Bhutan- Ride to Kingdom of Happiness
Bhutan as a country has always remained elusive and there is an air of mysticism about this hidden mountain Himalayan Kingdom.
Here we are then, on our signature ride to the Kingdom of Happiness – the Last Shangri-La – the Land of Thunder Dragon – Nation that prefers Gross National Happiness to GDP – the Nation that believes modernisation need not be westernisation – the nation that has no traffic lights and the nation whose priority is to promote village and community culture. Contentment, Happiness, Compassion and in Harmony with natural elements – everywhere. There is nothing like a simple journey through Bhutan. And on a motorcycle ride – well there is no match to that.
If you are a person who is looking to an off-beat holiday destination – with family or as solo, Bhutan is an exceptional destination for a week to 11 days. And of course, far from the maddening crowds, exploring Bhutan on a Motorcycle is a cut above rest of the experiences.
Inclusions
- 12 nights stay in good mid range hotels with breakfast.
- Tea and Lunches at local handpicked eateries enroute.
- If opted for motorcycle hire from us, 500 cc Royal Enfield, for duration of ride
- A tour leader on motorcycle.
- A logistic support vehicle with driver.
- Repair and maintenance support with fast running spare parts.
- Transfers at Bagdogra airport to ride start point.
- Border permits and motorcycle immigration fees at Phuntsholing and inner area permits at Thimphu.
- Fuel for entire tour.
Exclusions
- Air tickets or train tickets to start point.
- Govt Service taxes or royalty to non Indian tourists.
- All dinners.
- Personal, medical or travel insurances (we recommend you do it yourself)
- Laundry, tips, souvenirs, tea, snacks.
- Personal expenses.
- Costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances.
- Any damages to the motorcycle to be paid for by the rider.
Special Note
- 50% of the Total Tour Cost will be required for booking.
- Price quoted are based as per the rate of exchange of USD = INR 62. A person below 11 years is considered as child and above 11 years as an adult.
- Check in at Hotel is at 1400 hrs. and Check out is at 1200 hrs.
- The tour price is subject to increase without prior notice if this rate changes substantially prior to departure.
- Visa fee and flight ticket (onward & return) will be non -refundable.
- The company reserves the right to postpone or cancel any of the tours advertised, without assigning any reason. In that case, money paid by the tour participant will be fully refunded but no compensation claim will be entertained.
- Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, the Company reserves the right to change / modify / vary and alter the tour itinerary if it becomes necessary. In such changes, compensations or claiming of refunds by the guests will not be entertained by the Company for limitation and also for the non- availability of certain services with entry tickets, restaurants, sightseeing shopping etc. even though included in tour itinerary.
- For Single passenger, without family, you will share a room either on twin or triple sharing basis (Roll away bed) depending on the booking. If we do not have a single person like you, then you will have to take the single supplement with an additional cost.
- The tariff of the tour quoted is calculated as per the rates prevailing at the time of quoting it. The Company reserves the right to change the tariff in the event of modification / alteration / change / variation in the said rates before the date of departure.
- Tour tariff is based on departure from Cochin, unless specifically mentioned. Tourists boarding flights at places other than Cochin have to pay the entire airfare difference and bear and pay any other additional expenses including airport transfers, hotel stay etc. on that account.
- Tour cost is based on minimum 30 passengers travelling together in the group. If there is a drastic fall in the number, then the offered meal plan, vehicle and other services may change accordingly.
- Company takes care to select hotels and book the same on behalf of tourists at convenient locations subject to availability. In case of non-availability of rooms in same hotel, Company has the right to split the accommodation in different hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally provided on Twin sharing basis in standard rooms and the third bed is often a roll-away mattress put in a twin bedded room. Air-conditioning, central heating and other facilities are provided by the hotels depending upon various factors including weather / climatic conditions, local systems, tour type, etc.
- As a Travel House / Tour Operators, the company does not have any control over Airlines, Coach Companies, Shipping Companies, Hotels, Local Transport or any other facilities, provided by the third parties. The company is not responsible for the delays or deficiencies in the services provided by outside agencies. Also please note that the company does not have any control on schedules of opening and closing timings of the tourist attractions. In computerized reservation system of Airlines seats once reserved cannot be changed. Tour participants will have to travel by the same seat provided by Airline.
