South-West-North-East Bhutan Adventure Biking Tours
Day 1 Arrival Day-via Delhi or Calcutta-Bagdora/Siliguri (Darjeeling) 20 Km
Day 2 Siliguri – Phuntsholing 170 Km
Day 3 Phuntsholing - Paro 173 Km
Day 4 Paro
Day 5 Paro to Thimphu 60 Km
Day 6 Thimphu-vie Punakha-Wangdue 94 Km
Day 7 Wangdue-Gangtey 62Km
Day 8 Gangtey-Bumthang 159 Km
Day 9 Bumthang (Sightseeing)
Day 10 Bumthang - Mongar 193 Km
Day 11 Mongar - Trashigang vie Drametsi 131Km
Day 12 Trashigang - Trashi Yangtse -Trashigang 108 Km
Day 13 Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar (180 Km)
Day 14 Samdrup Jongkhar-Gawahati (101 Km) and our representative will bid you Bon Voyage
Day 1. Arrival Day-via Delhi or Calcutta-Bagdora/Siliguri (Darjeeling) 20 Km
There are Indian Airlines , Jet Airways, Deccan Air, etc services operating from Bagdora linking Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi.
On arrival at Bagdora airport, you will be received by our Tour representative and escorted you to our first hotel in Mirik. We will learn to know each other and our companions for the next weeks-The thunderous Enfield Bullet Bike.
Day 02. Siliguri - Phuntsholing 170 Km
Today ride brings us down into the plains and along the Assam/Bengal tea garden then to Phuntsholing. The overland entry/exit point is from the Indian state of West Bengal into Phuntsholing in southwest Bhutan. Phuntsholing is four hours drive from Bagdogra, the nearest Indian airport, and seven hours drive from both Gangtok (Sikkim) and Darjeeling. We will stay in the Indian side of the Boarder in a small hotel or we will enter Bhutan.
Day 03. Phuntsholing-Paro 173 Km
Today only afternoon we will be able to ride to Paro, as we enter Bhutan it is all up hills in the Himalayas. The road is good and passes through different vegetation. There is one of the largest Hydroelectricity on the way, which is the biggest export from Bhutan. There is also chapcha pass (3000Meters high) then Paro is 2300 M high and is about 6 hours’ rides. We will check into the Lodge/Hotel.
Day 04. Paro.
Ride till the road end then we will take an excursion to Tiger’s Nest. Taktshang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries. Taktshang means "Tiger's Nest," so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a flying tiger in the late centuries of the first millennium. The monastery is perched on a cliff nearly 3,000 ft above the Paro valley floor. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic! It takes about 1/2 hours to reach the cafeteria, which gives a breathtaking view of the Tiger’s Nest. If you still feel like hiking then you can take another hour to reach the temple. Then we will hike back and we will have lunch at yak Harder Camp. After Lunch we will ride to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, which is built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Then we will also ride to the national museum (Ta-dzong). Once it was the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. Over night in the same hotel.
Day 05. Paro to Thimphu 60 Km
After breakfast transfer to Thimphu (about 2 hours ride). Check into hotel on arrival at Thimphu; go to Bhutan National Bank for currency exchange and then you can get an opportunity to purchase exquisite collector Bhutanese stamps. In the afternoon visit the National memorial chorten which was built in 1974 in Memory of the third king; the Folk Heritage museum, arts and crafts, and visit Chang Gangkha Monastery. In the evening you can walk in the town and then Dinner in the town with the Bhutan Travel Adventure family. Over Night at Hotel Pedling.
Day 06. Thimphu-vie Punakha-Wangdue 94 Km
Punakha (The ancient capital of Bhutan) is 3 hours drive from Thimphu across Dochu-La Pass. (Alt. 11,400 ft) snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. Prayer flags will flutter you over the pass deeper into the essence of Bhutan. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha valley. Then we will have lunch at Resort Meri Punsum. After lunch visit the Punakha dzong, the winter residence of the Je khempo (chief abbot). Punakha dzong is the second dzong system built in Bhutan by Shebdrung Nawang Namgyel in the year 1637. The Dzong is said to be the most beautiful of dzongs in Bhutan; it is an outstanding structure with intense artwork. Then ride to Wangduephodrang valley. Then if you still feel like riding then we can ride on the other side of the river shore. Over night at the Resort/Hotel.
