Bhutan and Northern India 2008
26^th October – 18^th November  

As the hugely popular and revered King of Bhutan will abdicate in 2008 in favour of a democratically elected government, this tour is just about the last chance for anyone to visit the real ‘Kingdom of Bhutan’ with the monarchy still presiding over this beautiful and peaceful country.

From India into Bhutan and back into India, this tour covers many and varied cultures, experiences and riding conditions. From the hectic pace and sensory overload of Calcutta, to the supreme tranquillity and exquisite beauty of remote Bhutan, this ride takes you through every conceivable variation between the two. On this amazing adventure journey, we ride the entire length of Bhutan’s Highway One, from west to east.

As well as the adventure of Bhutan, there is time spent in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and visits to the relatively recently annexed Himalayan state of Sikkim, the famous British hill station and tea-growing capital of Darjeeling and the east Indian state of Assam. You will experience highways, by-ways, the Indian plains and the steep twisting roads and high passes of the great eastern Himalaya range, with more ‘twisties’ than you thought possible (in Bhutan a staggering average of 2000 bends per day!). The tour is conducted in Oct/Nov to take advantage of the mild weather, clear skies and the fantastic autumn colours of the trees and harvests.

Bhutan is a truly magical kingdom that deserves its tag of “The Last Shangri-La”. Due to its remote location and enforced restricted-number tourism policies (visitors pay $US200 per day), Bhutan is self-sufficient, relatively prosperous and mercifully non-commercialised compared with many countries in Asia.

For centuries Bhutan was protected from outside insurgencies by the impenetrable Himalaya and this, in combination with the people’s traditional reverence for nature, has left the kingdom blissfully untouched. Because of its geography (high mountains and deep valleys), climate (tropical to sub-tropical with heavy monsoon rains) and far-sighted leaders who have taken steps to ensure the preservation of natural resources, much of the country is still densely forested with cedar, deodar, ash, oak and rhododendron trees.

To paraphrase from Lonely Planet, Bhutan is said to have one foot in the past and one in the future – the people have retained their culture and traditions, but have adapted to modern technology when the need arises. You’ll see monks in their saffron robes transcribing ancient Buddhist texts onto computers and traditionally dressed archers using the latest high-tech bows and arrows. English is widely spoken especially by the children and western style hotels and food are available throughout the country.

Venture into the more isolated regions in the east and you find life is less complex and daily routines still revolve around the seasons. You will become infused with the same serenity that almost permeates the very air you breathe.

In contrast to this, is the excitement and stimulation of India with all its chaos and apparent madness. Love it or hate it, and you will probably do both (sometimes simultaneously), in India you will never be bored. India is fascinating, frustrating, beautiful and alive. Towns are usually congested and squalid, the countryside mostly inviting and heart-breakingly splendid. 

The people are kind, friendly, hospitable and insatiably curious. Interestingly, there is no Hindi, Bhutanese (or Nepalese) word for boredom.

You may notice the apparent short distances in this itinerary, but don’t be fooled – this is high-mountain riding, with few (if any) barriers so high speeds are hardly possible and certainly not recommended.

 

 

Day-to-Day Itinerary in Brief
A detailed hard-copy version will be sent on request

 

