Ride Through the Heart of Bhutan

During the journey to Bhutan, you will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you will visit Paro Dzong. It was built in the 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. You will then visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally believed to have been built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. In the evening, you can stroll through Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will bike to Thimphu, which is around 54 km from Paro. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; Changangkha Monastery; the Motithang Takin Preserve, where you can see Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin; Buddha Point, where you can see the giant Buddha statue on a hill overlooking Thimphu; and the majestic Tashichho Dzong. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will enjoy the scenic bike ride to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochula Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can enjoy views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, you will continue downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will continue through rice fields and along the banks of the Punakha River before arriving in Punakha. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metsina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Today, you will start biking towards Punakha Dzong. You will visit Punakha Dzong, which is situated between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers like an anchored ship. In the afternoon, you will enjoy about 3 hours of off-road biking along the Pho Chhu River. You can also visit farmhouses and walk through the rice fields. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Early in the morning, you will start your bike ride back to Paro, with a stop at Menchuna Café for a cup of tea. You will stop at Dochula Pass for lunch. After lunch, you will continue your bike ride to Paro. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

In the morning, you will bike 10 km north through the beautiful Paro Valley to the starting point of the hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, situated at an altitude of 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch, you will explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon, you will ride further north to Drukgyal Dzong, the fort that defended the Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions in the early 17th century. You will then ride back to Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive to Paro International Airport for your departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.