- The guests are requested to collect Air tickets, Visas and other travel documents from the office, only after making the full payment, from where they have booked their tour. No tickets will be sent by courier.
- Any damage caused to the hotel rooms or coach during your stay shall be payable by the passengers. We will not be held responsibility for the same.
- There are no refunds for any services, i.e. meals, sightseeing’s, flight delay or cancellation of flight etc. un utilized on the tour.
- We shall not accept any liability or responsibility for any damages, loss, injury, accident, death, natural calamity, delay, breakdown or irregularity that may occur in carrying out the tour arrangement. (Management reserves the right to claim any additional expenses due to delay or changes in train, plane, bus, ship or other services, weather conditions, strikes, war, quarantine and any other cause, whatsoever, and all such losses or expenses must be borne by the passengers).
- 50% of the Tour Cost is required to secure confirmed booking of your tour and full payment is to be settled 14 days before commencement of tour.
- Any disputes arising in respect of the tour shall be subject to Trivandrum Jurisdiction.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Reservation
Reservation could be made through mail, fax or phone clearly stating the services required. We take the undertaking process of these reservations and duly confirm the arrangements.
Payment Terms
50% of total tour cost on booking, full payment 14 days before the departure.
Cancellation Policy
| Period of Cancellation | Cancellation Charges |
| 15 Days before departure | 50% of the Tour Cost |
| 7 Days before Departure | 75% of the Tour Cost |
| Less than 7 Days before departure | 100% of the Tour Cost |
Day 1 : Bagdogra Airport – Arrival, Briefing, Ride to Dooars
This is the day we receive the riders at Bagdogra airport and bring them to hotel in Siliguri. Once everyone has arrived, we allot the bikes – your horse of next two weeks or so. We then do a ride and traffic briefing. We then ride through the thick forests of the famous Himalayan foothills – the Doors. In the evening we do some essential paperwork for your Bhutan Immigration formalities. An interesting Indian dinner awaits you today.
Day 2 : Dooars to Phuntsholing
On this day the ride would start early morning by 7 am, from Siliguri hotel for the border town of Phuentsholing. This is the day you ride through the thick jungles of famous Dooars – the foothills of Himalayas. You’ll ride through enchanting woods, rivers and streams and cross lush green tea plantations – known to the world as Darjeeling tea. An amazing landscape through jungles and tea gardens is a fun thing to do. We would have a tea halt at an awesome location in Dooars. With some more ride you through typical North Bengal towns we take a turn off. We plan to reach Bhutan by 10 am. This is also the day to complete border formalities and vehicle permits. We will stay overnight at a hotel in Phuntsholing. The change in culture and of course traffic conditions would drastically change as you step into Bhutan.
Day 3 : Phuntsholing to Thimphu
Its a day we ride with our packed breakfasts. You’ll embark on the journey – through the misty and winding roads. It could rain through some or more part of your ride. That adds to the mystical and nature filled destination you are now entering. On the way we’ll make a few stops at local tea houses and Dantak canteen. There are a few places your permits will be stamped. Once closer to Thimphu – you slow down and ride into the capital city. All going well and weather on our side and not too bad, we should be in our hotel by late afternoon. There are no traffic lights in Bhutan and hence some circuitous routes to your hotel would be evident. Thimpu is also a place to obtain permits for your journey into central and eastern Bhutan in days to come.
Day 4: Thimphu Local Tour and a Ride to Paro
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we ride to some tourist spots in Thimphu and then in the afternoon we ride off to beautiful Paro valley. We check in to our hotel and take a trip to the National Museum located at Paro. Rest of the evening is free to explore the local market, archery or dart games. Paro is a beautiful valley with some nice cafes and bars.
