9 days/ 8 night
Dates:
09 -17 Dec 2024
4 May – 11th May 2024
6th June – 14th June 2024
Cost: USD 3580 / Single supplement USD 380 /
Deposit USD 350
Return flights from Delhi (USD 800ish) Kathmandu (500ish) or Bangkok (USD 970ish)
Group size 2-12
Private tour for one from USD 5200 (includes single supplement, one guide, one driver and inclusions as below)
Why you should travel to Bhutan
A Buddhist Kingdom dedicated to the the wellbeing of its citizens and visitors, Bhutan is is unique in many ways: Monks wear argyle socks; houses are adorned with giant phalluses; chillis and cheese are the cornerstones of the cuisine; Guru Rinpoche the bringer of Buddhism from Tibet is more celebrated than the Buddha (he flew on a tiger from a Tibet to introduce Buddhism).
Why you should do it by bike
People literally gasp when you say you are cycling Bhutan. They gasp because Bhutan = Mountains . Very big ones! But what goes up, must come down – and as we did in Georgia last year – we will be using our support vehicles FULLY!!! They will take us up the tops of the passes, and we will cycle down!
There’s still ups in a downward tending road, but it will be loads more fun getting rid of the biggest uphills.
Group travel
Tourism in Bhutan is managed by the government to safeguard traditional values (a large portion off your trip cost – and aeroplane contributes to keeping a Shangri la lifestyle ). Countries that manage tourism tend to like driving you from one site to the next missing all the real bits in-between where spontaneity occurs; the “getting a feel for a country through its landscape bit. Even if you’re not a strong rider – you’ll love the bits that you do get on your wheels for. You can opt into the very spacious support vehicle any time you want.
Flight arrivals and the group permit
We have partnered with an awesome operator called Tshering who is organising our group visa and has requested that we all arrive as close together as our flights will allow.
Flights into Bhutan are via Druk Air and the cost is set by the government.
Most practical from Australia will be Bangkok – and if we can all get on the same flight – this will be useful in regard to our group permit.
I can book your Bangkok (or Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Calcutta ) to Paro leg without payment for the next 14 days – so please send me a scan of your passport if you would like me to lock that in. Its the same price if you do it yourself.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Paro (2280m). Bike fit-up and
visit to Rinpung Dzong.
Welcome to Bhutan
We meet our guide at the airport, who will be waiting there to stamp and chop our official permits of travel in Bhutan, and then take us to our hotel for a bit of flight recovery time, a spot of lunch, and then an easy going exploration of this sacred valley.
The Rinpung Dzong, a monastery fortress is the “sight” of the day.
Every town has a Dzong, which was the seat of the ruler in former times. Paro’s is known as the jewel heap. Bhutan’s founding father Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, built the Dzong in the sixteenth century, setting a pattern for the spiritual culture and architecture across the land.These citadels function as the centre of religion and government to this day.
At the Dzong we will visit a couple of temples to get an insight to the spirituality that is prevalent in Bhutan.
In the evening we will do a bike fit-up, and briefing on the upcoming ride .
Day 2 / Cycle 55km to Thimphu (2300m)
Rice fields, apple orchards and wayside markets are some of the things you will see on the ride to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It’s a short and relatively easy warm up ride and we should be in Thimpu by lunch.
Thimphu boasts that it is the only capital city in the world not to have traffic lights. With a population of just 100,000, the town is made up of three key streets, all the key monuments, museums and markets within a 2 km radius.
In the afternoon, we will visit some of the sites as time and our inclinations permit.
The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) is the land mark of the capital; envisaged by the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Artworks inside the monument provide an insight into Buddhist philosophy which has quite a different flavour in Bhutan.
Overlooking the city from the South is the Great Buddha Dordenma, the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The vantage point here offers unobstructed view of the city. It also a good spot for pilgrim watching.
Tashichhodzong, Thimpu’s impressive Dzong houses the Secretariat and the throne room of the King.
Day 3 / Cycle 63 km to Punakha (1200m)
Your first climb, a 750 metre ascent , up to the Dochula pass (3050m) is a spectacular one with panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya (weather permitting). weather gods on your side. this time of year they are more favourable than others.
