to start the mountain biking tour. On the way, you will cross a suspension bridge, which is the longest and highest suspension bridge in the country, stretching over 200 above the Pho River.

Then you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. More importantly, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Next, you will continue to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery, which is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Biking cross Punakha suspension bridge

Highlights: Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue, Changangkha Lhakhang and Dechenphu Lhakhang.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Thimphu from Punakha.

Upon arriving at Thimphu, you will first visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue, the largest statue of sitting Buddha. Here you will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Thimphu city. Then go to the Changangkha Lhakhang, an old fortress-like temple and monastic school perched on the ridge.

After lunch, you will further visit the Dechenphu Lhakhang, one of the most sacred and commonly visited places in Thimphu. The temple is the residing place of Gyenyen Jagpa Milen, the valley's guardian deity.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue

Highlights: Transfer to Paro and visit Tachogang Lhakhang.

In the morning after breakfast, you will transfer to Paro from Thimphu. On the way, you will pay a visit to the Tachogang Lhakhang, which was built in the fifteenth century by Tangtong Gyelpo. The temple sits atop a hill that can only be accessed by a suspension bridge stretching over the Paro Chhu River.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Tachogang Lhakhang

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike. Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro. In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.