Adventure: Raft & Ride
Overview
Get your adrenaline pumping with mountain biking on Himalayan trails and white-water rafting in the Punakha valley. Enjoy local cuisine, cultural immersion, and breathtaking scenery throughout the day.
This itinerary is designed to give you a comprehensive experience of Bhutan's unique culture and stunning landscapes.
Highlights
- Mountain Biking from Dochula Pass
- White Water Rafting on Mo Chhu
- Hiking in Phobjikha Valley
- Camping under the stars
What's Included
- High-quality mountain bikes and gear
- Rafting equipment and safety guide
- Camping gear
- Support vehicle for cyclists
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Paro - Thimphu
Your adventure begins with arrival at Paro International Airport. After meeting your adventure guide and support team, transfer to Thimphu (1.5 hours). Check into your hotel and get fitted for your mountain bikes—high-quality hardtail or full-suspension bikes suitable for Himalayan terrain. Your guide will brief you on the upcoming adventures, safety protocols, and what to expect. In the late afternoon, take a short acclimatization ride around Thimphu city. Cycle through the main streets, getting a feel for your bike and the altitude (2,350m). Visit the National Memorial Chorten where you'll see elderly Bhutanese circumambulating the stupa. The gentle evening ride helps your body adjust to the altitude while giving you a taste of Bhutanese urban life. Return to your hotel for a welcome dinner where you'll meet your fellow adventure seekers. Your guide will go over the detailed itinerary, answer questions, and ensure everyone is prepared for the exciting days ahead. Rest well tonight—tomorrow brings your first real cycling challenge.
Day 2: Thimphu Trails
After a hearty breakfast, gear up for your first full day of mountain biking. Today's adventure takes you to two of Thimphu's most scenic monasteries. Start with a warm-up ride through Thimphu's northern suburbs, gradually climbing on paved roads before transitioning to dirt trails. The route to Tango Monastery follows a beautiful valley, with the trail winding through blue pine forests. The climb is challenging but rewarding, gaining about 400 meters in elevation. Arrive at Tango Monastery (3,100m), a beautiful complex perched on a hillside. This monastery is an important center for Buddhist studies. Park your bikes and hike the final section to the monastery (bikes aren't allowed on the monastery grounds). After exploring Tango and enjoying the views, continue on a connecting trail to Cheri Monastery, Bhutan's first monastery established in 1620. The trail between the two monasteries is technical in places, with rocky sections and stream crossings that will test your mountain biking skills. After visiting Cheri Monastery and having lunch, enjoy an exhilarating downhill ride back to Thimphu. The descent is fast and fun, with sweeping switchbacks and forest singletrack. Total distance: approximately 35 kilometers with 600 meters of climbing. Return to your hotel in the afternoon, tired but exhilarated. Evening at leisure to explore Thimphu's restaurants and shops.
Day 3: Thimphu - Punakha (Ride)
Today brings one of the most spectacular rides in Bhutan—the epic downhill from Dochula Pass to Punakha valley. After breakfast, load your bikes onto the support vehicle and drive to Dochula Pass (3,100m). The pass is marked by 108 memorial chortens and offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan range on clear days. Take time for photos and tea at the beautiful Dochula cafeteria. Then, gear up for the ride of a lifetime. The descent from Dochula to Punakha drops nearly 1,500 meters over approximately 40 kilometers. Start on paved road with sweeping switchbacks offering incredible valley views. As you descend, the temperature rises noticeably and the vegetation changes from alpine to subtropical. The road winds through pristine forests, past waterfalls, and through small villages. About halfway down, the paved road transitions to a dirt track that follows the Punakha valley. This section is more technical, with loose gravel, water crossings, and some steep sections requiring good bike handling skills. The support vehicle follows at a safe distance, ready to assist if needed. After about 2-3 hours of riding (depending on your pace and photo stops), arrive in Punakha valley. The sense of achievement is immense—you've just descended from high alpine pass to subtropical valley on two wheels! Check into your hotel and celebrate with a well-deserved lunch. Afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Punakha town. Your legs will thank you for the rest!
Day 4: River Rafting
Today trades two wheels for paddles as you experience Bhutan's best white-water rafting. After breakfast, start with a morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a beautiful temple perched on a ridge overlooking the Punakha valley. The hike takes about 45 minutes each way through rice terraces and offers spectacular views of the valley and the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. After returning from the hike and having lunch, it's time for rafting! Meet your rafting guide and safety kayaker at the put-in point. After a thorough safety briefing and equipment check (helmets, life jackets, paddles), launch onto either the Mo Chhu or Pho Chhu river, depending on water levels and your group's experience. The rafting section covers approximately 16 kilometers and takes 2-3 hours. The rivers offer Class II-III rapids—exciting but suitable for beginners with good instruction. Rapids have colorful names like 'Washing Machine' and 'Big Dipper.' Between rapids, enjoy calmer sections where you can admire the stunning scenery—the Punakha Dzong comes into view at one point, looking magnificent from the river. You might spot white-bellied herons, Bhutan's rarest bird, along the riverbanks. The rafting ends near Punakha town. Return to your hotel, exhilarated and probably wet! Evening at leisure. Many guests enjoy visiting Punakha Dzong in the late afternoon when the light is beautiful.
