Wake with the dawn to greet a scarlet view of distant mountains blanketed by a fresh dusting of snow; feel invigorated by the refreshingly cool and pleasantly humid morning air. Climb stone steps bedecked with cosmos and marigolds and enter a white stone building colorfully decorated with flying tigers and comfortably outfitted with chairs covered in hand-woven Bumthang wool textiles. Take a seat at a long table and join the mixture of guests who enjoy a breakfast of fresh omelets, local honey and jam to compliment homemade bread, a large bowl of bananas, papayas and passion fruit, and red rice with chilies. Step out onto the veranda and gaze down at the red and saffron roof of an ancient dzong, down a fantastically steep valley and to the wild river below. Scan across the valley to a road winding in and out of the dense forest that carpets the countryside. Coast down to the river and climb out of the valley, rest at a chorten and feel quieted by the prayer flags flapping in the breeze. Pedal through small villages and exchange greetings with rosy-cheeked children, continue on past the all-seeing eyes of a mystical Nepali-style stupa. Climb away from the broad leafed plants and the rattle of insects to the high pastures of the Yak and over a mountain pass. Reward yourself with a long descent to the next river, over another bridge, and be greeted by yet another magical valley.

If you were to combine the back roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains , the scenic drama of Washington ’s Cascade Range and the piercing blue skies over the Colorado Rockies you would begin to sense the majesty of Bhutan ’s breath-taking landscape. What better environment for a bicycle tour?