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Mountain Bicycle Trip
Day
01 : Arrive Paro
 Arrive
Paro by Druk Air (it is recommended to fly from Delhi or Kathmandu as this
flight provides fascinating view of eastern Himalayan peaks. The peaks
visible on this flight are ; Mount. Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,534
m), Shishapangma (8,013 m), Gauri Shankar (7,185 m), Cho Oyu (8,153 m),
Nuptse (7,906 m), Lhotse (8,501 m), Chamlang (7,319 m), Jannu (7,710 m),
Chomoyummo (6,829 m), Pauhunri (7,125 m), Shudu Tsenpa (7,032 m), Chomolhari
(7,314 m), and Jichu Drake (6,974 m).
On arrival at Paro airport, received by local representative with
traditional welcome and drive to the hotel. Evening presentation with slide
show / video show and talk by an expert.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02 : Paro/Thimphu
 Morning
sightseeing in Paro visiting ruins of Drukgyel Dzong followed by visit to Ta
Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong.
After lunch, start biking to Thimphu (54 km, approx. 4 hours) passing
through the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The route follows the
valley of Thimphu river through an arid landscape.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03 : Thimphu/Punakha
Morning sightseeing in Thimphu with visit to Memroial Chhorten,
Trashichhodzong and Government Handicraft Emporium.
After early lunch biking to Punakha (70 km, approx. 4.1/2 hours) ascending
enroute at Dochula pass (3,050m) and later continue descent to Metshina.
Punakha is about 12 km from this place at the altitude of 1,250 m so in
about 3.1/2 hours biking the total descent from Dochula to Punakha is about
1,800 m.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 04 : Punakha/Wangduephodrang
 Morning
visit to 17th century Punakha Dzong followed by visit to Khamsum Yulley
Namgyal Chhorten. Then continue biking to Wangduephodrang (21 km, 1.1/2
hour). Evening visit to Wangduephodrang Dzong and interesting local market.
Overnight at the hotel in Wangduephodrang.
Day 05 : Wanguephodrang/Gangtey
Morning commence biking to Gangtey (68 km, approx. 4.1/2 hours) gaining
altitude of about 1,800 m. Afternoon excursion to Phobjikha valley which is
a designated conservation area and famous for black-necked cranes.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 6 : Gangtey/Trongsa
 Morning
proceed to central Bhutanese town of Trongsa (125 km, approx. 6 hours)
crossing 3,300 m high Pelela pass en route. From Pele la pass proceed to
Chendbji Chhorten at altitude of 2,400 m (27 km, 1.1/2 hour), the stupa
patterned on Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. Chendbji to Trongsa is about 41 km,
approximate two hours of biking on almost flat land.
Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Day 07 : Trongsa/Bumthang
Morning sightseeing with visit to Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong and then
proceed to Bumthang (68 km, approx.4.1/2 hours) crossing Yotongla pass
(3,400 m) and then descend to Gyetsa valley (2,700 m). Later cross 2,900 m
Kiki la pass while reaching to Jakar.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 08 : Bumthang
 Day
for relaxation and sightseeing in one of the most beautiful valleys and also
the religious heartland of the nation, visiting Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar
Dzong, Kurjey and Jambay Lhakhang.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 09 : Bumthang/Ura
From Bumthang Ura camping site is about 60 km and time taken is approximate
4 hours. Enroute cross 3,300 m high Shertang la pass and then descend to Ura
village situated at the altitude of 3,000 m. Later explore pleasant Ura
village.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 10 : Ura/Limithang
 Proceed
to Limithang (80 km, approx. 6 hours) crossing 3,750 m high Thrumshingla
pass, the highest point during this trip. From Thrunshingla it is all the
way downhill (about 700 m) descent till the camp at Limithang.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 11 : Limithang/Mongar
It is one of the shortest trip on this itinerary (27 km, 1.1/2 hours) with a
total descent of about 1,400 m. Evening visit to Mongar Dzong and local
market.
Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
Day 12 : Mongar/Gom Kora
Morning proceed to Gom Kora (80 km, approx. 5 hours). The Kori la pass en
route is at 2,450 m. The road later descends rapidly till sheri Chhu river.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 13 : Gom Kora/Trashi Yangtse
 Proceed
to Trashi Yangtse (65 km, approx. 5.1/2 hours). 2 km ahead of Gom Kora, the
road reaches to Doksum, a village where two valleys meet. This place is also
known for its weaving. Later arrive at Trashi Yangtse Dzong, situated at
altitude of 1,850 m. Heading further northwards in the gorge for about 4 km,
the route leads to gigantic Chorten Kora, the stupa built in Nepalese style
of architecture.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 14 : Trashi Yangtse/Trashigang
Morning biking to Trashigang (65 km, approx. 5 hours). The trail is gradual
up and down till 55 km and later about 10 km upwards the Trashigang. Evening
explore the town area, which is the biggest urban centre in Bhutan after
Thimphu.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 15 : Trashigang / Mongar (91 km, 3
hours)
 After
breakfast drive back to Mongar. Afternoon exploratory tour to Mongar town,
local market.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 16 : Mongar / Bumthang (198 km, 7
hours)
Morning drive to Bumthang arriving there by lunch time. After lunch, visit
to Yatha weaving centre and local market.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 17 : Bumthang / Thimphu (268 km, 8
hours)
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu enroute visiting village houses and
mingling with local people. Lunch break at Wangduephodrang which is known
for its majestic Dzong and its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu for overnight stay.
Day 18 : Thimphu / Paro Airport (55 km,
1.1/2 hours)
Morning drive to Paro airport for flight to onward destination.
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