Day 01: Arrival at Paro International airport – Paro vicinity tour (Cycling distance: 20 km)

Representative (guide and driver) from See Bhutan Travels will meet you at Paro international airport and guide you towards your hotel. Check into your hotel, get refreshed and enjoy your lunch

After lunch we will ride around Paro valley and pay visit to Paro Ta Dzong (Museum) and Paro Rinpung Dzong

Paro Ta Dzong (national museum): Located on a spur above Rinpung Dzong, five and a half kilometers’ drive from Tshongdu town, the dzong was built in the mid-17th century as a watchtower overlooking Rinpung Dzong by Lanyongpa Tenzin Drukdra and Chogyal Migyur Tenpa. The circular dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan

Paro Rinpung Dzong: Located on the bank of Pachu River, Paro Dzong, formally known as Rinchen Pung Dzong (shortened to Rinpung Dzong), was built in 1644 under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is one of the most beautiful and historically important dzongs in the country. Today, it houses both district administration and monastic body.

Overnight: At hotel in Paro.

Day 02: Taktsang monastery hike (Cycling distance 30 km)

After breakfast, ride till Taktsang base from where the hike begins. Horse riding facilities are available till view point, while hiking up, provided you inform us few days earlier.

Taktsang monastery: Depending on your pace and the time you spent in Monastery, hiking to this monastery will take around 5 to 6 hours (roundtrip).

The monastery is located 900 m above Paro valley on the face of a rocky cliff. Taktshang is perhaps the most famous monastery in the country. The monastery was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew there from Kurtoe Singay Dzong (Eastern Bhutan) riding on a tigress to subdue a demon. Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the secular head of the country (1680-1694) has begun the construction of the monastery at this site in 1692 and completed in the year 1694. The monastery houses many temples that contain sacred statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, Tshepame Yabyum and Bone relic of Pelgi Singay.

After coming back from Taktsang monastery, we will visit to Drugyal Dzong.

Drugyal Dzong: Located in Phongdey village in Paro, the Dzong was built as one of the principal Dra Dzong (defence dzongs). While some attribute the building of the Dzong to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate a victory over Tibetan invasion, some attribute it to the second Druk Desi Tenzin Drukdra. But as its name suggests (Druk – Drukpa; gyal – victory), the Dzong was built to celebrate the victory over Tibetans. The Dzong was used as the summer residence of Rinpung Rabdey until 1951 when it was completely burnt down. The Dzong is currently being rebuilt to its former glory to celebrate the birth of crown prince Jigme Namgyel.

Overnight: At hotel in Paro

Day 03: Paro to Thimphu (65 km) (Cycling distance 80 km)

Today we will head towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, located 65 km east of Paro. At Thimphu, we will ride around Dechencholing, Sangaygang and Buddha point.

Buddha Statue: Located at Kuenselphodrang, facing Thimphu valley down bellow is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue standing at the height of 169 feet (52m). The statue houses one hundred thousand of smaller Buddha statues, the exact replica of the outer Buddha statue. From here one can have a 360 degree view of Thimphu valley.

Overnight: At hotel in Thimphu

Day 04: Ride to Dochula – Paro (Cycling distance 40 km)

Located 23 km east of Thimphu city, Dochula pass at the height of 3100 m above sea level is Bhutan’s most decorated and beautiful pass. On this pass is 108 stupas called Druk Wangyal Chortens, built by Queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. There is also a temple called Druk Wangyal Lhakhang built in the honour of fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck for his service to his subjects. The front yard of this temple is a venue for Druk Wangyal festival which is conducted annually in the month of December. On the backdrop of this pass is the stunning view of snow capped mountain ranges and amongst which is Bhutan’s tallest mountain Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7570m).

Down below, to the other side of Dochula pass is Wangdiphodrang and Punakha district; which are also amongst the favorite destination for tourists but due to time constraint, we will head back to Thimphu from here. Once you reach Thimphu, your actual cycling tour comes to an end. We will hand over our bikes and head back towards Paro.

Overnight: At hotel in Paro

Day 05: Departure

After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at Paro International airport for your onward destinations.