11-Days Bhutan Motorcycle tour

On arrival at Paro airport you will be met by your guide and transferred by road to Thimphu. After luunch, we'll do a trip briefing and orientation of your Royal Enfield Motorcycle. This afternoon enjoy an introductory ride north to begana village to get a feel for your bike as well as first impression of Bhutan. Return to hotel and proceed to welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant. Ride distance - 40 km introductory ride.

After breakfast, ride to Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169ft statue of Buddha Dordenma sits overlooking the valley. Enjoy a panoramic view of Thimphu city from there. Here we’ll seek blessings for a safe ride and then start riding towards Punakha over Dochula Pass (3140m) on a gradual ascent for 24 km. Enjoy spectacular views over the Himalayan ranges from the pass and visit the Druk Wangyal Stupas. Descend down to Punakha valley and tonight we’ll stay in a peaceful hotel overlooking the Punakha Dzong fortress. Visit the Punakha Dzong in the afternoon – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. Distance 88 km, 4 hours

Today, we'll ride on a beautiful stretch of tarmac road going down to southern Bhutan where we'll have lunch at Damphu town. We'll take a short detour to see the most beautiful waterfall in the country. After lunch we'll return to Punakha on this section of tarmac road which is easily one of the best riding days in Bhutan. Ride distance 130km, 5-6 hours.

After breakfast, visit Lobesa village to receive blessing from ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang– also called the fertility monastery-our guide will explain the entire story about it. Continue to Pelela pass on a beautiful stretch of road that meanders along the Dangchu river, through forests of chirpine and oak. After lunch at Nobding, we’ll layer up as we gain elevation to reach Pelela pass at 3200m. The road passes through undulating roads passing through quaint villages of yak herders down to Tangsibje village-– my village. Stay overnight in our Tangsibji heritage house, which my grandfather built in the 60’s. We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors to our beautiful village which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Trongsa district, and therefore makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. Note: This experience is consistently rated as a favorite amongst our guests. Ride distance 100 km, 4 hours

After breakfast, say goodbye to your host family and drive to Bumthang valley through Trongsa town. Continue to visit the Trongsa fortress – historically a very important fortress, as it was the central seat of administration from where our monarchy was institutionalized in the early 1900s. Your tour leader will narrate the entire history. Stop by in Chumey valley to visit the famous Textile weavers of Continue to Bumthang valley for lunch. Continue to ride towards Ura village a small hamlet in centrail Bhutan that still retains characteristics of medieval Bhutan. From here continue on the old single-track road to Mebartsho (Burning Lake), one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the Kingdom. Ride to Bumthang passing some of the beautiful meadows of Tang valley and finally to Bumthang town. Ride distance - 150km, 6 hours

Easy day Bumthang cultural exploration and easy day. Today we’ll ride around the beautiful Bumthang valley visiting some of the attractions. Let’s start with the 07th century old Jambay lhakhang temple which was built by King Songsen Goempo of Tibet. Ride to the first craft brewery in the country to try the famous Red panda beer and Cheese factory to see how local Gouda cheese is made, and enjoy it with locally brewed Red Panda beer. In the afternoon ride back to Tamshing Lhakhang – founded in the year 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the temple was restored at the end of the 19th century. Stroll around the d Chamkhar town that still retains some of the old characteristics of a rural town. 5 hours, 50 km

This morning transfer back westwards to the Phobjikha Valley via a stop in Chhume Valley to view or buy very high quality Bhutanese textiles and weaving’s. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, and one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home (late October to early February) of the rare black necked crane, which annually flies in from Tibet. There are also muntjaks (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes. Until recently the Phobjikha valley’s only electricity came from solar or mini hydro plants however in 2011 underground cabled electricity gradually connected the valley to the national grid. Potatoes are this region’s primary cash crop and are mainly exported to India. Distance 120 km, 5 hours

Today we’ll ride all the way to Haa valley. Continue riding westward to thimphu and then proceed to the confluence at Chunzom, head down to Tsimakoti and take the diversion to Haa valley – a nomadic town in western Bhutan, ine of the best stretches of undulating roads best experienced on a motorcycle. Explore the quaint little town in the evening and stay overnight in a lovely lodge in a beautiful rural setting. Ride distance 220 km, 7 hours

We will start riding towrads Paro. After leaving the valley floor, ride for 25 km of beautiful single-lane road to Bhutan’s highest motor road to the Chele La (pass) at 4000m. At the pass, we’ll make a quick stop to appreciate the views of the underlying valleys as well as mountains of Jomolhari peak and Kanchenjunga mountains. Descend to Paro valley for 36 km, and ride towards Shana in the northern side of the valley and back to Paro in the afternoon. Explore this touristy town on foot and we can visit some bars with live music and for those of you who want to shake the night away, we can always take you to our favourite discotheque. Today’s ride is the last ride as tomorrow is a cultural day best explored by foot. 100 km, 4 hours

Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery -translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story. Spend the evening exploring Paro town on foot and visit crafts shops to take home some souvenirs to remind you of your beautiful motorcycle adventure in Bhutan. Of course your Bhutan adventure is not complete without visiting the craft beer brewery in Paro. Farewell dinner at select restaurant.

Early morning departure to Paro airport for your onward flight.