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The Bhutanese landscape is ideally suited for mountain bike riding. It presents a challenge, from its myriad of sleepy hillside and valley hamlets and picturesque terraced farm, to its criss-crossing paddy fields. The terrain is truly varied and different, and offers the visitors something unusual in this sport.

The majority of this trip is on good paved roads with only a slight percentage on dirt roads and trails. The more adventurous can take side excursion for more off-road if preferred. This distance traveled is a tad more than 200km spread-out over the 7 day period.

The surface accommodates most types of frame styles from MTB, Hybrid, and Road depending on your cycling style and the experiences you wish to gain.
You will travel through small towns and villages, as well as rural areas where it will be just you, the tour group, the fantastic scenery and the road for hours at a time. The tour allows you many chances to engage in your own self reflection and to absorb your new environment. There are also numerous opportunities for optional hikes and a bit of climbing.

There are some challenging climbs, with one in particular being more than 3 hours. Your journey and efforts will be well rewarded with a view and experience that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.

Riders should have an adequate level of fitness/stamina, and be secure with their cycling experience. The tour is fully supported by a van that follows riders during the tour. This van allows riders the option to ride as little or as much as they desire.

Day 1 - Arrive at Paro Airport
Arrive at Paro Airport and then drive to the capital city Thimphu. Altitude: 2320m/ 7656ft above sea level.(1 hour 30 minutes drive)

The flight into the Himalayas reveals scenic and breathtaking views of Himalayan Mountains of the world. If weather permits you will be able to see Mt Everest (8848m, 29,198ft) and other Himalayan mountain ranges.

Later visit, Ta Dzong: This means - watch tower, which it served as during the 17th century to guard the region from the Tibetan invasion. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968.

Rimpung Dzong: Means fortress of the heap of jewels. It was built during the time of Zhabdrung (deeply revered to this day as dynamic political and spiritual leader) in 1644. It is also the venue for the Paro festival (Tsechu).

Later drive to the Capitl City Thimphu(1 hours 30 minutes drive) and then

Zorig Chusum Institute: The 13 arts and Crafts institute. The two main objectives of the institute are a) to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts and b) to create job opportunities for the underprivileged group of the society.

Textile museum: It was established with the aim of preserving and promoting Bhutanese textile arts.

Paper factory: The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world.

Memorial Chorten:  This particular chorten was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.

Mini zoo: Here you can see just one animal - Bhutan’s national animal- the Takin. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo.

Sangaygang View Point:  The view point is also the perfect place to take in some truly breathtaking views of the entire city of Thimpu and also later visit Kuenselcholing hilltop where the largest Buddha in the world is being built.

Tashichho Dzong : The names means - Means Fortress of Glorious Religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

In the evening if you wish we can make arrangements under your request to take you to enjoy the recent trends of the younger Bhutanese, who  spend their evenings  in the discotheques, or in the entertaining hubs where there are live performances of Bhutanese songs and dances (traditional and modern) by the best Bhutanese bands. If you wish you can even test your singing talents in the bars that offer Karaoke. Overnight in Thimphu

Day 2 - Thimphu
In Thimphu ride from Pangri Zampa (28km roundtrip) Town Square 2350m – Dechenchholing, 2420m (8km) -  Pangri Zampa - Taba Top (6km forest/ dirt road)  Return 60% downhill.

Later you can visit, the weekend market: Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the people crowd the stalls every day, dressed in full colour and gathered to meet and to barter, much like the street markets in London!

Later take a hike to Cheri Monastery(Includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wild life Sanctuary): Hike about 1hrs(to and fro) leds to Cheri Goemba (Cheri Dorji Dhen). Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this monastery in 1620 and established the first monk body here. A chance to spot birds such as Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Yellow-browed Tit, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Long-billed Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher.

Folk Heritage museum: It was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, who is the founder and patron of the Museum, on 28th July 2001.It is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of its items and artifacts used in rural households.

Thangtong Dewachen(Nunnery): It was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel, who is considered as emanation of Thangthong Gyalpo(1363 – 1485), the builder of numerous iron chain bridges across the Himalayas.

