Package Name: Bhutan – The Thunder Dragon Bike Tour
Price: Rs 35,000
Day: 12 Day
Night: 11 Night
Starting Month: Mar
End Month: Oct
Travelling to Bhutan is like travelling back in time. The untouched natural environment and old-worldly way of life is so peaceful that it will leave one with memories of a lifetime. The peaceful surroundings make for a perfect backdrop for exploring this country at a relaxed pace in a 12 days’ period. Since this country is exceptionally rich in nature and culture, it’s only fair that we give it more than a mere glance.
Our tour starts from Bagdogra in West Bengal and we conclude in Guwahati, Assam. We take the route along Bhutan’s west-east highway which is as challenging as it is thrilling. We come by new passes every day which are over 3000 meters high. The entire road trip is dotted with winding roads that go up and down thousands of feet, keeping one interested, excited and on high adrenaline all the time.
DAY 00: REACH BAGDOGRA/NEW JALPAIGURI
Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Overnight stay at Bagdogra (at your own cost).
DAY 01: BAGDOGRA TO PHUENTSHOLING (150 KMS) 4 HOURS
This is the day when we cross the border and enter the land of the Thunder Dragon – Bhutan. We ride through enchanting rivers and streams and cross lush tea plantations. We arrive at Phuentsholing city and stay there for the night.
DAY 02 PHUENTSHOLING TO PARO (148 KMS) 5-6 HOURS
The next morning we have our breakfast and embark on the journey. But before we head out to the next destination, we need to get our road permits and visas. Post that an uphill ride begins that takes us to the picturesque town of Paro. On the way we make a few stops at the Rinchending Monastery and Gedu University. We arrive at the hotel and have our lunch. Evening can be sent exploring the city and visiting the National Museum or the river side. Overnight stay in Paro.
DAY 03 REST DAY AT PARO
Day 3 begins with a sumptuous breakfast followed by a 2.5 hour hike up to the Taktsang Dzong or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is undoubtedly one of the most majestic, mesmerizing and memorable places you will ever see. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this exact spot on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated here for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours. He is also known as second Buddha for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. A temple complex was built here in 1692 and is most popular for the thirteen tiger lair caves in which he meditated.
We return in the afternoon and go for Hot Stone Bath Therapy at a farm house and relax our tired muscles. Evening is spent exploring the city and the local bazaars. Overnight stay at Paro.
DAY 04 PARO TO THIMPU, (65 KMS) 1.5 HOURS
We have our breakfast at the hotel and ride to the capital city of Bhutan – Thimpu. The evening is spent enjoying the beauty of this place and visiting popular places. Overnight stay at Thimpu.
DAY 05 REST DAY AT THIMPU
This day has a lot of exciting adventures in store for us. We have a hearty breakfast at one of the best cafes in the city and then hit the road. First stop is to get our road permits and visas extended. Post that we take a short but exciting ride to the best vantage point in all of Thimpu Valley – Buddha Point or Kuenselphodrang. At 169 feet, this bronze statue, once completed, will be the tallest Buddha statue in the world. This is a great place to take in the beauty of the entire valley and capture some memorable shots. Overnight stay at Thimpu.
DAY 06 THIMPU TO PHOBJIKHA (145 KMS) 5-6 HOURS
This day begins early as we prepare to leave for our first pass in Bhutan – the Dochula at 10301 feet. The ride to Phobjikha is an easy one. We have our lunch on the way and then check in to the hotel for night stay. The ride up to this place is nothing short of breath-taking, with dense vegetation and blooming flowers keeping you company and snow-capped mountains looming in the background. We spend the evening exploring the town and observing the locals and their lifestyle. A visit to the Dzong, one of the most beautiful monasteries, would definitely be worthwhile. Overnight stay at Phobjikha.
