Day 1. Sept: Depart London, fly to either to Bangkok, Calcutta, Delhi or Kathmandu to catch connection to Paro Bhutan. Airport layover.
Day 2. Sept: Arrive Paro by Druk air. The flight into Paro (2280m/ 7524ft) on Druk Air is spectacular. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the verdant greens of the Paro Valley. The first gift from Bhutan is the cool, clean fresh air as we step from the plane. After clearing customs and visa control we are met by our guide and then drive a short distance to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure with a walk through the main streets of Paro or time permitting take charge of your machines and start getting familiar with the traffic conditions in Bhutan.
Day 3. Sept: Paro is a beautiful valley offering many sights of cultural interests. We will do some riding around the valley. Lunch in a restaurant in the town and then, visit the National Museum located on a promontory overlooking the valley. The building was formally a watchtower for the Paro Dzong and it was converted to the National Museum in 1968. The Museum has collections ranging from, sacred statues to weapons, textiles and bamboo products. Visit the historical Paro Ringpung Dzong built in 1651. The Dzong continues to house both the district administration and the district monk body.
Day 4. Sept: We begin our ride today towards Thimphu, making a loop around the Chelila pass and into the Haa valley, and then to Thimphu. Climb 35 km from Paro to the Chelila pass at near 4000m which is also the highest motorable road point in Bhutan. Weather permitting you have great views of Mt. Jhomolhari, Haa valley and rugged Himalayan landscape. Stop for lunch at Haa town and continue towards Thimphu. You cross many villages like Karna, Jyenkana, Bitekha. The ride is beautiful with minimal traffic and stunning scenery as you ride through the pine forests. Once you reach the river confluence of Thimphu and Paro, its 31km to Thimphu on the national highway.
Day 5. Sept: Thimphu to Punakha. (79km). We’ll aim for an early breakfast so we can do some more sightseeing before leaving for Punakha the old winter capital of Bhutan. En route we’ll cross the Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150mts. On a clear day the eastern range of the Himalayas can be seen from here, so fingers crossed! We then descend to Punakha Valley at an altitude of 1350mts. The road has lots of sharp bends, with breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. If we get to Punakha early enough we’ll visit the glorious Punakha Dzong, also known as the "the Palace of Great Bliss".
Day 6. Sept: Punakha to Trongsa. (142km) to Bumthang (68km). Today’s ride will push you to the limit the very early start that we need sees us head to Trongsa and takes us through two major passes and the small town of Wangdue at 1350mts, where we’ll explore. Maybe visit the Dzong and then ride on to Nobding. From Nobding the road ascends sharply to Pelela Pass at 3300mts before descending through pastureland at Sephu where we reach the historical Chendebji Chorten. After lunch at Chendebji, we’ll ride to Trongsa at an altitude of 2350mts. While Punakha and Trongsa are at approx the same elevation, there are lots of bends, beautiful waterfalls and thick forest cover on the way. This part of the ride offers views of the south Trongsa Valley and stunning views of the Trongsa Dzong. After viewing the amazing Dzong, we’ll ride to Bumthang. En route we’ll pass many interesting villages and cross the Yutongla Pass at 3400m before descending into the beautiful Bumthang Valley. Our hotel in the trading center of Jakar is at an altitude of 2680mts. This is a tough day!
Day 7. Sept: Bumthang is also known as the Switzerland of Bhutan, the whole valley resembles the Swiss Alps but with many monasteries and prayer flags that dot the hills and pine forests. There used to be many Swiss people living in Bumthang developing the logging industry in the 80s. It’s a wide, interesting valley to do some exploring, visiting villages and sights of cultural interests. In the morning we shall go to the Thang valley, up a 15 mile farm track style road, and visit the Thang Valley School. We shall be presenting the school with some much need basic equipment, such as pens and note books, donated by all the staff, crew and customers from Himalayan Adventures. It may be possible to have a question and answer session with the students depending on the Headmaster. We then head back to Bumthang and Visit “The Burning Lake”. Afternoon back to town for a late lunch and finish exploring the town.
