Bhutan

Fury Dragon Ride – The Bhutan Mountain Biking Expedition
15-Oct-2016
24-Oct-2016
10 days
Available
At a glance
Duration: 9 nights/ 10 days
Tour: Bhutan (Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Wangdue, Haa Valley)
Getting there: Flight to Paro and back
Difficulty level: Moderate (good fitness required)
Be prepared for: Good climbs and exhilarating downhill – All Tarmac rides with some broken
stretches
Bike suitability: Hybrid and MTBs. Bikes should have a front suspension fork rather than a fixed fork.
Bhutan, the Land of Thunder Dragon is arguably India’s most beautiful neighbour.
The Himalayan kingdom has breath-taking landscapes with snow-capped peaks rising above deep
gorges covered in velvety forests. The gorgeous country offers storybook landscapes with magical
fortresses and monasteries rising majestically as if out of some fantasy movie. Adding to the charm of
the place is the fascinating Buddhist culture with its myriad rituals and colourful Mask Dance Festivals.
The mystical and magical nation is rich in textiles, handicrafts, and is known for archery competitions,
high-altitude trekking, bicycling trails, and stunning flora & fauna.
Join Mountain biking tour across Bhutan that will show you rare glimpses of this fantastical land that
no other tour can. This tour encompasses guided tours to historical and cultural landmarks,
incomparable experience of warm and authentic Bhutanese hospitality and cuisine and of course,
rejuvenating and exhilarating Mountain Biking experience. Experience unforgettable mountain
descents, endless untouched bike trails and epic views of this FANTASTICAL country.
Includes:
● Accommodation at a Standard Tourist Hotel on twin sharing basis -very neat and clean
● Breakfast on all days
● All road transfers during the trip
● Mineral water on transfer
● Cycle mechanic to accompany the group
● Guide for the duration of the trip
● Permits and paperwork wherever required
● Backup & Support vehicle while cycling
● Chief Experience Officer to accompany the group – who is an expert cyclist
Excludes:
● Air fare – the team will help you organize this

● Cycle hire – INR 2500/- per day. High end and well maintained Trek/ Giant/ Scott/ Merida
bikes
● Insurance
● Personal expenses
● Tips & gratuities
● Costs of optional activities
● Lunch, dinner, snacks and alcoholic beverages
● Anything not mentioned in price includes
Go solo; Come back with friends for life!
Day 1 – Acclimatization ride in Paro: Arrive Paro International Airport-a high altitude airport at 7500
ft.Flying to Bhutan is an unmatched experience. You see majestic sights of Mount Everest,
Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s sacred Mount Jomolhari and Jichu
Drake.From the airport, you are escorted by the team to your Hotel. After lunch you will go on an
acclimatization ride to see Ta Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan, located on a hill above the Paro
Dzong, overlooking the Paro Valley. En route you will visit the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. This
massive fortress is located in Paro Valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a
beautiful covered wooden bridge. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is
one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2 – Paro to Thimpu ride (60 Kms – 5 hours

on the second day, after a hearty breakfast, we ride to Thimphu, the capital city. The ride meanders
along the Paro and Thimphu rivers and takes approximately 5 hours at an easy pace. The gradient of
the road is excellent for cycling as there are no steep climbs or descents.On reaching Thimpu, we
check into our hotel. Post lunch we head out to explore Thimphu. Today we will 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. We will also visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are
preserved. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3 – Cycle in Thimpu

Today we will head to the Semtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country (built in 1629 A.D.) We
will have the opportunity to see monastic life up close and in person. In the olden days, it was the
tradition in families to offer their oldest son to a monastery where the child grew up as a monk. We will
see monks of all ages at the monastery and see the tradition living even today.We ride back to
Thimphu and visit the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum and Arts and Crafts School. In the
evening you can bike around Thimphu town to shop and enjoy traditional /western dinner in town.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 – Cycle from Thimphu to Punakha (70 km/6 hours

An uphill adventure awaits today! After early breakfast we will set out for Punakha and Wangdue. It’s
an uphill climb up to Dochula Pass at 10,500 ft. When we reach the pass, we will take a long well
deserved rest and enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. After tea/coffee
and snacks, we start for Dochula-an exhilarating downhill ride all the way down to Punakha and
Wangdue. We enjoy a pleasant and relaxing evening and dinner at our resort, alongside a pristine
river with gorgeous views and wonderful food and ambiance. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5 – Explore Punakha on cycles
We head to Punakha Dzong early in the morning. This Dzong houses the district administration
offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot, His Holiness the
Je Khenpo. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pho
Chhu (male) and the Mo Chhu (female). This Dzong was build in 1967. One the way back from
Punakha, we will leave the cycles to take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang-a fertility temple revered by
believers from all over the country. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6 – Explore Wangdue Phodrang on cycles

today we will spend exploring Wangdue and Upper Punakha Valley on your bike. In the evening we
will visit a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse and soak in warm Bhutanese hospitality and sample
authentic Bhutanese cuisine.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7 – Wanduephodrang to Thimphu (76 km/3 Hours drive or 6 hours cycling

We head back to Thimpu today. You can choose to ride your bike or take the van. The ride will take
about 6 hours. We will take plenty of photo stops along the way. On reaching Thimpu, we can head
out for shopping or relax and unwind in the hotel.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8 – Thimphu to Paro (60 km/2 hours)

Today is an exciting day as we will head to the most pictured Tiger’s Nest Monastery!
We depart Thimphu for a 2-hour drive to Paro where we check into the Hotel. Post lunch we cycle
through beautiful ParoValley. We will leave our bikes with the support vehicle and hike to the famous
Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang means Tiger).The monastery is perched
on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 3000ft. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century,
Guru Padma Sambbaava alighted here upon the back of a tigress.We will have a picnic lunch at
Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 3 hours.We return to Paro and enjoy one of
Bhutan’s most unique ancestral inventions, the hot stone bath at a farmhouse – a pastoral property
where you will participate in building the fire that heats the rocks to a glowing red lava-like
temperature. The stones are then placed in a wood lined tub dug into the rocky streambed. Don your
bathing suit for this Himalayan Jacuzzi-an experience you will only find in pages of a luxe magazine!
Day 9 – Haa Valley day excursion (140 km/6 hours)

Today we cycle to Haa Valley crossing Chelela Pass. Haa Valley borders Tibet and was closed to
tourists until recently. Enjoy picnic lunch on the way and in the evening drive back to Paro.Enjoy
farewell dinner with your group. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 – Prepare for your departure

After an early breakfast, you will be dropped to the airport for your flight back home.

Bhutan

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bhutan

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bhutan

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Fury Dragon Ride – The Bhutan Mountain Biking Expedition

Tour: Bhutan (Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Wangdue, Haa Valley)

Getting there: Flight to Paro and back

Difficulty level: Moderate (good fitness required)

● Air fare – the team will help you organize this

Go solo; Come back with friends for life!

Day 2 – Paro to Thimpu ride (60 Kms – 5 hours

Day 3 – Cycle in Thimpu

Day 4 – Cycle from Thimphu to Punakha (70 km/6 hours

Day 6 – Explore Wangdue Phodrang on cycles

Day 7 – Wanduephodrang to Thimphu (76 km/3 Hours drive or 6 hours cycling

Day 8 – Thimphu to Paro (60 km/2 hours)

Day 9 – Haa Valley day excursion (140 km/6 hours)

Day 10 – Prepare for your departure

You might also like