DAY 07 PHOBJIKA TO BUMTHANG (180 KMS) 7-8 HOURS
Once again we state the day early and after breakfast ride to Trongsa. On our way we stop to visit the 18th century stupa called Chendebji Chorten, built by Lama Shida, modelled after the famous Swayambhunath Stupa of Nepal. Legend has it that an evil spirit took the form of a gigantic snake and to cover its remains this structure was erected. This is the one of the longest riding days of the trip, but the whole experience is soothing to the eyes as well as the soul. It is also on this day that we ride across two of the highest motor-able passes in Bhutan – Pele La and Yotong La. Overnight stay at Bumthang.
DAY 08 REST DAY AT BUMTHANG
We have our breakfast and head out to explore the town of Bumthang. There is a lot to see here, from the serene valleys to the dzongs and monasteries including the Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest monasteries in the country and Kurje Lhakhanj which is considered to be one of the most sacred places as it is here that Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint.
We have our lunch and then head out to the very famous Red Panda Brewery and Swiss cheese factory. Overnight stay at Bumthang.
DAY 09 BUMTHANG TO MONGAR (198 KMS) 7-8 HOURS
The entire day is spent riding to the town of Mongar. Overnight stay at Mongar.
DAY 10 MONGAR TO TRASHI YANGTSE (136 KMS) 4 HOURS
On this day we ride out to the easternmost tip of Bhutan that borders Arunachal Pradesh. Overnight stay at Trashi Yangste.
DAY 11 TRASHI YANGTSE TO GUWAHATI, (300 KMS) 9-10 HOURS
We have a full breakfast (last one in Bhutan) and prepare for a long ride as we travel back to India (Guwahati, Assam), via the beautiful town of Samdrup Jongkhar that borders Assam. In the course of a day the weather goes from cold to cool to warm to somewhat hot. We cross back into India and leave Bhutan with our hearts filled with memories unparalleled. Overnight stay at Guwahati (at your own cost).
DAY 12
Travel back to your respective hometowns via train or flight.
Package Details
Bhutan – The Thunder Dragon Bike Tour
Price (Per Person): ` 35,000
Duration: 12 Days
Best Time to go: March, April, September, October
Departure dates –
1st April, 2016
25th September, 2016
Inclusions:
1. All accommodation from Day 01 at Phuntsholing till Day 10 at Trashi Yangtse (twin/triple sharing basis) in comfortable hotels/ guest houses/ resorts in scenic and offbeat destinations
2. Breakfast and dinner at gourmet eating joints on the way
3. Inner line permits and wildlife fees for restricted areas for Indian nationals
4. Basic first aid kit and medicines
5. Services of certified guides/ instructors for high altitude trekking/ biking/ jeep safaris in the Himalayas
6. Services of Wilderness medicine institute certified guides/ instructors from NOLS, USA
7. Services of a Royal Enfield trained specialist mechanic for the full duration of the trip.
CATEGORIES OF ROYAL ENFIELD BIKES FOR RENTAL
Category A – 500 cc
Machismo 500 cc – Bike comes with 500 cc engine, foot brake paddle on the right hand side, gear lever paddle on the left hand side, disc brake fitted on the front wheel, modern all aluminium engine, 5 speed gear box which has very smooth & easy shifting.The rent of this bike will be Rs.1,200/- per day and security deposit will be Rs.35,000/ per bike.
Classic 500 cc – The rent of this bike will be Rs.1,350/- per bike per day and the security deposit will be Rs.35,000/ per bike.
Category B – 350 cc
Machismo,Electra,Thunderbird 350 cc – Bike comes with 350 cc engine, foot brake paddle on the right hand side, gear lever smooth & easy shifting.It’s has a 5 speed gear box.The rent of this bike will be Rs.1000/- per day and security deposit will be Rs.20,000/ per bike.
Thunderbird Twin Spark – Bike comes with 350 cc Twin Spark engine, foot brake paddle on the right hand side, gear lever smooth & easy shifting. It has a 5 speed gear box.The rent for this bike will be RS.1,200/- per day with the security deposit of Rs.25,000/ per bike.
Classic 350 cc – The rent of this bike will be Rs.1,200/ per bike per day and the security deposit will be Rs.25,000/ per bike.
