Cycling Tours in Bhutan

Cycling Tours in Bhutan

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

This is 9 days cycling holiday tour in Bhutan. At the rugged, mountainous landscape of Bhutan lends itself well to both on-road or off-road mountain biking and the sport is seeing increasing popularity among both visitors and Bhutanese alike. There are varieties of biking routes available ranging from smooth journeys on paved roads to challenging off-road dirt trails that wind through rough terrain. You will be doing cycling in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. Pass by the ancient monasteries and picturesque landscapes on bicycle. The snow-capped mountains at Bhutan offers the perfect backdrop of bicycle tour in Bhutan to keep you motivated to aim high in life. To book this trip, get in touch with Heavenly Bhutan Travels (HBT). Cycling Tours in Bhutan.

Day 01: Arrival at Paro
Cycle to Drukgyel is very scenic and best in Paro with less vehicles moving around. Drukgyel Dzong: Drukgyel Dzong, now an imposing ruin, was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the trade and military route to Tibet. The building was used as an administrative centre until 1951. Distance: 15 km, Approximate Time: 40-50 mins

Day 02: Paro Tiger Nest
Cycle to Tiger Nest base and later hike to the temple. Later ride back to hotel. Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest Temple): is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious Buddhist site in the world. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. The temple is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan which clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley. Although good trekkers can make it to the top in two hours, most of the guests take whole day to complete the hike. If time permits, Sangchen Choekor Monastary: The shedra, a Buddhist college, is home to about 150 monks, studying for six years before they move on to Tango Monastery upon graduation. It’s worth a visit mainly for the fine views from the switch backing drive up. Look for the stuffed bear to the side of the main entryway. Hot stone bath with dinner at the farmhouse: Hot stone bath is very unique to Bhutan and offers great medicinal values. In most cases, the bathtub is made of wood placed on a ground level in quite hut for the privacy. A couple can get into one bathtub to soak. Enjoy the great ancient techniques of curing body ache, joins pain and harness many other values. This is on additional cost check with guide/driver. Distance: 8 km, Approximate Time: 20-30 mins

Day 03: Paro to Thimphu
Paro to Thimphu with some stops at Tagchogang temple and Chuzom for relax. Tachongang Lhakhang- En-route to Thimphu, stopover for little leg stretch walk crossing Paro River or enjoy the views from the roadside depending your arrival time. Chuzom- Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro) this is tri junction of highway leading to Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing into three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of beautiful portrait our King and Queen placed at chuzom which is so welcoming to all who visits Bhutan. Explore Thimphu City- If time permits, walking through the city gives you immense joys and understanding of modern city. Good option for imported garments and local souvenir, beside unique local handicrafts. Thimphu offers mixed style of personalities taking the street walk in Thimphu- only city in the world without traffic lights. Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m. Distance: 65 km, Approximate Time: 2.5-3 hrs

Day 04: Explore Thimphu
Drive to Kuensel Phodrang and to Changankha Lhakhang by cycling route. The trail takes us through populated blue pine forests, with the perfect view of Thimphu Valley. It was initially intended to be a cycling trail, but it is excellent for hiking as well. You can do the cycling either way. Distance: 5 km, Approximate Time: 1.2 hrs. Cycling from Taba to Lungtenphu give you view of Thimphu. Taba-Lungtenphu hike: If you are an avid adventure and off beat seeker, you should hit the Taba-Lungtenphu trail. Through this cycling trail, the best views of Thimphu city and also you can enjoy bird watching & landscape photography through this trail. Distance: 7 km, Approximate Time: 2 hrs

Options
Drive to Sangaygang and to Wangditse Temple by cycling route. Visit Takin reserve national animal: National Animal of Bhutan which has very unique story and its one of the never seen strange animal. It’s worth a hike to the place. If time permits, Wangditse hike: From the start point, the trail heads up for a while and drops down gently through oak, blue pine and rhododendron until you will reach Wangditse monastery. The view of Tashichodzong, Thimphu city and Buddha statue is stunning from here. Distance: 7 km, Approximate Time: 2.5 hrs. Cycling trip to Tango/Cheri base and back to Thimphu. Cheri Monastery: In 1627 the first Buddhist Monastic School for Bhutan was started by Shabdrung in Cheri, which to these days has become a Meditation center for higher level Buddhist studies. The Monastery buildings are old and still contains many sacred relic from past. Distance: 18 km, Approximate Time: 3 hrs

Day 05: Thimphu to Punakha Ride
Cycling from Thimphu to Punakha is the best option with best road. Stop at Dochula Pass
Dochula pass: The pass is at a popular location as it offers a stunning 180 degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic and very clear on winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Lamperi Botanical garden: The park has many varieties of plants, herbs, birds and animals. If you visit between April and June, you can find about 38 out of Bhutan’s 46 species of rhododendrons and spot some of the 220 species birds. This park is one of the must visit place for birds and nature lovers. You may enjoy the hot packed lunch here if you had planned picnic. Distance: 72 km, Approximate Time: 5 hrs

Day 06: Explore Punakha by cycle
Drive to Khamsum Yulley Temple. Khamsum Yulay Namgyal Chorten: The temple stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic talent. The hike to the temple is about 45 minutes one way uphill. It offers amazing views of Punakha valley and Mochu river. Distance: 7 km, Approximate Time: 1.5 hrs. Longest suspension bridge & Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong: Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo religious head of Bhutan. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. This is one of the finest and must see Dzongs of Bhutan. The Dzong stands inbetween meeting point of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu making the most photogenic Dzongs of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Suspension Bridge: Punakha suspension bridge is considered one of the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages Shengana, Samdingkha and Wangkha on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. In these small villages, locals sell their wares in tiny, traditional shops. Visitors can stop here for a quick and authentic view of true Bhutan.  In order to access the suspension bridge from the dzong, one must walk past the King’s palace and the cremation ground. Distance: 7 km, Approximate Time: 2 hrs

Day 07: Punakha to Paro ride
Drive back to Paro with Dochula en-route. Enjoy outdoor activities wearing Gho/Kira, play archery: Nicely made and well maintained activity place attached to whole sell Buddha statue store, offers wearing Bhutanese dress, playing archery and darts for guests visiting Bhutan. The center is maintained and operated by HBT herself and its free of cost for all HBT guests. Explore the tiny town: Tiny Paro town actually can offer lot more, there are many authentic handicraft shops, readily available Bhutan made products, grocery and imported garment shops beside having many small restaurants around. Distance: 72 km, Approximate Time: 8-9 hrs

Day 08: Chelela excursion
Today we will take Chelela excursion and enjoy the ride. Visit the temples of Dzongdrakha: Temple is situated on the western region of Paro Valley on the Cliffside and often referred as “Mini Taktsang” of Bhutan. Tucked in a cliff above Bondey village, visit to temple offers pictorial hikes and one of the must visit places in Paro for inquisitive guests while in Paro. Chelela Pass at 3988m: Highest motor-able road pass connecting two districts Paro and Haa, an elevation of 3988m above the sea level. On clear days, one can enjoy view of the most sacred Mt. Jomolhari (7314m). The pass is dotted with beautiful prayer flags and offers amazing walks around, worth a visit while in Bhutan. You can also plan to ride mountain biking from Pass to Paro valley with the stretch of 36-48km, mostly downhill and easy ride. Distance: 37 km, Approximate Time: 4 hrs

Day 09: End of the Tour
Departure from the Kingdom of Bhutan

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