Grab a cup of tea at the viewpoint and take note of the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (Stupas). 108 is a sacred number in Bhuddism, inherited from Hinduism where Shiva was attended by 108 helpers.
For Buddhists 108 is the result of a karmic algorithm. Rosaries known as malas are always 108 beads long too.
A part of the Chorten built on Dochu La is an atonement for the loss of life in the military suppression of Assamese rebels on Bhutan’s Southern borders a decade ago.
Prayer flags mark the pass in grand abundance.
The wind carries wishes for good luck and good health.
An exciting 40km downhill through a nature reserve brings us to the alluvial and almost sub tropical Punakha Valley..
Along the way, we will be having lunch at a café popular for its fresh organic vegetables.
In the afternoon we take a rest from the bikes and hike into Chimmi Temple (Lhakang) dedicated to Drukpa Kuenly, known affectionately as the Divine Madman.
The walk is around 30-40 minutes.
Drukpa Kuenly is Bhutans most convention-defying free-spirited monk. His own poem to Pema Lingpa ( his teacher) best captures his attitude to life and religion:
I, the madman from Kyishodruk,
Wander around from place to place;
I believe in lamas when it suits me,
I practise the Dharma in my own way.
I choose any qualities, they are all illusions,
Any gods, they are all the Emptiness of the Mind.
I use fair and foul words for Mantras; it’s all the same,
My meditation practice is girls and wine;
I do whatever I feel like, strolling around in the Void,
Last time, I saw you with the Bumthang trulku;
With my great karmic background, I could approach.
Indeed it was auspicious, to meet you on my pilgrim’s round
It is from the Divine Madman that the cult of the penis originates – gigantic representations now painted on temples and houses as fertility symbols. These are most prominent around Punakha.
Onward to Punakha we cross the small Tabe Rong River swinging around to the valley of the Punak Tsang Chhu.
Black great cormorants perch on rocks beside the river here looking for fish.
Day 4 Punakha (1200m) – Day ride (32km) and hike
\We stay two nights in Punakha so its a good chance to wash out your cycling jersey.
Warm and fertile, Punaka was Bhutan’s capital for 300 years till 1955.
It’s still the summer capital for the monk body.
This beautiful valley centres on the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River) above which sits the Punakha Dzong. Bhutan`s first king was crowned in this dzong in 1907, and all royal ceremonies were conducted inside this fascinating structure up until the 1950’s..
The Dzong, one of the oldest and most beautiful in the country is also known as Pungthang Dechen Phodrang – the Palace of Great Happiness.
We begin the day with a short drive to the Talo village which sits on the western ridge of Punakha, from Talo we enjoy a scenic 18km ride to the valley and ride 15Kms of flat on an unsealed dirt road, this stretch offers spectacular views of the river valley, life along the riverside and the imposing castle of happiness.
There’s an exhilarating suspension bridge; the longest and highest foot bridge in the country; stretching over 200m above the Pho River,
On the return we will be walking through the villages located close by the temple.
After a picnic lunch by the Punakha River its a short ride and hike to the Khamsum yuley namgay chorten through theidylic countryside north of Punakha.
Built on a ridge with views to the south and the northern frontiers, this temple is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture and iconography.
The walk out takes half an hour – or a longer optional walk along the riverside follows a more interesting and ancient trail through farmlands, countryside homes, Sonagasa village back to the Punakha Dzong.
This walk takes two hours, but is worth it if you have the energy.
Day 5 / Punakha to Gangtey (3000m) 9 km downhill
In the morning we drive for a while the road to Gangtey until the Lawala Pass at (3300m)where we have a cup of tea and mount the bikes for an exhilarating descent into the enchanting glacial Gangtey Valley.
Upon arrival, we pay our respects at the exquisite 16th Century Gangtey Goemba (Monastery).
Gangtey which means Hilltop has become the shorthand name for the Phobjikha Valley. You will be welcomed by the lama to sit in on a Buddhist ceremony and receive a blessing if you wish.
The Phobjikha Valley Crane Information Center a little further on, offers a good introduction to the ecology and behaviour of the cranes and other wildlife in the valley.
The valley itself is a glacial bowl that spreads out below the Goemba.
