Adventure Consultants organises a classic mountain biking trip to ride Bhutan's amazing network of roads and 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
This trip traverses Bhutan from west to east after arriving in Paro, and explores 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 are exactly the same as they have been for centuries and unlike other Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan has much of its 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. Mountain bikes are now available for hire in 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 welcome non-cycling partners or travellers to join the expedition also as they are able to accompany the trip throughout Bhutan and do some hiking 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 joining this exciting trip!
Dates: September 25 - October 7, 2013, 2014
Duration: 13 days
Cost: US$6,875 per person ex Bangkok, Thailand
You can view the Bhutan Mountain Bike Trek Trip Notes online or download a pdf using the links below:
 | Bhutan Mountain Biking 2013 Adobe Acrobat Document: 637 KB, 93 seconds @ 56kbps Trip notes for the Adventure Consultants Bhutan Mountain Biking adventure! |
Read the dispatches from previous Adventure Consultants trips to Bhutan - Bhutan 2004, Bhutan 2005.
Bhutan Mountain Biking 2012 - itinerary
Sep 25 Tues Day 1: Meet in Bangkok for trip orientation – stay Novotel Airport Hotel
Sep 26 Day 2: Fly to Paro from Bangkok, depart BKK 6.50am, arrive Paro 10.00am - Stay Zhiwaling Hotel www.zhiwaling.com explore around the Paro Valley and visit National Museum.
Sep 27 Day 3: Transfer to Thimphu via bike and bus, view Thimpu Tsechu** festival – stay Druk Sherig Hotel
Sep 28 Day 4 : Biking to Punakha via the Dochu La – stay Meri Punsum Hotel
Sep 29 Day 5 : Biking to Phojikha in the Gangtey Valley – stay Dewachen Hotel
Sep 30 Day 6: Biking to Bumthang region via the Pele La & Trongsa, stay Jakar at Swiss Lodge
Oct 1 Day 7: Touring Bumthang Chokor Valley, stay Jakar - Swiss Lodge
Oct 2 Day 8: Visit and explore Ura in Bumthang region, stay Jakar – Swiss Lodge
Oct 3 Day 9: Explore Tang Valley to Ugyencholing Palace and back to Jakar – Swiss Lodge
Oct 4 Day 10: Return over Pele La to Chuzom – stay Chuzom sa Resort
Oct 5 Day 11: Explore Punakha, Dochu La to Thimphu, explore Thimphu – Druk Sherig
Oct 6 Day 12: to Paro and to Taktsang Monastery – stay Zhiwaling Hotel
Oct 7 Sun Day 13: Fly Paro to Bangkok, depart Paro 10.50am, arrive 4.15pm. Depart Bangkok for home or onward travel or overnight Bangkok.
** Thimphu Drupchen Festival is September 20 – 24, 2012
** Thimphu Tsechu Festival is September 25 – 27, 2012
** Tangbi Mani Festival in Bumthang region is September 29 – October 1, 2012
