Best of Bhutan Bike Tour

Enjoy a flight to Bhutan over a stack of snow-topped mountains for a large part of the journey. Pray for a clear sunny day for a stunning view!

We meet at the Paro airport and drive to Thimphu. If time permits, we warm up with a short ride around Thimphu. Visit museums, textile weavers, post offices, and markets, and watch archery at the stadium. After lunch, we’ll ride north on tarmac roads passing through Thimphu’s various residential neighborhoods and surrounding villages. On the way back, we’ll visit the Changangkha Lhakhang and Trashichhodzong Fortress, a fine example of Bhutan’s rich architecture that holds the office of His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister.

We take up with a bit longer ride to balmy Punakha over the mountains. The route takes you through apple orchards and pine forests and passes through Dochu La Pass (3,140m). The landscape changes dramatically from here to rhododendron forest and fir. We stop by for a lunch here and admire stunning views all around.

A long descend from here takes us to Punakha, a picturesque settlement where you can see small stands of apple orchards and locals busying themselves over farmlands.

Time to rest well and gear up for some serious cycling ahead!

Today, enjoy a beautiful countryside ride visiting ancient fortresses, suspension bridges, paddy fields, temples and a school. Soak your feet in the glacial rivers over a picnic lunch.

Post-lunch visit Punakha Dzong. Sitting majestically at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

The topography changes drastically from lush valley to wetlands over the Nobding valley. Along the way, cross Lha Wang La Pass for a glimpse of Phobjikha Valley. This area is known for black-necked cranes. Wild boars, sambars, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes are also there in surrounding hills.

Phobjikha valley is a paradise for bikers and today enjoy a ride on beautiful single-track trails that traverses through pine-forests festooned with prayer flags and overlooking the bowl-shaped marshland and meadows. Visit the famous Gangtey Gompa monastery and the Black-necked Crane Information Centre on the way.

We shuttle to Paro and later visit Paro National Museum followed by Rinpung Dzong. Enjoy the evening shopping around for various handicrafts and artefacts.

Explore on foot and hike up to the Tiger’s Nest, which overlooks the town from its perch on a sheer hill. The 17th-century monastery is a perfect place to get a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the region. Lovely Kyichu Lhakhang is another monastery worthy of your time.

Travel further as per your onward travel plans.