The Kingdom of the Dragon, Bhutan

Transcription

1 The Kingdom of the Dragon, Bhutan 12 Days 8 riding days Best season: Mid-September to Mid-November & March-April Full-Board HIGHLIGHTS o Discovering one of the most fascinating and remote cultures in the world o An almost unexplored destination with stunning Himalayan landscapes o Riding the legendary Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle TRAVEL DIFFICULTY: AVERAGE For physically fit riders. Most of the time you will be riding on good asphalt roads, and a couple of tracks. Some walks are also scheduled. ROYAL ENFIELD 500CC Divided between India and Mongolia, our fleet consists of 16 Machismos 500cc (2010 models) and 19 Royal Enfield Classics 500cc (purchased in 2012 and 2013). The bikes have a European style gear shifting system (left side, first gear down) to ensure the comfort and safety of our riders. The Machismos are also equipped with a tailor made 21L tank, which is very helpful for longer-distance trips.

2 LOGISTICS & ORGANISATION Your tour leader is a very experienced rider who speaks English and is familiar with the area you will visit. He is in charge of coordinating the support team (mechanic, driver, helpers ) and makes sure that the group travels safely. The tour leader is not a local guide, so, for your convenience, we advise you to bring a pocket guide with you! The entourage comprises of a tour leader and a well experienced mechanic. For groups of more than three, a support vehicle will be provided to carry the luggage and the mechanical equipment. The van can also accommodate participants (who must be registered with a pilot) if they choose to enjoy the ride in the comfort of a van. If the group has more than 12 participants, the program as well as the logistics may slightly vary (length of riding days, number of accompanying staff,...) for your comfort and security. For more details, ask your travel advisor. AT A GLANCE Riding the legendary Royal Enfield, we discover a fascinating and still mysterious destination, Bhutan. Only open to tourists since 1991, Bhutan is a country that is working hard to preserve its culture and environment. Hidden in the heart of the mountains of the eastern Himalayas, let us be the pioneers of this extraordinary country. From Guwahati to Paro, we explore and discover the culture of one of the last kingdoms in the world. On the mythical Royal Enfield, we ride on mountain roads through breathtaking panoramas. The journeys are punctuated by numerous visits and walks (optional) in the cities and countryside. We travel from east to west and begin the discovery of this kingdom with deep valleys hiding barren slopes. The weather is still hot, the altitude still low. We then penetrate into thick jungles before reaching the town of Trongsa. A Spectacular city which mocks the traveller by overlooking the valley with its Dzong, and once completely controlled the east-west trade. We find dark coniferous forests where rice gives way to buckwheat, and where the very living religious traditions give way to myths. You cross the Black Mountains which traditionally form the border between central and western Bhutan. After a soothing passage through rice fields and orchards, we reach a unique Asian capital: Thimphu. We then gradually discover a grandiose architecture, beautiful art-work and an exciting state religion: Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. We finish this journey in Paro, west of the country. A picturesque valley where the air is crystalline and the noise non-existent. It s like a climax to the enchantment of this country which has never been colonized and is proud of its traditions. A country with no desire for cultural assimilation. A population that wants to remain unique and different. An incredibly welcoming and charming country. P a g e 1

3 YOUR ITINERARY P a g e 2

4 ITINERARY (Subject to change depending on the road conditions and group size) D 1: Arrival in Delhi Pick-up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Your room as available at 1200hrs. Overnight stay at the hotel. D 2: Delhi Guwahati Sandrup Jonghkar (180m) [130 KM - 4H drive] We take a plane from Delhi to Guwahati early in the morning. From there we go to the Bhutanese border. After administrative paperwork, you drive to Sandrup Jonghkar, the starting point of an adventure out of time. Overnight stay in a standard hotel. D 3: Sandrup Jonghkar Trashigang (1360m) [180 KM 6/7H ride] It s the big departure; after the first few kilometres you will fall in love with the easy riding style of the Royal Enfield, which perfect for the roads of the Himalayan foothills. We ride between bamboo forests and traditional houses before reaching Trashigang. Night at the hotel. In Trashigang, the most populated district in Bhutan, the sweet climate contributes to the general tranquility of the place. The Son Dzong offers a remarkable view on the horizon. P a g e 3

5 D 4: Trashigang Mongar (2400m) [90 KM - 3H ride] We leave for a small ride to Mongar. On the way, we make a small detour to the Drametse Dzong. This monastery from the 16th century is the biggest and the most important of East of Bhutan. Dramtse means the summit where there are no enemies. No need to precise that this spot is calm and serene. We then ride through incredibly beautiful forests. Night at the hotel in Mongar. Mongar, the first city built in the mountain, was established at the 19th century when the area of Zhongar was abandoned. The actual Dzong dates back from 1953 and was established based on the order of the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. D 5: Mongar Bumthang (2600m) [190 KM 6/7H ride] We drive in the jungle in which we can make out the Zhongar fortress. We then leave this semi-tropical area and get to a big plateau, at the end of which we enter another forest. That road will take us to the highest road in Bhutan, the Thrumsingla (3800m). The road unwinds in a beautiful mountain setting. Arrival in Jakar in the Bumthang Vally, famous for its monasteries. Night at the hotel. P a g e 4

