TEA GARDEN TOUR 2010.
March-April
DAY 1 .ARRIVE AT PARO.
ARRIVE AT PARO international airport from Delhi. Upon arrival transfer you to your Hotel, Once you have checked in, you can Meet the team and check out the bikes. The rest of the day and evening you can explore Paro town at leisure. Stay overnight in Paro. DAY 2. PARO to THIMPHU 65Km 2hrs.
Start our your ride towards Thimphu through the villages of Paro with views of farmhouses and rice fields all along the Paro river which meanders through the valley. The ride to Thimphu takes about 2hrs. All along the way you will ride through inhabitants as the road is also the highway, you are at your disposal to stop as and when you get photo opportunities. On reaching Thimphu check into your hotel, then you can relax at leisure and explore this small city with its many stores, bars and handicrafts stores. Ride to the view point of Thimphu, you can also visit the Zilukha Nunnery. The nuns will probably be having some of their Religious ceremonies and prayers. At the weekend the market is in progress where the residents of Thimphu do their weekly shopping, the bazaar is bustling with vendors from the villages. Stay overnight in Thimphu. DAY 3. THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING AND RIDES.
Today sightsee Thimphu on your bikes. Visit the Folk heritage Museum, the school of handicrafts where students are taught the 13 arts and crafts like statue making, carving, thanka or scroll painting etc Ride to the extreme north of Thimphu towards Tango and Cherry Monastery, the route is very scenic with many apple orchards and villages and at the backdrop mountains shield the place like a great wall. o/n Thimphu. DAY 4. THIMPHU TO PHUENSTHOLING
We shall have a start ceremony and ride to Phuenstholing, the border town of Bhutan and its a 6 hour ride. You will ride through the Chapcha pass which is at 3000m, the highest part of this road, from there its all down hill. You will experience the change of flora and fauna as you descend to 350m. \'s hydro power plants are on this route at Chukha and Tala. Stay overnight in Phuenstholing. DAY 5. PHUENSTHOLING TO DARJEELING
After completing the immigration formalities in the Indian side, you will ride through the plains of India amongst the tea gardens which were established by the British during colonial rule in India, you cross many towns and villages, the roads are fantastic. After crossing the plains you will climb the mountains to Darjeeling, the queen of hill stations in . Great views of Mt. Kanchendzonga awaits, which is the 3rd highest mountain in the world above 8000m. DAY 6 DARJEELING TO .
DARJEELING TO GANGTOK Gangtok, the \"Lofty Hill\" or the \"Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716\". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden\'s heart, from across the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of \"imported goods\', while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the \'Mother of Pearl\' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga, which is the 3rd highest peak in the world above 8000m. DAY 7 EXCURIONS.
Do sightseeing and local rides in . DAY8. TO KALIMPONG.
to Kalimpong. 100km, appx 3hrs.
If we haven’t visited the Rumtek monastery we will do it enroute and then head for the beautiful hill station of Kalimpong, during the colonial times, the British used to use Kalimpong and Darjeeling to escape the hot summer months. This is pretty ride as we cross many small villages and scenic sights. DAY 9 Kalimpong to Phuentsholing, Bhutan via Lava- 200 KM- Time taken 61/2 hours.
The ride today will be a very pleasant one as you drive through the plains of west Bengal through many tea gardens and rural , until you reach the Indo – border. You can stop at the many small towns we cross, check out the food in the highway darbars. A long memorable ride until we reach the Indo Bhutan border. Complete Indian exit formalities and enter . DAY 10 PHUENSTHOLING TO THIMPHU.
Ride from Phuenstholing to Thimphu, you have seen the plains and again you will need to climb heights and curvy roads, in 3-4 hours you would have gained heights of 3000m and along with that you would see a lot of changes in the flora and fauna. DAY 11 THIMPHU.
Today will be a rest day for those of you who wish. You can again tour Thimphu on your bikes. Visit the Folk heritage Museum, the school of handicrafts where students are taught the 13 arts and crafts like statue making, carving, thanka or scroll painting etc Ride to the extreme north of Thimphu towards Tango and Cherry Monastery, the route is very scenic with many apple orchards and villages and at the backdrop mountains shield the place like a great wall. Or take a ride till the Dochula pass for great views of the eastern Himalayan range or walk around the 108 stupas built by the Queens of Bhutan. o/n Thimphu. DAY12. THIMPHU TO HAA to Paro.
Ride to Haa valley which is one of the most remote valleys of Bhutan that borders Tibet, you have great views of the rugged Himalayan landscape and pass through small settlements, you will ride one of the most interesting roads in Bhutan with no traffic and go through some wonderful pine forests. Ride from Haa valley to Paro over the Chelila pass at 4000m. Today you own the road, we will only meet a few vehicles, and again there are fantastic views of the Himalayas. You will also see the mountains of as Haa is on the border. The flora and fauna is of high altitude plants and shrubs as you gain height to the pass. Stay over night in Paro.
After arrival at Paro, Time permitting take a hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery that clings magically on a cliff 300feet above the valley floor. This is one of the most scared pilgrimage sites associated with Guru Rimpoche or one of the Buddha’s of our times. Later visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong that was once a glorious fortress that repelled the Tibetans. If you don’t get confident of the hike which is about 1hr one way, let your guide know in the evening and he will arrange a pony ride, you can hike and ride the pony/ mule to visit the view point of this famous monastery. Visit the Ruined Drugyal Dzong to get views of Mt. Jhomolhari and the Kichu Monastery which was built during the 7th century. Later in your hotel you can try out the hot stone bath, a Bhutanese spa, where stones are cooked red hot and dropped into a wooden tub, you soak yourself to relieve pain and relaxation. DAY13. DEPARTURE FOR DELHI OR KATHMANDU. Tour Price includes: a.All hotel accommodation with 3 meal plan in A- grade Resorts and Hotels throughout tour.
b. Back up coach for luggage and spare parts.
c.Motorcycle Guide accompanies the tour with mechanic back up.
d.All spare parts on tour.
e. KTM 640cc motorcycle hire. Extras: a.Use of bar and beverages in Hotels.
b. If you have a crash the cost will be assessed by mechanic and damage cost and spares to be paid for.
c. Evacuation charges as extra in case of accidents.
d.We have no comprehensive insurance for motorcycles but we cover the third party insurance.
e. Tips to crew optional.
f. International Airfares. PLEASE CONTACT FOR PRICE AND SPACE AVAILABILITY FOR THIS TOUR GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!
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