Bhutan Suggested Motorcycling Itinerary Option 2: 9 days/8 nights
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 (3hrs)
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.
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. At leisure today in
the Phobjikha Valley.
At leisure to explore the Phobjikha
Valley as per the suggestions above. Why not try one of the many hikes available
in this region, or perhaps take a ride out to Trongsa. (4 hrs round trip)
Overnight Phobjikha Valley -
Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 6. Phobjikha Valley to
Punakha Valley (4hrs 30 mins)
Transfer westwards to the Punakha Valley.
Take a detour at Wangdue
down the valley to
view the rare Golden Languars (monkeys) and wander through the traditional
shopping strip (soon to be demolished).
Overnight Punakha Valley -
Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 7. Punakha Valley to Thimphu (2hrs 30min)
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. Transfer this afternoon 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.
Overnight Thimphu Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 8. Thimphu Valley
to Paro Valley - travelling time 1hrs 10mins.
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.
Day 9.
Depart your hotel this morning for your onward flight from Bhutan.