Day 5: Punakha - Phobjikha
After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Phobjikha valley (about 2.5 hours), one of Bhutan's most scenic glacial valleys. The drive crosses Lawala Pass (3,360m) and offers spectacular mountain views. Arrive in Phobjikha and check into your accommodation. After lunch, it's time to explore this stunning valley by bike. The Gangtey Nature Trail is perfect for cycling—a relatively flat, well-maintained path that winds through the valley floor. The trail offers incredible views of the wide, U-shaped valley surrounded by mountains. Phobjikha is the winter home of the endangered Black-necked Cranes, which migrate here from Tibet (November to March). Even if the cranes aren't present, the valley is spectacularly beautiful with its marshlands, traditional villages, and grazing yaks. Cycle to Gangtey Monastery, perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley. This is the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and dates back to the 17th century. Park your bikes and hike up to explore the monastery complex. The views from the monastery are breathtaking, especially in late afternoon light. Continue cycling through the valley, perhaps visiting the Black-necked Crane Information Centre to learn about these magnificent birds and conservation efforts. Total cycling distance: approximately 20-25 kilometers on mostly flat terrain. Return to your hotel as the sun sets over the valley. The evening in Phobjikha is magical, with clear skies often revealing countless stars.
Day 6: Phobjikha Exploration
A full day to explore the magnificent Phobjikha valley by bike. After breakfast, set out on a comprehensive cycling tour of the valley. The terrain is perfect for cycling—mostly flat with gentle rolling hills, allowing you to cover good distances while enjoying the scenery. Cycle through traditional villages where life continues much as it has for centuries. Watch farmers working in their fields, yaks grazing on the hillsides, and children playing outside traditional farmhouses. The valley is dotted with prayer flags, chortens, and mani walls (stone walls carved with Buddhist prayers). Stop at various viewpoints to take in the panoramic vistas of this glacial valley. If visiting in winter (November-March), you'll see the elegant Black-necked Cranes feeding in the marshlands—a truly special sight. These birds are revered in Bhutanese culture and their arrival is celebrated with an annual festival. Visit some of the valley's smaller temples and monasteries that aren't on the main tourist route. Your guide can arrange visits to local farmhouses where you can experience traditional Bhutanese hospitality, try butter tea, and learn about rural life. For the more adventurous, there are trails leading up the surrounding ridges that offer even better views (these sections involve some hiking with your bike or leaving bikes at the base). Total cycling distance: 30-40 kilometers depending on your chosen routes. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the valley. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Tonight might be your last chance to stargaze in this pristine environment—the lack of light pollution makes for spectacular night skies.
Day 7: Phobjikha - Paro
After breakfast, bid farewell to the beautiful Phobjikha valley and begin the drive back to Paro (approximately 4-5 hours). The journey retraces your route over Lawala Pass and through Wangdue, then continues to Paro via Thimphu or the more direct route depending on road conditions. Arrive in Paro by early afternoon. Check into your hotel and freshen up. The afternoon brings a wonderful cultural experience—a visit to a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse. These working farms give you authentic insight into rural Bhutanese life. Your hosts, dressed in traditional attire, will welcome you with ara (local alcohol) and butter tea. Tour the farmhouse, which typically has three floors: the ground floor for animals, the middle floor for living quarters, and the top floor for storage and drying crops. Learn about traditional architecture, farming practices, and daily life. The highlight is a traditional Bhutanese meal prepared by your hosts. Sit on cushions around the bukhari (wood stove) and enjoy dishes like ema datshi (chili cheese), red rice, and various vegetable curries. After lunch, try your hand at Bhutan's national sport—archery. Your hosts will provide traditional bamboo bows and arrows, and teach you the basics. Bhutanese archery is unique, with targets placed 140 meters apart! Don't expect to hit the target on your first try, but it's great fun trying. Return to your hotel in the evening. Rest well tonight—tomorrow brings the ultimate Bhutanese adventure: the Tiger's Nest hike.
Day 8: Hike to Tiger's Nest
The grand finale of your adventure tour—hiking to the legendary Taktsang Goemba (Tiger's Nest Monastery). Start early after a good breakfast, as this is a challenging hike that takes 5-6 hours round trip. The monastery clings impossibly to a cliff face 900 meters above the Paro valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave for three months. The hike begins through beautiful pine forests adorned with Spanish moss and prayer flags. The trail is well-maintained but steep, switchbacking up the mountainside. After about 1.5-2 hours, reach the cafeteria viewpoint where you can rest, enjoy refreshments, and capture stunning photos of the monastery across the gorge. The view from here is already spectacular, but those who continue are rewarded with an even more incredible experience. The final section involves steep stairs and narrow passages carved into the cliff face. Inside the monastery complex, explore various temples and meditation caves. The main temple houses statues of Guru Rinpoche in his eight manifestations. The spiritual atmosphere is palpable, enhanced by the dramatic setting. Monks chant prayers, butter lamps flicker, and the scent of incense fills the air. The views from the monastery are breathtaking—the entire Paro valley spreads below. Descend back to the base by mid-afternoon. Return to your hotel to rest and freshen up. In the evening, celebrate the completion of your adventure tour with a special farewell dinner. Share stories, photos, and memories with your fellow adventurers and guides. You've cycled down mountain passes, rafted wild rivers, explored remote valleys, and climbed to sacred monasteries—an unforgettable Bhutanese adventure!
Day 9: Departure
Your adventure in Bhutan concludes today. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours for last-minute activities. If departing in the afternoon, consider a morning stroll through Paro town for some final souvenir shopping. Look for authentic Bhutanese handicrafts, textiles, or traditional archery equipment to remember your adventure. When it's time, transfer to Paro International Airport. As you check in and wait for your flight, reflect on the incredible journey you've had—from mountain biking down Himalayan passes to rafting wild rivers, from cycling through pristine valleys to hiking to sacred monasteries. You've experienced Bhutan not just as a tourist, but as an adventurer, pushing your limits while immersing yourself in this unique culture. As your aircraft takes off and climbs through the mountain valleys, enjoy final aerial views of the peaks, valleys, and dzongs that have been your playground. You depart with sore muscles, incredible memories, and perhaps a new appreciation for both adventure and mindfulness—the perfect Bhutanese combination. The mountains will call you back. Tashi Delek!
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