Bhutan Cross Country MTB Tour

Ride time 6-7 hours/ 35 km, elevation gain 800m, Elevation loss 1800m Let’s get straight into riding. Today we’ll explore what the capital city boasts as some of our best MTB trails in the country. Start riding out of your hotel to get oriented with the capital town and slowly make your way to the Buddha point on a 6 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking the Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride on the capital’s favorite MTB trail, KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang. Shuttle back to the Buddha statue and ride the downhill trail to Babesa. Then we’ll hit the hills up to the Takin Reserve center to see the national animal first (Takin is a type of Mountain Goat). Then continue to the Radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single-track starts. Enjoy shredding this trail down to Bebena. Shuttle back to the radio tower and ride the Takin trail that is a purpose built MTB trail where you can go fast and furious through the twists and turns in the pine forests. Stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the capital city. Your time in Bhutan is not just about riding, but also to enjoy some very good craft beers. We’ll to to one of our favorite bars called the Mojo Park where young musicians will be belting out covers and originals. It would be interesting to see a bit of Bhutan’s urban culture! If anyone of you has a penchant for music, you might as well hit the stage too!

Ride time 6-7 hours, 30 km ride, elevation gain 600m, elevation loss 2500m Every rider that has ridden this trail, has agreed that this is one of the best trails they’ve ridden, and they’ve ridden a lot around the world. Drive to Trashigang Ghompa at 3000m for about an hour and we’ll hike-a-bike to Lungchutse Ghompa for an hour at an easy pace. Strong riders may be able to ride 50% of it. It’s a magical hike a bike and we’ve spotted Red-pandas on this section before. From the trailhead at 3500m, the ride drops into rhododendron and old fir forests with wide and wild trails for 3 km of pure descending in the mist. In spring, this section is carpeted with Rhododendrons. From Dochula pass, we continue riding on the Trans-Bhutan trail- a heritage trail of Bhutan’s history. These are the trails where the nation was built and are full of stories. Continue descending down the famous Madman trail to Thinleygang village where a picnic lunch will be waiting for you. After lunch, continue to ride down to an old village by the river, and from there you’ll continue to pedal on a gentle and long meditative climb through pine forests offering great views. Once you reach Laptsakha village, we’ll continue downhill to Punakha Dzong fortress. The ride is 25 km with 80% downhill through one of the best trails in the world! Beer time at a local bar and head to the hotel for a nice evening and dinner.

Ride through Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic ride through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Ride to the village of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery – our guide will explain the entire story about it. Here we’ll visit local artisans who work on their crafts of phallic blessings. We’ll visit the local town of Khuruthang in the evening for a local dinner, before heading back to the resort.

Today we have along cross-country ride. After checking out of the hotel, we’ll shuttle to Samtengang village for about an hour and from here we’ll ride on to Razawo village through beautiful stretches the Trans-Bhutan Trail of the forested single-track at an easy pace for about 20 kms. From here, we’ll shuttle the bikes to Phobjikha valley and dismount at the pass. From here hike-a-bike for about 30-40 mins to the ridge above the valley and enjoy a 8 km long ridge ride that gives you a feeling offreeride as there are multiple line choices. Once you reach the valley floor, we’ll ride through some of the quaint villages and eventually reach the beautiful stretch of pine forests that passes through the black-necked crane sanctuary and continue riding to your hotel for the night.

The scenic Phobjikha valley begs you to enjoy its beauty and there is no better way than exploring it by bike. After breakfast, ride to Gangtey Ghompa and visit this exquisite temple and monastic school. Then we’ll enjoy a nice ride down to Longtey village and the surrounding vicinity on the southside on a beautiful trail that traverses through pine-forests and towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo, festooned with prayer flags overlooking the bowl-shaped marshland and meadows. Riders will be rewarded by spectacular views along the way. At the end of the bamboo enclave lies a small group of village houses, built in the distinct Bhutanese style, which features elevated platforms, intricately carved timber window panes and wood-lined, arched roofs. Enjoy a nice picnic lunch by the river. Continue riding through scenic villages and make a loop around Phobjikha valley.