Day 07. Wangdue - Gangtey 62Km
In the morning,visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong; sit majestically on a steep ridge over looking the highway those forks to the east and south of the country. Then ride to Phobjikha valley, on the way visit one of the most beautiful oldest monasteries in Bhutan which is renovated by 9th Gangtey Tulku Rimpoche. If we reach early then you can walk in the valley or ride to Taphu. Then over night at the Hotel.
Day 08. Gangtey - Bumthang 159 Km
Phobjikha to Bumthang valley (5 1/2 hour rides). After breakfast we depart towards Bumthang passing over Pele la (11,000 ft) And Yotungla pass. Here we get our first glimpse of the Black mountains. High Himalayan Mountains Such As Jumolhari are in view amidst hundreds of prayers flags; blessings abound. As we continue onwards we begin to get our first glimpse of the incredible massive dzong - Trongsa dzong; an architectural Wonder! Trongsa medieval watchtower and the great Mangde Chu (river) enhance Trongsa dzong in its exceptional beauty and grandeur. We now stop to visit Trongsa dzong; ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 ad it is presently the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the dzong offers magical wonder. The watchtower, located directly above the dzong, has on display many interesting armors and other weapons of war used by ancient warriors. Continue onwards to Jakar. Overnight: at the Lodge.
Day 09. Bumthang (Sightseeing)
The valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the kingdom. It is also the religious heartland where many saints and masters meditated leaving their imprints as sacred places of worship and pilgrimage Tales of Pedmasambhava dominate these holy shrines. In the morning visit, Jampa Lhakhang which is built by Tibetan King Songtshen Gempo in 7th century and then drive to Kurji Lhakhang were body imprints of Guru Rimpoche remain s preserved upon a rock. Then we can ride to Tamzhing Monastery. If the weather is clear, you will enjoy the view of green valley, dotted with hundreds tempals, thousand flags and beautiful Chamkhar river flow through the valley. The valley is also called mini Switzerland of Bhutan. Then Drive to Swiss Guest House for Lunch. After lunch, we will ride to burning lake, and then to we will visit Pema Thechokcholing Nunnery. Then back to hotel.
Day 10. Bumthang-Mongar 193 Km
After and early breakfast, gear up for a fantastic drive to Mongar. The journey is long and crosses Thrumshing La, which at 3800 M, is the highest high way pass in the kingdom. Check into the Hotel.
Mongar is the district headquarters but hardly more than a transit town. It is also the first town built on a slope instead of the usual valleys. This is characteristic in eastern Bhutan where there is few valleys .The true land of the Eastern People, the Sharchogpas, and Begins from Mongar.
Day 11. Mongar- Trashigang vie Drametsi 131Km
After Breakfast ride to Trashigang, today the rides take us over Kori la pass 3000 meters. After the pass the road is very beautiful as it has lots of soft turns called Yadi loops through beautiful pine trees. Before reaching Trashigang one can even drive up hill to Drametsi village which is 20 Km from the main highway. Then drive back and further to Trashigang. We can check in the hotel Druk Dejung. Then visit famous Trashigang Dzong. The Dzong is precariously hugs a spur at more than 400 M, jutting out over the Gamri River. The Dzong commands a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. Built in 1659 AD, it is practically impregnable, protected on three sides by the river and ravines, and from behind by the mountains. Then leisurely stroll through Trashigang town.
Day 12. Trashigang –Trashi Yangtse –Trashigang 108 Km
Trashi Yangtse (Alt.1850) lies on the North-West of Trashigang. The biking in the area is good because it is hardly to see cars on the road. In Trashi Yangtse, you can visit the popular chorten Kora, one of few stupas constructed in Nepali (Sherpa) Style. It was built to mark the site where Guru Rimpoche subdued many malevolent beings. Local tradition has it that the model of the stupa was brought from Nepal, carved on a radish. Visit the traditional wood craft workshop where typical Bhutanese bowels and other wooden items are made. (The product is very popular in Bhutan). Then return back to Trashigang.
Day 13. Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar (180 Km)
Today we have to start very early; today we will pass through the only University in Bhutan. Then to Khaling weaving center then finally to Samdrup Jongkhar the exit/enter point of Bhutan. Samdrup Jongkhar is boarder town to Assam boarder. Check into the hotel.
Day 14. Samdrup Jongkhar-Gawahati (101 Km) and our representative will bid you Bon Voyage.
Today we will drive to Gawahati which is 101 Km from Bhutan Boarder. The entire drive is in the plains. Time to explore Gawahati and fare well dinner before we depart tomorrow.
Day 15. Depart
Safe Journey