Mountain Biking
Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Acclimation Ride in Paro On your first day, take it easy and go for an acclimation ride in Paro. You can start by exploring the town of Paro and its surroundings, including the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, and the Paro Valley.
One possible route for your acclimation ride would be to start at the Paro Dzong and ride along the Paro River towards the Chele La Pass. The Chele La Pass is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan at an altitude of 3,988 meters, but you can turn around before reaching the summit to avoid pushing yourself too hard on the first day.
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu (55 km, 3-4 hours)
After breakfast, ride to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, which is located about 55 kilometers from Paro. The ride from Paro to Thimphu is mostly uphill, but the scenery is beautiful and there are plenty of places to stop and take breaks along the way.
In Thimphu, you can visit the National Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma statue, the Tashichho Dzong, and the Motithang Takin Preserve. There are also several great restaurants and cafes in Thimphu where you can enjoy Bhutanese cuisine and rest up for your next day of mountain biking.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (77 km, 4-5 hours)
After breakfast, start your ride from Thimphu to Punakha via the Dochula Pass. The Dochula Pass is located at an altitude of 3,100 meters and offers stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains. You can take a break here to enjoy the scenery and take some photos.
After the pass, you will descend towards Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. The road winds through forests and villages, offering beautiful views of the surrounding valleys. You will also cross the Punatsangchu River on a suspension bridge, which is an exciting experience.
Once you reach Punakha, check into your hotel and explore the city. You can visit the Punakha Dzong, which is the second oldest and second-largest dzong in Bhutan. The dzong is located at the confluence of two rivers and is surrounded by lush vegetation.You can also go for a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, who is a popular figure in Bhutanese folklore. The hike is easy and takes about 30 minutes each way.
In the evening, you can relax and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner at your hotel.Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4: Explore Punakha
In the morning, you can ride to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is located on a hill overlooking the Punakha Valley. The chorten was built in 2004 and is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture. The ride to the chorten is relatively easy and takes about an hour.
After the chorten, you can visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, a temple that is perched on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the Punakha Valley. The temple is also home to a large statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
In the afternoon, you can visit the Punakha Suspension Bridge, which is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan. The bridge crosses the Po Chhu River and offers beautiful views of the surrounding valley.
You can also explore the local markets and shops in Punakha, and try some of the local cuisine. Evening at your leisure.
Day 5: Punakha to Dochula Pass (30 km, 3-4 hours)
After breakfast, you will start your ride from Punakha to the Dochula Pass, which is located at an altitude of 3,100 meters. The ride is mostly uphill and hard but the scenery is stunning and you will pass through traditional villages and forests. You will have your support vehicle/ tour vehicle trailing behind you just in case you want get in the car and continue toward Paro.
Once you reach the Dochula Pass, you can take a break and enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. The pass is also home to the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a temple built in honor of the fourth king of Bhutan
Day 6 : Dochula to Paro
You can enjoy a relaxed morning ride along the scenic route that crosses the Dochula Pass and takes you to the picturesque Paro valley. After arriving in Paro, you can spend the afternoon exploring the valley on your bike, taking in its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Day 7 : Hike to Tiger’s Nest
After breakfast, hike up to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley. It is one of the most famous landmarks of Bhutan and is believed to be the meditation site of Guru Rinpoche. After the hike, you can visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your departure flight. Tashi Delek!