Later just stroll around the city and see how local live and do some shopping. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3 - Thimphu to Punakha
Altitude: 1350m/4455ft above sea level.(1hour 30 minutes drive)

Morning driving towards Punakha, we come across a pass known as Dochula (3140m, 10362ft) from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range can be seen, especially in clear winter days. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens- a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

Ride to Dochula and continue to Punakha. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 4 – Punakha
In Punakha ride from Khuruthang  - Tashithang  (62km roundtrip) Start at Khuruthang town 1240m  -Punakha Dzong 1250m (4km)  -  Phuntsho Pelri (5km)  -Yebesa (3km) Rimchu (9km)-Tashithang 1840m (10km/ dirt road) Tashithang is along the Mo Chu.

Later visit, Punakha Dzong (fortress): Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. Until the time of second king it served as a seat of the king.

Chimi Lhakhang(Temple of fertility): This Temple was built by lam Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine Madman) in 1499. It is about thirty minutes hike across fields from the road –Wooden phalluses are often found hanging in the four corners of the houses and also phalluses are painted on the walls of houses. It is the common belief that this helps in driving away evil spirits. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 5 – Punakha
In Wangdue ride from- Wangdue Phodrang  - Phobjikha  (64km oneway) Start in Wangdue town 1315m  -Chhuzomsa 1410m (8km) - Tikke Zampa 1490(4km) Nobding 2640m (27km) and back. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.

Day 6 – Punakha to Gangtey
Altitude: 2800m/ 9240ft above sea level (3 hours drive)

Ride from Punakha to Dungdung Nyelsa 2910m(7km) -  Lawala Junction 3240m (5km) - Lawala 3360m(3km) -           Gangtey Gompa 3000m (3km)  -  Phobjikha- Tabiting 2830m(7km). There are several day trips in and around Gangtey and Phobji Geog. There is a 5.5km forest road under construction to Gogona, 6km dirt road + 2hours walk/bike to Khebethang and 7km dirt road to Kunkuthang. Overnight in Gangtey.

Day 7 – Gangtey
Morning visit the Phobjikha Visitor Centre: This is the crane information centre. Stopping here first also ensures that visitors become aware of the codes of conducts for the conservation area.

Later we will go for a Gangtey Nature Trail: (Duration: Half day: two hours at a quicker pace): This is one of the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trail. In this trail you have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Goemba(Monastery), it also leads to sloping area of green grass, flanked by pine trees on either side. You will even come across some villages, rivers, crane roosting ground. Overnight in Gangtey.

Day 8 – Gangtey to Trongsa
Altitude: 2200m /7260ft above sea level.(5 hours drive)

Ride from Phobijkha to Trongsa where we will overnight.

Day 9 – Trongsa to Bumthang
Altitude: 2600m/ 8580ft above sea level.(3 hours drive).

Ride to Bumthang to  - Tang  (62km roundtrip) Start at Jakar town 2580m  -  Membartsho 2570m (11km) -Mesithang (17km/uphill dirt road )  - Kizom Suspension bridge 2760m (3km) cross thebridge and 30min uphill walk to Ugyenchholing. The Guest house and Museum(lifestyle/artworks) is run by the Ugyenchholing Trust. The Rodongla Trek also startsfrom Tang and the Bumthang Cultural Trek can be done backwards from Tang. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 10 – Bumthang
Morning visit, Jambay Lhakhang: It is one of the 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen Goenpo in the 8th century to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.

Kurjey Lhakhang: Means body print. It dates back to 8th century when Guru Rimpoche first visited Bhutan. It is after his visit to the Monyul (country in the darkness); Buddhism was introduced in the country.

Then hike across to Tamzhing Lhakhang: “Temple of good message”. It was built by Terton Pema Lingpa (Treasure Discoverer) in 1501AD. We can see the paintings done by him on the wall and an iron jacket which was also made by him.

Mebar Tsho(Lake of Burning Fire):This is a sacred lake for Bhutanese who believe that Pema Lingpa discovered religious treasures from this lake in the 12th century.
Visit the Swiss farm and taste sweet cheese, apple brandy and locally brewed wine and beer. 

Later visit Ogyen Choling Palace: It is a village in the Tang valley of Bumthang district. It is located on a commanding spur at an elevation of 3000m, on the east side of the Tang Chu. Visitors have to cross the Tangchu suspension bridge near Kizom and climb up to the village on foot. The trek takes about 45 minutes.

Kizom is approximately 33 km from Jakar. The Ogyen Chholing Palace even has a private guest house for the paying guest and the palace has been converted in a museum these days. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 11 – Bumthang to Thimphu
Morning drive bacj to the capital city Thimphu(6 hours drive). Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 12 – Depart from Paro Airport.
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport. Your escort will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Single Supplement: US$120