Bhutan tour 14 days biking around Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan. “The Land of the Thunder 

Provided the weather is good on your flight from Bangkok the view of the eastern 

Himalayas is absolutely spectacular (from the left – hand side of the airplane) 

Upon arrival, your tour escort from Bhutan
Endless Journey welcomes you at the airport.
Then we w ill drive to Thimphu (one – hour drive) and transfer you to the hotel. After lunch, rest for
3 hours before continuing with sightseeing. 

In the evening (around 5 pm) visit, Tashi-Chho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong): A 17th Century religious and administrative building initially constructed in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. It is also the summer residence of the Central Monk Body. Overnight in Thimphu.

APRIL 15: DAY 2: IN THIMPHU

Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress (Gho and Kira) and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way.

After breakfast, embark on a private guided tour of the city including a visit to Institute of

Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School, or the School of the Thirteen Arts.

Continue exploring the region with visits to the Buddha-point (Kuenselphodrang) to see the biggest statue of Buddha along with the view of Thimphu valley and to the Takin preserve center, the home of Bhutan’s national animal Takin.

Later stroll around Thimphu City for shopping or coffee, as there are few good cafés in Thimphu. Also, witness the National game, Archery (Only if local people are playing). Overnight in Thimphu.

APRIL 16: DAY 3: BIKING DAY: THIMPHU – BUMTHANG/JAKAR (273 KM)

After breakfast, start the incredible drive up to the 3,150-meter-high mountain pass of Dochu La with its forests of fluttering prayer flags, maze of memorial chortens and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the main Himalayan range. Stop to walk around the Druk Wangyel Chorten in Dochu la pass. Continue drive to Bumthang.

On the way to Bumthang, you will cross Pele-La (3,300m), the traditional boundary between western and eastern Bhutan right on the western edge of Black Mountain National Park.

After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and the heartland of Buddhism. 29 kms ahead of Trongsa cross Yutongla pass (3,400m) and from here again the landscape looks different and dense forests of conifers stretches. Onward journey to Bumthang is one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan, passing pretty villages and monasteries dotted across wide-open farm and woodland. Overnight in Bumthang.

APRIL 17: DAY 4: IN BUMTHANG. EXCRUSION TO TANG VALLEY. (45 km)

After breakfast; ride up the hill on the farm road to Tang valley and visit the mystical Ugyen Choling Palace. Ugyen Choling is a national treasure. Its remote location makes it the less frequently visited historical sites in Bhutan. Restored in 19^th century, it houses a family museum, a place that will transport visitors to another world and time. The visitors will view permanent exhibits recreated to capture the ambience of the lifestyle of the Trongsa Penlop (Govenor) and his household. It also serves as retreat for those engaged in religious history. Overnight Bumthang.

UGYEN-CHOLING PALACE IN TANG VALLEY, BUMTHANG.

APRIL 18: DAY 5: BUMTHANG/JAKAR – MONGAR (198 Km)

The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain. The drive, with spectacular views will take about 7 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motor able pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (3700m) gradually drop down to Sengor, watching cascading waterfalls on the way. The descent stops at 700m on a bridge over the Kurichu.

The road approaching Mongar is one of the most spectacular journeys in the country. It passes over sheer cliffs and through beautiful fir forests and green pastures. Travelers passing this route will have the opportunity to visit the Rhododendron garden. There are countless varieties of rhododendrons here and on clear days you can even catch a glimpse of Gangkhar Puensum (7541 m), a strong candidate for the world’s highest unclimbed mountain. Overnight in Mongar.

APRIL 19: DAY 6: MONGAR – LHUENTSE – MONGAR (152 KM)

Morning ride to Lhuntse which is one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges, beautiful conifer and pine forests and remote villages with rice, millet and corn fields. Kurtoe region of Lhuntse is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family. On the way, we will make a detour to Takey la, the place where the gigantic statue of Guru Rimpoche was recently built. Inside the statue, you find number of richly decorated chapels, which belongs to best in Bhutan. Further you will continue to Khoma village for most elaborate traditional cloths in Bhutan. We will spend some extra time here having lunch in local house and tasting local delicacies. Afternoon drive back to Mongar. Overnight in Mongar.

APRIL 20: DAY 7: IN MONGAR

OPTION 1: RELAX IN MONGAR OR

OPTION 2: RIDE TO TASHIGANG FROM MONGAR AND RIDE BACK TO MONGAR IN

THE AFTERNOON. 192KM. Afternoon at leisure as we will have a long ride the nest day to Bumthang. Overnight in Mongar.

APRIL 21: DAY 8: MONGAR – BUMTHANG (198 Km)

Early morning, ride back to Bumthang taking the same route back. If time permits, we can explore the small bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.

APRIL 22: DAY 9: BUMTHANG – PUNAKHA (217 Km)

Early morning, ride to Punakha. you will cross Pele-La (3,300m), the traditional boundary between western and eastern Bhutan right on the western edge of Black Mountain National Park. Further, down the road, stop to visit Chendebji Chorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Punakha.

