Bhutan Suggested Motorcycle Itinerary 12 day/11 night - Option 2
Early morning
departure from your hotel for your Drukair flight to Bhutan.
Day 1.
Arrive at Paro Airport in
Bhutan
On arrival at Paro airport you will be met by your
guide and transferred by road to your overnight accommodation. Late
morning your be given a briefing and orientation of your Royal Enfield
Motorcycle.
Enjoy a Motorcycling Tour of Paro this afternoon. Take a ride out to the old
ruined fortress of Drukgyel Dzong the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa
Victory. On a clear day views of the 24,000ft sacred Mt Chomolhari snowed domed
peaks can be seen. On your return trip from Drukgyel cross over the suspension
bridge Lango village travel on a farm road which passes through many small
villages. If time permits ride down to south Paro for dinner/cocktails in
a very old traditional Bhutanese village house with the chance to experience a
hot stone bath.
Overnight Paro Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 2. Explore the
Paro & Haa Valley's.
Day trip to Haa Valley via Chelela
Pass. The picturesque Haa valley is an isolated valley south of Paro and
was only opened to tourists in 2001. Around the Haa valley are many scattered
monasteries and reputedly the oldest nunnery. The staple crops in this large
fertile valley are millet, wheat, barley and potatoes.
Overnight Paro Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 3. Paro Valley to Punakha Valley
(4 hrs 30 mins)
This morning depart Paro for Punakha. Stop
at Dochu La to view 108 Stupas and on a clear day you will witness a
breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya. Depending on the time of the
year that you are visiting, the vista can vary from alpine snow to a profusion
of rhododendron blossoms splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and
forest trees. If time permits this afternoon visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama
Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman), is a 20 minute walk from the
road at Sepsokha to the temple. It is believed that childless women who visit
the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing).
Watch out for Great Black Cormorants fishing
beside the river.
Overnight Punakha Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 4. Punakha Valley to Phobjikha Valley,
(4hrs
30mins) (incl side trip at Wangdue)
Enroute
you will pass
the dramatic Wangdue Phodrang Dzong comes into view, notice the
large cacti that cover the hillside below. These were planted long ago to
discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. On your journey
you can also view Rinchengang one of Bhutan’s oldest villages. This small
village did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early
1990’s. The craftsmen of Rinchengang are sort after for their skills in
construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs. Take a detour at Wangdue travel
south down the valley to view the rare Golden Languars (monkeys). Stop at
Wangdue to wander through the traditional shopping strip (soon to be
demolished).
Around the
Phobjikha valley the only electricity is from solar or mini hydro plants. The
valley is snowbound during the winter months. Potatoes are this regions primary
cash crop and are exported to India. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the
western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open
valleys in Bhutan. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in
the country and the winter home of the rare black necked crane. There are also
muntjaks (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, himalayan black bears, leopards
and red foxes. While you are here why not stop and visit the Black Crane nature
information centre, carpet factory and the sacred Gangtey Monastery. Between
late October and early February you can view the roosting place of the black
cranes from a hide about 15 minute walk from the road.
Overnight Phobjikha Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel
Day 5. Phobjikha Valley to Bumthang Valley (Jakar) (4 hrs 30
mins)
Continuing eastwards
to the Bumthang valley via
The Pele La (Pass) which crosses through the Black Mountains National Park and
divides western and central Bhutan. This is the best place in Bhutan to see yaks
from the road. Continuing on you will pass the village of Rukubji surrounded by
extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley and wheat and keep a watchful eye
out for Rhesus Macaques (Brown Monkeys)
The Bumthang
region encompasses four major valleys Choskhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume.
Walk through the
town and up to the Tamshing Monastery where about 200 Monks reside. Visit
Wangdicholing Palace the Jambay & Kurjey Lhakhangs, which are the oldest
monasteries in the kingdom. All the Kings of Bhutan are cremated at Kurjey
Lhakhang. Visit the Mebartsho (Burning Lake) a short walk from the roadside.
This is one of the many sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Overnight
Bumthang Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel
Day 6. At leisure to explore the Bumthang Valleys.
Your options include a visit to the Swiss farm and taste sweet cheese, apple
brandy and locally brewed wine and beer. Notice the large fields of buckwheat
that cover the valley, and so buckwheat noodles and pancakes are a Bumthang
specialty. Visit the Ura valley the highest valley in Bumthang and believed by
some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan it gives you an
insight into how the central Bhutanese live. The cobbled streets of the
traditional village of Ura give a medieval feel. The old women of this region
still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and
cushion.
Overnight Bumthang Valley – Traditional Bhutanese
Hotel.
Day 7. Bumthang Valley to Trongsa. (4 hours) incl side trip
Transfer westwards today to Trongsa the Trongsa Dzong is perched at the
end of the ridge and seems to hang in space at the head of the valley. The
Dzongs location afforded it great power over this part of the country as the
only foot and mule trail between east and western Bhutan lead straight through
Trongsa and through the Dzong itself. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the
Royal Family of Bhutan.
)This
afternoon take a ride south of Trongsa to the winter palace of the second King
Jigme Wangchuck passing Takse Goemba several huge waterfalls and the fertile
rice terraces of the Mangde Chhu valley.
Overnight Trongsa – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 8. Trongsa to Punakha Valley. (4 hours 45
mins)
Transfer westwards to the Punakha Valley.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Monday 12 October:
At leisure today in the Punakha Valley and environs.
This morning visit the Punakha Dzong, the second of Bhutan’s Dzongs which
previously served as the seat of the government. Punakha Dzong is still the
winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body) and holds the title as the
winter capital because of its more temperate climate. Perhaps enough one of the
many short hikes or village walks available in this area or take a ride up to
Laptshaka for a beautiful view of the mountains.
Punakha Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Tuesday 13 October:
Punakha Valley to
Thimphu (2hrs 45 mins)
Leisurely
morning transfer to Thimphu, pass
the Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 and once the oldest fortress of its kind that
guarded the Thimphu valley. Today it is a Theological university. This afternoon
visit the handicraft emporium, institute of the thirteen crafts
or take a ride up to the
telecom tower via the Takin Preserve and enjoy a stunning view of the valley.
Overnight Thimphu Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Wednesday 14 October:
Thimphu
Valley to Paro Valley (1hr 15mins)
After a
leisurely breakfast this morning enjoy your ride back to the Paro Valley. Today
hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest) viewpoint (2hrs). The monastery clings
impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000ft above the valley floor. Return your
motorcycle this afternoon and tonight enjoy your farewell dinner.
Overnight Paro Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Thursday 15 October:
Early morning departure to Paro airport for your onward flight to Bangkok.