Chasing the Yeti- MTB Expedition

Day 1 - Welcome to Bhutan - Arrival

If you are arriving on a bright sunny day, your holiday begins with a panoramic view of the Himalayan range from your Drukair seat, where you’ll be greeted by Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey.

Upon arrival, our friendly guides will help you settle into your comfortable car, and then proceed to your hotel. Freshen up as our crew will assemble your bikes and then we go for an easy spin around Paro to stretch your legs. Dinner at some of the best restaurants and end the evening with a tour briefing session.

Day 2 - Acclimatization rides in Paro valley

Lets prepare you for your ride in the coming days and start flexin your muscles and acclimatise to the altitude. Start with the 3 km Uma trail and then shuttle the bikes to Kila goenpa nunnery at 3600m and enjoy a fantastic downhill ride for 12 km descent. Since its your first day, we'll start descending right away by zipping down a loamy trail through rhododendron forests down to bluepine forests.

Explore Paro town in the evening.

Ride time 5-6 hours

Day 3 - Up We Go into the mountains

Spoiler alert - today's task is mostly pushing the bike on a gentle climb. After breakfast, we'll drive to Shana for 2 hours and from there the trail continues to follow the river; gradually ascending through a mixed forest of blue pine and oak and, later in the afternoon, tall rhododendron trees, birch, fir and maple. Most parts of the trails are rough and rocky which requires to carry the bike but we promise you that it will be well worth the ride the following days. There are several simple wooden bridges to cross over small streams.

Hike-a bike 6-7 hours

Day 4 - Soi-Thangthangka-Jangothang, Distance 19 Km

The view of the morning sun’s rays striking the peak is breathtaking. After breakfast, today’s ride is a gentle climb on a leisurely pace. When we reach an army outpost, our crew will handle the paper work and off we go riding along the river.
The trail passes through some tiny villages. It will take less than five hours to reach Jangothang. The altitude at the camp is 4,080m and is a beautiful place to spend the night. The imposing Jomolhari peak fills the view.

Ride time 5-6 hours.

Day 5 - Jangothang, Freeriding around Tsophu lakes. Distance 10-12 km.

It’s a day for freeriding on the Himalayan outback. Today we’ll ride on the lap of the famous Mt. Jomolhari (7326m) and its subsidiary mountain ranges. In between we will be passing alpine lakes of Tsophu and ride on ridges and truly marvel at the pristine nature that engulfs us here. Ride back to Jangothang basecamp.

Note – Ride duration can be customised for this day.
Ride time 4-5 hours

Day 6 - Jangothang –Lingzhi, 4000m, Duration 7-8 hours, Distance 20 Km

The first pass on the adventure is awaiting us today to be conquered. The ride in the morning will require us to climb into an area of glacial moraine. From here a stiff climb on switchbacks brings you to the Nyile La, a pass at 4890m. Some parts of the climb will require carrying the bike. The views of Jichu Drakye and Jomolhari peaks are stunning along the way offering 360 degree view of the himalayan ranges. From the pass, we’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful wild downhill sections in Bhutan where immaculate singletracks leads you down to the valley and plateaus till we reach the campsite at 4000m.

Day 7 - Excursion around Lingzhi and the surrounding ridges to make a loop. Distance 20-30km

Today's ride is a very scenic ride to some nomadic settlements. We’ll ride across a stream on a wooden bridge and ascend to reach a stupa perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of the green hills, a winding river and magnificent peaks. Descend to Lingzhi village which is famous for medicinal herbs as it’s the local community’s main source of livelihood. From Lingzhi it’s an easy, pleasant ride through villages and yak herders’ camps till we reach the scenic Goyuna village. From here a pleasant ride will bring us to Chebisa village for lunch. After lunch we’ll enjoy a nice climb up a ridge to Gogu La at an altitude of 4440 meters and ride back to camp.

Note – Ride duration can be customized for this day.

Day 8 - Lingzhi- Shodu, distance 22km

We’ll start early today as it involves a long ride that requires quiet some climbing. The trail actually is ridable for most parts, but you'll definitely feel the altitude and lack of oxygen. Once reaching the base of the high-pass, we'll push the bike for about 2 hours to making an impressive climb up the headwall, zigzagging through rocks to a large cairn atop Yeli La pass at 4930m. This is your highest point on the journey.

Now this part is where the reward is. Descend down the valley on awesome singletracks. After passing a small lake at 4830m, the trail goes down to another huge valley where grazing blue sheep and blood pheasants are commonly sighted. The trail further descends along the valley, following the river southwards, crossing several side streams before finally reaching the campsite at Shodu (4080m), just at the tree line.

Ride time 7-8 hours

Day 9 - Shodu to Domshiza. 22 km ride and drive to Thimphu for one hour

Today's trail is one of the most amazing single track ride and one of the best days of riding. After leaving Shodu, the trail follows the river descending through Rhododendron, Juniper and spruce forests. There are stunning views along the way. We stop at the riverside for a hot lunch. Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3600m). The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where little tributaries run down to meet the river where we'll camp for the last night in the wild.

Domshiza camp to Thimphu

We'll ride back to civilization today. The trail follows the river on a pedaling section through a lush forest. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the river until you meet the motor road. From here its a 20km ride of jeep-track with most long descends to reach the tarmac road where beer will be waiting for us. Drive to the capital city Thimphu to enjoy some comforts of life that includes pizza at the best pizzeria in Bhutan and some nice craft beers from the tap. Some say the pizza here is even better than the ones in Italy itself. Not our words.

Day 11 - Thimphu's Singletracks or Rest

You'll be excused if you don't wanna ride bikes today. We'll have a easy day pampering ourselves in the city, be it a nice massage, a grand lunch, witnessing the slow life of Bhutan capital city and some easy rides in the afternoon.

We’ll go to one of our favourite bars called the Mojo Park for a few pints and some local music for a sundowner.

Day 12 - Thimphu to Paro via Jela Trail

After breakfast, drive to the off-the-beaten path Jemina valley and ride up 14 km on jeeptrak to reach Jela Dzong fortress ona gradual climb through some beautoiful forests trails. You may not come across any other soul on this part as its really away from the tourist trail.

After lunch, we’ll hit the famous Jela trail which is a 15 km downhilll ride on one of the best trails in Bhutan.

Explore Paro town in the evening.

Day 13 - Tiger's Nest trail with Bumdra

Today we’ll ride up to Bumdra campsite via Sangchhokhor Buddhist College at 2800 m and then past the yak pasturelands to reach Bumdra Monastery (3,800 m).

After lunch at Bumdra, we’ll ride Bhutan’s ultimate downhill with a pit stop at the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery. It’s a 2000 m descend on some spectacular trails. Switchbacks, off-camber, downhill, rock gardens, flowy trails, enduro sytle of riding – you name it and its all there. Dan Milner – famous MTB photographer says with a big smile on his face – that top setion was like one of the best trails of “Finale Ligure”. After visiting this spectacular temple, we’ll enjoy some proper downhill type of riding to end a spectacular MTB adventure in Bhutan.

Tonight its chill time with some beers and some good times together.

Day 14 - Farewell

Farewell
After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport for your onward journey.