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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 4

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
Trip Price:
  • $6,198 to $6,398 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$750 to $1,660 for sgl. occ.)
  • Internal Flights:
    $890 to $1,020
9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS
ROLL OVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
TRIP NOTES

All meals included.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Bangkok, Thailand

Special Interest

Culture & History, Exotic Adventure, Geological Wonders, Mountain Bike, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Spa

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
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Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Bhutan Multisport Tour

Bhutan Multisport

Biking & Hiking the Himalayan Kingdom

Nestled between India and Tibet, the exquisite mountain kingdom of Bhutan is isolated and protected by mighty Himalayan peaks. Because few visitors are allowed to enter the country, daily rituals remain sacred and the landscape is relatively undeveloped. Tradition and Buddhism infuse every facet of life here, from the jingling brass bells of prayer wheels to ornate monasteries perched high above terraced rice paddies. To complement our skilled Backroads Trip Leaders, experienced Bhutanese trekking guides join us to proudly share their country's cultural and religious wonders.

View other trips in Asia & the Pacific

Days 1-2 paro valley

Meet in Bangkok, Thailand, and fly to Paro, Bhutan Bike to Drukgyel Dzong, a monastic fortress built to commemorate a 1644 victory over the Tibetans Investigate the massive fortress of Paro Dzong  On footpaths frequented by locals, hike to the Kyichu Lhakhang temple, built in the 7th century.

Days 3-4 thimphu

In the capital city of Thimphu, experience the vibrant Bhutanese painting, sculpture, and textile arts From the village of Dechencholing, ascend on foot to Cheri Goemba Monastery Join a Buddhist historian for a lively discussion on local life.

Days 5-6 punakha

Shuttle over the Dochu La mountain pass and take in panoramic views of snowcapped Himalayan peaks Walk through pine forests to a unique Bhutanese fertility temple  Engage monks in between their Buddhist meditations  Hike to Chorten Nebu, a 14th-century temple accessible only by foot  Pedal past small villages and rice paddies on your return to Punakha.

Days 7-9 paro

Visit Punakha Dzong, the winter capital of Bhutan for more than 300 years  Explore the tiny mercantile shops of Paro Follow an ancient path to the Taktshang teahouse, situated at 9,200 feet and offering superb views of the Taktshang Monastery and surrounding valley Fly to Bangkok.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Reserve This Trip!

Guest Trip Reviews

This was a trip of a lifetime; the beautiful country of Bhutan, the hiking/biking adventure, the guides and the group with whom we traveled. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see Bhutan at this time, while it is unaffected. I was unprepared to fall so in love with the people and the land.
Deborah Graves - Tres Piedras, NM

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Bhutan tour experts. For multisport tours in Asia & the Pacific, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Asia & the Pacific multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific walking and hiking tours click here.

Bhutan Multisport

HIMALAYAN HOSPITALITY: Premiere Inns*

Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Paro Valley (2 nights)
With impressive masonry and elaborate hand-carved cornices, this hotel on a verdant mountainside combines traditional Bhutanese warmth and hospitality with modern conveniences, including a spa, fitness center and gourmet restaurant.

Tashi Taj Hotel
Tashi Taj Hotel

Thimphu (2 nights)
Designed in Bhutanese dzong architectural style, this service-oriented hotel is located in the heart of Thimpu, just steps away from cultural sites, shopping and the market.

Meri Puensum Resort

Punakha (2 nights)
Sitting high above the Punakha Valley and the Puna Tsang River, this simple hotel offers great views over rice fields and orange trees that can't be beat.

* With 2 Casual Inn nights

Uma Paro
Uma Paro

Paro (2 nights)
This recently opened 5-star hotel features luxurious guest rooms, gourmet dining and a spa with treatments including traditional Bhutanese hot stone and herbal baths.

Bhutan Multisport

Route Rating: Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles
Day 1
  • Level 1 2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 11, 20 miles
  • 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • Walking 1 mile
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Hiking 3.7 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Level 1 to 2 1 Route Option Available
  • Walking 1 hour 
  • Hiking 4 Miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Cultural Activities
Day 4
  • Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
  • Walking 3.5 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Hiking 2 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Optional Biking 11, 23 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Level 1  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 10 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain 
  • Hiking 2.5 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 2  3 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 3.3, 5 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 11 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Levels 1  1 Route Option Available
  • Walking 2 hours 
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain 
Day 8
  • Levels 1 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 3.5, 6.1 miles
  • 1500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 7.5 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 9
  • Conclusion of Trip