Day 1 – Arrival in Calcutta late night of 25th or early morning of 26th – Transfer to Hotel. Day spent largely in cultural shock! Time for some R&R and orientation in this amazing, chaotic and charming city. Day 2 – Calcutta.  Free for relaxing and/or taking in more of the sights, sounds [and odours!] of Calcutta. Night train to Siliguri at the base of the West Bengal Himalaya. Day 3 –  Siliguri – Phuentsholing (180kms). Transfer to hotel for breakfast, meet the bikes and practice with the right-hand gearbox and left foot brake in the safety of the car park before heading off to Phuentsholing just inside the Bhutanese border. Day 4 – Phuentsholing – Paro (175kms). As the elevation of Phuntsholing is only about 300mts above sea level, and the highest pass we cross today is Chapcha Pass at 2900mts, it’s quite a ride! Day 5 – Paro – Local Excursions. Sightseeing will include the famous Tigers Nest’s Temple which sits precariously on a granite cliff. Day 6 – Paro – Thimphu (55kms). A very short ride today, but we can’t leave Bhutan without visiting the capital!! Lots of sightseeing in the afternoon. Day 7 – Thimphu – Punakha (77kms). Another big pass to cross at 3150m, then a local ride in afternoon to the glorious Punakha Dzong, “The Palace of Great Bliss”. Day 8 – Punakha – Trongsa aka, Tongsa and Tomgsa (142kms). Lots of bends, beautiful waterfalls, thick forest cover and two major passes including the Pelela Pass at 3300mts. Day 9 – Trongsa – Bumthang / Jakar (68kms). An easy ride, but lots of interesting villages and Yutongla Pass at 3400mts. Night stop at Jakar at an altitude of 2680mts.  Day 10 – Bumthang – Mongar (198kms). Today’s ride is through some splendid and varied terrain reminiscent of the Alps. Only one pass today, the 3750m Thrumshingla Pass at 3750m with views to Mt. Gangkhar Phuenseum. At 7541m, it is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. After crossing the pass we’ll officially be in ‘Eastern Bhutan” and to celebrate, the road descends 2800m within two hours of riding! Day 11 – Mongar – Tashigang (92kms). Once again there’s only one pass to cross today, but spectacular riding conditions through deep rhododendron and blue pine forests full of orchids. Day 12 – Tashigang – Day Excursion to Yangtsi (54kms). Yangtsi is in the very eastern-most part of Bhutan bordering the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Once again we’ll be riding along a beautiful valley floor near the river. En route we stop at a couple of villages and monasteries including the Chorten Kora Monastery built in the same style as the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal. Day 13 – Tashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar (180kms). The last day in Bhutan and to commemorate the occasion we will be riding some very winding roads (like we haven’t already!) through cypress, fir and pine forests. When we reach the foothills of Samdrup Jonkhar we will have ridden from west to east across the entire length of Bhutan’s Highway One! Day 14 – Samdrup Jongkhar – Manas National Park (180kms). Today we leave Bhutan to head back to the plains of India and into Assam, known for its huge tea estates. We will stay in Manas National Park, declared a World Heritage site in December 1985. The park is involved in ‘Project Tiger’ and is also home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Day 15 - Manas National Park – Chalsa (285kms). Although it’s a long ride today in the chaos that is India, it is on the plains and on [relatively] decent roads, so we should arrive at our hotel at Chalsa in good time to enjoy the wonderfully peaceful surroundings and indulge in a swim and massage. Day 16 – Chalsa – Kalimpong (85kms). Today has a leisurely ride to Kalimpong. The steep but pleasant road, with little traffic, winds through the hills, villages, tea gardens forests into the town of Kalimpong where we will have the chance to really relax at a lovely hillside hotel not far from the town centre. Day 17 – Kalimpong – Rest Day. Known for its mild climate, lovely views, great shopping, orchid nurseries and Dr Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong is a good place for walks and offers some very relaxing down time. Day 18 – Kalimpong – Pemayangtse (98kms). En route to Pemayangtse, and after crossing the border into Sikkim, we’ll visit the ruins of Rabdentse, the second capital of Sikkim from 1670 AD to 1793 AD. Our hotel, Mount Pandim (a converted palace) is located right next to the magnificent 18th century Pemayangtse Gompa. Day 19 – Pemayangtse – Ravangla (115kms). Just 27kms from Pemayangtse we’ll stop to visit the sacred Khecheodpalri Lake. Located serenely in the midst of a dense forest, this unusually calm lake is a place of prayer and worship for both Buddhists and Hindus. After lunch at the quaint village of Yuksom, we ride to Ravangla for the night. Day 20 – Pemayangtse – Darjeeling (96kms). Today we head back down to the valley and lunch at the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers. Then it’s up, up and more up – negotiating a 360 degree spiral turn on the way. Past densely forested hillsides and tea gardens we come to Ghoom (also Ghum) and thence to the charming old British hill station of Darjeeling. Day 21 – Darjeeling – Rest Day / Local Excursions. Among many other attractions, we will visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Darjeeling Zoo with its world renowned Snow Leopard and Red Panda breeding centres. Day 22 – Darjeeling – Rest Day / Local Excursions. Free to do as you please – take a local ride, go for a trek, hit the shops (great buying and maybe your last opportunity), investigate