TOUR OF THE DRAGON

TOUR OF THE DRAGON

This is one sample itinerary to give you an idea. We will provide you a customize journey as per your number of days, preferences and mode of transportation within the valley.

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Day 1- Arrival & Drive to Thimphu

Day 2- Transfer to Punakha Valley

Day 3- Khamsum Chorten Hike and Biking

Day 4- Journey to Gangtey (Valley of Black-Necked Crane)

Day 5- Longtey Hike

Day 6- Journey to Bumthang (Central Bhutan)

Day 7- Short Bike Ride and Audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck

Day 8- Registration

Day 9- Race Day “Tour of the Dragon”

Day 10- Drive to Paro

Day 11- Hike to the Mighty Tiger’s Nest

Day 12- International Departure

 

Day 1- Arrival & Drive to Thimphu

Distance: 53kms /32 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour approx.

Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Depending on your flight time

Check in to the hotel and after freshening up visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, which is dedicated to the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (1928-1972). The day’s journey will continue with a visit to the Buddha Dordenma Statue, this massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. In the evening explore the authentic Bhutanese craft bazaar, Bhutan’s first craft market in Thimphu town.

 

Day 2- Transfer to Punakha Valley

Distance: 76kms / 47 miles

Drive Time: 2.5 hours approx.

Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel 

Today you will bike until Lobesa, Punakha, en route you can visit Dochu La (pass) and upon reaching Punakha you will visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong. Biking to Lobesa will be a good practice and to get you acclimatized with the weather and altitude. This is the same route you will bike on the race day.

On the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the Dochula Pass offers a beautiful 180-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as the “Divine Madman” or the “Mad Saint”, who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and carved wooden phalluses on housetops.

The majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as “the palace of great happiness or bliss” is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan and was constructed on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire Ox year in 1673. End the day by exploring the longest suspension Bridge in Bhutan, built over the Pho Chhu (river), serving as the main thoroughfare between Punakha town and the surrounding villages.

 

Day 3- Khamsum Chorten Hike and Biking

Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel

A pleasant hike to Khamsum Chorten. The hike takes you through rice paddies and up the twirling trail to Khamsum Chorten and the beautiful view of the valley below.

Khumsum Chorten stands majestically on the hill above the Punakha Valley while admiring the gorgeous traditions and architecture of the Kingdom.

On your return, you can bike all the way to the hotel.

 

Day 4- Journey to Gangtey (Valley of Black-Necked Crane)

Distance: 78 kms / 48.4 miles

Drive Time: 3 hours approx.

Altitude: 3000m / 9800 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel

After breakfast, we make our way to the beautiful Gangtey Valley. You will start your bike ride from Lobesa roundabout till Nobding or Gangtey Junction. Then drive all the way to the Amankora Gangtey lodge. After checking in to the hotel, you can either walk or bike to the Gangtey Goemba, a 16th-century monastery situated attractively at the hilltop at the edge of Gangtey Village.

After strolling back thru the village, we will start our descent along the valley floor by following the Gangtey Nature Trail, an easy pleasurable walk or bike ride giving you a nice feel for the Phobjikha Valley. The approximate 2-hour walk takes you downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara Village and ending on the Tabeding football ground where your driver waits for you. If you wish you can visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre on your way back to the Lodge.

 

Day 5- Longtey Hike

Duration: 30-minute drive to the starting point, 3 – 5 hour walk back towards the Lodge.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel

If you are looking for a picturesque hike through some of the most beautiful parts of Gangtey, this is the one! The starting point is Longtey Village on the East-West Highway, where a gradual ascending path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully colored rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley during spring months, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area.

The path continues straight through the village and upwards until you reach the start of enchanting old-growth rhododendron forest. For the next two hours or so, you might feel like you are in the set of The Lord of the Rings with tall old trees, which appear to be living creatures, surrounding you. The last part through the trail is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass, which offers impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley. This is a nice place for lunch before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu Village. It is possible to get picked up from here or you may continue down to the Shedra.

