BHUTANLAND OF THE HAPPYJourney through a sacred world, forgotten by time - 15 days

DETAILEDTOUR ITINERARY

A tour through Bhutan paints a clear picture of why the Bhutanese are called ‘the happiest people in

the world’. A country that was almost forgotten by the outside world is slowly gaining popularity with

intrepid travellers seeking to leave their busy lives behind and explore the incredible landscape of this

vibrant nation, where the passage of time seems to have had no impact on the local way of life.

Colourful frontages, captivating valleys and Himalayan panoramas make for an unforgettable trip.

TOUR INTRODUCTION

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Location

BHUTAN

Start / Ends

BAGDORA /GUWAHATI

Riding Distance

1,260KM

Cost - Rider

$5,550USDPassenger

$4,450USDDates

MARCH/MAY ORSEPT/NOV

Road Conditions

TARMACAccomodation

QUAINT HOTELSMax Altitude

3750M

Bikes

ROYAL ENFIELDCLASSIC 350CC

Expected Weather

8C TO 25CTrip Grade

MODERATE

Location

BHUTAN

Start / Ends

BAGDORA /GUWAHATI

Riding Distance

1,260KM

Cost - Rider

$5,550USDPassenger

$4,450USDDates

MARCH/MAY ORSEPT/NOV

Road Conditions

TARMACAccomodation

QUAINT HOTELSMax Altitude

3750M

TAKE A GLIMPSE OF YOUR TOUR

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ITINERARY

DAY 01 Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your Hotel

DAY 02 Bagdogra Airport (IXB) – Arrival, briefing, and drive to Phuntsholing(170KM, 4 hours)

Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra close to the Sikkim border in the eastern part of India. On arrival we drive straight to the Bhutan border town of Phuntsholing which takes about 4 hours. You will drive through enchanting woods, rivers and streams, and cross lush green tea plantations known to the world as Darjeeling tea. The change in culture and of course tra�ic conditions would drastically change as you step into Bhutan.

Stay overnight at a hotel in Phuntsholing.

DAY 03 Phuntsholing

Get accustomed to your motor bike and take it for a test drive and sightseeing around Phunthsoling town and visit Kharbandi monastery on a motorbike.

Over night at same hotel.

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DAY 04 Phuntsholing to Thimphu (160KM, 4-5 hours)

Begin your ride with packed breakfast. You’ll embark on a journey through the misty and winding roads. It could rain through some parts of your ride. This adds to the mystical and nature filled destination you are now entering. On the way, you’ll make a few stops at local tea houses and Dantak canteen.

Once closer to Thimphu, you slow down and ride into the capital city. If all goes well and the weather is on your side, you should be at your hotel by late a�ernoon. There are no tra�ic lights in Bhutan and hence some circuitous routes to your hotel would be evident. At Thimphu, we will obtain permits for your journey into Central and Eastern Bhutan.

DAY 05 Thimphu local tour and a ride to Paro(total 110 KM)

A�er an early breakfast at the hotel, you ride to tourist spots in Thimphu and in the a�ernoon, you ride o� to the beautiful Paro Valley. You check in to your hotel and take a trip to the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore the local market, archery, or dart games. Paro is a beautiful valley with nice cafes and bars.

DAY 06 Paro – Tiger’s Nest trek (30 KM)

This is not a riding day but a day to trek and hike up the Tiger’s Nest and be back by a�ernoon. This activity is strongly recommended for everyone. It is Number One on Bhutan’s ‘to-do list’ and the most revered seat of Buddhism. For those who are not taking the trek, you could ride around the town to see Paro Dzong or just laze around the beautiful resort, sit by the gushing mountain stream or watch the plane landing at Paro Airport. It’s a day of leisure.

DAY 07 Paro to Punakha (130KM – 4 hours)

The day begins with a ride into the hills back to Thimphu on the way to Central Bhutan. This time, you would not enter Thimphu but take a bypass road to Dochula and stop over for photo ops at Dochula Pass, 108 chortens, a war memorial built to commemorate the victory over Assamese insurgents.

On a good day, you get the best of Bhutan Himalayan views from here. It’s a nice ride all the way to Punakha Dzong, the most photogenic dzong in Bhutan. Before reaching Punakha, you will take an interesting detour to the temple of the Mad Lama, Chimi Lhakhang, and listen to the story of flying phalluses.

You then ride in some nice village roads to reach the Punakha Dzong and hotel. Time permitting, you will see the dzong on this evening or else would postpone to next morn-ing. Your resort is about 4 kilometers up the hill to a�ord you some of the finest views of Punakha valley.

