Find out what lights up the faces of the residents of Bhutan, the only country in the world that measures its well-being in GNH—Gross National Happiness. On this nine day biking and cultural odyssey across this bastion of Buddhist culture, explore remote mountain villages and shrines and climb magnificent heights to the cliff-side Taktsang Monastery, 900 meters (2,953 feet) above the valley floor. Amid the soaring peaks and cultural delights of this ancient place, discover your own capacity for happiness.
Fly to Bhutan's Paro Valley. Our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch, we’ll visit the Paro Dzong, a spectacular 16th-century fortresses overlooking the Paro Valley. A lovely stroll downhill from the Paro Dzong all the way to the quaint Paro town over an ancient wooden cantilever bridge will wrap up an eventful first day in this magical kingdom. Overnight in hotel.
Biking day. After breakfast, drive to Paro town square. Your bike will be waiting. Hop on to your bike and pedal start your adventure. Our bike guide will accompany you. Paro Valley is a great introduction to Bhutan, an ancient Buddhist kingdom on the cusp of change albeit with great reluctance. Weave your way through quaint hamlets, dazzling rice fields, sacred shrines perched on hill tops, fluttering prayer flags, iridescent streams, mist filled pine forests, and through schools nestled on plump rolling hills against a backdrop of blue sky. Overnight in hotel.
Sight seeing day. After a late breakfast, drive to high mountain pass Chele La (12,500 feet). Soak in the breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the kingdom’s sacred Mt. Jomolhari, home of the mountain goddess, amid the flickering prayer flags. Return to Paro. After lunch, journey to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, home to the Royal Family, and the best place to witness the country’s newly embraced modernity. Overnight in hotel.
Sight-seeing day. Pay visit to the Buddha Dordenma, an enormous golden statue perched on a mountaintop at the edge of the city with sweeping views. Visit the National Textile Museum, where Bhutan’s finest weavings and brocades are on display. Visit the Bhutan Postal Museum. In the evening stroll through the city at leisure, browsing its handicraft shops, exploring neighborhoods where the old vies with the new, or observe pilgrims circling the beautiful National Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed stupa topped by a golden spire. Overnight in hotel.
Sight-seeing day. Journey to Punakha, Bhutan’s ancient capital. En route to Punakha, stop at the Dochu La pass (10,000 feet) and train your camera on the 200-mile panorama of Himalayan peaks (weather permitting) or on the 108 chortens set against a panoramic backdrop of majestic mountains. Upon arrival in Punakha, set out on a hike through the surrounding rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang—a temple blessed by Drukpa Kuenley, known as the “Mad Saint”. Also called the fertility temple, this is where childless couples, from as far as USA, come to get blessed by the main relic of the temple- a wooden phallus. Overnight in hotel.
This morning hike through rice terraces and forests to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a spectacularly situated temple with sweeping views of the valley. Enjoy white water rafting on the male/female rivers of Punakha. In the evening explore the old capital of the kingdom, Punakha Dzong, an elaborate fortress guarding the southern end of the valley at the confluence of the Pho (male) and Mo (female) Rivers. Overnight in hotel or campsite by the river.
Return to Paro and journey through the emerald rice paddies and quaint farming villages of the Paro valley, and visit Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangtong Gyalpo. Also known as the ‘Iron Bridge Builder’, this former saint from the 14th century introduced the art of building suspension bridges with iron chains in Bhutan. The only way to reach the temple is by one of these photogenic bridges. Overnight in hotel.
Your journey through Bhutan culminates at the kingdom’s most iconic site: Taktsang Lhakhang, famously called the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This majestic structure is poised high above the Paro valley, built dramatically on the ledge of a granite cliff face. Make the steep, strenuous trek to the temple or hike to a nearby viewpoint, taking in a landscape dotted with pine trees, prayer flags, and ancient shrines. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local farmer before returning to Paro for the evening. Overnight in hotel.
Your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport and on behalf of Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La will bid you farewell with a fervent prayer that your life may be filled with happiness and success! Have a safe flight and hope to see you in Bhutan again!
This trip has an activity rating of moderate. Travelers should be physically fit and prepared for multiple hours of biking and hiking. Excursions may include navigating uneven terrain, climbing stairs without handrails, and walking on paths with steep ascents and descents.
For most days of the trip, we stay in 3-star hotels with many amenities. With additional fee, arrangements to stay in high-end 5-star hotels can be made. Stay in traditional farm-houses and campsites come free with the tariff. Let us know what you like.
A Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La guide will accompany you for the entire journey.
| MONTHS | PAX | PRICING |
|---|---|---|
| March-May/September-November (High season)
December-February/June-August (Low season) |
ONE PERSON TRAVELLER | Contact us for pricing |
| TWO-THREE PERSON TRAVELLER | Contact us for pricing | |
| GROUP OF 11 (MAX) | Contact us for pricing |
Prices are per person based. There is 50% discount for kids below 12 years and 20% discount for students below 25 years. From the total price a chunk goes as Royalty to the Bhutanese government which is used for providing free education and health care, build roads and bridges, and as tourism development fee. If you want to close your trip with a night stay in a high end resort, the price will be a little higher. Let us know.
