Beautiful Bhutan – The Last Shangri-La

  • Destination:
  • Duration: 12 days
  • Starts: 04/11/2023
  • Ends: 16/11/2023
  • Deposit Amount: $1,000

***2023 Note: Post-Covid, Bhutan is now charging $200 PER DAY for a Visa. I have canceled the 2023 tour hoping the price will come down next year. If you have interest in riding with me on this tour in the future, be sure to send me an email to get on my advance notice list.***

Day 1

Arrival in Delhi

A WMT representative will meet and greet you at the airport IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport). From here, you’ll be transferred by private bus or taxi to your hotel in New Delhi for an overnight stay.

 

Day 2

Bagdogra to Darjeeling
(2042m, 66km, 2-3hrs)
You’ll be transferred back to the airport, for an early flight to Bagdogra, from where you’ll be driven to Darjeeling. The rest of the day is free to explore this wonderful Himalayan gem at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 3

Darjeeling
(2042m)
We’ll seize the day with a drive up to Tiger Hill to see Everest, Kanchenjunga and some other famous peaks lit up by the sun’s first golden rays! The Himalayan Mountaineering Museum and some genuine Darjeeling tea plantations and factories are guaranteed to keep us thoroughly
entertained for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel..

 

Day 4

Darjeeling -Bagdogra to Phuentsholing
(109m, 193km, 8hrs)

A private bus will take us to Phuentsholing, our point of entry into Bhutan. This town functions primarily as a Bhutanese / Indian business center.The architecture is modern and like all of Bhutan, it offers a clean, pleasant and safe environment in which to go about your business. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 5

Phuntsholing to Paro
(2300m, 148km, 5hrs)

On completing some administrative formalities, we ride uphill to Paro. En route, we pass the
beautiful Gedu University, Rinchending Monastery, and some villages. Once in Paro, we will visit Dzongs (Fortresses) and temples. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

 

Day 6

Paro to Thimphu
(2320m, 65km, 1.5hrs) Chele La (pass at 3988m)
We greet the day with a trek up to Tigers’ Nest Monastery which is a 4hr round trek or you could choose to ride up Chele La pass during this time, before riding through splendid scenery until Thimphu, where we will head out to the best viewpoint in Thimphu Valley, Kuenselphodrang (the Buddha point). Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 7

Thimphu to Pobjikha via Punakha
(2900m, 168km, 6hrs) over Dochula (pass at 3140m)

Today we will start our sightseeing early with the Giant Buddha Dordenma (statue) and the
Painting School, before heading out to Phobjikha Valley. Our ride to Phobjikha will cross the
Dochu La (pass at 3140m). After lunch at Punakha, we’ll visit the Punakha Dzong (Fortress) and ride to Phobjikha via Bajo town. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 8

Pobjikha to Bumthang via Trongsa
(2600m, 180km, 7hrs)

After an early breakfast, we will leave for Bumthang Valley and stop off at Trongsa Dzong
(Fortress) and Ta Dzong (Museum) en route. Later in Bumthang, we’ll visit Jakar Dzong(Fortress) and enjoy an evening stroll. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 9

Bumthang to Mongar
(1600m, 192km, 6-7hrs) over Sertangla (pass at 3950m) and Trumshingla (pass at 3750m)

We start the day by crossing 2 high passes in succession, with a magnificent National Park
between them. Cedar trees, overhanging cliffs, and on clear days, a view of Bhutans’ highest
peak, Gangkar Phuensum, take us to Eastern Bhutan. Then we start our descent, past and sometimes across waterfalls and streams until we reach rice terraces and tropical fruits. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

 

Day 10

Mongar to Trashigang via Rangjung
(3773m,91km,3-4hrs)

Trashigang Dzong (fortress) will be our first major stop of the day, from whence we’ll continue on to Rangjung monastery. At last we’ll ride back to Trashigang for some free time and a stroll
around. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 11

Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati
(50m/230km/8-9hrs)

We leave early,to cross back into India via Samdrup Jongkhar in the southeast of Bhutan today. This town is one of the main gateways to India and borders the Indian state of Assam. En
route, we’ll immerse ourselves in the beautiful weaves and colors at the Khaling Handloom
Center. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 12

Guwahati to Delhi

Private transport will take you to Guwahati airport for your onward flight to Delhi and home.

THIS TOUR IS ALL PAVED

When: November 3-14, 2023

Where: Bhutan (Eastern Himalayas)

Duration: 12 Days 10 Nights (7 Riding Days)

Motorcycle: Royal Enfield 500cc ”Bullet”

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Accommodations: Hotels and Guest Houses

Highlights

  • Sunrise at Tiger Hill, visiting the spectacular Tiger’s Nest monastery – Bhutan’s most iconic site, exploring ancient fortresses and temples all across Bhutan, visiting The Temple of the ‘Divine Mad Man’ – Chime Lhakhang, and riding oodles and oodles of hairpin curves.

2023 Cost

Per Rider US$ XXXX

Per Pillion US$ XXXX

Tour Includes:

  • Bhutan visa fees, all ground transfers in India, airport to airport, in-country flights
  • 500cc Motorcycle and fuel for the entire trip
  • Accommodations on twin sharing basis (two per room) at local hotels
  • English-speaking tour guides
  • Bottled water throughout the tour
  • Support vehicle
  • Tour Mechanic with all necessary spare parts
  • Monument entrance fees (monuments mentioned in the itinerary) during the entire trip

Tour Excludes:

  • Flights to the start of the tour
  • Any medical or travel insurance coverage
  • Personal items and souvenirs
  • Telephone calls and internet charges
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Any items not mentioned in the included section