8 Night 9 Day Biking tour itinerary

Fly into Paro from by Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) or by Bhutan Airlines ( Private Tashi Air). The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather. As the plane approaches Bhutan, if you look down farmhouses as dots on the hillsides can be seen.

As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it.

After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by the representative of Access Bhutan Tours & Treks and driven to your hotel. After checking into your hotel take a refreshment and rest for sometime after a long early flight from Bangkok. After lunch you will visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks.Then walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditonal Bridge), oldest bridge in Bhutan.

Then visit Druk Home Museum (a private Museum) which exhibits historical and religious artifacts and also visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon. In the evening stroll around Paro town and you may visit local handicraft stores.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro local bicycling tour
After breakfast,you will begin your biking tour from Paro town. The guide will instruct you the way to Drugyal Dzong, which is 16 Kms away and you can ride on your own through the upper Paro valley to Drukgyel Dzong. The car/van will follow you and on reaching Drugyal Dzong, visit the ruins of the fortress that played a very important role in defending the valley from Tibetan Invasion. The van will drive ahead of you and stop at Satsam Chorten to show you the view of the famous pilgrim spot Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). Then the car will drive ahead of you and stop just before the town to divert your way through the village of Jangsa to the National Museum. Though the main National Museum is closed to visitors due to the major cracks formed due to the earthquake that hit Bhutan in Sept 2011, the important items are being displayed at a hall near the National Museum. So you will visit to see the historical art and artifacts at the hall and also enjoy the view of Paro valley from there. You can also visit one of the farmhouses during your biking tour which

In the evening, explore the Paro town.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Biking from Paro-Thimphu (54 km)

After breakfast, you will head towards Thimphu (the capital city) on your bike. This ride will take you through village of Shaba in Paro and then through the river confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. Your bike ride will basically meanders along the Paro and Thimphu river and takes approximately 2 ½ hours. The gradient of the road is excellent for bicycling as there are no steep climbs or descents. On arrival at Thimphu ,check you’re your hotel and after lunch bike around Thimphu and ride upto Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent.

Then visit Changzamtok Weaving Center to observe beautiful colourful silk and cotton textiles being woven into shawls, scarves and traditional Bhutanese dresses.

Then visit School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and also visit Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.

You will also visit the Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only).Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Thursday till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.

Your last visit today would be to Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

In the evening relax with dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Biking to Cheri Tango base camp and Hike to Cheri Monastery

After breakfast bike ride to the base of Cheri Monastery which will take about 45 minutes- 1 hr.

Then hike up to Cheri Monastery with packed picnic lunch. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees. This is the place where monks undergo meditation/retreat with a duration ranging from 4 months to 3 years. The hike up will take approximately 50 minutes. The view from Cheri Monastery is breathtakingly beautiful. You will experience complete serenity at this place. You can sit in one of the temples of this monastery complex and meditate for some time . Have your picnic lunch at the monastery and then in the late afternoon ride your bike back to Thimphu.

In the evening relax and stroll around Thimphu town and you may visit local handicraft stores.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Biking from Thimphu-Punakha

After breakfast biking ride to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass . It is an uphill climb up to Dochula pass at 3140 m. When you reach the pass, you can take a long well deserved rest and in the clear sky enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan. This is a unique feature of this monastery that no other monastery in Bhutan has.

Your lunch will be served at Dochula Pass Resort. Travel from Dochula Pass is a downhill exhilarating ride all the way down to Punakha. In the evening enjoy your dinner and relax at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 6: Punakha Local Biking and sightseeing

After breakfast bike to Punakha Dzong, this houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot, the Je Khenpo. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pho Chhu (male) and the Mo Chhu (female). Then ride to Metsina village and stop over for lunch at Metsina . After lunch leave your bikes on the main road guarded by your drivers and take a short hike to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

In the evening, bike through upper Punakha valley and take a hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.

Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 7: Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast, you will travel back to Thimphu, You can choose to ride your bike or take the van. Photo stops along the way.

On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and visit Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. Also stroll through Thimphu town and you may visit local handicraft stores for shopping.

Dinner and overnight a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 8: Thimphu-Paro and A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast,drive for about 1 hour to Paro and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point.

In the evening you can relax in the traditional hotstone bath. Dinner and Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 9: Departure from Paro

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and your Bhutan tour guide from Access Bhutan Tours will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.

End of the tour

<tr > 8 Night 9 Day Tour Price

Travel Time	1 pax	2 pax	3 pax & above
Low Season:Dec,Jan, Feb,Jun, Jul & Aug	US$ 1920/person	US$1840/person	US$1600/person
High Season:Mar,April, May,Sept,Oct & Nov	US$2320/person	US$2240/person	US$2000/person

The above Bhutan tour package prices includes the following:

Bhutan Government Royalty of US$ 65/person/night
FIT surcharges of US$40/person/night for a single traveler and US$30/person/night for a double
Twin sharing hotel rooms at 3 star hotels
All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner & light refreshments) with standard menu at 3 star hotels
English speaking tour guide service
All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
All entrance fees to museums and monuments
All internal taxes and fees
Mineral drinking water

The above tour prices do not include the following:

Single room supplement of US$40/room/night during low season and US$ 50/room/night during high season (optional)
Visa fee of US$40/person (must be paid in advance with tour cost)
Airfares (optional)
Travel issurance (recommended)
4 star and 5 star accommodations and meals (optional)
Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc
Bike hiring fee of US$30/bicycle/day

***Thank you & Tashi Delek***