Tentative Dates October 4-15, 2024
Trip Details
- Cycle 192 miles in the Himalayas~over mountain passes, traversing beautiful landscapes from lush valleys and rice fields to dense old growth forests.
- Travel to 5 major cities in Bhutan: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha-Gangtey, Bumthang
- Cycle to the Second Largest Buddha in the World-The Buddha Dordenma- Thimphu
- Hike the legendary Tiger’s Nest in Paro
- Explore Bhutan’s central valleys, rich with ancient historical and sacred Buddhist sites.
- Stunning domestic mountain flight back to Paro from Bumthang
The Itinerary
A message from Kinga Wangchuk-Cypress Himalaya cycling expert and cycling guide for the Royal family of Bhutan
“Our first day will be kept for acclimatizing, starting off with an easy ride…we have chosen just the right the gradient of road. It’s a beautiful ride up to Buddha Point temple and the presence of prayer flags fluttering in the wind up above the Thimphu valley. We have carefully customized each day for this adventure in the Himalayas combining cultural road rides, dirt roads and huge descents. We’ll have a support vehicle, a well-trained Bicycle technician for your entire trip to make this trip an unforgettable one”
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Trip Highlights
- Explore Bhutan’s central valleys, rich with ancient historical and sacred Buddhist sites
- Opening ceremony for our riding with a special blessing from Buddhist Lamas
- Experience Bhutan’s unique culture up-close with farmhouse visits and village excursions
- Soak in the hot stone medicinal baths for rejuvenation
- Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums
- Cycle to some of the world’s highest road passes and medieval trails
All inclusive Tour: What’s Included?
What’s not Included?
- *The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), this daily fee is a royalty, and is not included in the Tour Price, but is paid separately to the Royal Government of Bhutan and Immigration.
- Your International Flight into Bhutan via Kathmandu, Bangkok or New Delhi and the Domestic Flight from Bumthang to Paro is booked by us, but paid for separately.
Cost and Payment for 2024-5 Tours
- Tour Cost: $3,995 USD paid to Cypress Himalaya via Wire Transfer, 12 days
- In addition a $1,100 USD *SDF is paid to The Royal Government of Bhutan-Immigration
- Visa Fee is $40 USD
- Round Trip flights Approximate Cost Bangkok-$920 USD, Kathmandu-$470 USD, Delhi-$650 USD.
- You can make one wire transfer for both Tour Cost and SDF or you can split the payments
Visa Details and E-tickets and Travel Insurance
- We will process your Visa through Immigration
- Your E-ticket and your Visa will be emailed to you to you one month before travel time
- You will be responsible for obtaining a Visa for any other countries you will be transiting on your way into Bhutan
- Basic Travel insurance is now required to obtain your Visa, please send us a copy as a PDF of your travel insurance, showing the dates of travel. You can also purchase travel insurance in Bhutan for your stay (very affordable).
Accommodations
- All rooms are shared accommodations
- For single room, there is an extra charge, let us know upon registration
- We only use exclusive resorts and hotels for this journey
Food/Meal Options
- Breakfast will be a choice of continental, breads, pancakes, eggs, coffee and teas.
- Lunch and dinners consist of freshly cooked organic vegetables, a meat dish and either Bhutanese red rice or white rice, and a noodle dish.
- Veg and Non Veg options at each meal, sometimes influenced by the cuisine of India, Nepal, chefs will try to incorporate traditional dishes of Bhutan.
- None of the main dishes are spicy.
Traditional Bhutanese foods
- Bhutan is almost 100 percent organic, we will visit some incredible market places in Paro and Thimphu if time permits.
- Red Rice is by far the most popular exported grain, (pictured)
- The main dish for the Bhutanese is a chili cheese dish called Ema Datshi, and also momo’s which are a dumpling influenced from Tibet and Nepal.
- Beef, chicken and pork are the most popular meats, there is no butchery in Bhutan, it’s exported from India.
Helpful Links and Resources about Bhutan
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery– Paro Taktsang, the most famous destination in Bhutan and in the Buddhist world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paro_Taktsang
- About Bhutan-The Land of the Thunder Dragon. Editorial Highlights, Monarchy, Heritage, Policies and more https://bhutan.travel/about
- History of Gross National Happiness (GNH) https://www.gnhcentrebhutan.org/history-of-gnh/
- Buddha Dordenma-2nd Largest Seated Buddha in the world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Dordenma_statue
- Bhutanese favorite pastimes, Hot Stone Baths: https://www.dailybhutan.com/article/hot-stone-baths-the-bath-culture-of-bhutan
Sample Itinerary
For questions about the trip details: Email us at Cypresshimalaya@gmail.com To register send your photo page of your passport, scanned as a JPEG, valid for 6 months of travel before expiration to cypresshimalaya@gmail.com
Cancellation Policy -Updated June 2023
To confirm your Bhutan trip booking, full tour payment has to be made prior to your arrival in Bhutan. In the event of Bhutan tour booked and subsequently cancelled by you, your full tour cost will be refunded to you after deducting the following scale of charges depending on when the notification of your tour cancellation is received:
(Cancellation must be approved by us in an email)
a) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 45 days prior to arrival in Bhutan, 25% of your Bhutan tour cost shall be deducted as cancellation charges.
b) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 30 days before your arrival in Bhutan, 50% of your Bhutan tour cost shall be deducted as cancellation charges.
c) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 14 days before your arrival in Bhutan, 75% of your Bhutan tour cost shall be deducted as cancellation charges.
d) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 7 days before your arrival in 100% will be deducted as cancellation charges
