Bhutan - In the Land of Happiness

Reception to the airport and transfer to the first hotel (room available the afternoon).

It's recommend to not arrive too late, to take advantage of Delhi and adapt to the time difference.

Delhi is the capital of the India's Republic. It is one of the most active cities in India and its continues to grow really fast.

The city has some of the finest museums in the country. Legend report that Pandavas, the hero of the epic Mahabharata, was at the origin of Delhi, then called Indraprastha, around 1200 BC.

Night in a hotel close to the airport to recover of the jet lag and take the next morning flight.

In the morning transfer to the airport to approach the Bhutan border.

On arrival, a vehicle will take us to the town of Samdrup Jongkhar where we will be greeted by green landscapes.

The journey takes about 2 hours 30, followed by immigration formalities to enter Bhutan.

On the arrival at the hotel, we will leave you test the motorcycles waiting for us there.

Night in a hotel at Samdrup Jongkhar.

Here we go for a long stage of 7 hours that will take us through a pass at 2350 m, the Kharungla.

The beginning is easy and allows us to take the motorbike in hand.

Then, the itinerary will make us cross a beautiful forest before reaching Wamrong, where we will have lunch.

Then we will go to Khaling and Kanglung, where we will discover the very beautiful and oldest university of Bhutan.

In Trashigang, we will settle down at the hotel to take stock of this first day on motorcycle.

Distance of 180 km (7 hours' drive).
Night in Trashigang.

We can spend some time visiting Trashigang and its beautiful fortress before heading back to Trashi Yangtse by crossing the river, while our guides will be in charge of the formalities at the border post.

In Duksum, we discover the famous monastery of Gomkora.

We will reach further the city of Trashi Yangtse which are at 1715m. It is there that the old road linking the East and the West of Bhutan passed. The region is famous for its paper-making and wooden bowls.

The motorbike distance is about 180 km (7 hours).
Night in hotel in Mongar.

For this day, we will drive through the beautiful Bumthang Valley and take a memorable itinerary through a beautiful blue fir forest.

Then this route passes through pretty villages, cornfields, cliffs and passes on what could be the most beautiful motorcycle day of the tour.

We will go through the Thrimshung pass which rises to 3700m and start 12 km of descent where we have to be careful of pheasants and tragopans (don't hesitate to take out your encyclopaedia) on the road.

The nature is superb and accompanies us to the Sherthangla pass and then to the Jakar valley.

The motorbike distance is about 198 km (8 hours).
Night in hotel in Bumthang.

No need to pack your bag this morning!

Today, it's the superb Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival that will reveal all its secrets today!

On top of the festival, we will be able to ride through the beautiful Bumthang Valley and visit its points of interest such as the Jambay Lhakhang Temple, built by a Tibetan in the 7th century and the Kurjey Monastery, one of the holiest in Bhutan.

We will drive to Kharsat Bridge and then drive through a multitude of beautiful villages connected by farm paths. The lunch will be local: khuley and puta!

In the afternoon, we will discover the temple of Lhakhang and will finish in beauty by a cheese factory and a local brewery where we will test the Red Panda!

This day can be done with or without the motorbikes! For the beer lovers, it's best to leave it at the hotel ...

Return to the accommodation of the day before.

This day will allow us to reach the fortress of Trongsa. This was the compulsory crossing point to go to Bhutan, and it allowed the king to divide the country in two simply by closing the gates of the road.

Today, this magnificent fortress offers a superb landscape nestled on a rocky point. On the way, we will visit a weaving center for "Yathra", a local specialty that women produce by hand.

We will go through two passes at 3300 m and 3500 m altitude before descending into the beautiful valley of Phobjekha. Several visits of monasteries will be possible as well as a center on cranes (birds!).

This day has the peculiarity to make us join the village of our local guide where mass tourism does not exist. We will spend the night at his grandfather's house and enjoy the warm welcome of the whole family.

