Day 1 - Arrive Paro – Thimphu Transfer & Acclimatization Ride

Welcome to Bhutan! Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport (PBH), your local guide and driver will meet you. After a warm introduction and collecting your bikes (or fitting rental bikes), you’ll embark on your first ride, a gentle acclimatization spin around the picturesque Paro Valley (2,250m). This easy ride will help you adjust to the altitude and the Bhutanese road conditions, passing through traditional villages and offering glimpses of the valley’s serene beauty. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city, a scenic 1-hour drive. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 15-20 km (easy)
• Overnight: Thimphu.

Day 2 - Thimphu – Capital Trails & Cultural Cycling

After breakfast, your full day of biking in Thimphu begins. You’ll cycle through the capital’s unique landscape. Start with a ride towards Kuenselphodrang Nature Park to the gigantic Buddha Dordenma statue (Buddha Point). From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the valley and explore some of the dedicated mountain biking trails in the surrounding forest (options for various skill levels, from easy singletrack to more challenging routes). Continue your ride to explore the city’s highlights, such as the impressive Tashichho Dzong, the seat of government and monastic body, and the National Memorial Chorten. The relatively low traffic in Thimphu compared to other capitals makes for a pleasant cycling experience.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 25-40 km (moderate, with optional climbs/trails)
• Overnight: Thimphu.

Day 3 - Thimphu to Punakha – Dochula Challenge & Descent

Today is a highlight for many cyclists. After breakfast, you’ll begin your ride from Thimphu, ascending towards the magnificent Dochula Pass (3,100m). This climb is approximately 18-22 km and presents a significant but rewarding challenge, winding through rhododendron forests. At the pass, take a well-deserved break to admire the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and, on a clear day, the breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas. From Dochula, enjoy a spectacular, thrilling 40km downhill descent into the warmer Punakha Valley (1,250m). This long descent is a pure joy, offering incredible vistas as you drop in altitude. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you can take a short, leisurely ride to the majestic Punakha Dzong, considered the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 60-65 km (challenging ascent, exhilarating descent)
• Overnight: Punakha.

Day 4 - Punakha Valley Rides & Return to Paro

After breakfast, enjoy a morning of cycling through the lush Punakha Valley. You can ride along the tranquil Pho Chhu River, crossing Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge (for pedestrians and bikes!) which spans 200m. Options include a leisurely ride through the valley’s rice paddies, or a visit to Chimi Lhakhang, the “Temple of Fertility,” accessible via a pleasant ride through agricultural fields. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to Paro (2,250m). Upon arrival, check into your hotel. The afternoon can be spent relaxing or exploring Paro town on foot, perhaps visiting the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 15-30 km (easy to moderate, depending on route)
• Overnight: Paro.

Day 5 - Paro – Chele La Pass & High-Altitude Scenery

Today offers a stunning high-altitude biking experience. After breakfast, you’ll embark on a challenging but incredibly rewarding ride towards Chele La Pass (3,988m), the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. The ascent is demanding, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan range and the valleys below as you climb higher. For those preferring a less strenuous option, a support vehicle can shuttle you to the top of the pass, allowing you to enjoy a thrilling downhill ride back towards Paro, or explore the area around the pass with short walks. The views from Chele La are truly spectacular. The evening is at leisure to rest your legs.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 35-70 km (very challenging climb or thrilling descent option)
• Overnight: Paro.

Day 6 - Paro – Tiger's Nest Hike (or Leisurely Valley Ride)

Today offers a choice based on your energy and preference. Most travelers will opt for the iconic hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) (3,120m). This demanding hike (approximately 4-5 hours round trip) is a spiritual and physical highlight, leading to the sacred monastery perched precariously on a cliff face. The views and experience are unforgettable. For those who prefer to continue cycling or need a less strenuous day, you can enjoy a leisurely ride through the less-explored parts of Paro Valley, discovering hidden monasteries, local farms, or simply enjoying the peaceful agrarian landscape. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner to celebrate your biking adventure in Bhutan.

• Cycling Distance: Optional 20-30 km (easy valley ride) / Hiking: ~4-5 hours (challenging)
• Overnight: Paro.

Day 7 - Depart from Paro

After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your departure, taking with you indelible memories of your incredible biking adventure through the Kingdom of Bhutan.