Bicycle Tour 1

WEST BHUTAN CYCLING TOUR

Spring 2007 Fall 2007

West Bhutan Cycling Tour 08.03 to 15.03.2007 04.10 to 11.10.2007

Bhutan is known for its essentially undisturbed ecology and traditional ways of life. The serene atmosphere is a perfect setting for such gentle and understated exploration. Our biking tours will bring you to appreciate the country’s natural beauty and cultural wealth. Our trips provide a sense of being transported back in history. Bhutan's mountainous terrain offers a fascinating adventure for cycling enthusiasts. The highways winding up and down with drops of thousands of feet keeps one too high on adrenaline to feel the slightest pinch of monotony as you ride through different villages and meet the people who greet you with a smile.

DAY01. 08.MARCH.THU. ARRIVAL FROM KATHMANDU, BANGKOK OR DELHI.

If flying in from Delhi-Kathmandu, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan's sacred Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. On arrival at the airport, representatives of tour company will receive and escort to Hotel. Be at leisure to explore the small town of Paro, time permitting visit the Dzong.

DAY02. 09MARCH. FRI. PARO SIGHTSEEING.

Get acclimatized with the altitude for the rides for the following days. Ride to the National museum, ride to Drugyal Dzong and Kichu Monastery which is the oldest monastery in the country. Total you have about 32km rides over all. Time permitting can do the Taktsang hike, the Taktsang monastery is a landmark of the country and a famous religious site for Buddhist all over the world. The Monastery clings magically on a cliff 300m above the valley floor.

DAY03. 10MARCH.SAT. PARO-THIMPHU 65km.

Ride to Thimphu, this will take appx 05 hrs depending on the level of professionalism and cycling skills. The ride is all along the lined willow trees and the beautiful villages of Paro. All along you ride parallel to the river banks. On arrival at Thimphu you be at leisure or just explore the Thimphu city, the weekend market would be in progress where the residents of Thimphu do their weekly marketing and farmers and vendors all over the country visit this market to sell their handicrafts and farm produce.

DAY04. 11MARCH.SUN. THIMPHU-PUNAKHA. 71km.

Do some quick sightseeing and places of interest before heading for the Dochula pass, this will take about 02-03hrs uphill, But once you reach the Pass at 3000m, views and hard work is rewarding with the Eastern Himalayan range weather permitting. After that it is all downhill till you reach the warm and lush valley of Punakha region. Can visit the Chimey lhakhang/monastery of the devine mad man or the temple of fertility.

DAY05.12MARCH. MON PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING.

Explore the fertile and flat valley of Punakha, ride north towards the Crown Prince’s Monastery perched on a strategic location on a hill top over looking the rich rice terraced fields. Visit the Punakha Dzong, which is located on the confluence of two rivers. This Dzong used to be the former capital of Bhutan and till date still used as the winter capital by the clergy.

DAY06. 13MARCH. TUE. PUNAKHA – GANGTEY 83km.

Ride to Phobjikha valley, the abode of the black neck cranes, enroute visit Wangdue Dzong, all along you ride and see the villages of Sha. The backup vehicle will always there following the cyclists and at any point of time riders get exhausted you can continue on the back up car.

DAY07.14MARCH. WED GANGTEY-PARO. 205km.

Visit the Gangtey monastery and cycle to Paro via Wangdue and Thimphu. You can cycle certain stretch of the road and use the backup car to reach Paro. End of your cycling tour farewell dinner. You can have a hot- stone bath at the end to relax your tired muscles!.

DAY08.15MARCH. THU DEPARTURE FOR BKK,DEL, KTM OR CCU.

Tour Tariff.

Pax Rates in USD per person with HI TEC bicycles & mountain bikes from KTM or TREK company If with own bicycles 02 pax 1955 1640 03pax 1710 1430 04pax 1696 …Do.. 05pax 1682 ..Do.. 06pax – 10 pax 1675 ..Do..

* Single Supplement 245/ person.

Rates Inclusive of:

• A GRADE Accommodation and Resort Hotels with 03 meal plan. • Mineral water on tour. • Back up vehicle with spares. • English Speaking Guide throughout trip. • Visa fees and Tourism Development Fund • All entry fees where applicable.

Extras:

• Use of bar, laundry, telephone, internet etc. • Tips to crew. • Personal shopping etc.

Options:

While at Paro, there is the option to stay at a beautiful Heritage Hotel like the Zhiwaling Hotel, if guests would like to stay there we can arrange for the same and an extra surcharge will be applicable based on room category and season.

Notes.

The above programme and rates are susceptible to changes due to Hotel rates, Flight schedules etc.