Bhutan Suggested Motorcycle Itinerary 12 day/11 night - Option 1.
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 and issued with your motorcycle permit.
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 - Hotel TBA
Day 2. Paro Valley to
Thimphu. (1hr 30 mins)
* side trip to Tango Goemba (1
hr 10 mins))
This morning travel to Bhutan's
capital Thimphu ride north up
the Thimphu Valley and hike to Tango Goemba. This afternoon
you options include a visit to the national textile museum,
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 - Hotel TBA
Day 3. Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley . travelling time 5hrs
This morning
depart 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.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. 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 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 – Hotel TBA
Day 4. 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.
Overnight Phobjikha Valley - Hotel TBA
Day 5. Phobjikha Valley to Bumthang Valley (Jakar)- travelling time 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 - Hotel TBA
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 - Hotel TBA
Day 7. Bumthang Valley to
Trongsa - travelling time 2 hrs.
* side trip to winter palace 2hrs.
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.
) If time permits perhaps
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 - Hotel TBA
Day 8. Trongsa to Punakha Valley - travelling time 4 hrs 45 mins.
Transfer westwards to the Punakha Valley.
Overnight Punakha Valley - Hotel TBA
Day 9. At leisure in the Punakha Valley.
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.
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 - Hotel TBA
Day 10. Punakha Valley to Paro Valley - travelling time 4 hrs 15 mins.
If time permits this afternoon visit
Paro Dzong with it's cantilever bridge, or visit Ta Dzong the national
museum housed in an ancient watchtower and view the fine collection pf ancient
Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and other artifacts.
Overnight Paro - Hotel TBA
Day 11. At leisure in the Paro Valley.
Today's options include a hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest) viewpoint. The
monastery clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000ft above the valley floor.
This afternoon return your motorcycle. Enjoy your farewell dinner tonight.
Overnight Paro - Hotel TBA
Day 12. Transfer to Paro airport this morning for your onward flight.
Motorcycle tours 08/09 registration form