 

Day 6- Journey to Bumthang (Central Bhutan)

Distance: 188kms / 116 miles

Drive Time: 6 hours approx.

Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Trongsa

After breakfast, you can either choose to bike all the way from the lodge or start biking from the junction. You can mix your journey with bike and car ride till you reach the lodge.

In the evening, you can rest at the hotel or stroll your way through the beautiful cozy town of Bumthang

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and entourage will also arrive on the same day.

 

Day 7- Short Bike Ride and Audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck

Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel

At 09:00 am, you will have to gather at Chamkhar bus parking where you will meet all the participants of the “Tour of the Dragon”. From there you will make a short excursion to Jambay Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang, followed by a short ride to Mebar Tsho and back.

Jambay Lhakhang is believed to have been built in the year 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, on the same day as Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, in order to subdue a Tibetan demoness.

Kurjey Lhakhang is named after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche who was invited to meditate here in 746 AD to subdue evil spirits and demons.

Membartsho (The Burning Lake): The story has it that Pema Lingpa had a dream that he would find a treasure where a wooden bridge spans across the trapped river-water pool. He later ventured into the river pool carrying a burning butter lamp in his hand saying if he were an apparition of evil the lamp would be snuffed out and if not it would continue to burn on his resurfacing from the water. He dove into the pool and returned with the treasures and the lamp still burning. Since then the lake has been known as Membartsho.

In the late afternoon, there will be a briefing and an audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.

 

Day 8- Registration

Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Local Hotel

Registration validation and race packet pick up in Bumthang.

 

Day 9- Race Day “Tour of the Dragon”

Ride Time: 13 hours

Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: AID station located approx. 20kms apart

Today is your big day, you will get your wakeup call at 12:00 am and breakfast at 12:30 am. At 01:00 am you will have to report at the start area for bike inspection. Sharp at 02:00 am the race will start with flag off by Dasho Dzongda (Governor).

Your guide and car will follow you throughout the race at a distance.

The final cut-off at Dochula Pass is at 06:00 pm. At 07:00 pm, there will be an award ceremony at the Clock Tower Square, Thimphu.

 

Day 10- Drive to Paro

Distance: 69.6kms /43.2 miles

Drive: 1.5 hours approx.

Altitude: 2200m / 7218 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Thimphu

After a good rest and lunch, we will depart to Paro valley. If time permits you can do some local sightseeing or shopping in Paro valley.

 

Day 11- Hike to the Mighty Tiger’s Nest

Altitude: 2350m / 7218 ft.

Overnight: Local Hotel

Lunch: Farmhouse

Today we will hike to Taktsang Monastery and later visit Drukgyel Dzong after lunch. Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude, north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery, also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest”, is the most famous, unofficial symbol of Bhutan.

After lunch, we drive further up the valley to Drugyel Dzong.  A visit to Drukgyel Dzong is a wonderful way to spend a late afternoon/early evening. A short walk from the road takes you to this historically significant structure where you can stroll around and gain insight into the history of the Kingdom. Before the sun sets, sit down by the big prayer wheel below the Dzong, and relax whilst admiring the rural scenery and changing sky.

Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1649 to celebrate a decisive victory over Tibetan forces and to curtail further invasions.

 

Day 12- International Departure

This morning you bid farewell to Bhutan. 

 

TASHI DELEK- May all good things come to you!

The minimum daily package includes:

  • 12 days, 11-night tour between in 3-star accommodation Hotel
  • All meals at the government approved standard hotels or local restaurants
  • Tour of the Dragon entry fee, race day support
  • Airport transfers
  • Free Wifi.
  • All touring and monument passes
  • Visa processing and Visa Fee
  • Bhutan airline & Drukair flight reservation and ticketing assistance
  • A sustainable tourism Royalty of $65. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.
  • FIT surcharge
  • Private vehicle/driver and English-speaking guide for internal transfers and sightseeing

 

Package Cost:

TOD Journey cost per Person: USD $3380

TOD Journey cost for two People: USD $6540

TOD Journey cost for three People: USD $8820

  • Rates and government tax are subject to change without notice.