APRIL 23: DAY 10: REST DAY IN PUNAKHA

After breakfast, embark on a private guided tour to Punakha Dzong (fortress) wearing the traditional dress of Bhutan. This fortress is located between the male (Pho) and female (Mo) rivers. Built in 1637 and still serves as the winter residence for the monastic body. Overnight in Punakha

After lunch, hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Mad Monk): It takes around 40 minutes across the paddy fields and small village starting from the road. The famous saint, Lama Drukpa Kuenley, constructed the temple in 15^th century. Overnight in Punakha.

APRIL 25: DAY 11: PUNAKHA – PARO (3 Hrs)

After breakfast, the ride will begin with a drive retracing the route over the Dochu La for a second chance of the incredible view of the Himalayan range (weather permitting). Upon reaching Paro, visits the oldest temple in Bhutan, Kichu Lhakgang, built in seventh century. Overnight in Paro. End of biking too.

Paro Valley

APRIL 26: DAY 12: IN PARO (HIKE TO TIGER NEST MONASTERY)

After breakfast, you will be driven to the starting point of a hike to view the spectacular Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests, passing trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. After a refreshment stop at a cafeteria on the way, you will continue for a short distance until you see, across a deep chasm but clearly and seemingly within reach, the Taktsang Monastery.

Hike to the Tiger’s Nest

Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger.

APRIL 27: DAY 13: RELAX DAY IN PARO.

Relax in the hotel, afternoon walk around paro town. Leisure time. Overnight in Paro.

APRIL 28: DAY 14: DEPARTURE

You will be transferred to the Paro International Airport after breakfast for your return flight to Bangkok.

TOUR NOTES:

• Our itinerary is generally longer and has more activities listed on each day. You should discuss your itinerary with your guide and prioritize the attractions which you prefer the most. We suggest that you use your itinerary as a guide rather than a fixed schedule. Unexpected stuffs always happen in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
• Please note, roads are bumpy and we suggest you to bring your own medication if you have motion sickness.
• Monastery, temple and Dzong opening days and times can and do vary with national holidays and events such a visit by a member of the Royal Family or auspicious ceremonies.
• Tiger Nest closes at 4pm every day.
• Museums remain closed on weekends and Takin preserve center is closed on Monday.
• All the meals are served in buffet.
• We advise you to bring good walking shoes, warm jackets, hats and sun cream.
• The nearest hospital is 30-minute drive from the hotel in Paro and 20-minute drive in Punakha and Thimphu. Consultation, treatment and medicine are free to locals and tourists too.
• Visiting time of monuments, 09.00 Am – 05.00 Pm except for Thimphu Dzong. Thimphu Dzong visiting time, 05.30 Pm – 06. 30 Pm.

HOTELS IN BHUTAN

CITIES	HOTELS	HOTEL CATEGORY	ROOM TYPE
PARO	KHANGKHU RESORT OR SIMILAR	3 STARS	STANDARD
THIMPHU	TASHI YOEDLING OR SIMILAR	3 STARS	STANDARD
PUNAKHA	ZHIMKHAM RESORT OR SIMILAR	3 STARS	STANDARD
MONGAR	WANGCHUK HOTEL OR SIMILAR	3 STARS	STANDARD
BUMTHANG	HOTEL UGYENLING	3 STARS	STANDARD

WHAT TO BRING DURING THE TOUR IN BHUTAN

1. Warm jackets
2. Hiking/trekking boots
3. Long and short t-shirts or cotton shirts
4. Hats and sunglasses
5. Personal Medicine

DRESS CODE FOR VISITING DZONG, MONASTERIES AND TEMPLES IN BHUTAN

1. Shirt (either collar half shirt or full sleeve)
2. Full pants/long skirts
3. Any type of shoes with socks
4. No Hats, No Umbrella, No Slippers, No t-shirts, No short skirt and No half-pants
5. Photographs allowed in the courtyard only.

APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE IN BHUTAN:

1. MAX: 18 – 30 DEGREE CELSIUS IN SUMMER
2. MIN: (minus) 5 – 11 DEGREE CELSIUS IN WINTER

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR YOUR TOUR PACKAGES (LAND TOUR)

• Within 30 days of start of program – No Charges.
• Within 25 days – 10% of daily tariff. • Within 15 days – 20% of daily tariff.
• Within 7 days – 30% of daily tariff.
• Less than 7 days – 50% of daily tariff.
• After arrival in Bhutan or without notice – 100% of daily tariff.

Please note that airlines have different cancellation policy, depending on seasons.
PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3-star Accommodation (twin sharing/triple room) ✓ B/L/D (All meals) in local restaurants and hotels.
• Experienced English-Speaking Tour Guide licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan.
• Private transport within Bhutan (Toyota Bus).
• Museum & Monuments entrance fee.
• Mineral water during the tour.
• Sustainable Development Fes ($65/pax/night halt).
• Tourism Development Fund
• Visa Fees
• Air tickets (BKK-PBH-BKK)

SERVICE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COSTS:

1. Travel and Medical Insurance.
2. Bar bills, Telephone bills, Personal expenses, and Laundry. 3. Tips $10/per person/per day

4. Single room supplement.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call +975 1793 4039. Thank you for choosing Bhutan Endless Journey.