BhutanBike & Culture

:: Day 4 = epilogue
Stop cycling and be astonished
The last and ultimate highlight

 

:: PELE LA 3.390 m
Downhill pure
Up to 33km

:: PUNAKA
The dzong was built in 1637 and it was named as Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (place of great happiness). The war materials captured during the Tibetan invasion can be found in the dzong. The dzong is beautiful located in between the two rivers called PHO (male) and MO (female) CHHU (river). It was the capitalof Bhutan till 1955, the establishment of the Wangchuk dynasty on 17th December, 1907 took place here and the first national assembly was also helt in the dzong in 1953. PUNAHK dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (chief about) and the central monk body
The dzong is surrounded by stories and myths and it is just a matter of asking your guide or local people

:: PELE LA 3.390 m and DOCHU LA 3.116 m
Downhill pure
Up to 43 km and even more

:: TAKTSANG MONASTERY (TIGER'S NEST), epilogue
Built amazingly on a cliff, it brings pride to the Bhutanese about the work of their ancestors. It is said that Guru Rimpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at thid monastery and hence it ic called Tiger's Nest. This site has been recognised as most sacred and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. This monastery built in 1692 caught fire on April 19, 1998 that damaged the main structure of the building and some religious contents. The monastery has been renovated and restored to its former glory.
From the road the hike up to TAKTSANG, on a well maintained path, is quite uphill and it takes around 2 hours up.

:: HOT STONE BATH
The ultimate work out
Enjoy

 

:: PROFILE of the fourth day
92 + 10 km distance, 10 + 5 km uphill, 43 + 5 km downhill
Typical time 02:30 hours - stage of yesterday: day 3 - stage of tomorrow: day 5

click the map to enlarge