The affidavit (rental agreement) is Rs.300/ per bike rider.
The security deposit and the bike rental is taken before the tour starts.
In this price we provide leg guard , side mirrors, tool kit and spare part kit.
1) Clutch wire
2) Break wire
3) Accelerator wire
4) Chain lock
5) Tube
6) Spark plug
7) Tool kit
8) Head light bulb
9) Clutch wire
10) Back light bulb
11) Third party insurance.
The charges of only those spare parts are taken which are used on the tour.In this price we will provided you luggage carrier,helmet & maps if required.
If, you want any extra spare parts you can buy them and if they are not used on the way we will buy them from you when you return from the tour.
You can purchase the knee guards, elbow guards and driving gloves from us. If, you require any other driving accessory, we can arrange that for you on an economical prices.
You can also hire a set of riding gears from us which includes :- elbow guards, knee guards, gloves and helmet. The rental for this per tour is Rs.1,000/.
Exclusions:
1. GST @ 3.625%
2. Any Air/ bus/ taxi/ jeep fare
3. Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone/ fax calls, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, entrance and camera fee at monuments/ museums, medical expenses, gratuities etc.
4. Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc.
5. Any item, activity or facility other than clearly mentioned within the inclusions & itinerary above.
6. Cost of petrol & spare parts of any kind. Bike maintenance etc.
7. The cost of motorbike rental (if applicable)
8. Any entry fees, any tips, porter pony charges or any other expenses incurred by the porter/ participants during the sightseeing trips, other than as clearly mentioned within the sightseeing in inclusions and itinerary.
9. Any extra costs incurred due to extension/ change of the itinerary due to natural calamities, road blocks, and vehicle breakdown etc. factors beyond our control.
Duration – 11 Nights / 12 Days
Distance covered – 1200 kms
Start Point – New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
End Point – Guwahati, Assam
Cities covered – Paro, Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjika, Bhumthang, Gelephu.
*Stay, breakfast and dinner included*
Best Time to go: March, April, September, October
Departure dates –
1st April, 2016
25th September, 2016
OTHER INFORMATION
You can fly into Bagdogra from most Indian cities or alternatively take a train to New Jalpaiguri (both in West Bengal). You have a choice of joining our fixed departure on the 3rd of April, 2015 or if you are in a group of 8 or more then we can customize the tour for your group.
If required, we would help arrange a reliable logistics services company like GATI KWE for the pick-up and drop of your motorbike from anywhere in India safely. Or if you need to rent a motorbike from us then the same can be arranged from one of our trusted vendors on request. If you want to courier your motorbike on your own, then we recommend shipping it to Bagdogra using GATI KWE. Same will take approximately 10-12 days.
You have a choice of riding solo or having a pillion rider. S/he has a choice to alternate between the motorbike and SUV, since we run mostly mixed tours (motorbikes and SUVs).
Highlights :
Payment Policy
30 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost
29 – 20 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost
19 daysor less before date of departure: 100% of total cost
Important: The booking stands liable to be cancelled if 100% payment is not receivedless than 20 days before date of departure.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation charges per person
30 days or more before departure: 25% of total cost
29 – 20 days before departure: 50% of total cost
Less than 19 days before departure: 100% of total cost
If we change or cancel your holiday
We do plan the arrangements in advance. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your travel arrangements.
Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. If there are any changes, we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date.
We also reserve the right under any circumstances to cancel your travel arrangements by assigning reasons to you.
If we are unable to provide the booked travel arrangements due to reasons beyond our control (e.g. bad weather):We shall first try to offer alternative dates for the tour if the tour hasn’t already commenced. If the alternate arrangement does not suit you, we will refund the amount in full.
If you want to change your holiday plan
After confirmation of services, if you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way (e.g. your chosen departure date or accommodation), we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes must be in writing from the person who made the booking. All cost incurred due to amendment will be borne by you.
All booking vouchers and tickets will be provided 3 days before departure.
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