Bicycling, white water rafting & hiking
Classic or Première Inn to Inn ✦
8 days ✦ Moderate
A pioneer, Bhutan adventure tours since 2004
The 8-day tour multisport adventure is discovery by hiking, biking, and white-water rafting, take a thrilling trip through the country that inspired the legends of Shangri-la and navigating the rapids of Pho Chu River.
Truly get to know the beautiful land of this spiritual and isolated region as you walk, ride, and raft through the scenic terrain. Surrounded by the soaring mountains, thick forests, and rolling rapids of the Himalayas, you will spend your days cycling over picturesque passes, hiking through the countryside, and floating the Pho Chu River. From the sacred Taktshang Goemba(known to many as Tigers Nest) to the Punakha Dzong (the former seat of government in the kingdom until about 1955), the adventure will take you to quiet villages, spectacular monasteries, and majestic temples. Get a feel for daily life in Bhutan as well, as you spend time at a family farm, try a delicacy of Sikam paa - ultimate bacon lovers experience sun dried pork belly stir fried with chilis; Shakam ema datshi - beef jerky poached with cheese and butter; Shakam paa - dried beef cooked with chilis and slices of radish and eat traditional cuisine, and greet locals on the road.
Première Inn to Inn: from $7595
Classic Inn to Inn: from $4595
Tour is available year round. November through February is winter with colder temperatures in the high passes and occasional light snow fall.
1: Arrive Paro, explore the National Museum, explore Thimphu.
Your multisport adventure through the fabled kingdom starts with one of the world's most scenic flights, coming into the Paro Valley. After stepping off the plane into the cool mountain air, we will enjoy lunch and then a short drive to Thimphu (60km/2 hours). Time permitting we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan. You will have time to admire the museum's collection of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. This afternoon we will prepare the bikes and enjoy a brief sightseeing pedal around the city. Wind down your first day in Bhutan with our welcome dinner and orientation.
Cycling: 15 mi / 25 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D
2: Bike north to visit Pangri, Tango and Cheri Gompas (fortified monasteries).
The ride today heads through a region not often seen on other bike tours in Bhutan, pedaling north to visit the Pangri, Tango and Cheri Gompas. These fortified monasteries have provided spiritual guidance to the local residents for centuries. Now the Tango and Pangri Gompas are centers of higher learning, with Pangri teaching astronomy and Tango instructing monks in Buddhist Philosophy Cheri monastery was built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in memory of his father. Beautiful frescoes of saints, who have attained Buddhahood, adorn the monastery, including a very beautiful statue of 'Tara'. It is now a center of three year retreat for the monks.
Cycling: 36 mi / 58 km, Terrain: moderate hills, Meals: B L D
3: Shuttle to the 108 Chortens atop Dochula Pass, descend on bike to Punakha.
Mid morning we will shuttle to Dochula Pass (you also have the option to cycle up). The views from the pass are magnificent, offering a panorama of the eastern Himalayas. Enjoy lunch at the pass before starting the 26 mile descent from the pass to Punakha through the leafy temperate forests and semi-tropical zone with abundant orange trees, bananas and bamboos.
Cycling: 31 mi / 50 km (43 mi / 69 km if you cycle up), Terrain: alpine descent, Pass: Docula (3100 m), Meals: B L D
4: Leisurely cycling to visit Punakha Dzong and rural Bhutan. Punakha served as Bhutan's capital until 1955.
Today's relatively flat ride offers opportunities to visit some of the famed temples of the region and enjoy the quiet rural countryside. Today you will visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a Buddhist saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and it still is the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the central monk body. We will again spend the night in Punakha.
Cycling: 28 mi / 45 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B L D
5: Hike through the hills surrounding Punakha, then descend to riverside for rafting the Pho Chu River's class 2 & 3 rapids.
Switching modes of travel today, you will set out for a hike through the countryside, visiting several small villages before reaching a temple overlooking the valley. From this higher vantage point you can enjoy great vistas of the area through which you rode yesterday and will raft later today. Descending back to the valley floor, enjoy a great Bhutanese lunch before setting out to raft the Pho Chu River. This scenic float throws some class 2 and 3 rapids at you to excite and refresh, a great way to round out our visit to the Punakha Valley.
Meals: B L D
6: Shuttle to Paro, where we stay in the historic governor's mansion. Visit the family farm of your guide.
After breakfast, you will be shuttled back to Paro, where we spend out last couple of nights. Our hotel here is the former residence of the local governor. In the afternoon, you will visit a small village further up the valley, home to the family of our Bhutanese manager. An opportunity to experience the daily life, as we visit the family farm and explore the village.
Meals: B L D
7: Hike to Taktshang Goemba (Tigers Nest Monastery), return to Paro for a farewell dinner with dancing.
This morning we will enjoy a hike to visit the renowned Tigers Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). We will have permits to actually visit the temple and will enjoy most of day here in the mountains, hiking and sightseeing. The Taktshang Goemba is one of Bhutan's most spectacular monasteries, clinging to the cliff face, high above the surrounding valley floor. Upon our return to Paro, you will have a chance to finish your last minute shopping needs. We'll gather for a final Bhutanese dinner, swapping tales of the ride and country.
Meals: B L D
8: Say farewell to Bhutan as you fly back to Bangkok. Legshembe joen
We will shuttle everyone back to the airport for your flight to Bangkok.
Meals: B
Pedalers provides Merida Speeders, a lightweight, flatbar, sport road bike. Trek 2500 mountain bikes are also available, but the roads are all paved. All paddling gear, wetsuits and lifejackets are provided.
As a safe health measure, guests are asked to bring their own helmets and waterbottles for cycling. If necessary these can be purchased in Bhutan.
Taj Tashi - Thimphu
Dhensa Boutique - Punakha
Zhiwaling Hertitage Hotel - Paro
Tour meets in Paro, Bhutan (PBH), fly in before noon on Day 1.
Tour ends in Paro, Bhutan (PBH), fly out after 10 am on Day 8.
Processing your Bhutan Visa is provided as part of the tour package. Pedalers does NOT provide visa services for other destinations on your itinerary.
You, your family & friends, your preferred date
Première Inn to Inn: from $7595
Classic Inn to Inn: from $4595
Tour is available year round. November through February is winter with colder temperatures in the high passes and occasional light snow fall.