Trip Description
Paro-Haa-Thimphu- Punakha- Wangdue - Gangtey-Trongsa-Bumthang-Paro
Wednesday - 13th of November 2024
There is no better way to experience Bhutan than on a bike. Our Mountain Biking Adventure is our exclusive offering designed to give you an unparalleled insight into Bhutan and its culture, nature, its people and the Bhutanese way of life, all on the thrills of riding your mountain bike on some of the best trails in the country. Bhutan Travel Club and it’s sister company -Bhutan Rides – is owned by bike fanatics and we are the leaders who pioneered trail riding in Bhutan and the only company offering world-class MTB trips in Bhutan.
On this tour we invite you on a road of self-discovery as you pedal through the scenic valleys of western Bhutan, combined with some amazing single-track trails. The trip starts with an easy acclimatizing ride in Paro valley, then it continues to the capital city and while visiting the must-sees, time is also given to exploring popular MTB trails around Thimphu valley. Continue to Punakha for some great trails and then to the scenic Phobjikha valley for a awesome ride around the valley, proceed to our village in Trongsa for community-based tourism and head to the central cultural heartland of Bumthang valley before returning to Paro to visit Bhutan’s ultimate highlight – a visit to the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery. Every stop is laden with attractions that will enliven you senses and will leave you with an indelible feeling of having ridden through the soul of Bhutan. The tour is designed to cater to a rider with a descent level of endurance and skills, however the trip can be customised as per the rider’s preferences. Our most valuable asset is our tour guides and our biking tour leader is one of the most experienced riders in Bhutan.
Quick overview
Price
High Season - USD
Regular Season - USD
Duration
12 Nights
Trip Type
Biking Cycling Holiday
Difficulty
intermediate fitness and skills
Day 1-Welcome to Bhutan
Wednesday - 13th of November 2024 @
Hotel Thimphu Towers
If you are arriving on a bright sunny day, your holiday begins with a panoramic view of the Himalayan range from your Drukair seat, where you’ll be greeted by Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. Make sure you are seated on the left side of the aisle for better views over the himalayan ranges (ask the check-in counter).
Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly professional guide who will help you settle into your comfortable vehicle, and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu. Enroute stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang to take a short break and marvel at Bhutan’s fresh air and rich nature. Walk over the ancient heritage iron bridge reconstructed using original chain link from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo back in the 15th century.
If time permits, we’ll go for a short ride on thimphu’s favourite XC trail – the wangditse loop.
In the evening visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy welcome dinner at the best restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Tour briefing over dinner and overnight in the resort.
Day 2-Best of Thimphu’s trails to get Acclimatized, Enduro Shuttled rides
Thursday - 14th of November 2024 @
Hotel Thimphu Towers
Let’s get straight into riding. Today we’ll explore what the capital city boasts as some of our best mtb trails in the country. Start riding out of your hotel to get oriented with the capital town and slowly make your way to the Buddha point on a 6 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking the Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride in the capital’s favourite MTB trails called the KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang. Shuttle back to the Buddha statue and ride the downhill trail to Babesa on Anim trail.
Then we’ll hit the hills upto the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal first. Then continue to the Radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single-track trail starts. Enjoy shredding this trail down to Bebena. Shuttle back to the radio tower and ride the Takin trail that is a purpose built MTB trail where you can go fast and furious through the twists and turns in the pine forests.
After lunch, we’ll ride back to the chokhortse Ridge and ride down to Wangditse and down to Hejo. The entire ride is on fantastic singletrack punctuated with great views over the capital city. You may also likely come across some of our local MTB riders on this popular trail.
Stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the capital city.
Ride time 6-7 hours/ 35 km, elevation gain 800m, Elevation loss 1800m
Day 3-Thimphu to Punakha on the Mega Madman Trail
Friday - 15th of November 2024 @
Hotel Lobesa
Ride to Dochula Pass (3140m) from Thimphu on gradual ascent for 16km from Simtokha. Enjoy spectacular views over the Himalayan ranges from the pass and visit the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. If you want to try a beautiful but slightly technical singletrack descent, we can do the madman trail. If you prefer easy riding, we’ll just ride on the motor road.
Descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa on a 40km descent. Once in Lobesa visit the popular temples of Bhutan to pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery - our guide will explain the entire story about it. Going to the temple involves a short nice ride through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields.
Continue to Punakha on a nice stretch of undulating roads running adjacent to the river. Stay in a cozy resort overlooking the valley.
