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Day 01: Delhi (Arrival)
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and
capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. Upon
arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred
to the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Paro (by air)
In the morning you will drive to the airport for the flight to
Paro. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in
Paro. In the afternoon you will visit the Rinpung Dzong. It
was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first
spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. This fortress now
houses the Paro monastic school and the office of the civil
administration. Then you will visit the National Museum. After
the visit of the National museum you will go for an excursion
to Taktstang monastery. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the
main structure of Taktstang Monastery, perched on the side of
a cliff 900 m above the valley floor. It is also known as
'tiger's den' because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to
the site on the back of a tigress in the eighth century.
Day 03: Paro
In the morning you will visit the Ta Dzong. Looking down upon
the Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong. This Dzong was built in
1651 as a watch tower. This dzong is round more like parts of
an European castle. In the afternoon you will visit the
Drugyal Dzong. It means the victorious fortress which was
built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the
Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage
into the Paro valley, the dzong helped to rebel various
invasions through the course of Bhutanese history. Evening
free for leisure.
Day 04: Paro - Punakha
Today you will start the bicycle tour towards the east of
Bhutan. Across lies the Dochula pass situated at an altitude
of 3050 m. After having a six to seven hours ride on bicycles
you will have stay at Punakha.
Day 05: Punakha - Wangdiphodrang - Gangtey
In the morning visit Punakha Dzong. This dzong houses sacred
artifacts and embalmed body of Shabdrung. It was built between
the two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung and served as
the winter residence of the central monk body. After visiting
the Dzong you will continue towards Gangtey Gompa. Enroute you
will stop at Wangdiphodrang for lunch. It is the last town on
the central highway before entering central Bhutan. The
Wangdiphodrang Dzong was built during the 17th century. It
played a critical role in unifying the western, central and
southern Bhutanese districts. After visiting the Dzong you
will drive to Gangtey. In the evening arrive in Gangtey.
Day 06: Gangtey - Trongsa
In the Gangtey you will visit the Gangtey Gompa. This
monastery follows the Pelling Nyingmapa sect of school and was
built in the 16th century. Then you will ride down to
Norbuling. While riding we cross the Pelela pass which is
situated at an altitude of 3300 m. Then you will ride further
to Trongsa. Trongsa is situated at an altitude of 2200 m. and
forms the central hub of the nation. It is historically the
place from where attempts at unifying the country were
launched.
Day 07: Trongsa - Dumkhar - Chumi - Bumthang
After breakfast visit the Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong was
built in 1648 as an impregnable fortress. The massive
structure is built on many levels into the side of the hill
that includes various courtyards, passage ways and temples.
Then you will start cycling and cross the Yotola pass at an
altitude 3600 m. After passing the pass ride down to Dumkhar,
Chumi and then stop at Bumthang. To the east of Trongsa lies
the Bumthang valley at an altitude of 2600 m.
Day 08: Bumthang
Today you will drive through the picturesque valley of
Bumthang to view Kurje Lhakhang. It consists of three temples.
These temples are surrounded by 108 stupa wall which
symbolises each joint of the human body.
Day 09: Bumthang - Ura - Sengor
Today you will cycle to Ura Valley. While riding we cross the
Thrumshing La situated at an altitude of 4050 m. This valley
lies in the east of Bumthang and has a small village. A small
but old dzong gives the village a medieval feel. There visit
the Ura Lhakhang and have lunch there. After visiting the
dzong you will ride downhill to Sengor.
Day 10: Sengor - Mongar
After breakfast ride on cycles to Mongar across the
Thrumshingla Pass. Mongar Dzong is modern as compared to other
regions. This town was reconstructed by the order of the king.
Day 11: Mongar
In Mongar you will visit the Dzong. A visit to this dzong
gives the visitor an impression on how the traditional
Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the
centuries.
Day 12: Mongar - Trashigang
Today you will ride on our bicycles and cross the Korila pass
at an altitude of 2600 m and drive to Trashigang. Trashigang
lies above the Gumri river and is the largest district in
Bhutan. The 17th century Dzong is built on top of a cliff and
serves as an administrative centre.
Day 13: Trashigang - Wamrong
Today you will ride on your bicycles to Wamrong and have an
overnight stay there only.
Day 14: Wamrong - Samdrupjongkhar (about 180 km)
Today you will ride on bicycles to Samdrupjongkhar. It is a
border town in the southern east Bhutan. This town acts as a
commercial hub and entry and exit point in the south east.
Overnight stay in Samdrupjongkhar.
Day 15: Samdrupjongkhar - Guwahati (about 110 km) -
Delhi (by air)
Today you will end your cycling tour in Samdrupjongkhar in
Bhutan and drive to Guwahati. After a journey for 3 to 4 hours
you will reach Guwahati. In the afternoon you will drive to
the airport for the flight to Delhi. In the evening arrive in
Delhi.
Day 16: Delhi (Departure)
Around midnight flight to home destination.
To enable us to send you the rates of the Bhutan Bicycle Tour,
we need to have the number of participants and the dates from
you. |
