Our Bhutan motorcycle tour begins in Calcutta with a flight that touches down at Bhutan's only airport in Paro, surrounded by Himalayan peaks at an altitude of 2,300 meters. Our adventure begins the same day.

 

Day 1: 60 kms.

 

Take the Druk Airways flight to Paro and transfer to hotel. The road from the dzong to Paro is lined by very large chortens. The royal palace of Ugyen Pelri, built by Paro Penlop Tshering Panjor around 1930, is barely visible on the right.

 

Day 2: 150 kms.

 

Today we'll take a short motorcycle tour of the Paro Valley. Visit the imposing ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong. The day will also include time for sightseeing and shopping at Paro. Alternatively, you can trek to the renowned Taktshang monastery (the “dragon's nest”) that offers a stunning vista (this is a 2-hour, 500-meter climb).

 

Day 3: 120 kms.

 

Today we will be doing a fantastic climb up to the Cheli La pass (3,990 m) on our motorcycles. This is Bhutan´s highest road. We'll then take the new main road into Thimphu, followed by dinner and a little tour of the capital's pubs.

 

Day 4: 100 kms.

 

A short sightseeing tour in the morning and time to change money and shop. Just out of Thimphu, the road begins a steep, twisty climb to the Dochu La pass at 3,450 meters. The road down from Dochu La into the Punakha Valley and on to Wangdi Phodrang goes on for some distance, descending 1,700 meters to the valley floor. In Punaka, you will visit the largest and mightiest dzong in Bhutan.

 

Day 5: 120 kms.

 

We will climb back up the winding Pele La pass (3,300 m) and ride through the Black Mountains to the Phobjikha Valley, winter habitat of Tibetan cranes and dwarf bamboo. After lunch, hike through medieval villages to the dzong.

 

Day 6: 90 kms.

 

After Breakfast we visit Trongsa dzong, a fortress built in 1648. Ride your Bullet and cross the Yotong La pass (3,425 m) on your way to the picturesque Bhumthang Valley. En route, stop briefly to visit the Chumey Yathra weavers.

 

Day 7: 180 kms.

 

From Bhumthang, we'll be heading east. You will rarely see tourists in this part of Bhutan. On the way to Mongar (1,800 m), we'll be crossing the Tumsi La, one of Bhutan's highest road passes. Observe the vegetation changing as we climb through the climate zones. Visit the village Ura, where the houses are all built facing in the same direction.

 

Day 8: 120 kms.

 

Ride to Tashigang via Drametsi, crossing the Korila pass (2,490 m) and the evergreen forests in the Yadi Loops. From the hot Kanglung Chu valley, we'll ride up to the quiet little mountain town of Tashigang (approx. 150 km).

 

Day 9: 180 km

 

Today we'll tackle the last leg of the Bhutan Motorcycle Tour, from Tashigang to Samdrup Jonghar. 30 km into the day, we'll reach Bhutan's only university in Kanglung. Here, we will visit weavers, practitioners of a craft that's very popular here in eastern Bhutan.

 

Day 10: 180 km. by coach

 

Today we return to India. Our AC deluxe bus will take us 130 kms. through the lush plains to the Assamese capital Guwahati on the Brahmaputra river. From there, we'll transfer straight to the airport/station.

 

Group Size for the Bike Tour

 

Generally 8 to 14 riders and 2 to 5 passengers. Passengers can also ride in the support jeep any time they want.

 

Minimum number of participants: 6 riders.