Bhutan, popularly known as the last great Himalayan Kingdom is not only an epitome of a quintessential cultural abode but also a haven for adventure diggers. And that's exactly what ProVacation through this tour package aspires to offer. It's an opportunity to indulge in an off-beat experience in the beauty of the lesser travelled parts of the Himalayas. Bhutan is full of surprises for adventure lovers as one may never know when the smooth roads suddenly change to rocky dirt trails. Cycling past Bhutan is extremely exhilarating as with every new lap you discover a new Bhutan.
This 10-day tour package is designed methodically so as to offer an amalgamation of both, culture and adventure. Moreover, the average cycling duration in a day wouldn't surpass a total of five hours making this an ideal choice for ardent thrill-seekers and amateurs. A transport vehicle is also kept handy at all times by the representative in case if travellers feel tired of cycling.
What is included in the tour
- Sightseeing tours to all the places mentioned
- Local guide to be by your side throughout
- Bicycle and cycling safety gears
- A transport vehicle for your convenience
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
- Baggage handling, room tax & service charge
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flight tickets, visas and travel insurance
- Personal expenditure incurred in case of snacks or drinks other than those provided
- Other sundry expenses outside the itinerary
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Bottled water and drinks
- Explore the best of Bhutan on bicycle experiencing the changing landscapes with every new town
- Learn about the Bhutanese way of life at the National Folk Heritage Museum
- Short trek to the Dochula Pass amidst the backdrop of the magnificent Himalayan peaks
- Indulge in local shopping of handmade knick knacks, artifacts etc.
- Visit the beautiful 17th century Ta Dzong Monastery
- Short hike through the farmlands of Rinchengang village
- Paro is the city of arrival by flight and offers a magnificent vi ew of the eastern Himalayas before even landing in the dragon land. On arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for refreshments. After completing the check-in process followed by lunch, we set to explore Paro and drive around the valley for a leisurely first day. We visit one of the oldest and the most sacred shrines of the country, Kyichu Lhakhang.
- As an adventure trip awaits you from the following day, we retire early for dinner after collecting our biking equipment and safety gear. Use the time to catch up on a good night’s sleep. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
- Our first day on bicycle begins shortly after breakfast as we ride towards the base of Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is one of the most famous Monasteries of Bhutan situated at a height of 900 m above Paro Valley. Here you will learn about the cultural significance of Tiger’s nest in Bhutan’s history.
- After lunch, we ride to visit the ruins of the famous fortress Drukgyal Dzong. The journey promises to be a surreal experience as you pass through small Bhutanese villages and pine forest leading to several uphill and downhill winding roads. From the site of the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, on a clear day, you can see the peak of Jumolhari situated at an altitude of 7,314 m.
- Transfer back to hotel for dinner. Overnight in Paro.
- Day three is all about cycling to the ca pital city Thimphu and a chance for all photography lovers to take a moment at the picturesque landscapes to admire the scenic beauty. It is going to be a ride amidst strong winds as we peddle along the Paro river till Thimphu river.
- En route, we visit the 13th century Thangthong Gyalpo, popularly known as the Iron Bridge builder, and cross over to the other side to arrive at a monastery.
- After lunch, take a short trip to the confluence of Paro and Thimpu rivers known as Chuzom. Take your time to witness different styles of Stupa that stand atop and admire the unique beauty. Explore the town on your bicycle till sun down and head to your hotel in Thimphu for dinner and stay. Overnight in Thimphu.
- We start our day four on bicycle by visiting the largest statue of Buddha in the country in Kuenselphodrang and take a short walk around the valley. Carry on with our ride to the National Memorial Chorten. It is a center of worship for the people living in Thimphu and hosts many religious paintings and statues.
- After lunch, we cycle till Sangaygang view point and also explore the Takin Zoo to get a glimpse of the national animal of Bhutan, found only in this region. We conclude day four by visiting Changangkha Monastery and Drupthob Lhakhang. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.
- After breakfast in Thimphu, we set off on our bicycles to Dochula Pass to marvel at the sight of the magnificent eastern Himalayan peaks. Some of the peaks seen on a clear day are:
- Masang Gang 7165 m
- Tsenda Gang 7100 m
- Teri Gang 7300 m
- Jejekangphu Gang 7100 m
- Gangkhar Puensum 7541 m (Highest mt in Bhutan)
- En route, we will ride past several villages and Bhutanese chortens and forests. On reaching Dochula, we will also visit 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens which is famous for its spiritual powers and the good luck that it brings upon all sentient beings.
- After a short panoramic view and photography break, we descend downhill towards the town of Punakha. On the way, we visit the Royal Botanical Park that is situated at an altitude range of 2100- 3800 meters. The park is one of the largests in Bhutan and covers an area of 47 square kilometers between Thimphu and Punakha.
- The park has 14.5 km of trails for eco trek for cycling and walking and one of the main attractions is the rhododendron garden including a picnic spot with children’s playground. Cycle towards Punakha. Stop at Lobesa for a short break. Cycle downhill towards Punakha at an altitude of 1300 meters. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
- After breakfast in the hotel in Punakha, we embark on a rather cultural sightseeing tour of the valley. We start by visiting the Punakha Dzong. Thereafter, we traverse throughKhamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten to marvel at the temple built by the Queen of Bhutan in a bid to symbolize peace and stability in this fast-paced world. Second half of the day, we proceed to take a trip to the beautiful Phobjika Valley and Goempa Monastery. On the way up, we stop for lunch at Metsina Village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery- Chhimi Lhakhang. The site is famous for its fertility shrine. Overnight in Punakha.
- After breakfast, cycle uphill towards Dochula. Lunch at Dochula cafeteria. After lunch, cycle downhill for around half an hour. Spend your evening strolling through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, to browse through Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials. Transfer back to hotel for dinner. Overnight in Punakha.
- We will retrace our journey back to Paro on day eight through Chelela Pass at an elevation of 3,988 meters. The journey to the pass is a 35 km long uphill road requiring at least a total of two hours. Upon reaching the point, we take a short break to soak in the beauty of the trail. Thereafter, we descend down the hill to continue our remaining part of the journey to Paro. We check-in to the hotel and unwind till evening. Early in the evening, we ditch the bikes and set off on foot to explore the neighbourhood and local markets in Paro. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
- The second last day in the happiest country concludes by visiting a number of cultural sites in Paro and having a rather relaxed day. You can either choose to continue touring on your bicycle or take the tour transport facility to drive around town. Our guide will tour you around Paro and take you to Ta Dzong. A 17th century watchtower for the Paro Dzong which was converted into the national museum in 1967 is filled with antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor. After this, we drive to see the Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Second half is kept free for your leisure and you can choose to either spend time in the neighbourhood trotting down the streets or drive around in Paro. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
- After a scrumptious breakfast in Paro, our representative will drive you to the airport for your flight back home.