Altitude: 2280 meters

Slopes: Gentle

Roads/slopes: Gentle slopes, winding roads, blacktopped and smooth

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Whether flying along with the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to the hotel.

Afternoon, explore Paro town and valley at your own pace on a bicycle. Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the country.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

After breakfast, ride on bicycle to the base of Taktshang Monastery.

Distance: 8 Km ride

Approximate Time: 20 Minutes

Riding Elevation: 2,280 Meters

Road: Through the villages among blue pine trees and a slight uphill after the diversion of 3 km

Later excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours round trip walk):  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Legends say that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Afternoon, ride to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong.

Distance from the base: 10 km

Time: 30 Minutes approx.

Riding Elevation: 2,280 Meters

Road: Among the villages and blue pine forest through the winding road with gentle uphill and downhill

Ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong: It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. The peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ (Alt. 7,314 m) can be seen on a clear day from here. The Dzong is currently under restoration and work is scheduled to be completed by June 2022.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

After breaking biking to Thimphu en route stop at places for photography and to admire the scenery.

Distance: 55 km

Time: 2.5 - 3 hours

Road: Winding but well maintained and smooth. Biking along the side of the Paro River (Pa Chhu) till Chuzom and then the - Thimphu River (Wang Chhu). 

The route remains windy in the afternoon.

En-route visit Tamchog Lhakhang, built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as the Iron bridge builder. Situated on a hilltop, we need to cross an ancient style bridge to reach the temple.

Further ahead take a short stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers. Three different styles of stupas adorn the confluence.
Afternoon explore Thimphu valley and town, using bicycle.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (2,320m).

Altitude: 2,320 meters

Slopes: Gentle and uphill

Roads/slopes: Gentle slopes, uphill and downhill, winding roads, blacktopped and smooth, a good number of vehicles on the road.

After breakfast, ride to the Kuenselphodrang.

Distance: 6 km from the town

Time: Uphill 30 minutes approx

Elevation: 2320 m to 2500 m at Kuenselphodrang

Road: Smooth and good, uphill

Kuenselphodrang: You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Then ride to National Memorial Chorten

Distance (Kuensel Phodrang to Memorial Chorten): 4.8 km

Time: approx 15 minutes

Road: Smooth and good, downhill.

National Memorial Chorten: This Chorten was built in 1974, in honour of the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, also known as ‘The Father of Modern Bhutan’. It is also a centre of worship for the people living in Thimphu and contains many religious paintings and tantric statues.

Back to the hotel. After lunch, cycle to Sangaygang viewpoint.

Distance (from town): 7 km

Time: approx 30 minutes

Elevation: 2,685 metes

Road: Smooth and good, uphill.

On the way, visit:
The Takin Preserve Centre: The takin, is the national animal of Bhutan and is found only in this region.

Sangaygang viewpoint (2,685 meters) to have a view of the whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley.

Ride back to Changangkha Lhakhang downhill.

Changangkha Monastery: This monastery was built in the 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, overlooking the Thimphu valley. Many parents of Thimphu take their newborn babies to this monastery to be blessed by a high lama.

From there cycle towards the Drupthob Lhakhang, visit Drupthob Lhakhang.

Drupthob Lhakhang (Zilukha Nunnery): This Lhakhang is one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After visiting Drupthob Lhakhang, ride back downhill to the hotel from Zilukha stopping on the way for a visit to Trashichhoedzong. This impressive fortress/monastery houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and the central monk body.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

After breakfast, cycle to Dochula pass from Thimphu.

Distance: 22 km

Time: Approx. 1 hour

Elevation at Dochula: 3,088 meters

Road: Blacktopped and smooth. Also uphill and winding road along the slopes of the Himalayan ranges.

Environment: You will come across Hongtsho and Yusipang villages, Bhutanese Chortens and forests consisting of pine, hemlock and spruce bright with rhododendrons. Prayers flags greet you at several places en route.

Dochula pass: On a clear day, a spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges can be seen, from this pass. The pass also has 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens which is believed to bring multi fold merit to all sentient beings. Himalayan peaks that can be seen from Dochula are Masagang (7200 m) Tsendagang (6960 m), Terigang (7060 m), Jejegangphugang (7158m) and Kangphugang (7170m).

After a short break at Dochula to view the Himalayas and photography, cycle downhill towards Punakha.

Distance: 55 km

Time: Approx. 2-3 hrs

Elevation at Dochula: 3,088 meters

Road: Blacktopped and smooth. Downhill and winding road along the slopes of the Himalayan ranges.

Environment: Thinlaygang village, Royal Botanical park, great views of the Wangdue valley and the Punatshangchhu river, and the forest as it changes to Semitropical.

Stop at the Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi and visit the Park.

Royal Botanical Park,Lamperi: Situated at an altitude range of 2,100 meters – 3,800 meters, the park covers an area of 47 square kilometres and is located between Thimphu and Punakha. The park contains a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and features a huge species of plants and animals including endangered species such as Himalayan yew, native Rhododendron, Royal Bengal Tiger, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Blood pheasants and Himalayan Monal Pheasant. You can also find Tetracentron (an ancient relict angiosperm with no vessel in its trunk) in the park. The park has 14.5 km of trails for eco trek for cycling and walking and one of the main attractions is the rhododendron garden including a picnic spot with a children’s playground.

Cycle towards Punakha. Stop at Lobesa for a short break. Cycle downhill towards Punakha at an altitude of 1300 meters.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue (Altitude 1,300m).

Today's entire day is for sightseeing. 

After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this majestic Dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to Bhutan, though long established here.

Drive to Wangdue and on the way a short walking excursion to:

Chimi Lhakhang:  This temple is also known as the temple of fertility and was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15 century,who is popularly known as the “Divine Madman”.

Drive further and view the Wangduephodrang Dzong (currently under reconstruction) from the base. Then visit the Rinchengang village.

Rinchengang village: It is small and clusterd village located opposite to Wangduephodrang Dzong, located about 20 minutes hike uphill from the near road.

After lunch, excursion to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: This chorten is built by Her Majesty, the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, on a ridge above the Punakha valley and it took around nine years to complete this. It is said that the Bhutanese craftsmen consulted Holy Scriptures to construct this 4 storey temple.

The evening ends walking or cycling around the Punakha Valley.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue (Altitude 1,300m).
 

After breakfast, cycle uphill towards Dochula.

Time: 4 hours approx.

Lunch at Dochula Cafeteria. 

After lunch, cycle downhill for around half an hour.

Evening time can be spent strolling through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, to browse through examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, interesting items made from local materials.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

After breakfast, cycle towards Paro and then uphill 35 km towards Chelela Pass at an elevation of 3,988 meters for approximately two hours. Cycle back downhill to Paro approx. time 1 hour.

Later in the day after checking into the hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic 
Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).