10 Days - Bhutan Mountain Biking tour

Ziua 1 · Welcome Riders

1. 1

   Paro

   5 ore

   Your Bhutan riding holiday begins with a panoramic view of the Himalayan range even before landing in Bhutan as your flight is a very scenic flight with great views of the Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. Make sure you are seated on the left side of the aisle for better views over the Himalayan ranges (ask the check-in counter).

   Upon arrival, our friendly guides will help you settle into your comfortable car, and then proceed to your hotel where we'll assemble your bikes or bikes will be waiting for you (if we are to provide the wheels). Take an easy spin around Thimphu valley to give you a first impressions of Bhutan. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang – believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan built during the 08th century. Dinner at some of the best restaurants and end the evening with a tour briefing session.

Overnight in 3-4 star hotel

Ziua 2 · Start riding from Paro to Thimphu

1. 1

   Thimphu

   7 ore

   After breakfast, start riding to the capital city on a beautiful road of 60 km. It’s a nice stretch of scenic road with easy pedaling to help you get acclimatized to Bhutan's elevation. En route stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang to take a short break and marvel at Bhutan’s fresh air and rich nature. Walk over the ancient heritage iron bridge reconstructed using original chain link from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo back in the 15th century.

   If time permits, we’ll go for a short ride on Thimphu’s favourite XC trail – the wangditse loop.

   In the evening visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy welcome dinner at the best restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Tour briefing over dinner and overnight in the resort.

   Ride time 6-7 hours/ 80 km

Overnight in 3-star hotel

Ziua 3 · Cross-country riding in Thimphu

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   Oprirea 1

   6 ore

   Today we’ll explore what the capital city boasts as some of our best mtb trails in the country. Proceed to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking the Thimphu city. Start riding on the capital’s favourite MTB trails called the KC Trail that extends for 7 km and exits in Motithang.

   After a picnic lunch, we’ll hit the hills upto the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal first. Then continue to the Radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single-track trail starts. The loop is about 6 km. Ascend to 300m into bluepine forests and then descend to Wangditse temple. Continue to ride down to Bebeba village. The entire ride is on fantastic singletrack punctuated with great views over the capital city.

   Visit to the Folk Heritage-a three stored,19 century traditional Bhutanese farm house which provides glimpse of Bhutanese life style, and artifacts from the rural house holds. One can come across typical households objects, religious tools and equipment..

   Stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the capital city.

   Ride time 6-7 hours/ 40 km

Overnight at 3-4 star hotel

Ziua 4 · Ride from Thimphu to Punakha

1. 1

   Wangdue

   7 ore

   Ride to Dochula Pass (3140m) from Thimphu on gradual ascent for 16km from Simtokha. Enjoy spectacular views over the Himalayan ranges from the pass and visit the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. If you want to try a beautiful but slightly technical singletrack descent, we can do the madman trail. If you prefer easy riding, we’ll just ride on the motor road.

   Descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa on a 40km descent on road. Once in Lobesa visit the popular temples of Bhutan to pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery. Going to the temple involves a short nice ride through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields.

   Continue to Punakha on a nice stretch of undulating roads running adjacent to the river. Stay in a cozy resort overlooking the valley.

   Ride time 6-7 hours, 77km drive/ride

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Ziua 5 · Punakha Sightseeing and Country rides/ Optionally no bike day

1. 1

   Punakha

   6 ore

   Continue to ride to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers is considered as the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. After visiting the fortress, we’ll ride the Phophu loop trail for 7km and start climbing to Sewla for another 10 km on jeep-track. Once we reach Sewla, we’ll enjoy the reward – which is a 10km ridge ride through beautiful pine forests – which is arguably the best singletrack for cross-country mountain biking in Bhutan.

   Enjoy a nice evening at your resort.

   Ride time 6-7 hours, 45-50 km

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Ziua 6 · Ride from Punakha to Gangtey

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   Phobjikha Valley

   7 ore

   After a hearty breakfast we set out for Gangtey via Wangduephrodang. Continue riding gently gaining elevation to reach Nobding for lunch. The ride is on beautiful tarmac roads with great scenery. Once we reach the pass before entering Phobjikha valley, start riding down to the famous Gangtey Gonpa moanstery. From here, we will continue riding on a beautiful stretch of trail in cross-country style.

   Distance 86km

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Ziua 7 · Gangtey Valley ride

1. 1

   Gangtey

   7 ore

   After breakfast, ride to Gangtey Gonpa monastery and visit this exquisite temple and monastic school. Then we’ll enjoy a nice ride down to Longtey village and the surrounding vicinity on the south side on beautiful trail that traverses through pine-forests. Riders will be rewarded by spectacular views along the ride. Enjoy a nice picnic lunch by the river. Continue riding through scenic villages make a loop around Phobjikha valley.

   Optionally - guests can also have a leisurely day with small hikes to take a break from riding.

   50 km ride.

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Ziua 8 · Drive to Paro.

1. 1

   Paro

   7 ore

   After breakfast, we’ll drive to Paro. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely day in Paro visiting the main attractions including the 7th century Kyichu lhakhang monastery, the Rinpung Dzong fortress and visit the Dungtse Lhakhang temple.

   In the evening, visit a farmhouse to soak in an herbal hot-stone bath and enjoy some real Bhutanese food. Proceed to your resort.

Overnight in 3-star hotel

Ziua 9 · Bhutan's ultimate highlight

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   Paro Taktsang

   5 ore Intrarea inclusă

   We’ve saved the best of Bhutan for the last. Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s ultimate highlight - an excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery. We will ride to the base for about 10km. From here you will leave the bikes and take a two hours hike to the spectacular temple clinging on a 1000 feet cliff. You can of course choose to hike the bike up to the temple and enjoy an amazing downhill later while riding down.

   On the way back ride to Drugyal Dzong fortress and ride back to hotel for an farewell dinner.

3-star hotel

Ziua 10 · Departure

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   Paro

   o oră

   Our guide will take you to the airport for your onward journey.