5 Nights 6 Days Biking Tour Itinerary

Bhutan Bicycling Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Paro

Arrive in Paro where you will be picked up from the airport. After checking into the hotel, visit Paro Museum to learn about local art, textiles, artifacts, and sculptures. You’ll also visit one of the major Dzongs located in Paro. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner prepared in traditional Bhutanese style.

Day 2: Thimphu - Dodina loop; Cycle (Approx. 34 km)

There is a short morning transfer to Thimphu (approx. 2 hrs), and then the rest of the morning will be spent visiting museums and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (a school of arts and crafts). In the afternoon, you will ride to Dodina, past small villages, farmlands and dense forests. The end of the road in Dodina features two monasteries set back high amongst the mountains. The return is a gradual downhill to Thimphu. Later in the evening, you can explore the town well known for its handicrafts shops.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha; Cycle (Approx. 73 km)

Today will be a major hill challenge - you have a warm up ride of 5 km before climbing for the next 18 km to the pass at Dochula, which is known for its spiritual energy and 108 chortens that are atop the pass. Lunch at the Dochula Cafe is the perfect place to take in expansive views of the deep valleys and the Eastern Himalayas. After lunch, as you descend down the pass, you will move from oak, maple and blue pine forests into rhododendron, hemlock and fir vegetation. The many monasteries that come into view along the way make this a downhill ride to remember. One amongst them is Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 and also known as the temple of the "Divine Madman” (Lama Drukpa Kunley). This temple is also noted for its blessings offered to women who wish to bear children.

Day 4: Punakha – Tashithang loop; Cycle (Approx. 62 km)

Today’s ride is an enjoyable out and back ride with the outward leg being a gradual climb to Tashithang. You will pass through lush forests which are famous for their rhododendron trees, and when in bloom make for magnificent views. This area is also well known for its bird-life and wild orchids. On the way back from Tashithang, visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive Dzongs in Bhutan which was built in 1638 and made all the more remarkable as it was constructed without the use of drawings or a single nail!

Day 5: Punakha – Paro; Hike

Leave Punakha early today for the drive back to Paro. It will take about 4-6 hours depending on road construction, but rest assured, there's time to visit the Tiger's Nest (Takings Monastery), a highlight of the tour. Perched on a cliff it's a hike to reach and requires you to cross a bridge across a water fall, which drops by 60 metres (200 ft) into a sacred pool - not easy for those with a fear of heights. First built in 1692, this monastery is sacred to Buddhists of the world.

Day 6: Departure from Paro

The tour concludes and you are transferred to the airport for your onward travel.