After breakfast, continue riding to the scenic Tangsibje village. Ride to Pelela pass on the road out of Gangtey valley and then hit the singletrack of the Trans-Bhutan trail that descends to the villages of Rukubji where we’ll have lunch at the farmhouse. Continue to Chendebji that involves a gradual climb and then descend to the main road from where you’ll continue to Tangsibje village. Stay overnight in our Tangsibji heritage house. We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors here and makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. The host family will prepare a splendid dinner for you using fresh organic vegetables and herbs from her garden and we'll spend an evening listening to stories and legends from the village while being entertained by the lovely host family.

Ride 5-6 hours, distance 10 km. Optional to ride from Tangsibje all the way to Chumey for 75 km. Bid farewell to your local host and shuttle the bikes to Trongsa. On the way you can visit the mighty Trongsa Dzong fortress and the Tower of Trongsa museum. Continue to ride to Yoetongla pass on the road for 26 km, from here you ride the Trans-Bhutan Trail down to the beautiful Chumey valley for about 8-10 kms of beautiful singletrack all the way to the Country side hotel.

Ride 5-6 hours, 12 km gravel, 12 km of singletrack and 15 km on road Ride to Tharpaling Goenpa monastery for 12 km on gravel road on a gentle climb. The temple was founded by the great Tibetan Lama Longchenpa in the 1300s. After visiting the temple, start riding on what we consider one of the most beautiful trails in Bumthang valley, that starts at 3800m – and descends gradually through temperate forests. Here bikers usually spot various Pheasants and other avi-fauna common in this region. It's a brand new trail and stretches for 12km on a gentle descent and easy riding and exits on the highway at Kikila in Chamkhar valley. Continue riding to your resort in Chamkhar. In the afternoon, you could also visit the Cheese factory to see how local Gouda cheese is made. Take some rest here at this cozy outlet and snack on Bumthang Cheese and locally made white beer - the Red Panda beer. Bumthang is known for its unique local cuisines and we’ll take you to one of our favorite restaurants to spend the evening with good food, locally brewed beer and some conversation.

In the morning, ride to Petselling Ghompa on a 10 km climb on gravel, and then ride the Petselling- Kurkurbithang trail and we’ll ride another 10 kms through pine forests, with some lovely views of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, let’s explore Chamkhar valley on our bikes. Let’s start by visiting the oldest Buddhist temple - the 07th century Jambay Lhakhang temple which was built by King Songsen Goempo of Tibet in his bid to spread the Buddha Dharma by building 108 monasteries across the Himalayas. Two of the temples are in Bhutan. Then we proceed to visit Kurjey monastery which is considered as one of the sacred shrines in the country. We will enjoy a nice lunch at one of our favorite farmhouses to sample local cuisines and hospitality. From here we’ll continue the short ride to visit Tamshing Lhakhang – founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa – who is considered one of the greatest Bhutanese saints in our history. Each of these cultural hot-spots has its own story and history that bears much significance to the traditions and cultural identity of Bhutan.

After breakfast, continue to the airport and take a 30 minutes domestic flight to Paro. Many guests love the experience as it's a nice glide over the Himalayan ranges. After reaching Paro, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang Monastery, the sister temple of Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. These two are considered the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon by visiting a farmhouse to try a herbal hot-stone bath which is known to be therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, besides simply soothing your mind and body. Perfect to unwind and goes well with local beer. We’ll also have a authentic local dinner at the farmhouse. Note – riding part is over. We’ll shuttle the bikes back to Paro.

Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most popular destinations, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! An excursion to the famous Taktshang Monastery -translated as- Tiger’s Nest Monastery is also a good way to acclimatize before you start trekking. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important feature of Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. The Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.). Explore the town in the evening on foot, and visit handicrafts shops along the street to appreciate Bhutanese craftsmanship and Art works.

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport. With a few thanksgivings, your guide will help you with the formalities and fare you well on your onward journey.