Day 8. Sept: Today we have an early start as we retrace our route and head back west to Wangdue. Time permitting we may be able to visit Gangtey. Then we push on to the hotel at Wangdue for a well earned rest, warm shower and a cold beer!
Day 9. Sept: A lazy start as we continue east, heading back to the capital Thimphu, over the Dochulah pass where we should get stunning views of the eastern Himalayan range. Lunch in Thimphu, that will already be in a festival mood, and is where we stay for the next 3 nights. You are now free to explore as you wish, throughout the towns many stores, bars and restaurants. The mechanics will be working on the bikes for the rest of the day.
Day 10. Sept: Today, head for Tendrelthang, the place where His Majesty’s coronation took place. Enjoy the festival into the late afternoon, then you are free to do as you wish.
Day 11. Sept: After breakfast visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the 3rd King in 1974, then the 15th century Changangkha temple overlooking the valley. We then ride up to the Takin (national Animal) sanctuary and viewpoint to enjoy the view of Thimphu city. Then we shall go to the very north of Thimphu valley. On the way back to the town, visit the Zilukha Nunnery, Dechenphodrang Monastic school, Folk Heritage and Textile museums. Attend the festival or relax as you wish, as we have a long ride tomorrow.
Day 12. Sept: We shall have an early start to Phuenstholing, the border town of Bhutan and India is a 6-hour ride. You will ride through the Chapcha pass, which is at 3000m, the highest part of this road, from there it's all down hill. You will experience the change of flora and fauna as you descend to 350m. Bhutan's hydro power plants are on this route at Chukha and Tala. The hotel we have chosen in Phuenstholing is the only one with a swimming pool, so we shall get chance to relax in the warm Indian climate by the pool with a nice cool beer if you so wish. Then in the evening you can explore the border town.
Day 13: Sept: You will see the immediate change in traffic congestion and amount of people as soon as you cross into India. After completing the immigration formalities on the Indian side, you will begin to ride through the plains of India amongst the tea gardens which were established by the British during colonial rule, you cross many towns and villages and the traffic congestion will subside. We shall visit the Torsa Tea gardens and processing plant about 20 minutes into India. Then we continue towards Siliguri and we must stay as a group from now on and stop for lunch. The roads become more congested as we enter the hectic city limits and head for our Hotel. This now completes our motorcycle tour. The mechanics will begin to return the KTM machines back to Bhutan. We are then free to explore the town and do as you wish for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Day 14. Sept: Today we fly to Delhi to meet our International connection. Depending on flight schedules we can visit New Delhi city.
Day 15. Sept: Delhi airport for our International connection.
Day 16. Sept: Arrive London.
TOUR INCLUDES:
While in Bhutan
1. Accommodation on twin sharing basis in the tourist standard hotels.
2. All meals - breakfast - lunch - dinner.
3. Full time services of a professional tour guide and mechanic.
4. All land transport within Bhutan with dedicated support vehicle for luggage.
5. KTM 640 Adventure motorcycle.
6. All spare parts as required.
7. All entry fees/permits to museum, monuments and parks.
8. 1 Night B&B in Bagdogra.
TOUR EXCLUDES:
1. All Flights.
2. Laundry, phone & all other bills of personal nature.
3. Bar bills.
4.Tipping.
5. Insurance including helicopter evacuation.
6. Bike insurance. You bend it you mend it!
7. Accommodation and service in Delhi or Kathmandu.
SURCHARGES:
Individual Surcharge: 1 person USD 480 single person
2 persons USD 360 per person.
Single Room Supplement: USD 400 per room.
5 STAR UPGRADE
If you have a 5 star requirement please contact us for further information on 5 star resorts in Bhutan like Taj Hotel, Aman Resort, Uma Resort and the Zhiwaling resort.
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