We will also meet there the strongest man in Bhutan, and you will be able to confront him if you wish (a business class seat to be won on the return flight to Delhi!). In the evening, we'll gather with the best singers of the village for an evening you won't forget!

The motorbike distance is about 110 km (6 hours' drive).

We leave our guide's family and pass at 3300 m before going down to the Wangdue district, where we will visit a pretty village.

Then, we'll make a detour to the village of Phobjikha to reach a beautiful area rich in fauna and flora.

After lunch, we will go for a short walk to enjoy the beautiful valley.

Punakha, our final destination was the capital of Bhutan until the end of 1950.

The motorbike distance is about 120 km (6 hours' drive)
Night in Phobjikha

After breakfast, on the way to Chimi Lhakhang, which known as the Monastery of a Mad Monk.

It is dedicated to fertility and you will see many wood of penises. Women go there to increase their chances of conceiving.

Then, we will leave to Gasa, the emblematic place of the hot water-springs that we will find throughout Bhutan.

The locals have been using these waters to cure their ills for generations. We will go through the villages of Kabisa, Serigang, Tashithang and climb up to Damji.

Depending on the water level, the area is suitable for freshwater cascades. We will enjoy a relaxing bath in the hot water-springs before reaching the most beautiful fortress of Bhutan.

The motorbike distance is about 140 km (7 hours).
Night in Walakha.

This morning there is an optional rafting activity in Pho Chu. Nothing very difficult but a pleasant way to discover Bhutan in a different way.

After lunch, we go through a new col at 3150 m, Dochula, at the 108 stupas, which makes it a nice photo stop. We also find there the monastery of Druk Wangyel.

The scenery is magnificent and offers breathtaking views of the mountains from north to the east.

We will reach the Takin National Park. The Takin is an emblematic animal of Bhutan, a hibridization between an antelope and goat.

We will finish by the Trashicho fortress before reaching our evening accommodation in Thimphu. And tonight, what could be more local than a good pizza for change ;-)

Some excellent craft beers are also to be discovered in the capital.

The motorbike distance is about 85 km (3 hours).
Night in Thimphu.

We will discover the largest seated Buddha in the world, all in bronze. Depending on the day, we will have a look around to the local market.

A short hike in the forest in the Takin reserve will be the ideal opportunity to see the Bhutan's animals.

The stops are numerous: cultural museum, Zorig School and its 13 traditional crafts, textile museum, Tashichhodzong fortress.

Then, we will take some paths to reach the car parks of the monasteries of Tango and Cheri, where a short hike will take us to Tango. A small meditation session is on the program to be in symbiosis with the locals.

The motorbike distance is about 50 km (3 hours).
Night in Thimphu.

For our last long motorbike stage in Bhutan, we chose a beautiful and impressive route.

We will make a small detour to reach a road with almost no traffic, it is a dream route for motorcyclists.

Then, we will take a break for lunch in a Haa Valley farm before attacking the Chelela Pass, the highest pass in Bhutan at 4000m. Today, our destination is Paro.

Paro Monastery is a magnificent fortress overlooking the valley. Another ruined fortress, Drukgyal, is also worth the trip.

The motorbike distance is about 190 km (7 hours).
Night in Paro.

Today, we will be able to explore Taktsang, the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Perched on the cliff at an altitude of 3120 m, it is only accessible on foot. It is a must-see in Bhutan !

The most courageous will be able to tackle it after a 2-hour walk, while the others will enjoy a quiet day and will be able to stock up on memories before returning home. A hot stone bath will also be offered as an option.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Satsam Chorten and Rinpung Dong Fortress overlooking the beautiful Paro River.
We will end the day with a dinner in celebration of the most beautiful "rides" we have made.

About 4 hours of walking and 25 km by motorbike.
Night in Paro.

A transfer will be arranged to Paro airport from where we will embark for Delhi to catch our return flight in the morning.

Plan a return flight from Delhi late in the evening to be quiet!