6 D 6: Bumthang Gangtey (2700m) [150 KM - 6H ride] We head towards the West through the large valley of Chumé, open and cultivated, with a lot of temples. We have lunch in the village of Trongsa. Surrounded by a forest of pines and rhododendrons, we drive up the Pele La (3300m). We ride back down on the other side to Gangtey and its superb monastery. Night at the hotel. D 7: Gangtey Punakha (2300m) [80 KM 3H ride] Before driving to and visiting the beautiful Dzong of Punakha, we start the day with a nice mountain road. We ride in the middle of a landscape that could be taken out of a Sci-Fi movie. Back towards the Pele La, the road slots into a narrow valley with barely any houses, before heading up to the Black Mountains. The ride down brings us to the Tikke bridge and then to the small cottage called Chuzomsa. There is a big slate mine, not far away. After having passed the city of Wangdi Phodrang, we reach Punakha. That city was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and is now well known for its majestic dzong. The dzong faced several earthquakes, fires and floodings. Night at the hotel. D 8: Punakha Thimphu (2300m) [75 KM 2/3H ride] Nous continue our road to Thiumphu via the Dochu La (3100m). We quickly reach the capital and take advantage of the afternoon to visit the Chorten Memorial, built in 1974 in honour of the third king of Bhutan; or you can visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which offers a fascinating testimony on the Bhutanese way of living and their traditions; or the painting school (Zorig Chusum). You also have the possibility of taking a walk in the mini zoo to discover the takin, the emblem of the country. Free time in the city-centre. Night at the l hôtel. The architecture of Punakha is truly remarkable in its finesse, elegance and sobriety. There is a beautiful dzong on a mountain side over the river. Built in the 18th century, this amazing monastery has been the winter residence of Bhutanese kings for a long time. The urbanisation of Thimphu began in 1952 when it was nominated national capital instead of Punakha, former winter capital of Bhutan. Counting almost souls, Thimphu is not the dzong surrounded by a couple of houses that is used to be. Nevertheless, the government insists on preserving the city s architectural style. P a g e 5

7 D 9: Thimphu Paro (2280m) [50 KM - 2H ride] Last riding day. We drive back down from the capital to reach Paro. To do so, we head to the Dodji Dzong, from where we can admire the Mont Jhomolhari at an impressive height of 7314 m. A beautiful road leads us to Haa before swallowing the Chele La (3800m). We finally ride down towards Paro, the final destination of this journey in the Kingdom of the Dragon. Night at the hotel. D 10: Paro [30 KM - 2H ride] We can (and should!) go to the Tiger s Nest temple. Hung on to the cliff at a height of 312 meters, approximately 700 meters above the Paro Valley. Not far away from the monastery, but 800 meters above the ground, you can find the Tiger s Den, where a monk isolated himself for several years. We have lunch at the restaurant on our way back before heading back to Paro. Free afternoon in Paro. Night at the hotel. D 11: Paro Delhi Transfer to Paro international airport. Flight back to Delhi. Night at the hotel. D 12: Delhi International airport Your room is available until 1000hrs. Transfer to the international airport according to your flight schedule. End of our services. NB: The day to day schedule is given as a rough guide. The itinerary is subject to change slightly from one year to the next depending on the natural state of the roads. P a g e 6

8 PRICES & SERVICES A La Carte Formula 2015/ /12 participants = 5390 / rider 9/10 participants = 5570 / rider 6/8 participants = 5690 / rider 4/5 participants = 6150 / rider 2/3 participants = 7640 / rider Prices are valid for all tours between 1 st March and 30 th April 2015, and between 15 th September and 15 th November 2015 Prices are valid for all tours between 1 st March and 30 th April 2016, and between 15 th September and 15 th November 2016 Pillions : Deduct 400 Single Room Supplement : 390 PRICE INCLUDES Flights Delhi-Guwahati and Paro-Delhi A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts The Bhutanese Visa Domestic transfers as per the program, by private vehicle An English speaking Tour Leader & a local guide Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants. Accommodation: in hotel or guesthouses in double or twin rooms. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Full board during riding days Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, including repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India and legal assistance. Indian Visa fees International Flights Meals on non riding days (D1, D11 and D12) A refundable security deposit of 400 for the motorcycle. Banking fees International airport taxes Single room supplement (if applicable) Souvenirs and personal expenses Drinks P a g e 7

9 My checklist Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly,try TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to (Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India) A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: 2 light pants 4 shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 2 warm sweaters or jackets Sun glasses Hat Sport shoes or trekking shoes 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the batteries) Some sweats and cereal bars SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE CLOTHES: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Warm motorbike jacket (synthetic preferred) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet Bandana PERSONAL MEDICINE: Sun screen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhoea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage Besoin d informations supplémentaires? L équipe Vintage Rides est à votre disposition : contact@vintagerides.com P a g e 8

10 Would You like to make a contribution to the community? We support a local nongovernmental organisation, Project Why, which is working in New Delhi to educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds. To learn more about our involvement with ProjectWhy, please visit our website: vintagerides/ngo-partnership How can You contribute to this project? Purchase one of our Vintage Rides t- shirts all the money received will be passed to Project Why funds. Support Project Why with a direct donation and select from a list the school supplies you want to buy for the school. Visit their school in New Delhi, close to the Vintage Rides office, at the end of Your motorcycle tour. P a g e 9