Day 5 : Paro – Tigress Nest Trek
This is not a riding day, but a day to trek and hike up the Tigeress Nest and be back by afternoon – this one activity we strongly recommend for everyone – it is the number 1 ‘Do’ in Bhutan and the most reverred seat of Buddhism. For those who are not taking the trek- you could ride around the town seeing Paro Dzong. Or just laze around the beautiful resort, sit by the gushing mountain stream, watch the plane landing on Paro airport or just read a book. Its a day at leisure
Day 6 : Paro to Punaka
This day begins with a good ride into hills back to Thimphu on the way to Central Bhutan. This time we would not enter Thimphu but would take a bye pass road to Dorchula. You’ll stop over for some photo ops at Dorchula Pass – 108 Chortens – a war memorial built to commemorate the victory over Assamese insurgents. On a good day you get the best of Bhutan himalayan views from here. It’s then a nice ride all the way to Punakha Dzong – the most photogenic Dzong in Bhutan. Before reaching Punakha we would take an interesting detour to the Temple of the Mad Lama – Chimi Lakhang – and listen to the story of flying phalluses.
You then ride some nice village roads to reach the Punakha Dzong and hotel – time permitting we would see the Dzong this evening or else would postpone to next morning.
Day 7 – Ride to Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey
This again is a rough day ride due to reconstruction and road widening happening in Central Bhutan, which may take another year or two to finish. We need to ride steady to reach the Phobjikha valley. It is world famous for the rare black necked cranes that fly here in winters from Tibetan plateau. We spend a night here immersing in the pristine nature of the valley. In the evening you could walk up to the Gangtey Monastery and listen to the fable of black necked cranes.
Day 8 : Ride to Trongsa and then Bumthang
After an early breakfast we ride towards Trongsa, the beautiful thin road that takes you to the Central Bhutan. Trongsa has a beautiful Dzong that would become visible as you ride down the hill towards the town. There will be a halt for lunch and refueling at Trongsa. You could also stroll down the Dzong – if one is keen. We then quickly ride out to another lonely, winding and nice road to be in Bumthang valley before evening. You could spot the archery practicing clubs as you ride. Getting into the Bumthang valley – is like entering the Swiss country side. A lovely ride it is through the day – roads are rough at many places, due to road widening – except at places where the widening of road is going on. If we are in good time we would ride straight to the famous Red Panda Beer Garden and see the Bumthang Micro Brewery. Overnight stay will be at a beautiful resort overlooking the Bumthang valley.
Day 9 : Bumthang to Mongar
It’s a long day ride today. The day would begin with an optional visit to one of the oldest temple in Bhutan. This day is really full of nature stuff. As you ride deeper into the unexplored Bhutan, you’ll find solitude – its just you and the nature and you often want to stand by the road side and soak this pristine natural environment – do not miss the classic vistas of Ura Valley and the Cloud Valley. The entire day is spent riding some of the most exotic valleys, roads and passes. The roads are mostly thin but nice today. The happiness of this untouched raw natural landscape is part of you by now. You’ll ride to the mountain top hamlet of Mongar, your place for overnight stay.
Day 10 : Mongar to Trashigang
You have a late morning start today. Before the ride, you can walk around the town in the morning – and you would see firsthand the simplicity of this bustling town, just coming to terms with modernism. On this day you ride out to the eastern most tip of Bhutan that borders Arunachal Pradesh. We cross the town over to reach our resort – one of the best locations to spend the evening. Overnight we stay at this beautiful Lodge in Trashigang.
Day 11: Trashigang to Somdrup Jongkhar or Manas National Park
Today will be a long ride as you travel back to India, via the beautiful town of Deothang and Samdrup Jongkhar that borders Assam. This day we would begin pretty early. In the course of day, the weather goes from cold to cool to warm to somewhat hot n humid. You’ll cross back into India and leave Bhutan with your hearts filled with memories unparalleled.
Based on your itinerary and time of start there are various option for halts today – we may either stay at Somdrup Jongkhar or Cross border and then take a turn west on some broken village roads to Manas National Park. The road to the national park is not so good. Overnight stay is either at Manas National Park.
Day 12: Ride to Siliguri
This is your last day of ride. We ride out in the morning and ride long stretches to be in Siliguri by afternoon. You would pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes of rural Assam and North Bengal. We would again take a route passing through the tea gardens. Overnight stay at the hotel in Siliguri.
Day 13 : Ride to Siliguri and Fly out home
This day, we shall ride back to Siliguri, deposit our bikes and check into our hotel. Transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
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