Biking through the Himalayas

DAY 01.  Arrival at Paro

If flying in from Bangkok, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s sacred Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake.  On arrival at the airport, representatives of Tour Company will receive and escort to Hotel. Lunch at local restaurant. Be at leisure to explore the small town of Paro, than visit the Dzong, the National museum, overnight at hotel.

DAY 02. Paro-Thimphu (65km.)
Ride to Thimphu, this will take approximately 05 hrs depending on the level of professionalism and biking skills. The ride is all along the lined willow trees and the beautiful villages of Paro. All along you ride parallel to the river banks. On arrival at Thimphu you be at leisure or just explore the Thimphu city, the weekend market would be in progress where the residents of Thimphu do their weekly marketing and farmers and vendors all over the country visit this market to sell their handicrafts and farm produce.

DAY 03. Thimphu – Punakha (71km.) 
Do some quick sightseeing and places of interest before heading for the Dochula pass, this will take about 02-03hrs uphill, But once you reach the Pass at 3000m, views and hard work is rewarding with the Eastern Himalayan range weather permitting. After that it is all downhill till you reach the warm and lush valley of Punakha region. Can visit the Chimmi lhakhang/monastery of the divine mad man or the temple of fertility. Lunch at local restaurant.

Explore the fertile and flat valley of Punakha, ride north towards the Crown Prince’s Monastery perched on a strategic location on a hill top overlooking the rich rice terraced fields. Visit the Punakha Dzong, which is located on the confluence of two rivers. This Dzong used to be the former capital of Bhutan and till date still used as the winter capital by the clergy. Overnight at hotel

DAY 04. Punakha – Gangtey (83km.) 
Ride to Phobjikha valley, the abode of the black necked cranes, enroute visit Wangdue Dzong, all along you ride and see the villages of Sha. The backup vehicle will always there following the cyclists and at any point of time riders get exhausted you can continue on the back up car.

DAY 05. GAangtey – Paro (205km.)
Visit the Gangtey monastery and biking  toward  Paro via Wangdue and Thimphu. You can bike certain stretch of the road and use the backup car to reach Paro. End of your biking tour farewell dinner. You can have a hot- stone bath at the end to relax your tired muscles!.

DAY 06 Paro – Taktsang monastery hike

After breakfast drive half an hour and start hike. It takes about 5 hour round trip. Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the site of the famous Tiger’s nest, the Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 1000m/3,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley. It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D.  On the way visit the Drugyel Dzong, located 16 Km. away from the Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Chomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess” can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,329m/24,029ft.). Strolls through town and visit the Paro Rimpong Dzong, it was built in 1646, Kyichu Monastery the oldest in Paro valley, built in 659 A.D.  Overnight at the hotel

DAY 07: Paro – Bangkok

After breakfast drive to Paro international Airport and fly out.