Our dragon challenge, explore west+central Bhutan on our bikesCome and bike with us trough this hidden kingdom of Bhutan, you will escape a wonderful countryside, friendly people on the way everywhere, great roadconditions like nowwhere in the Himalayas.
Fotos from Siegi Mayer, Werner Okrina, Alex Ganzert, Hannes Piepenborn, Thomas Graf, Martin Handlechner and Kinley Tshering. OUR DRAGON CHALLENGE - CENTRAL BHUTAN MOTORCYCLE TOUR Guaranteed departure with 02 bikers on 2 bikes as a minimum. 2007 15 March - 29 March 2007 - Code - MT/2/1/07 27September - 11October 2007 - Code - MT/2/2/07 Chelila, Dochula, Pelala, Yotongla, a challenge between 3-4000m high motor able passes are waiting for you with asphalt roads. You will be able to explore fantastic landscapes, romantic views, friendly locals, unique culture on the long and winding roads of Bhutan. DAY01. ARRIVAL FROM DELHI, KATHMANDU OR BANGKOK. Arrival from DEL,KTM or BKK. This is a breathtaking mountain flight weather permitting as you can see all great Himalayan peaks including Everest. Upon arrival our staff will be there to receive you at the airport. Be at leisure to explore the town and inspect your machines can do some acclimatization ride on your machines. o/n Paro. DAY02. PARO SIGHTSEEING AND ACCLIMATIZATION. Sightseeing at Paro. Start your ride and sightseeing of the Paro valley, visit Drugyal Dzong, National Muesuem and Kichu Monastery. Today is also the day to get familiar with the Bhutanese traffic conditions. Ride to the Chelila pass at 4000m to have great views of the Himalayan ranges, weather permitting you have great views of Mt. Jhomolhari and other Himalayan landscape views including Haa valley. o/n Paro. DAY03. PARO-THIMPHU. 65Km 2hrs. Start your onward your ride towards Western Bhutan through the villages of Paro with views of farmhouses and rice fields all along the Paro river which meanders through the valley of Paro. The ride till Thimphu takes about 2hrs. All along your ride through inhabitants as the road is also the highway, you are at your disposal to stop as and when you get photo opportunities. On reaching Thimphu check into your hotel, can be at leisure to explore this small city with its many stores, bars, handicrafts stores. Ride to the view point of Thimphu, can also visit the Zilukha Nunnery. The nuns will probably be having some of their Religious ceremonies and prayers. DAY04. THIMPHU Today sightsee Thimphu on your bikes. Visit the Folk heritage Museum, the school of handicrafts where students are taught the 13 arts and crafts like statue making, carving, thanka or scroll painting etc Ride to the extreme north of Thimphu towards Tango and Cherry Monastery, the route is very scenic with many apple orchards and villages and at the backdrop mountains shield the place like a great wall. DAY05. THIMPHU –PUNAKHA 77km 3hrs15min From Thimphu you have about 2 hrs of uphill ride towards Dochula pass at 3140m/10,299ft. Weather permitting once you reach Dochula pass there are great views of the Bhutan Himalayas and also there are 108 beautiful stupas marked by a large array of prayer flags. This place is a photographers delight. Visit Chimey Lhakhang- the Temple of the ‘Devine Mad Man’ just before reaching your Hotel. You need to walk about 15minutes from the road. Lama Drukpa Kuenley is a deeply loved saint, he built this monastery in 1499 and it is also the temple of fertility. All the phallus painting and flying phallus on the farmhouses in Bhutan is his! DAY06.TUE. PUNAKHA. Explore the Punakha valley, ride the backroads of Punakha region, visit the Shengana village, ride to the Crown Prince’s monastery perched on a hill top this is a 20 minutes walk from the road head. Visit one of the most magnificent Dzongs of the country, the Punakha Dzong which is built on the confluence of the male and female rivers. Punakha used to be the former capital of Bhutan till this day it is still used as the winter capital by the monastic body. DAY07. PUNAKHA – TRONGSA 142km 5.3hrs. Start your onward journey towards central Bhutan, all along you will be riding through great views, as many part of your ride involves riding parallel to the Black mountain ranges, depending on the season you may encounter yak herders camps. Visit the Wangdue Dzong and town enroute. Ride across the Pelila pass and descend to the lush villages of Rukubjee and Chendebji. o/n Trongsa. DAY08.TRONGSA TO JAKAR /BUMTHANG 68KM 2.3 HRS