MOTORCYCLE:
Royal Enfield Himalayan. Motorcycle rental is included in the tour price.
TOUR DESCRIPTION:
Bhutan is the last of the Buddhist Himalayan kingdoms. It survived despite two giants – China and India. It is situated entirely in the mountains: twenty summits of which are higher than 7000 m. Only 750 thousand people inhabit this country, but almost all of them are reportedly happy: It is no wonder that the idea of Gross National Happiness (GNP) was first invented exactly in this tiny Himalayan Kingdom, and is now perceived as an intangible contribution of the Fourth King of Bhutan – Jigme Singye Wangchuck to the world. Gross National Happiness is a subject of an annual assessment conducted by the designated royal institution. The studies on happiness of Bhutan citizens have been conducted for 40 years now. The officially released results indicate that as much as two-third of Bhutanese people consider themselves as fortunate. What is more, Forbes ranked this relatively poor country, in the top ten of the happiest places in the world.
Bhutan slowly opens to the world, albeit following its own mysterious rhythm. The first motor vehicle arrived in the country in 1961. Towards the end of the 1960s the so-called “ celestial road of a thousand bends” was completed. Till now, it is only a 3.5 meters wide asphalt ribbon. Radio broadcasting started in 1973 only. It is only from 1999 that it became possible to waste one’s life watching TV. The Internet was eventually introduced in 2000. The first tourists only came to Bhutan in 1974.
Undoubtedly, Bhutan is an exclusive destination. A journey to Bhutan is not only about coming from far away, but it is also a time travel experience. In Bhutan there are still over two thousand monasteries and gomps, and every major city has its dzong – a distinctive Bhutanese fortress. Houses in Bhutan are built according to a traditional model. Bhutanese people wear colorful national costumes every day. Is Bhutan the last Shangri La – the mythical land of happiness? According to James Hilton, the author of Lost Horizon, Shangri La is located somewhere in the Himalayas and is governed by righteous lamas. Shangri La is obviously a fictional utopian lamasery, however, those who have searched the land, agreed that Bhutan is a happy, beautiful place.
Check it out for yourself, join us on this exclusive discovery and pack your bags!
START:
END:
NUMBER OF DAYS AND NIGHTS:
NUMBER OF RIDING DAYS:
TOUR TYPE:
TYPE OF ROADS:
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
MIN./ MAX. NUMBER OF BIKES:
Available
Choose your options:
DETAILS OF THE TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Paro and the world heritage site of Drukgyel Dzong
- Tiger’s Nest buddhist monastery
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Punakha Dzong
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest fortress
- Bumthang valley, including Tamshing Monastery
- Trashigang
- Chorten Kora Monastery
Passes:
- Dochula Pass (3100 m)
- Pelela Pass (3423 m)
- Yutongla Pass (3425 m)
- Thrumshingla Pass (3780 m)
WEATHER:
The weather at this time of year is generally sunny, but as always in high mountains things can change quickly. It is much cooler at night. During the day, the temperature varies between 15C and 20C.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR:
Wearing adequate riding gear is an individual responsibility. We strongly recommend “adventure” type gear. Bring your own riding gear.
LUGGAGE:
We will be traveling light. Try not to take more than one 20kg luggage piece. It should be dust & water proof. For riding days take with you a small backpack or waterproof bag, with straps, to enable you to attach it to your motorbike.
IMPORTANT, REMEMBER:
Our trip starts and ends in Paro. Flights to/from Bhutan are operated by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline. Departure times vary between 05:00 and 12:30
Our trip end in Paro. Paro Airport is Bhutan’s only international airport. Bhutan’s two national carriers are Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. There are several cities to fly from, but the most common flights depart from Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore and Kathmandu.
We suggest you arrange your intercontinental flight to/from Delhi. Please remember to arrange your tickets to Bhutan in advance as Druk Air is often fully booked weeks ahead.
In most hotels in Bhutan you can pay with a credit card. However we suggest changing some cash in the airport, for souvenirs and personal expenses.
MotoBirds will arrange the Bhutanese tourist visa for you. However, each participant is responsible for arranging his tourist visa for India. For most nationalities it can be done online – we will provide you with the guidelines.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:
3780
meters above seal levelDAY BY DAY TOUR PROGRAM
DAY 1 (9.10)
ARRIVAL TO PARO. CAR TRANSFER TO TIMPHU
DAY 2 (10.10 / 125 KM)
TIMPHU – GANGTEY
DAY 3 (11.10 / 155 KM)
GANGTEY – BUMTHANG
DAY 4 (12.10 / 80 KM)
BHUMTANG – TRONGSA. BHUMTANG VALLEY SIGHTSEEING
DAY 5 (13.10 / 190 KM)
TRONGSA- GELEPHU
DAY 6 (14.10 / 200 KM)
GELEPHU – PUNAKHA
DAY 7 (15.10 / 125 KM)
PUNAKHA – TIMPHU – PARO
DAY 8 (16.10)
HIKE TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY (TIGER’S NEST)
DAY 9 (17.10)
FLY OUT FROM PARO
THE ROUTE MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO POLITICAL, SOCIAL OR WEATHER FACTORS.
YOUR OPINIONS
FROM GOOGLE
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5,based on 47 reviews
PRICE INCLUDES:
MOTORCYCLE
4X4 CAR
GUIDE
SUPPORT CAR
MOTORBIKE MAINTENANCE
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE HOTEL
PERMITS
ACTIVITIES
Entry fees to the touristic attractions en route, including buddhist monasteries and dzongs en route.
INSURANCE
- Basic travel insurance.
- Tourist Guarantee Fund fee.
- Tourist Support Fund fee.
IMPORTANT: For an additional fee, there is an option to independently extend the insurance within the Signal Iduna Safe Travels and/or Global Rescue partner offer. The price of the tour includes basic travel insurance.
PICTURES & GPX TRACKS FROM THE TOUR
WELCOME PACK
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
- Airline tickets (tickets should not be bought until the organizer confirms the completion of the minimum group size).
- Tourist entry visa, if required.
- Tests and / or vaccinations, if required.
- Medical expenses not covered by the standard MotoBirds insurance.
- Costs related to the transport of a participant to the nearest medical center, in case of injury, illness, inability or unwillingness to continue the tour, if those costs are not covered by the insurance.
- Additional, recommended Global Rescue coverage.
- Motorcycle refundable security deposit: US$300 payable at the start of the tour in cash./ US$600 car refundable security deposit payable at the start of the tour in cash.
- Drinks
- Tips.
- Entrance tickets to optional tourist attractions: use of a horse or a mule during the trekking to the Tiger’s Nest monastery (Taktsang).There is a hike of 800 meters vertical ascent / descent.
DEPOSIT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE:
US$300 motorbike refundable deposit, to be paid in cash on site. If damages to the motorbike exceed the deposit amount, the driver has to pay the difference.
US$600Car refundable security deposit payable at the start of the tour in cash.