Ride time 6-7 hours, 30 km ride, elevation gain 600m, elevation loss 2300m
Day 4-Punakha Exploration Country Rides
Saturday - 16th of November 2024 @
Hotel Lobesa
Ride through Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world.
Ride back to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture, and our guide who is an expert in iconography will explain all aspects of art, architecture, history, and its significance. We’ll have a picnic lunch by the banks of the river.
Ride to the village of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery - our guide will explain the entire story about it. Here we’ll visit local artisans who work on their crafts of phallic blessings.
We’ll visit the local town of Khuruthang in the evening for a local dinner, before heading back to the resort.
Day 5-Punakha to Gangtey on Trans-Bhutan Trail
Sunday - 17th of November 2024 @
Gakiling Guesthouse
Back on the bike today for a long cross-country ride. After checking out of the hotel, we’ll shuttle to Samtengang village for about an hour and from here we’ll ride on to Razawo village through beautiful stretches the Trans-Bhutan Trail of the forested single-track on an easy pace for about 20 kms.
From here, we’ll shuttle the bikes to Phobjikha valley and dismount at the pass. From here hike-a-bike for about 30-40 mins to the ridge above the valley and enjoy a 8 km long ridge ride that gives you a feeling of a freeride as there are multiple line choices. Once you reach the valley floor, we’ll ride through some of the quaint villages and eventually the beautiful stretch of pine forests that passes through the black-necked crane sanctuary and continue riding to your hotel for the night.
Proceed to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle ascent, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking the Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride in the capital’s favourite MTB trails that extends for 8km and exits in Motithang.
After lunch or evening tea, ride north to the valley to Kabisa village to ride on the cross-country trail till Begana village and return to Thimphu. This is a 30 km loop.
Stroll around town in the evening.
Ride time 6 hours, distance 80 km
Day 6-Phobjikha Valley Rides or Rest day with small hikes
Monday - 18th of November 2024 @
Dewachen Hotel
The scenic Phobjikha valley begs you to enjoy its beauty and there is no better way than exploring it by bike. After breakfast, ride to Gangtey Gonpa monastery and visit this exquisite temple and monastic school. Then we’ll enjoy a nice ride down to Longtey village and the surrounding vicinity on the southside on beautiful trail that traverses through pine-forests and towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo, festooned with prayer flags overlooking the bowl-shaped marshland and meadows. Riders will be rewarded by spectacular views along the ride. At the end of the bamboo enclave lies a small group of village houses, built in the distinct Bhutanese style, which features elevated platforms, intricately carved timber window panes and wood-lined, arched roofs. Enjoy a nice picnic lunch by the river. Continue riding through scenic villages make a loop around Phobjikha valley.
Day 7-Ride into the rural communities of central Bhutan
Tuesday - 19th of November 2024 @
Tangsibje Farmhouse
After breakfast, continue riding to the scenic Tangsibje village – our village. Ride to Pelela pass on the road out of Gangtey valley and then hit the singletrack of the Trans-Bhutan trail that descends to the villages of Rukubji where we’ll have lunch at the farmhouse. Continue to Chendebji that involves a gruadual climb and then descend to the main road from where you’ll continue to Tangsibje village.
Stay overnight in our Tangsibji heritage house, which my grandfather built in the 60’s. You will be welcomed by my cousin and her husband who is the “Strongest Man of Bhutan” as he had won the national twice in a row. The welcome ceremony will include a traditional Chipdrel ceremony with local laymonks playing their traditional instruments.
We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors here and makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. The host family will prepare a splendid dinner for you using fresh organic vegetables and herbs from her garden and we'll spend an evening listening to stories and legends from our village while being entertained by the lovely host family.
Ride time 4-5 hours, 45 km ride, elevation gain 600m, elevation loss 800m
Day 8-Tangsibje village to Chumey valley
Wednesday - 20th of November 2024 @
Chumey Nature Resort
Wake up to the sounds of rural Bhutan and a view over the beautiful Mangdichhu gorge. You can have a leisurely morning exploring the village. Bid farewell to your local host and shuttle the bikes to Trongsa. On the way you could visit the mighty Trongsa Dzong fortress and the Tower of Trongsa museum. Continue to shuttle drive to Yoetongla pass on the road for 26 km, from here you ride the Trans-Bhutan Trail down to the beautiful Chumey valley for about 8-10 kms of beautiful singletrack till your country side resort
Ride 5-6 hours, distance 10 km. Elevation Gain 100m, Elevation loss 600m
Day 9-Chumey Valley – Tharpaling Goenpa- Ride into Bumthang (Amazing!!).