the historic buildings of Darjeeling, take a ride on the World Heritage listed stream ‘Toy Train’ or loll around the hotel. Day 23 – Darjeeling – Siliguri (80kms) – Calcutta. Unfortunately our wonderful days of riding through these gorgeous countries finish here, back in Siliguri from whence we started on the bikes. After a late start and a leisurely ride down through the tea gardens, there’s time to wash, change and re-pack before we drive to the station for the night train to Calcutta. Day 24 – Calcutta – Night Flights Home A day to play catch-up and complete any last minute shopping and sightseeing. Transfer to airport for late night flights out. General Information   Departure Date:   The Bhutan tour commences in Calcutta (Kolkata) on the 26th October and finishes back in Calcutta on the 18th November. Flight schedules into Calcutta might require group members to fly out of their home base on the pervious day.   Tour Prices: Unfortunately Bhutan is an expensive country to visit, so prices can be higher than for the same length of tour in India. While the tourism infrastructure is very good, the government calls for a daily $US210 per person levy to control mass tourism. This measure was taken to ensure the country does not rely on the tourist dollar and possibly suffer the same fate as Kashmir and Nepal if tourism suddenly ceases for some reason. However, the resulting lack of mass commercialism is one of the many things that make Bhutan such a special place to visit. The cost for a rider is only $AUD xxxx.xx and $xxxx.xx for a pillion. Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours believes in WYSIWYG – “What you see is what you get” – there are no hidden costs and we offer more standard inclusions than any other motorcycle tour company going to the same destination. Price includes: ·        Group transfers to/from airport and hotel  ·        Accommodation throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis (Single supplement TBA) ·        All meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) ·        Bhutan Visa ·        Comfortable support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport and assistance) ·        Full motorbike rental for the duration of the tour (new bikes with front disc brakes and electric start) ·        Experienced mechanics ·        All fuel and oil costs  ·        Repairs, maintenance and spare parts ·        Motorcycle Damage Insurance ·        Basic emergency first-aid equipment ·        Experienced tour leader with current First Aid qualifications ·        English-speaking local guide ·        Entrance fees to selected monuments and attractions ·        All gratuities and tips for Saffron Road guides and road crew, hotel and restaurant staff (except porters)  ·        Return train fare Calcutta – Siliguri  ·        Lonely Planet travel guidebook (Australian and New Zealand members only). Price excludes: ·        Travel insurance policy covering use of motorcycle (approx. Aus$160) ·        Tourist visas for India ($AUD 75.00)  ·        International Driving Permit (currently $AUD20.00) ·        Vaccinations and personal medication including known allergy antidotes ·        Items of a personal nature such as postage, laundry or souvenirs ·        Personal consumptions such as bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages Accommodation & Food The general standard of accommodation is excellent, varying from four-star hotels and resorts to “best in town” in more remote areas. Meals are of the more ‘Western’ style – eggs, cereal and toast for breakfast etc., but for those who prefer, there is always the choice of local cuisine. Bikes On all our Indian tours we use the Royal Enfield Bullet – single-cylinder, 500cc with left-hand brake and right-hand gearbox (one up, three down). Yes – really, but you do get used to the configuration pretty quickly! You may have also heard horror stories about the virtual lack of front brake – untrue. The bikes we use are all fitted with efficient front disc brakes as standard and also electric start (many other companies charge for these last two features). In addition to being delightfully authentic, these wonderful old bikes are comfortable, well-balanced, manoeuvrable with lots of low-end torque for the hills and perfect for Indian traffic and road conditions. The pillion seat is roomy and quite comfortable with the foot pegs set so knee height is below hip height – a great thing when travelling any distance. Driving Licences and Travel Insurance Riders must have a valid and unrestricted international rider’s licence. Travel insurance is mandatory and, if on a bike at all, must cover riding motorcycles. For non-Australian participants, or those not purchasing insurance through this office, please check the rider clause carefully and any clause relating to medical evacuation before you purchase or use any existing insurance (such as that provided by some credit card companies). Further Information More detailed information and travel check-list will be mailed to you after we receive your completed booking form and deposit (standard $500). Australian and New Zealand residents will also receive a Lonely Planet guide book, plus travel insurance applications forms. Prior to departure you will receive maps, a list of hotels and other important contact numbers. Please Note: This is a “best-fit” itinerary and may need to be changed from time to time due to amended timetables, weather and road conditions, political expediency and/or on advice from our local ground agent. It is not always possible to comply with plans made in advance, so a flexible attitude is essential.