Welcome Riders

Paro - Your Bhutan riding adventure kicks off with a breathtaking view of the Himalayan range even before you land. The flight offers stunning vistas of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Bhutan’s own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. For the best views, sit on the left side of the plane (ask at the check-in counter).

Upon arrival, our friendly guides will assist you in settling into your comfortable car and then take you to your hotel. Here, we’ll either assemble your bikes or have them ready for you (if we are providing them). Take a leisurely ride around Thimphu valley to get your first impressions of Bhutan. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan, built in the 8th century. Enjoy dinner at some of the best restaurants and end the evening with a tour briefing session.

Start riding from Paro to Thimphu

Thimphu - After breakfast, begin your ride to the capital city on a beautiful 60 km road. This scenic route with easy pedaling will help you acclimate to Bhutan’s elevation. Along the way, stop to visit Tamchog Lhakang, take a short break, and marvel at Bhutan’s fresh air and rich nature. Walk over the ancient heritage iron bridge, reconstructed using original chain links from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo in the 15th century.

If time allows, we’ll take a short ride on Thimphu’s favorite XC trail – the Wangditse loop.

In the evening, visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa, a sacred shrine built in memory of the third king of Bhutan. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the best restaurant, where you can savor authentic Bhutanese cuisine. The tour briefing will continue over dinner, and you’ll spend the night at a resort.

Ride time: 6-7 hours / 80 km

Cross-country riding in Thimphu

Ride from Thimphu to Punakha

Wangdue - Ride to Dochula Pass (3140m) from Thimphu, a gradual ascent for 16 km from Simtokha. Enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges from the pass and visit the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) built to honor the greatness of the Fourth King. For a beautiful but slightly technical singletrack descent, we can take the Madman Trail. If you prefer easier riding, we’ll stick to the motor road.

Descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa on a 40 km road descent. Once in Lobesa, visit the popular temples of Bhutan and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures, nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman,’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang, also known as the fertility monastery. The temple visit involves a short, pleasant ride through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields.

Continue to Punakha on a lovely stretch of undulating roads running adjacent to the river. Stay in a cozy resort overlooking the valley.

Ride time: 6-7 hours, 77 km drive/ride

Punakha Sightseeing and Country rides / Optionally no bike day

Punakha - Continue riding to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure at the junction of two rivers, considered the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. After visiting the fortress, we’ll ride the Phophu loop trail for 7 km and start climbing to Sewla for another 10 km on a jeep track. Once we reach Sewla, we’ll enjoy the reward – a 10 km ridge ride through beautiful pine forests, arguably the best singletrack for cross-country mountain biking in Bhutan.

Enjoy a pleasant evening at your resort.

Ride time: 6-7 hours, 45-50 km

Ride from Punakha to Gangtey

Gangtey Valley ride

Drive to Paro.

Paro - After breakfast, we’ll drive to Paro. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely day in Paro visiting the main attractions, including the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang monastery, the Rinpung Dzong fortress, and the Dungtse Lhakhang temple.

In the evening, visit a farmhouse to soak in an herbal hot-stone bath and enjoy some authentic Bhutanese food. Proceed to your resort.

Bhutan’s ultimate highlight

Paro Taktsang - We’ve saved the best of Bhutan for last. Today, you’ll experience Bhutan’s ultimate highlight: an excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest monastery. We’ll ride to the base for about 10 km. From there, you’ll leave the bikes and take a two-hour hike to the spectacular temple clinging to a 1000-foot cliff. You can also choose to hike the bike up to the temple and enjoy an amazing downhill ride on the way back.

On the way back, ride to Drugyal Dzong fortress and then return to the hotel for a farewell dinner.

Departure

Paro - Our guide will take you to the airport for your onward journey.

• MTB and Cultural guide
• 3-star hotel accommodations
• All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and evening tea
• All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per day per person
• All necessary permit fees
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Complimentary drinking mineral water
• Visa fees included ($40 per person)

• airfare to Bhutan
• Mountain bike (need to bring your own or can be rented separately from us)
• All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, shopping expenses
• Spa Charges
• Travel and Medical insurance

Bhutan Rides is owned by riders and designed for riders, with a professional team equipped with extensive local trail knowledge and unmatched passion for mountain biking, and impeccable attention to details. There is no better way to discover Bhutan than on a bike. With biking tours, we travel deeper into the country where no other tourists have been. We like technical enduro style rides but we can customise according to any level preferred by our guests.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.