Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Nature of tour: Cycling and cultural sightseeing
Departs: Everyday
Places covered: Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
Difficulty grading: Medium
Entry: Paro
Exit: Paro
Representative from See Bhutan Travels will welcome you at Paro international airport. Get transferred to your hotel and enjoy your lunch.
After lunch we will be riding around Paro town and if time permits, we will pay visits to following places:
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.
In the morning ride till Taktsang base from where the 6 hour round trip hiking to Taktsang monastery begins.
Horse riding facilities are available till Taktsang viewpoint while hiking up.
Taktsang Monastery: 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.
Towards evening, after reaching 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
Today we will be riding 65 km eastward towards Thimphu (capital). After arriving at Thimphu we will visit to Kuenselphodrang, Takin zoo, Sangaygang and if time permits, we will be riding till Dechencholing area.
Overnight: At hotel in Thimphu
Punakha is located 77 km east of Thimphu. Ride to Punakha from Thimphu includes uphill riding till Dochula pass (23 km) and from there; it is a downhill riding till you reach near the bank of Punatshang Chhu River.
En-route to Punakha we will pay visit to Khemae Lhakhang, the monastery dedicated to Tibetan saint Drukpa Kuenley.
Khemae Lhakhang: Located on a hillock in Lobesa (Punakha), the temple was built in 1499 by Lam Ngawang Chogyal, the cousin of Lam Drukpa Kunley, on the spot where the latter subdued a demon who was running away in the form of a dog. Lam Drukpa Kunley buried the demon and said there was no dog now (khe – dog; mae – no). Hence, the temple came to be known as the “temple of no dog”. Today however it is pronounced as Chimi Lhakhang. The temple contains the bow and arrows of Lam Drukpa Kunley and a phallus to bless the visitor.
After reaching Punakha we will pay visit to Punakha Dzong.
Punakha Dzong: The dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. The dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1937 and named it Pungthang Dewa Chenpai Phodrang, the palace of great bliss. Later it became the final retreat palace for him. The first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955. Today it serves as the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. The sacred relic Rangjung Kharsapani is also kept in the Machen Temple inside the dzong.
Overnight: At hotel in Punakha
In the morning we will hike to Khamsum Yelley Namgyal Choeten (stupa).
Khamsum Yelley Namgyal Choeten: Located in Kabesa Gewog, about 7 km drive from Punakha town; the Chorten was built with the sponsorship of her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck between 1992 and 1999 under the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Lam Sonam Zangpo. The three-storey choeten contains the images of Dorji Phurba on the ground floor, Khrowo Khamsum Namgyal on the first floor, and Khrowo Nampur Gyalwa on the second floor.
On hiking back from the stupa, your raft will be ready waiting for you. There are two rivers where you can enjoy rafting at Punakha, Pho Chhu River and Mo chhu River. Rafting distances are around 12 km on both the rivers and it takes approximately 2 hours on both the rivers. Depending on your choice we can raft on either or both of the rivers.
Towards evening enjoy riding around Punakha valley.
Overnight: At hotel in Punakha
Today we will be following back the same way that we came yesterday. You have an option to ride back to Thimphu or take a seat in tour vehicle.
Our cycling journey will come to an end at Thimphu. Towards evening we will drive towards Paro.
Overnight: At hotel in Paro
After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at Paro International Airport.
One way to explore Bhutan is by riding a bicycle. Nestled at the foothills of Himalaya, Bhutan is amongst the most culturally and geographically diverse country in the world. Scenically breathtaking, with age-old culture and traditions preserved through generations, perfect way of discovering Bhutan is from the saddle of a bicycle. Be it beginners or professionals, riders of all level can enjoy cycling in Bhutan.
All the required accessories such as helmets and extra tubes are included in tour packages but it is advisable that you bring your own helmet, saddle and toe clips of your size.
A pickup truck or back up vehicle (for larger groups) and tour vehicle will be following you for your entire tour. For those who do not wish to ride for longer distance, uphill roads or those who cannot keep pace with their fellow riders can use the service of tour vehicle, while their bikes are carried by back up vehicles.
For longer duration tours, a guide and a separate mechanic will be following you for the entire tour and for shorter duration tours, guide with a mechanical knowledge will follow you. Extra charges will be levied for hiring bicycle, if you want your guide to ride alongside with you. Otherwise your guide will be travelling in the tour vehicle.
Except summer season (June, July and August) during which Bhutan receives heavy rainfall, rest of the year is suitable for cycling in Bhutan.
With cooler temperature and less rain; October, November, December, March and April are the best month to visit Bhutan for on-road bicycling tour.
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