Dragon Cycling Tour to Bhutan

Overview

The Tour of Dragon is of 7 Nights and 8 Days cycling tour to Bhutan with Cycling Race. Tour of The Dragon 268 kms Mountain Biking Race is one of the toughest mountains biking one day race in the world. In this Tour you are going to make mountain cycling racer which we strongly recommend you to participate and feel the difference in Bhutan with biking race. Tour of the Dragon is road bike race and mountain bike race type. Since the distance of the race is 250+ km, we would categorize it as mountain biking race on roads that happen to be extremely challenging tour.

The Tour of the Dragon race is of 268 kms starting from Bumthang (Central Bhutan) and travelling 268 km over 4 famus mountain passes before finishing point to Thimphu Clock Tower Square. Tour of The Dragon is one of the toughest and challenging one-day mountain bike races in the world that is Asia. Come and be part of the Biggest and Toughest Mountain Biking race this time in Bhutan.

Organizer: BHUTAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

Duration: 7 Nights and 8 Days
Event Date: 7th Sep 2019
Places covered: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang and Phojikha valley.
Entry: Paro International Airport
Exit: Paro International Airport

DEPARTURE / RETURN LOCATION	Paro International Airport
DEPARTURE TIME	Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight.
SUITABLE MONTHS	Seasonal
INCLUDED	Land Transportation within Bhutan Tours specified in the itinerary Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) Three star hotel accommodation (Government approved 3 stars and above) Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/conee with snacks as and when required) Rooms on Twin Sharing basis Experienced and English-speaking licensed guide All necessary permits for entering Dzongs, Monasteries, Monuments Mineral water on long trips. Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip
EXCLUDED	Airfare Monument fees and other special entry fees Beverages of any kind Personal Shopping Laundry Tipping

Day 1: Arrival at Paro drive to Thimphu

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Our representative will greeting you there in Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and let’s have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu if possible.

Sightseeing:

National Memorial Chorten – Built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Thimphu Dzong – The largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.
Buddha Point – Located at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha makes it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast drive towards Punakha vai Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass – The 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the soldiers lost.
Chimmi Lhakhang – The divine madman also known, as Drukpa Kinley is a famous teacher with whom the phallic symbol is associated.
Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

You will be attending the briefing for tomorrow’s event.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day 3: Punakha to Bumthang vai Traongsa

After early breakfast drive toward Bumthang from where cycling race starts.

Trongsa Dzong– built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.
Ta Dzong – an ancient watch tower

After lunch, drive to Bumthang.

On the way stop at the Yathra Weaving Factory at Chumey valley, where yak and sheep wools ues for yathra products with patterns unique to Bumthang and enjoy the scene of the weavers on their looms in action.

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 4: Explore in Bumthang

After breakfast;

9:00 AM Gather at Chamkhar bus parking
9:45 AM – 12:30 PM Make a short excursion to Jambey Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang, followed by a short ride to Mebar Tsho(Burning Lake) and back.
1:00 PM Lunch at respective hotel
3:00-5:00 PM Riders briefing and an audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck [the exact time will be announced]

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 5: Preparation and relax for the Race

After breakfast go for final registration;

9:00 AM-1:00 PM Registration validation and race packet pick up in Bumthang
Venue: To be confirmed
2:00-5:00 PM Race-bag drop

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Tomorrow wake up time 12 am

Day 6: The Dragon Tour Race starts

After early breakfast;
12:00 AM Wake-up call
1:00 AM Report to start area, biking inspection and light breakfast for participants
2:00 AM RACE START (Flag off by Dasho Dzongdag)
3:00 AM Every rider is expected to cross Kiki La
7:30 AM Riders should cross Tshangkha by this time
9:00 AM Reach Chendepji
11:00 AM Reach Pele La
1:30 PM Riders should cross Wangdue check post
6:00 PM Final cut-off time at Dochula Pass. If you make it to Dochula by 6:00 PM you are allowed to continue to the finish line.
7:00 PM Awards ceremony at the Clock Tower Square, Thimphu

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 7: Explore Paro and Hike to Taktsang

After breakfast on our final tour day an exhilarating one-hour hike to

Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest), one of the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
Visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of medieval Bhutan, it was used as a stronghold against invading Tibetan armies. After a fire destroyed it in 1951, it remains a ruin as a symbol of the past military victories. On clear days, you can also see the snowcapped peak of Jhomolohari mountain.
Paro Dzong – usually called Rinpung Dzong, means Fortress on a Heap of Jewels as it was built with stones rather than clay. It is considered one of the most impressive dzongs in the country and the finest example of both 15th and 17th-century Bhutanese construction.
Ta Dzong – a cylindrical seven-story watchtower built in 1649 that is now the National Museum of Bhutan. This museum houses artifacts, weapons, textiles, and fine Bhutanese art from 4000 BCE to the present. The building is a conch shape with spiral construction inside and out.