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Bhutan Heritage by Bicycle
Duration
7 days
Site savings
$101
From
$3,249 USD
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan tops many travel bucket lists. Once an isolated region shrouded in mystery, it is now a global leader in sustainable tourism, prioritizing the protection of its cultural and natural heritage. This tour introduces you to Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and proud people, combining excursions to historic sites and heritage institutions with a remarkable cycling route through picturesque valleys.
- CategoryCultural & Historical
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level4 - Advanced
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainMountainous
- Distance118.1 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance29.8 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration7 days
- Main DestinationBhutan
- Distance118.1 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance29.8 miles
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainMountainous
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrive in Paro
Welcome to Bhutan – or Druk Yul, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” – as locals call it. Depending on your flight schedule, you will either have arrived in Paro the day before or will be arriving this morning. Either way, a pick-up from the airport is included. After lunch, you’ll begin your exploration of Paro’s must-see sites and start acquainting yourself with Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. At the National Museum of Bhutan, housed in a 17th-century watchtower, you’ll learn about the country’s history through art, textiles, and sculptures. You will also visit the Rinpung Dzong, the first dzong (traditional Bhutanese fortified monastery) on this journey. Adorned with intricate woodwork, towering walls, peaceful courtyards, and sacred temples, this impressive structure serves as both a religious site and a center of administration, offering insight into Bhutan’s architectural heritage.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Bhutanese welcome dinner. If you plan to arrive before the tour begins, please note that due to Bhutan’s strict tourism policies, all arrangements, including hotel stays, must be booked through a travel company. If you need assistance with booking, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to help.
- Hotel Pema Yangsel
- Lunch and Dinner
- Day 2Paro - Thimphu
This morning, you'll transfer about two hours from Paro to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, nestled in the green valley of the Wang Chuu River. Despite being the capital, Thimphu retains a relaxed charm, with no traffic lights in the city center and a strong focus on preserving Bhutan’s cultural heritage. Upon arrival, you'll visit Buddha Point to admire the colossal gilded Buddha statue, one of the largest in the world, overlooking the valleys and mountains. At the Takin Preservation Center, you’ll meet Bhutan's national animal, the takin – a Himalayan bovid with the body of a goat but the face of a cow — before heading to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum to explore Bhutan's 13 officially recognized traditional arts and crafts.
After lunch, it’s time to jump in the saddle and start cycling! Your inaugural ride takes you from Thimphu north through the valley and then back again, following roads that pass terraced rice and vegetable fields, small villages, and dense pine forests. There are a few hills to tackle, but the return to Thimphu (after around 15 km) is predominantly downhill. You'll reconvene in the evening for dinner, and time permitting, feel free to explore the town’s renowned handicraft shops.
- 18.6 miles
- -55.8 ft
1,706 ft
1,761.8 ft - Hotel Gakyil
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Thimphu – Dochula Pass - Punakha
Today’s ride marks a rite of passage for anyone cycling in Bhutan: conquering the Dochula Pass. From Thimphu, the first 5 km are an easy warm-up as you follow the river south. Then, the climbing begins. You'll face 18 km of continuous uphill, with an average gradient of around 4.5%. The paved road, the only throughway between Thimphu and Punakha, winds its way up the mountainside through sprawling forests and occasional highland settlements. You'll take it slow and steady, with the option to switch to the support vehicle always available.
At the top of the pass (3,100 meters ASL), you are greeted by 108 chortens – sacred Buddhist structures – rising into the sky. Here, you'll unwind, soak in the panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas, and enjoy lunch. Then, it’s downhill into the Punakha Valley, descending over 40 km on twisty mountain roads. The ride ends at a charming hotel near the town of Punakha, the former capital of the Kingdom, where you’ll spend the next two nights.
- 41 miles
- -3,631.9 ft
4,701.4 ft
8,333.3 ft - Damchen Riverside Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Punakha Valley Exploration
Today is all about the Punakha Valley, beginning with an off-saddle exploration of two of the area’s most iconic sites. First, you'll visit the grand Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most impressive dzongs, located at the confluence of two rivers, showcasing stunning architecture, intricate woodwork, and centuries of fascinating history. You'll then head to Chhimi Lhakhang, a scenic 15th-century hilltop monastery said to bless visitors with fertility and protection, adorned with colorful phallic symbols representing good fortune and the power to ward off evil spirits.
After lunch, you'll change into your cycling gear and embark on a leisurely loop around the valley. The highlight of the ride comes after just 7 km when you cross, one at a time, a swaying metal bridge over the Puna Tsang Chu River! You'll then follow the river south and loop back to your hotel, surrounded by stunning views of terraced rice paddies and towering mountains.
- 23.6 miles
- 6.6 ft
1,778.2 ft
1,771.7 ft - Damchen Riverside Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Punakha - Mo Chhu River Ride - Paro
Your final ride traces the Mo Chhu River, one of two rivers that converge before the Punakha Dzong. After a relatively flat 10 km warm-up, you'll tackle a series of uphill sections, rewarded by stunning vistas of the braided river and hillsides adorned with forests or rice paddies. As you climb, the road narrows, and the landscape grows increasingly untamed. The surrounding woodlands, renowned for their rhododendron trees, dazzle with vibrant blooms in spring or golden hues in fall. At the highest point of your ride, you'll pause for a picnic-style lunch, savoring the serenity and fresh air in this remote corner of the Himalayan foothills. The downhill return to Punakha offers a thrilling descent before you pack up and transfer to Paro, a three - to four-hour drive.
- 34.2 miles
- 3.3 ft
5,482.3 ft
5,479 ft - Hotel Pema Yangsel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Tiger’s Nest Hike
Bhutan's most iconic site has been saved for last: the Tiger’s Nest, or Paro Taktsang as it’s known locally! Perched on a cliff at 3,120 meters ASL, this 17th-century Buddhist monastery is one of the most sacred and scenic sites in the Himalayan Buddhist world. After a 30-minute transfer from Paro, you'll begin the 4 km trek, climbing roughly 900 meters. The trail winds through forests, with gentle inclines interspersed with steeper zig-zags. Near the end, you'll cross a rope bridge adorned with prayer flags beside a cascading waterfall. A final set of steps leads to the monastery, where you’ll explore its sacred spaces and enjoy breathtaking views. After retracing your steps down the mountain, you'll return to Paro for a farewell dinner, with the option to relax in a rejuvenating hot stone bath.
- Hotel Pema Yangsel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Goodbyes after breakfast