Bhutan Motorcycle Tour

Day 01: Arrive in Paro

Fly into Paro via Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines the only two airlines of the country. If the weather cooperates, you might have spectacular views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including peaks in Bhutan such as Jhomolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang. After visa formalities at the Paro airport, we drive to our hotel overlooking the beautiful Paro Valley.

We’ll have a late afternoon visit to the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above Paro Dzong (a Dzong is a fortress monastery). The museum’s collections include displays of spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, Bhutan’s beautiful stamps, and the Tshogshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Tree of Wisdom), with its carvings depicting the history of Buddhism. On the same evening you will be briefed on Bikes.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 02: Paro Taktshang Hike

Take a short bike tour about nine miles north of Paro town to the trailhead where we start our 1½-hour hike to a tea house, where we enjoy a great view of Taktsang Monastery (its name means “tiger’s nest”), perched on a cliff 2,900 feet above the floor of the Paro Valley. Our hike follows a steep switchback trail and serves as a great warm-up for our trek. After a break with tea and cookies, you have the option to sit outside the building and admire the monastery and its beautiful surroundings or, if you feel energetic, to continue another 45-50 minutes to a closer viewpoint. After lunch at the tea house we can descend to the valley floor.

Take a ride through the paved road to Drukgyel Dzong. On a clear day the mighty Jhomolhari Mountain can be seen from here.

On the way back to the hotel stop at Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to the 7th century.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 03: Paro- Chele La Excursion – Thimphu

In the morning you can bike to Chele La (3,990 m) on motorcycle, one of the highest motorable roads in Bhutan. You will notice the change in vegetation as you climb up to the Pass. Later, ride to Thimphu.

On the way stop at Tachog Lhakhang, a temple located across the iron chain bridge with the medieval ambience.

Once you have reached Thimphu, for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong, ride up till Sangay-gang or popularly known as the BBS tower among the locals. On the way up gaze upon the national animal of Bhutan at the Motithang Takin Preserve Sanctuary.

From there you can visit the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), and stop for lunch at Folk Heritage Restaurant set up in a traditional Bhutanese style.

Later in the evening, visit the exquisite Thimphu Tashichoedzong and explore the wide courtyard and the Grand Kuenrey of the Dzong.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha

Start from Thimphu to Punakha: After 30 minutes ride; you will be greeted by colorful flags and concentration of 108 Chortens at Dochu La, a pass at 3,100 meters above the sea level. On a clear day you will be rewarded with spectacular view of the Himalayan peaks. It is a good place to stop for hot tea of coffee at the cafeteria nearby.

The road descending down to Punakha is steep and winding. The riders will also notice the change in the climate as you approach the ancient capital of Bhutan.

Upon arriving Punakha, hike through the traditional Bhutanese houses and rice fields of Sopsokha village leading to the temple of fertility, where you can discover interesting stories and legends of the Divine Mad monk. Have lunch at a restaurant at Sopsokha.

Later, visit the Punakha Dzong which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan and for its strategic location between two rivers, the Male River (Pho Chhu) and Mo Chhu (Female River). The carving and sculptor of this amazing fortress is a feast to the eyes.

Towards the evening, ride up the Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup Choling Nunnery from where you can get spectacular view of the Punakha valley.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day 05: Ride from Punakha to Phobjikha

You will begin the day by riding to Phobjikha. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Phobjikha valley, where you'll visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gangtey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes.

Explore the tranquil Phobjikha valley.

Overnight at hotel in Phobjikha

Day 06: Phobjikha- Bumthang via Trongsa

From Phobjikha you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meterhigh Pele La, and at certain times of year it's possible to see yaks.

Upon arriving Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong.

After lunch, you'll proceed to the lush valley and hilly forest of Bumthang valley, the religious heartland of the nation. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathra are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 07: Bumthang

Riders can explore and unwind Bumthang valley including Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, Guru Rinpoche has left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating or strolling through Bumthang town.

Bumthang consists of four valleys- Chumey, Choekor, Tang and Ura - with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Today we will journey through Tang valley visit the museum/Palace drive 2.5 hrs. From Jakar (Bumthang) to the place where we begin our hike. Cross the Tang Chhu by the suspension bridge leading to the large village Gamling. Upon reaching a stream, the trail climbs gradually about 45 minutes on a top of a hill.

The heritage house has been converted into a Museum and a guest house with four small and two larger rooms. It is still inhabited by a family with ancestral links to the building. Ugyen Choling – ‘The Legacy of a Lama Choje Household’ – provides a brief history, dating from the 14th century when the Tibetan master of Buddhism, Longchen Rabjam visited the area. The palace is said to have built in the 16th century, but in 1897.

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 08: Bumthang

Day excursion to Ura Valley. The road to Ura Valley is off the main road, and this enjoyable excursion will provide a nice view of the Jakar Dzong. You'll make a stop in Ura village for lunch and will have a chance to visit the main temple and explore the village. Ura Village has a medieval look to it because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical clothing of the women includes a sheepskin shawl. On the way back to town, you will be taken to Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to meditate. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings, and you will make a stop at the Swiss cheese factory. In the evening you can visit local shops.

Overnight in Bumthang

Day 09: Bumthang – Wangdue Phodrang

You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then ride back to Wangduephodrang. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work.

Overnight in Wangduephodrang

Day 10: Wangdue Phodrang – Thimphu

In the morning you will ride back to Thimphu. After lunch, you will tour the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, and you can explore the interesting handicraft shops.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 11: Thimphu

In the morning we can ride to Kuenselphodrang to catch the giant Buddha statue to the early morning sunrise.

Later, ride to Dodena towards the North of Thimphu. You can hike to Tango Monastery, which was built in the 15th century. It's the University for Higher Buddhist studies for monks and it offers great view of the valley.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 12: Thimphu – Paro

We can spend the morning biking around Thimphu Valley. If it's the weekend, you can stroll through the market to see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It's fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market.

Later, you can visit a traditional farmhouse and if you wish, enjoy a hot-stone bath and a typical Bhutanese dinner.

Overnight in Paro

Day 13: Departure

Departure from Paro International Airport

Day 2: Hike To the Renowned Tiger’s Nest (4-6 Hours Hike)

Get your energy up at breakfast today to hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery. Explore through the pristine pine and rhododendron forest draped with lichens until being rewarded to the overwhelming sight of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery hanging by sheer edge of the cliff 900 meters above Paro valley.

After the fulfilling hike, relax your muscles in traditional hot stone bath and try your skills in a game of local archery.

Overnight at hotel in Paro