Cycling Tour in Bhutan
Our cycling tours will bring you to appreciate the country’s natural beauty and cultural wealth. Our trips provide a sense of being transported back in history.
Bhutan’s mountainous terrain offers a fascinating adventure for cycling enthusiasts. The route along Bhutan’s west-east highway (approx.600 km) is an exciting route with challenges of battling a new pass over 3000 meters everyday. The highways winding up and down with drops of thousands of feet keep one too high on adrenaline to feel the slightest pinch of monotony.
As you progress along the route, there is a distinct change in the flora and temperature, when you gradually descend from the alpine heights into the temperate regions. All along the routes the interruption by picturesque and almost medieval villages and towns rich in cultural spots make a welcome diversion. Itineraries range from 5 days to 15 Days if you wish to cycle throughout the country. The distance can vary from 50 kms to 198 Kms to travel form one town to another.
The best periods of for cycling in Bhutan are the spring months of March, April and May, and the autumn months of September, October and November.
Sample Itinerary
DAY01. ARRIVAL
If flying in from Delhi-Kathmandu, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s sacred Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. On arrival at the airport, representatives of tour company will receive and escort to Hotel. Be at leisure to explore the small town of Paro, time permitting visit the Dzong.
DAY02. PARO SIGHTSEEING
Get acclimatized with the altitude for the rides for the following days. Ride to the National museum, ride to Drugyal Dzong and Kichu Monastery which is the oldest monastery in the country. Total you have about 32km rides over all. Time permitting can do the Taktsang hike, the Taktsang monastery is a landmark of the country and a famous religious site for Buddhist all over the world. The Monastery clings magically on a cliff 300m above the valley floor.
DAY03. PARO – THIMPHU 65km
Ride to Thimphu, this will take approx. 05 hrs depending on the level of professionalism and cycling skills. The ride is all along the lined willow trees and the beautiful villages of Paro. All along you ride parallel to the river banks. On arrival at Thimphu you be at leisure or just explore the Thimphu city, the weekend market would be in progress where the residents of Thimphu do their weekly marketing and farmers and vendors all over the country visit this market to sell their handicrafts and farm produce.
DAY04. THIMPHU-PUNAKHA. 71km
Do some quick sightseeing and places of interest before heading for the Dochula pass, this will take about 02-03hrs uphill, But once you reach the Pass at 3000m, views and hard work is rewarding with the Eastern Himalayan range weather permitting. After that it is all downhill till you reach the warm and lush valley of Punakha region. Can visit the Chimey lhakhang/monastery of the divine mad man or the temple of fertility.
DAY05. PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING
Explore the fertile and flat valley of Punakha, ride north towards the Crown Prince’s Monastery perched on a strategic location on a hill top over looking the rich rice terraced fields. Visit the Punakha Dzong, which is located on the confluence of two rivers. This Dzong used to be the former capital of Bhutan and till date still used as the winter capital by the clergy.
DAY06. PUNAKHA – GANGTEY 83km
Ride to Phobjikha valley, the abode of the black neck cranes, en-route visit Wangdue Dzong, all along you ride and see the villages of Sha. The backup vehicle will always there following the cyclists and at any point of time riders get exhausted you can continue on the back up car.
DAY07.GANGTEY – PARO. 205km
Visit the Gangtey monastery and cycle to Paro via Wangdue and Thimphu. You can cycle certain stretch of the road and use the backup car to reach Paro. End of your cycling tour farewell dinner. You can have a hot- stone bath at the end to relax your tired muscles!.
DAY08. DEPARTURE