Motorcycle Tour

At your arrival at Paro International airport, your local tour guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure or you can choose to explore the enchanting Paro valley by visiting some of the important historical and spiritual sites in Paro. We suggest you to visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong, National Museum, the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and finally the historical Kyichu Lhakhang.

Day 2: Paro – Haa Valley

Today you will leave Paro in the morning on your bike to Haa valley following Chelela Pass. In the morning hour it is quite an uphill task and takes around 40km till you reach the top. If you are not fit for uphill ride choose to drive. The pass lies at a cool crisp 3720m and your route takes you through a spectacular lovely forest of pine, oak and rhododendrons that a ablaze with red and pink blooms in April and May. The top is one of the highest motor roads in Bhutan and it’s unlike any other pass that offers a scenic valley view of both Paro and Haa valley. Importantly, if the weather is clear one can view the sacred Mt. Jomolari and Jichu Drakey on the northern border of the valley. After the pass it is the entire way downhill ride until you reach Haa Valley.

Day 3: Haa – Thimphu

After your early breakfast in the hotel, leave Haa on your bike following the winding road beside the Haa Chhu River. You can choose half-day or full-day bike. The route offers an impressive view of the valley, traditional settlements and farmhouses. The valley between Thimphu and Haa that has a charming landscape with evergreen forest of pine, oak, rhododendron. The valley is also dotted with scattered settlement with many golden roofed temples dotted on the hilltop. As you near Chundzom the confluence, you will then slowly enter the charming valley of Thimphu. The countryside from Chundzom to Thimphu is less forested than what you have been seeing so far and the valley are narrow except for two sections where it is widen into gentle slope.

Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, begin our sightseeing with a short drive to Kuenselphodrang where largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu. Then visit National Memorial Chorten which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. Next visit Changankha Lhakhang (temple) situated at a small hound overlooking the Thimphu valley was built in the 13th century by the illustrious Lam Phajo Dugom Zhigpo. The temple is considered the spiritual home of children born in the Chang valley.

Afternoon, visit National Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. After visiting the museum we will walk to School for Arts & Crafts; where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass. An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Also visit Druk Wangyel Temple which was built to honor His Majesty, the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the temple that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distance future.

Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple.

In the evening, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing.

Overnight at hotel in Wangdue/Punakha.

Day 6: Punakha – Paro

After breakfast, drive through upper Punakha valley passing through farmhouses and take a leisure walk through farmhouses and then through nature to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten temple built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about 1 hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtaking view from there.

After lunch,drive back to Paro. After a refreshment drive up the valley to visit the historic Drukgyel Dzong which was built in the 16th century to mark the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan invaders.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 7: A day hike to Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast,you will hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former beauty.

After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point. Then drive back to hotel and relax.

Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Day 8:  Paro Departure

After breakfast, you will drive to the Paro Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.