Adventure Consultants organises a classic mountain biking trip to ride Bhutan's amazing network of trails each autumn. Bhutan is known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon and is an ancient Himalayan kingdom. The country is steeped in Buddhist history and has only been open to foreign
The group will traverse Bhutan from west to east after arriving in Paro, and will explore three of the main valley systems around the Paro / Thimphu area, Punakha and the Bumthang region in the east of the country. Many villages that we come across will be operating in the same way they have done for centuries and unlike other Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan has much of it's first growth forest intact. The Bhutanese are immensely proud of their cultural history and no visit to Bhutan would be complete without exploring their impressive monasteries and learning how Buddhism has shaped the kingdom as it is today. Our visits to various sacred sites give us an insight into their beliefs, history, architecture, and modern social structure.
Lodging along the way is in comfortable Bhutanese guest-houses and hotels and a support vehicle able to accommodate everyone and their bikes accompanies the trip throughout Bhutan.
There is the issue of altitude we have to contend with which is incorporated into our biking itinerary. We have included rest days at the relevant elevations to allow our bodies to adjust to the thinner air and we carry sufficient medication to deal with most altitude related problems. Experience
This unique departure to mountain bike the trails of Bhutan is a great opportunity to travel through a timeless Himalayan kingdom. Early booking is essential to ensure that processing our visas goes smoothly. We also welcome non-cycling partners or travellers to join the expedition also as they will be able to accompany the trip throughout Bhutan and do some trekking in the same areas. We start and finish the trip in Bangkok, as the trip cost includes the flights on Bhutan's airline, Druk Air, costing US$895 for the Bangkok to Paro return flights.
Contact us today to enquire about this exciting trip!
Dates: September 24 - October 6, 2010
Duration: 13 days
Cost: US$5,380 per person ex Bangkok, Thailand
Please click here to download the trip notes:
 | Bhutan Mountain Biking 2010 Adobe Acrobat Document: 262 KB, 38 seconds @ 56kbps |
Read the dispatches from previous Adventure Consultants trips to Bhutan - Bhutan 2004, Bhutan 2005.
Bhutan Mountain Biking 2010 - itinerary
Sep 24 Fri Day 1: Meet in Bangkok for trip orientation – stay Novotel Airport Hotel
Sep 25 Day 2: Fly to Paro from Bangkok, depart BKK 7.40am, arrive Paro 1.05pm - Stay Zhiwaling Hotel www.zhiwaling.com
Sep 26 Day 3: Explore around the Paro Valley and transfer to Thimphu – Druk Sherig
Sep 27 Day 4 : Biking to Punakha via the Dochu La – stay Meri Punsum Hotel
Sep 28 Day 5 : Biking to Phojikha in the Gangtey Valley – stay Dewachen Hotel
Sep 29 Day 6: Biking to Bumthang region via the Pele La & Trongsa, stay Jakar at Swiss Lodge
Sep 30 Day 7: Touring Bumthang Chokor Valley, stay Jakar - Swiss Lodge
Oct 1 Day 8: Visit and explore Ura in Bumthang region, stay Jakar – Swiss Lodge
Oct 2 Day 9: Explore Tang Valley to Ugyencholing Palace and back to Jakar – Swiss Lodge
Oct 3 Day 10: Return over Pele La to Chuzom – stay Chuzom sa Resort
Oct 4 Day 11: Explore Punakha, Dochu La to Thimphu, explore Thimphu – Druk Sherig
Oct 5 Day 12: to Paro and to Taktsang Monastery – stay Zhiwaling Hotel
Oct 6 Wed Day 13: Fly Paro to Bangkok, depart Paro 8.30am, arrive 1.50pm. Depart Bangkok for home or onward travel or overnight Bangkok.
** Thimphu Drupchen Festival is September 23 – 27, 2010
** Thimphu Tsechu Festival is September 28 – 30, 2010
** Tangbi Mani Festival in Bumthang region is October 3 – 5, 2010