Hike through villages, fields and numerous ecologies including bamboo forests and marshlands on a landscape which (refreshingly for Bhutan) is flat. We can decide when we are there how long and far you would like to walk, or ride.
A few trails pass the roosting grounds of the cranes (though not too close)though the cranes should have already departed for the Tibetan plateau by end of April.
After enjoying a picnic in an alpine meadow we have the opportunity to explore a local village at the southern end of the valley before returning to the hotel.
Day 6 / Gangtey (3000m) to Paro (2200m) 70km downhill on the Dochu.
We spend the morning in Gangtey then ride to Wangdi Phodrang down the long passes that we drove up the day before. We will drive up Dochu Pass, where we have a second chance to view the panorama out along the eastern Himalaya – and ride the downhill to the Paro Highway.
Depending on what time we arrive in Paro – there is an opportunity to check out a new craft brewery for a tour and tasting session of the assorted beer, cider and apple juice or spend an evening at leisure recharging at the hotel.
Day 7 / The Chelai Pass (3900m) – day trip from Paro. 32 Km downhill riding.
We knock off a massive climb today with an hour long drive to the little visited Chelai pass – which by now you should be acclimated to – its 3900m high. This is the highest motorable road in Bhutan. The Chelai region is known for its luxuriant forests, mountain views, birds and wildlife.
There’s a small a nunnery amidst this alpine splendour – at which we might be invited for tea – then we ride 32 Km on one of the best downhill rides in the country.
After lunch we will ride out a village in east Paro to check out the rice farmers working the fields, and take in some traditional refreshments in their homes, before heading back to the hotel to rest up ahead of the auspicious hike on the morrow.
Day 8 / Hike to the Tigers Nest Monastery
Saving the holiest and most iconic experience till last – today we trek up to the Tiger’s Nest aka Taktsang Monastery, which is perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley
This is where Guru Rinpoche meditated in order to subdue the evil demons that were residing within it.
Guru Rinpoche is famous amongst all gods and deities in Tibet for founding the. Monastery system – setting up the first one at Samye in Central Tibet, from where he flew on the back of his consort Yeshe Tsogyal – a revealer of portals into sacred Bhuddist knowledge whom he transformed into a flying tigress for the purpose of the trip.
It’s a 1-2 hour hike to the monastery, which at almost 3000 metres altitude will have a few people puffed out.
You can choose a mule to carry you up for a mere $15.
At the top, your guide will organize a butter lamp offering for you.
Lunch in the Tigers nest restaurant comes with impressive views of this cultural landmark perched on the sheer cliff-face
Tonight, we will have a celebratory farewell dinner and reminisce on our adventures and our gross personal happiness.
Day 9 / Paro to Onward destination
The tour concludes with breakfast and the transfer to the airport. We will be checking in two hours prior to flight departure to ensure the best seats on board.
Included
- Government mandated sustainable development contribution
- Accommodation at comfortable, clean and well located 3 and 3.5 star category hotels, including homestay in Gangtey on twin sharing basis. These are all government approved and certified hotels/homestays.
- Single travellers can be paired up with other single travellers of their own sex – or you can purchase a single supplement for USD 280 for the 8 nights of the trip.
- All meals and tea and coffee at break stops along the way.
- Service of experienced professional, english speaking and licensed guide, driver, and support team
- Private transport and driver within Bhutan
- Monument /museum entrance fees
- Airport transfers by private vehicle
- Route permits and Visa (send us a passport scan so we can process it)
- Bike – either a Trek4300D or Trek Marlins, Bike rental is included. If you want to BYO bike and we can discount you some dollars.
Not Included
- International flights
- Tips for guides / drivers (recommended at USD 5-10 per day depending on size of the group.
- Drinks at meals (wine, espresso, etc), laundry, shopping and other personal expenses
- Any excursions not mentioned in program
- Alcohol and soft drinks, and other personal items
Payment
Please pay a deposit of USD 400 to secure your place. You can get 75 percent of your deposit back up to 90 days before you’re trip departs if you decide to cancel.
Flights can get booked out. Very few agencies book Bhutan flights. We can. Bangkok, Delhi and Nepal are the usual entry points.
Full payment is due one month before the trip starts.
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