Monday - 21st of November 2022 @
GONGKHAR GUESTHOUSE
Drive to Tharpaling Goenpa in Chumey valley which was founded by the great Tibetan lama Longchenpa in the 1300s. After visiting the temple, start riding on what we consider one of the most beautiful trails in Bumthang valley, that starts at 3800m – and descends gradually through temperate forests. Here hikers usually spot various Pheasants and other avi-fauna common in this region. It's a brand new trail and stretches for 12km on a gentle descent and easy walking and exits on the highway in Kikila in Chamkhar valley.
In the afternoon, you could also visit the Cheese factory to see how local Gouda cheese is made. Take some rest here at this cozy outlet and snack on Bumthang Cheese and locally made white beer - the Red Panda beer.
Bumthang is known for their unique local cuisines and we’ll take you to one of our favourite restaurants to spend the evening with good food, locally brewed beer and some conversation.
Ride 5-6 hours, 12 km gravel, 12 km of singletrack.
Day 10-Bumthang Petseling trail and cultural sightseeing.
Friday - 22nd of November 2024 @
GONGKHAR GUESTHOUSE
In the morning, shuttle the bikes to Petselling village and do the Petselling- Kurkurbithang trail and we’ll ride another 10 kms through pine forests and with some lovely views of the Himalayas.
In the afternoon, let’s explore Chamkhar valley on our bikes. Let’s start by visiting the oldest Buddhist temple - the 07th century Jambay lhakhang temple which was built by King Songsen Goempo of Tibet in his bid to to spread the Buddha Dharma by building 108 monasteries across the Himalays. Two of the temples are in Bhutan. Then we proceed to visit Kurjey monastery which is considered as one of the sacred shrines in the country.
We will enjoy a nice lunch at one of our favourite farmhouses to sample local cuisines and hospitality. From here we’ll continue the short ride to visit Tamshing Lhakhang – founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa – who is considered one of the greatest Bhutanese saints in our history. Each of these cultural hot-spots has its own story and history that bear much significane on our traditions and cultural identity and makes it for a day of story-telling, folklore, legends, myths and wonder.
Dinner at town and head to your resort.
Day 11-Domestic flight to Paro and Sightseeing.
Saturday - 23rd of November 2024 @
Metta Resort
After breakfast, continue to the airport and take a 30 minutes domestic flight to Paro. Many guests love the experience as it's a nice glide over the himalayan ranges. After reaching paro, visit the 7th century Kyichu lhakhang monastery, the sister temple of Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. These two are considered the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon by visiting a farmhouse to try a herbal hot-stone bath which is known to be therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, besides simply soothing your mind and body. Perfect to unwind and goes well with local beer. We’ll also have a authentic local dinner at the farmhouse.
Note – No domestic flight on this date yet, but expect the airline to put one soon. If no flight, we’ll do a day’s drive to Paro.
Day 12-Tiger’s Nest excursion and Paro sightseeing
Sunday - 24th of November 2024 @
Metta Resort
Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery -translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery is also a good way to acclimatize before you start trekking. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story.
On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.).
Explore the town in the evening on foot, and visit handicrafts shops along the street to appreciate Bhutanese craftsmanship and Art works. Farewell dinner and drinks in town.
Day 13-Departure
Monday - 25th of November 2024 @
After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport for your onward journey back home.
What's Included and Excluded in this package
What’s Included:
- Sustainable Tourism Fee/ Tourism Tax ($100 per day per person)
- Visa Fees ($40 per person)
- All necessary permit fees
- All transfers and sightseeing
- All meals and evening tea
- Drinking mineral water in the car
- All accommodations
- English-speaking tour leader and driver
- Excellent Toyota Hiace Van
- Entrance fees to certain monasteries/fortresses/museums etc. worth USD 250 per person
- MTB Guides and bike shuttle vehicle
- Domestic flight
What’s Excluded:
- Airfare for Flights to Bhutan
- Mountain Bikes
- All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, shopping expenses
- Spa Charges (except for the traditional hot-stone bath)
- Beverages
- Travel and Medical insurance
- Gratuity/ Tips
- Ride Nutrition
- Bike spares
Ready to book this trip? or need further information? Write to us and we'll send you a customised proposal as per your requirements.