Bhutan Motorcycle Tour: A Ride To The Land Of Thunder Dragons

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Siliguri to Phuentsholing

  Today, you will arrive at Siliguri and meet the tour representative. The riders have the option of getting their personal bikes and those who are renting out bikes, get the same from Siliguri. Ride to the India-Bhutan border checkpoint in Phuentsholing.

  Complete your visa formalities and then get dropped at your hotel in Phuentsholing.

  Opposite to this town, you will find another Indian town named Jaigaon.

  Stay overnight at the guest house in Phuentsholing.

• Day 2 - Phuentsholing to Thimphu (164kms, 5-6 hours drive)

  Today start riding to Thimphu after breakfast and enjoy the amazing landscape of the region.

  Witness the brilliant waterfall as you continue your ride.

  Check into your hotel for the night and in the evening visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion).

  Stay overnight in a guest house in Thimphu.

• Day 3 - Thimphu to Punakha

  Start riding through the countryside and then towards the Punakha valley.

  Your ride ascends gradually to the Dochula pass over 10300 ft, soak in the majestic view of the Himalayan Range.

  Explore the famous Dochula Monastery which is also famous as Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens.

  One can see fluttering prayer flags which adds more glory to the beauty of the monastery.

  Stay overnight at the guest house at Punakha.

• Day 4 - Punakha to Trongsa

  Start riding down the valley to the town of Wangdue and slowly feel the winds as you take the route towards the Pele La Pass (3,420m).

  Marvel at the sight of the beauty of snow clad peaks and also catch the glimpse of Mt. Chomolhari.

  Ride past through Pelela pass and then descend through the villages of Rukubji, Chendebji, Sephu, Langtel and several other villages.

  You will arrive at Trongsa after about 4-5 hours of ride.

  Stay overnight at the guest house in Trongsa.

• Day 5 - Trongsa to Bumthang

  Start riding from Trongsa and drive to Jakar which will take around 2 ½ hr.

  Ascend from Trongsa to Yotong La (3,551m) and then you will descend into Chumey valley (2,700m, which is the first of Bumthang valleys.

  Continue riding for another 45 minutes and then pass the villages of Zugney and Prakar and across Kiki la pass (2,860m).

  Explore the Yathra Weaving at Zungney and watch the weavers at work.

  Arrive at Jakar at 2,800m in Chokhor valley which is the main town and administrative centre at Bumthang district.

  Stay overnight at guest house/nature stay at Bumthang.

• Day 6 - Bumthang (Day tour to Ura- 48kms, 2 hours drive)

  Commence your tour and pass via Membartso and crosses over the Shertangla (3590 m).

  Membertsho falls along Bumthang and is about 20 minutes ride from the hotel and then a 10 minutes walk.

  Enjoy the amazing view of the Gangkhar Phuensum – highest mountain of Bhutan (7514 m).

  Slowly descend down to Ura valley which is a beautiful village clustered of traditional houses and fenced by cobblestone streets.

  Witness the people busy with their day to day life and also learn about their culture.

  You will also see a temple at the centre of the village that dominates the village.

  Stay overnight at guest house/nature stay at Bumthang.

• Day 7 - Bumthang to Gangtey (157kms, 7 hours drive)

  Today, after your breakfast ride to Trongsa which is around 68km and takes about 2-3 hours.

  You will retrace and ride cross Kiki la into Chume valley and the cross Youtongla pass (3,551m) into Trongsa.

  Your ride from Trongsa to Gangtey will be through the criss-cross road and will take around 3 hours to reach Gangtey or Phobjikh.

  Witness the amazing Trongsa Dzong which is perched high on a cliff above the deep Mangdechu river gorge.

  You will retrace through the villages of Tangsibji, the Chorten at Chendebji, and then pass through the villages of Sephu Nikachu.

  Continue riding and reach the Pele la pass (3,420m) and then descends into the wonderful valley of Phobjikha or Gangtey.

  Upon reaching Gangtey you can unwind with a hot stone Bath if time permits.

  Stay overnight at guest house/nature stay at Bumthang.

• Day 8 - Gangtey to Paro (170 kms, 5 hours drive)

  Enjoy your breakfast and then retrace your ride back to Paro through Wangdiphodrang and then cross Dochula.

  Ride from Gangtey to Paro which will take about 6 hours and you will cover a distance of 125 km.

  Reach Phobjikha valley and then ride back to the pass (3,360m) after which you will join the main east-west lateral highway, just beneath Pele la pass.

  Then continue descending and you will see the changing vegetation to semi-tropical until you reach Wangdiphodrang town.

  Continue riding up to Dochula pass (3,050m) and there enjoy the view of the peaks of the eastern Himalayas.

  Start descending Thimphu from Dochula which will take around 40 minutes.

  Embark on hoisting of prayer flags at Dochula and following evening stroll down the high street lined with little shops.

  Witness the farmers and the monks all busy with their day to day work.

  Stay overnight at guesthouse in Paro.

• Day 9 - Day tour to Haa (65kms, 2 hours drive) or the Tiger Nest Trek to Tiger Monastery

  Option 1: Day Tour to Haa:

  You will start your ride early and drive to Chele La Pass at 3,988m which is the highest road pass in Bhutan.

  Start snaking through the blue pine and rhododendron forests for around 35 km.

  Catch the glimpse of Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari (7314m) and then take the route through Haa Valley.

  Pass through the Edelweiss covered ridge and then descend. Enjoy a two-hour hike through dense rhododendron forest.

  Reach Kila Goemba an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch.

  Stay overnight at Paro.

  Option 2: Tiger Nest Trail to Tiger Monastery

  A first time trip to Bhutan is not complete without this.

  The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is sacred Buddhist site located near Paro, Bhutan.

  The visit to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery takes a full day. On average, it takes between four and five hours to do the round trip hike, plus one more hour to tour the monastery.

  Many people also have lunch in the cafeteria not far from the monastery. Overnight in Paro at a guest house.

• Day 10 - Paro to Phuentsholing (160 kms, 5-6 hours drive)

  Enjoy your breakfast, check out from the hotel and then get transferred to Phuentsholing.

  Explore some of the places here on your own.

  Return back to your hotel and enjoy your dinner.

  Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Phuentsholing.

• Day 11 - Phuentsholing to Siliguri

  Today, you will ride from Phuentsholing to Siliguri.

  End of tour.