After visiting the Watch tower continue uphill until you reach the Yotongla pass 3425m. From then on its downhill until you reach the broad Chumey valley. Bumthang is also called the Switzerland of Bhutan given the similarity of the views and landscape. Stop at the Yathra-traditional Bumthang woolen fabric at Chumey. Ride through pine forests and villages of Bumthang until we reach Jakar or Chamkhar Valley. DAY09. BUMTHANG Bumthang Valley is a broad valley with many sacrilegious Monasteries and Temples. Today you can visit the Jambay Lhakhang Monastery which dates back to the same era like that of the Kichu monastery at Paro, and these two monasteries are the oldest in the Kingdom built in the 7th century. Visit the Kurgye Monastery and the Jakar Dzong, can also visit the Swiss farm or just stroll around the small town for curio items. DAY10. BUMTHANG-TRONGSA 68KM 2.3 HRS Visit the beautiful valley of Tang, and after lunch ride to Trongsa, complete the sights not visited in Jakar valley. DAY11. TRONGSA – GANGTEY 73km 3.5hrs. Ride to the beautiful valley of Phobjikha, depending on the season you can see the Black neck cranes that arrive from Tibet every year. Explore the Gangtey valley as there are many villages and a monastery that is 450 years old belonging to the Pelling sect. o/n Gangtey. DAY12. GANGTEY-THIMPHU 140km 5.3hrs. After completing sightseeing and exploration of the Phobjikha valley ride towards Thimphu. You will have time at Thimphu to explore the city and do shopping for souvenirs or just be at leisure to check out the stores. DAY13. THIMPHU-PARO 6ve 5km 2hrs. Ride to Thimphu, complete sightseeing and exploration that have been left out earlier. Ride your bikes till the road end and hike to the Taktsang monastery which is one of the most famous landmarks of Bhutan and also one of the most sacred monasteries to Buddhists. The Taktsang monastery clings magically on a cliff and Guru Rimpoche the founder of the Tibetain form of Buddhism is said to have meditated in a cave here. o/n Paro. DAY14. PARO-CHELILA. 70km 4hrs. Day excursion to Chelila pass, this is also the highest motorable road in the country at near 4000m. The ride involves nearly no traffic at all but through beautiful conifer forests. Weather permitting you have great views of the sacred mountain Mt. Jhomolhari. From Chelila pass you can descend a little further towards Haa valley or visit the Haa valley if you want to ride further on. o/n Paro. DAY15. DEPARTURE FOR BANGKOK, KOLKATA, DELHI OR KATHMANDU. At the end of the Tour, you would have had an enchanting experience, met many new friends all along the way, Himalayan Adventures’ mission is to cultivate and connect ‘friends for ever!’ we have many age old connections with other motor bike tour operators worldwide, Lets dream together for another great and exciting adventure to create memories of a lifetime!. We believe in creating memories and departing to cherish them!. Tour tariff: No. with KTM 640 adventure Motorcycle in USD per person. 02 5590 (4030) 03 4910 (3350) 04 4780 (3220) 05 4702 (3142) 06 4650 (3090) 07 4650 (3090) Second smaller price is made for pillionriders only. No.with Royal Enfields motorcycle in USD per person. 02 4420 (3640) 03 3870 (3090) 04 3805 (3015) 05 3766 (2986) 06 and more 3740 (2960) Second smaller price is made for pillionriders only. KTMs or Royal Enfields will run in two different groups in daytime always! Single Room Supplement USD 490 for entire tour. Price includes. -One KTM or Royal Enfield motorbike according to reservation. -A grade accommodation in all places where applicable, best available accommodation in the east at all places with 03 meal plan and tea. -Local Tour Guide and Road Captain. -Back up vehicle & Luggage van. -All fees to museums and sights where applicable, special permits etc. Price excludes. -International airfares and halts in India or elsewhere if connecting flights depending on flight schedules. -Domestic Flights in and out of Paro Bhutan. - Motorcycle caution deposit of USD 1000 for KTM’s and USD 500 for Royal Enfields. -Tips and Gratuities to Guide, Driver, Mechanic. -Use of Bar, Laundry service, Telephone calls etc in Hotels. -Petrol costs while on Tour for own bikes. -personal Insurance. Option. -Last night guests can choose to stay at the most beautiful heritage hotel Zhiwaling Hotel in Paro with dinner included, surcharge of USD 159/ person is applicable in this case. |
