10 Days - Bhutan Mountain Biking tour, Paro

About this activity

Bhutan Rides is owned by riders and designed for riders, with a professional team equipped with extensive local trail knowledge and unmatched passion for mountain biking, and impeccable attention to details. There is no better way to discover Bhutan than on a bike. With biking tours, we travel deeper into the country where no other tourists have been. We like technical enduro style rides but we can customise according to any level preferred by our guests.

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At a glance

Duration: 10 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Bhutan Rides

Ages: Adults (15–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: MTB and Cultural guide
Included: All accommodations in 3 –star hotels
Included: All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
Included: All necessary permit fees
Included: SDF $100 per day per person
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Breakfast
Included: Drinking mineral water
Included: Visa Fees ($40 per person)
Included: All meals and evening tea

Not included

Not included: airfare to Bhutan
Not included: Mountain bike (need to bring your own or can be rented separately from us)
Not included: All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, shopping expenses
Not included: Spa Charges
Not included: Travel and Medical insurance

Itinerary

Day 1 · Welcome Riders

Paro

5 hours

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

Day 2 · Start riding from Paro to Thimphu

Thimphu

7 hours

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

Day 3 · Cross-country riding in Thimphu

Stop 1

6 hours

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

Day 4 · Ride from Thimphu to Punakha

Wangdue

7 hours

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

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

Punakha

6 hours

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

Day 6 · Ride from Punakha to Gangtey

Phobjikha Valley

7 hours

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

Day 7 · Gangtey Valley ride

Gangtey

7 hours

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

Day 8 · Drive to Paro.

Paro

7 hours

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

Day 9 · Bhutan's ultimate highlight

Paro Taktsang

5 hours Admission included

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

Day 10 · Departure

Paro

one hour

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

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

All riders will be picked up from the airport on arrival and dropped-off at the airport at departure.

Using your ticket

We will be sending visas prior to arrival.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.