9 Day Guided Cycling Tour to Explore Bhutan's Scenic Trails
Exhilarating Cycling Adventure in Bhutan
One of the most popular sports in Bhutan is now cycling. It’s now a popular sport for young Bhutanese as well as visiting tourists to Bhutan who would like to have more of Bhutan adventure experience and up-close connection with nature. Bhutan is known for its pristine nature, clean air, and fewer cars on the road. Most of the highways like the east-west highway, Paro Thimphu Highway, Thimphu – Phuntsholing Highway go through the protected areas; natural reserves, and biological corridors where riders can now get immersed in the beautifully preserved environment and a safari ride across the country. Now in Bhutan, the riders can use hybrid bicycles, which are available for purchase, hire or rent.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Starts in: Thimphu
- Ends in: Paro
- Type of bike: Hybrid bike (not included)
Highlights
- 7 days of cycling tour and adventure visiting fortresses, farmhouses, and villages
- Fit for those sportive, nature lovers, seeking stress relief, and adventurous
- Interact with cycling enthusiasts and Bhutanese people on the way
- Service car, luggage van, and SUV cars in case
- Escorted by an expert tour guide who ensures your journey is as enjoyable as possible
- Baggage handling and Wi-Fi and internet in most of the hotels
- Free airport transfers as per the scheduled flights
- 8 nights accommodation with all meals included
Accommodation
- Night 1: Norkhil Boutique (4-star, mountain view)
- Night 2: Wangdue Ecolodge (3-star, deluxe)
- Night 3: Wangdue Ecolodge (3-star, deluxe)
- Night 4: Wangdue Ecolodge (3-star, deluxe)
- Night 5: Norkhil Boutique (4-star, mountain view)
- Night 6: Norkhil Boutique 4-star, mountain view)
- Night 7: Taktsangrila (4-star, Taktsang view)
- Night 8: Taktsangrila (4-star, Taktsang view)
Program
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro to Thimphu
Your guide will receive you at the airport, usher you to your car and after a brief introduction summary of Bhutan culture, Bhutanese customs, and a brief dos and don’ts, you will be driven to Thimphu.
Enroute, stroll around Paro Town, visit to Tamchog Lhakhang monastery, Chuzom or the confluence of Thimphu and Paro River and then drive to Thimphu. Check-in the hotel and relax. Your guide will then provide the bicycle for you to check to ensure if any attention is required so that the team can take action before the take off in the morning.
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha
In the morning, you will be driven to Dochula Pass (3100 m asl). Enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain it’s the start point of your cycling adventure. Refreshments will be served as you enjoy the spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains and 108 stupas of the Docula Pass showcasing Bhutanese art.
Your ride starts along the meandering road wide and comfortable for cycling, pass through the Royal Botanical Park – a protected area known for 36 species of Rhododendron flowers, Magnolia and mixed vegetation of broad-leafed forest and bamboo shrubs. The ride will end at Chimi Lhakhang after approximately 2 and a half hours covering 43 kilometers.
Chimi Lhakhang or the fertility temple sits on the hilltop with a view of Lobesa village and Wangduephodrang. Listen to your guide as he/she narrates the life story and his crazy methods of teaching of Divine Mad Man, Lam Drukpa Kuenley. The temple is known for fertility wish grants for couples and there are true stories of how locals as well as tourists alike got conceived after the blessing from the temple. Check-in at Wangdue Ecolodge, dinner at the hotel or nearby downtown and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 3: Wangdue - Punakha
From the hotel, you can ride till the suspension bridge on the way to Khamsum Yuelley Monastery. It’s a steep climb after the bridge and according to your will and power, you can either hike up or keep on cycling.
Enjoy the spectacular view of the Punakha Valley from atop Khamsum Yuelley Monastery and continue your ride to Somdingkha and then to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan near the Punakha Fortress.
Visit Punakha fortress, one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country where all kings tied their knot with the queen of Bhutan including the fifth current king in 2008. Ride Back to Wangdue Ecolodge, dinner, or in downtown and overnight stay.
Day 4: Wangdue to Phobjikha and back to Wangdue
Either in the car or on your bicycle, you will be driven till Pelela Pass at an altitude of 3200 m asl and start cycling downhill for about 1 and half hours till you reach Gantey and Phobjikha. Phobjikha is the most beautiful glacial valley of Bhutan. It’s the winter roosting ground of Black Neck Cranes.
Visit the crane information Centre and drive/ride until Lawala Pass which is at the altitude of 3190 m asl. Alternatively, you can hike on the Phobjikha nature trail and then drive to the pass. Ride Back to Wangdue Ecolodge and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 5: Wangdue to Thimphu
From the lodge, ride on your bicycle to the Lobesa market. This stretch includes 3.7 kilometers on a gentle slope. Lunch at Lobesa and continue your drive till Docula Pass where after that you will ride till Semtokha. It will take you around 1 hour to ride covering 17 kilometers.
Day 6: Thimphu
There are different cycling areas in Thimphu including around the Giant Buddha that will take you around 1 hour, Changangkha to Giant Buddha Statue which takes around 3 hours, Thimphu City to Takin Reserve to Sangaygang and back which will take you around 2 hours.
If you prefer, you can come back to your hotel or continue from Sangaygang to Wangduetse and then to Zilukha Nunery Center.
Day 7: Thimphu- Paro
The most popular cycling route is Thimphu to Paro Highway, where you can join some of the local cycling athletes. The road is wide enough for an enjoyable ride along the Thimphu River for the first half of the journey and then along the Paro Chu during the second half.
Total distance to over is 53 kilometers and the maximum duration to cover is 5 hours. Your ride will end at Paro Town where your car will pick you up and drive to your hotel. Take your time and enjoy a picnic lunch midway by the riverside.
- Distance: 53 kilometers / 33 miles
Day 8: Paro Taktsang or the Tigers Nest
Tigers Nest Monastery is located around 900 meters above the Paro Valley on a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery, and is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history.
In the 8th Century, this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.
Depending on your willpower and stamina, you can either ride your cycle till the cafeteria, halfway to Tiger’s Nest monastery, or hike up on foot.
Day 9: Depart
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you fare well and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.
Location
This guided cycling tour will take you to Bhutan's scenic trails around Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Phobjikha and Paro.
Food
All three meals, tea and coffee are included in the price. Picnic lunches, tea and snacks, camping on the way is optional and at an extra charge.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- Airport transfers
- 8 nights accommodation in hotels as indicated in the itinerary
- All three meals, tea, and coffee
- Dedicated SUV vehicle with a driver
- English-speaking guide throughout the trip
- Short hikes, packed lunches, and snacks wherever required
- Monumental fees
- Bhutan tourism development fee
- Visa processing fee
What's not included
- Hybrid bicycles maintained and in good conditions
- Picnic lunches, tea and snacks, camping on the way is optional and at an extra charge
- International airfare
- Refreshments, bottled drinks and alcohol
- Tips/gratuities
- Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond Wangdue Ecolodge's control
- Expenses of a personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Paro International Airport
22 km
Transfer included
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.