The road today would be a mixed bag due to the widening of road happening all through the Central and Eastern Bhutan.

Overnight stay will be at the picturesque hotel.

DAY 08 Ride to Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey ( 75KM 3 hours)

This again is a rough day ride due to reconstruction and road widening happening in Central Bhutan which may take another year or two to finish. You need to ride steadily to reach the Phobjikha Valley. It is world famous for the rare black-necked cranes that fly here in winters from Tibetan Plateau. You spend a night here immersed in the pristine nature of the valley. In the evening, you could walk up to the Gangtey Monastery and listen to the fable of black-necked cranes.

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DAY 09 Ride to Trongsa and then Bumthang (193KM 6-7 hours)

A�er an early breakfast, you ride towards Trongsa, the beautiful thin road that takes you to the Central Bhutan. Trongsa has a beautiful dzong that would become visible as you ride down the hill towards the town. There will be a halt for lunch and a refueling at Trongsa. You can stroll down the dzong if you are keen. You then quickly ride out to another lonely, winding, and nice road to be in Bumthang Valley before evening. You spot archery practicing clubs as you ride.

Getting into the Bumthang Valley is like entering the Swiss countryside. A lovely ride through the day. If we make good time, we ride straight to the famous Red Panda Beer Garden and see the Bumthang Micro Brewery.

Overnight stay will be at a beautiful resort overlooking the Bumthang Valley.

DAY 10 Bumthang sightseeing

Full day sightseeing on a motor bike in around the Bumthang valley.Over night at the same resort

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DAY 11 Bumthang to Mongar(198KM- 7 hours)

It’s a long day-ride today. It begins with an optional visit to one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. This day is full of nature immersion. As you ride deeper into unexplored Bhutan, you will find solitude in this pristine natural environment. Do not miss the classic vistas of Ura valley and the Cloud valley.

The entire day is spent riding some of the most exotic valleys, roads, and passes. The roads are mostly thin but better today. The happiness found experiencing this untouched landscape will most certainly be a part of you now. We ride to the mountain-top hamlet of Mongar.

Overnight stay.

DAY 12 Mongar to Trashigang(91 KM- 3 hours)

You have a late start today. Before the ride, you can walk around town in the morning and you would see first hand the simplicity of this bustling town just coming to terms with modernism. On this day, you ride out to the easternmost tip of Bhutan that borders Arunachal Pradesh. You cross the town over to reach your resort, one of the best location to spend the evening.

Overnight stay will be at a beautiful lodge in Trashigang.

DAY 13 Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar( 180KM- 6-7 hours).

Today will be an early start and a long ride as you travel back to India via the beautiful town of Deothang and Samdrup Jongkhar that borders Assam. In the course of the day, the weather goes from cold to cool to warm to somewhat hot and humid.

Over night at Hotel in Samdurp Jongkhar.

DAY 15 Fly out of Delhi back home. A car will be at your disposal incase you would like to do some last minute shopping before your flight back.

DAY 14 Samdrup Jongkhar- Guwahati – Delhi.

A�er breakfast, drive 3 hours in a car to Guwahati to take a flight to Delhi.

On arrival transfer to Hotel in Delhi

TOUR SNAPSHOTGetting to the start: fly from Delhi to Badogra- drive to Phuntsholing

The ride: Phuntsholing Thimphu Paro Tigernest Punakha Gangtey Bumthang Mongar

Tashigang Samdrup Jongkar

Heading home: Drive from Jongkar to Guwahati and Fly Guwahati to Delhi

Delhi- Bagdogra and Guwahati- Delhi airfare

Bhutan Visa Fees – we will obtain your Visa

Fuel for the bike

Services of an experienced Road Captain on a bike and back up support of a trained mechanic

Backup vehicle during the rides

Twin / double room sharing accommodation at hotel / lodges

All national park fees

Inner line permits

All meals

One Tour Leader from Indus Rides

Comprehensive Medical Kit

Sightseeing related fees, if any

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INCLUDES

International Airfares

Personal Riding Gears

Items of a personal nature such as bar bills telephone calls, laundry, extra mileage and any extra costs incurred due to natural calamities, flight delays etc.

Personal medication

Personal insurance, evacuation and medical expenses

Costs incurred due to natural calamities, strikes, and break downs of bikes, accidents, cancellation of flights, altitude sickness or unforeseen circumstances (riots, natural calamities etc.) and situa-tions beyond the control of Indus Rides

Personal gratitude to the support team such as Road Captain & Mechanic etc

Any item not mentioned in the above ‘cost includes’

EXCLUDES