Wild East by Bike

Wild East by Bike

For riders who want the road less travelled: Thrumshing La, cloud forest and the villages of Bhutan's far east.

Duration
13 days · 12 nights
Route
Paro · Bumthang · Ura · Mongar · Trashigang · Samdrup Jongkhar
Best season
Oct–Nov & Mar–Apr
Level
Challenging
Sample itinerary — draft for review

East of Bumthang the traffic thins and the landscape grows wilder. This ride crosses Thrumshing La, the highest pass on Bhutan's east–west road, then descends through cloud forest to the hill towns of Mongar and Trashigang.

The journey exits overland to India via Samdrup Jongkhar; a valid Indian visa is required for most nationalities.

Highlights

  • Crossing Thrumshing La (3,780 m)
  • The cobbled village of Ura
  • The descent to Mongar
  • Trashigang and Chorten Kora

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Paro

    Meet your guide and settle in.

    Paro valley
    Paro valley · Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta from Kolkata, India, CC BY 2.0
  2. Day 2

    The Tiger's Nest

    Hike to Paro Taktsang.

    Paro Taktsang
    Paro Taktsang · Photo: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
  3. Day 3

    Fly to Bumthang

    A domestic flight (schedule permitting); bike fitting.

    Jakar Dzong
    Jakar Dzong · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. Day 4

    Bumthang valley ride

    Temples and villages by bike.

    Bumthang valley
    Bumthang valley · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
  5. Day 5

    Bumthang to Ura

    Over Shertang La to the close-knit village of Ura.

    Ura village
    Ura village · Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 4.0
  6. Day 6

    Ura to Sengor

    The big climb to Thrumshing La, through forests of rhododendron and fir.

    Thrumshing La
    Thrumshing La · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0
  7. Day 7

    Sengor to Mongar

    A long, dramatic descent past waterfalls and cliffs, then a climb to Mongar.

    Mongar
    Mongar · Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 3.0
  8. Day 8

    Mongar to Trashigang

    Over Kori La and down to Trashigang.

    Trashigang
    Trashigang · Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY 3.0
  9. Day 9

    Trashiyangtse

    Ride toward Trashiyangtse and the great stupa of Chorten Kora; return by vehicle.

    Chorten Kora
    Chorten Kora · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0
  10. Day 10

    Trashigang

    A rest day, with a visit to the weaving village of Radhi.

    Rangjung Monastery
    Rangjung Monastery · Photo: Franzfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0
  11. Day 11

    Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar

    By vehicle, with optional riding on the descent to the plains.

    Trashigang
    Trashigang · Photo: Ron Knight, CC BY 2.0
  12. Day 12

    Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati

    Cross into India and continue to Guwahati.

    Samdrup Jongkhar
    Samdrup Jongkhar · Photo: Franzfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0
  13. Day 13

    Depart

    Transfer to Guwahati airport for your onward flight.

Signature Experiences

Included on this journey

The 108 chortens of Dochula pass, with the Himalaya beyond
Begin your journey

Make it yours.

Tell us your dates and wishes, and we'll tailor this journey around you.

  • Private & tailor-made
  • Licensed by Bhutan’s Department of Tourism
  • Every enquiry answered personally