4 Nights 5 Days Biking tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro

On arrival at Paro International airport and after completing your immigration formalities, you will be warmly welcomed by the representative of Advent Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.

Check into the hotel and after brief rest and refreshment /lunch visit the following:

The Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture.  It was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. From the Dzong, march further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge which lies below the sheer walls of  Rinpung Dzong. Stroll through Rimpung Bridge (The oldest bridge in Bhutan)

Then visit the Kichu temple – It is one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. To overcome a giant demon who tried to prevent the spread of Buddhism, laid on the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas, King Songtsen Gampo build 108 temples placed on all the points of her body.

Visit a farmhouse, which gives good insight into the authentic lifestyle of a Bhutanese.

In the evening stroll around Paro town

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro

Day 2: Biking from Paro-Thimphu (2Hours-55km)

After breakfast, travel to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, an hourly drive journey. The road runs down through the Paro valley, characterised by the narrow-gauged with high, rocky cliffs on the left. You can stop on the way to visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Then passage through Chuzom is the entrance to the Thimphu valley,  the Confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The road passes along the Simtokha Dzong, (Dzong means ‘castle-monastery’) – It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal (who unified Bhutan). The Dzong functions as a monastic and as well as administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes. On arrival at Thimphu, check into your hotel and after lunch bike around Thimphu and ride up to Kuenselphodrang, the Great Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, facing towards the Southern approach to Thimphu. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, at 169 feet (52 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas.

Then visit the School of Thangka Painting-The traditional arts is known as zorigchusum (zo = the ability to make; rig = science or craft; chusum = thirteen). These traditional crafts depict hundreds of years of knowledge and ability that has been passed down through generations.The students undergo a six-year course to consummate learning the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan

Following, we will visit the Centenary Farmers’ market – Thimphu weekend market is one of the largest domestic markets for Bhutanese farmers. Farmers sell their own produced vegetables, flour, rice, roasted rice, rice flakes, spices, fruits and livestock products (cheese and butter). And also sell wild ferns or bamboo shoots which are collected from forests. People from villages from different cities as well as from town come to this weekend market.

The last visit for the day will be the Tashichho Dzong – It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

In the evening relax or stroll around the Thimphu Town.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Leisure bike to Cheri Tango base camp and Hike to Cheri Monastery

After breakfast, ride a bike up to the base camp of Cheri Monastery and hike up to the Monastery through the forest of oak trees and rhododendrons. After continuous thirty minutes hike leads to a chorten (stupa). We will do a circle for three rounds. Moving forward for about thirty minutes, you will reach the Chagri Monastery. This is the place where monks undergo extended period three years four months of meditation and spiritual retreat.

The Chagri monastery was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1620 in memory of his father Tempi Nima.

The view from Cheri Monastery has got breathtaking view. We will have picnic lunch at the monastery and then in the late afternoon ride your bike back to Thimphu.

In the evening relax and stroll around Thimphu town.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu-Paro (2Hours-55Km) &Paro Excursion to Taktsang (3hours 30 minutes Walk)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to the Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest. Normally it takes about three and half hours to complete the hike but might take longer depending on your fitness.  Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is an important Buddhist sacred site which clings to the rock face, 900 meters above the valley floor. To the rear of the Taktsang lies Senge Samdup cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Today, Paro Taktsang is popularly known for the thirteen Taktsang or “tiger lair” caves in which he meditated..it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to Taktshang from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong. This place was consecrated to tame the Tiger demon.

Refreshment will be served at View Point Cafeteria en route. After visiting the monastery, descend back to viewpoint cafeteria for lunch and then further descend downhill to the base. Then drive back to the hotel.

In the evening, you can relax after your tiresome journey/ you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath

Overnight in Paro

Day 5: Paro – Departure

Advent Bhutan Tours & Travels (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.

End of the tour

***Thank you & Tashi Delek***