Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Destination: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
See the real Bhutan and experience non-stop excitement on your motorcycle tour. You will experience an in-depth look into the kingdom by exploring the side of the country most people read about. The 10 days Motorcycle tour takes you through the countryside, meet the local people and learn about their culture, history and traditions. More interestingly, this tour also offers an insight into the vibrant Paro Tshechu (festival). Bhutanese from all occupations join the residents of Paro in their best finery to attend the festival, witness the mask dance and receive blessing. It is truly an experience of the ancient living culture of this spiritual kingdom.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival and Motorcycle Ride to Thimphu
The in-flight to Bhutan offers a breath taking scenery of the Himalayan Mountain range including the world’s highest peaks like Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jomolhari the secret of Bhutan. Upon your arrival at the airport, our tour guide will welcome you and following the pick-up, you will lead to the town for sort refreshment and briefing regarding the road condition and other guidelines. Your Royal Enfield ride begins here with a short sightseeing in Paro, riding up to the National Museum followed by Paro Rinpung Dzong. Upon completion of your sightseeing in Paro, lunch will be served in one of the finest tourist restaurant in Paro followed by a visit to Kyechu Lhakhang and ruined Drukgyel Dzong. In the evening hour ride to Thimphu which is only 65km and easily negotiated within 1.5 hours.
Day 02: Explore Thimphu
The affluent and vibrant province has been home to the royal family and is the centre of government. The broad valley represents mostly the urban way of life. The capital also serves as the cultural hb for ten and thousands of foreigners and locals. Your day sightseeing on motorcycle in Thimphu includes, visit to the impressive Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974. The complex is visited by people of all walks throughout the day and is one of the most visited public religious places in the country. You next stop of the day is ride up hill to visit the giant golden Buddha statue which offers a panoramic view of the blooming town of the capital city. Returning you will take (Garden Lam) road that leads you above the city to visit the oldest temple in Thimphu, the Changangkha Lhakhang built by a descendent of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo. Your last stop of the day, the Trashichhoe Dzong, which was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1641. The complex can be visited after 5pm or office hours. If you are here in the weekends during daytime, it is open for tourist. In the evening stroll around the town or ride back to your hotel for rest.
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha
The fascinating ride through interlocked valleys and mountain passes are all time beauty of tour between Thimphu and Punakha with day excursion to Wangduephodrang valley. Your ride trip to Punakha, the low altitude valley, en-route visit the Simtokha Dzong lies at the end of Thimphu city. It is one of the oldest dzong in the country built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgley in 1629, and today it is home to the institute of language and cultural studies. A 45 minutes (22km) road trip furthers to Dochu La Pass (10150ft/3100m), which provides a sweeping view of the Himalayan range like Mt. Masa Gang (235012ft/7165m), Mt. Tsenda Gang(23288ft/7100m), Teri Gang(23944ft/7300m), Mt Zangaphug gang ( 23288ft/7100m), Mt. Jejegangphu Gang, Mt. Kangphu Gang(above 23288ft/7100m), Mt Gangkhar Puensum(24735ft/7541m). From the lofty spot the drive takes you downhill with much turns and curve, passing through different settlements dotted around the hillside and then finally takes you down to Punakha valley. En route visit the Chemi Lhakhang (temple) lies atop a small hillock which takes around 30-40 minute walk from the road head. This small temple has its history dated back to 1499 and its one of the most revered temple in the country. Thousands of people flock to this temple from different parts of the country to worship and seep protection for their child. The temple is built by the Lam Ngawang Chogyel on the site where Lam Drukpa Kinley subdued the demon which is sealed underneath the small black stupa near the temple. Following back the same track drive to your onward destination of Punakha.
Day 04: Motorcycle Trip around Punakha
In the morning, ride to Chorten Ningpo Shedrag which takes around 1.5 hours. The ride takes you crossing several farmland, traditional farmhouses and village. This route taken is considered as one of the finest trip in Punakha valley. Visitors will encounter the daily farming activities of the people and their daily life. A valuable time encountering with the monastic student provide you with an insight into the religious life and their practice. Following same route back, visit the impressively located Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Temple in Yebesa village. This Chorten like temple is one of the finest temple in the country with beautiful architecture and paintings. It also provides a good view of the valley below and the surrounding mountains and the stunning landscape. Lunch will be served in the finest tourist restaurant in Khuruthang. Ather lunch you ride takes you to visit the remarkable Punakha Dzong which once the old capital of Bhutan where the historic events, coronation of the first king and the first national assembly session were accounted to have held. Still today, the place is a winter resident of the central monastic body and the Chief Abbot. The glorious Punakha Dzong was built on the confluence of the male and female rivers holding defensive significance of the past. The flamboyant architectural design of the giant fortress richly highlights the typical traditional thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan. It was the second largest and oldest dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637. After the visit, ride to explore the Wangdue region, which is the closest district of Punakha.
Day 05: Motorcycle Trip to Phobjikha Valley
Today you will leave Punakha and ride to the naturally beautiful Phobjikha Valley (9840ft). The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black-necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred Black-necked Crane with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to the end of March. At your arrival, make a short stop to visit the only popular Goemba in Phobjikha the Gangtey Goemba. This is the oldest Goemba in Phobjikha dated back to 17th century. At your arrival in the hotel, we suggest you making a beautiful leisurely walk through the pine trees, farmlands and crossing through beautiful villages. This hike starts from the Gangtay Gompa and goes all the way to Pobjikha valley. The trail provides insight into village life, farms and offers great view of the Pobjikha valley.
Day 06: Phobjikha – Paro (motorcycle ride)
Today you will leave Phobjikha and ride back all the way to Paro. En-route if you have missed anything before you can cover up those missing sightseeing.
Day 07-08: Attend Paro Tshechu
Visit to explore Paro Tshechu (festival). The Paro festival is one of the most visited festivals held in the kingdom. The term Tshechu literally mean ‘tenth day’, the date of each tshechu varies but will be held on or near the tenth day based on the Bhutanese calendar. The Paro tshechu is held to celebrate the life and teaching of Guru Rinpoche the 8th century Saint. During the festival people from far and near come to witness the festival and to receive blessing. More importantly, it is believed that one must attend the festival once in their lifetime to inherit merit. Attendee dresses in their finest and is a social gathering. Men, women and children attend the tshechu to receive blessing, partake in the festival atmosphere and the obtainment of merit by participating in this religious celebration.
Day 09: Hike to the Famous Tiger’s Nest
Guru will grade the highlight of this excursion as unforgettable memory as the incredible “Tiger Nest Hike” unveils the era of rescue from the darkness period. Taktshang, literally means the Tigers Lair, is adventurously perched on the rocky cliff elevating 1000 meters from the basement. The history dates back to eight century when the Guru Rinpochhe flew on the back of tigress from Tibet en route Singye Dzong in the northeast Bhutan in the eighth century. His mission to subdue evil spirits dwelling in the Himalayan region of Bhutan was brought to fruition after meditating for three months in the existing cave. Up on his blessing, the current stature of the monastery was initiated in 1694 and unfortunately the old structure was engulfed by fire in 1998 and it was revamped in 2004, which you will behold on your visit. The fascinating hike could vary in duration depending on the physique of an individual. However, on an average it is only three hours hike. Further, option lies at your decision, whether to make up until the nest or enjoy the breathtaking up view of the nest from the cafeteria viewpoint.
Day 10: Depart