One thousand kilometres of Himalayan thump.
Twelve days aboard a Royal Enfield Himalayan, riding the full sweep of the kingdom — Paro to the sacred valleys of Bumthang and back. The roads climb over 3,000 m passes crowned with prayer flags, drop through gorges beside glacial rivers, and pass more fortresses than fuel stations.
The pace is unhurried by design: mornings in the saddle, afternoons in dzongs, farmhouses and hot-stone baths. A support truck carries your luggage, spares and a mechanic, so all you carry is the grin.
Mar – May · Sep – Nov
≈ 1,000 km
12 Days / 11 Nights
9 Ride Days
Intermediate · licence required
Mountain highways · dirt spurs
Royal Enfield Himalayan
4 – 12 Riders
From US$ 5,450
Tour Dates
20 – 31 Oct 2026
Places open
10 – 21 Mar 2027
Places open
12 – 23 Apr 2027
Places open
Tour Highlights
- The full west–centre traverse: Paro to Bumthang and back
- Dochula, Pele La and Yotong La — three great prayer-flag passes
- Chele La at 3,988 m, the highest road in Bhutan
- Nights in heritage lodges, farmhouses and the Bumthang valleys
- Support truck with mechanic, spares and your luggage
- Jambay Lhakhang and the sacred sites of the spiritual heartland
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Paro
Meet the crew, paperwork and bike fitting, then a short shakedown ride up the Paro valley.
- Distance 30 km
- Hours on the Saddle 1.5 hrs
- Elevation Gain 250 m
- Elevation Loss 250 m
- Highest Elevation 2,400 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,200 m
Day 02 Paro → Thimphu
Follow the rivers to the capital; afternoon at the giant Buddha Dordenma and the weekend market.
- Distance 65 km
- Hours on the Saddle 3 hrs
- Elevation Gain 700 m
- Elevation Loss 580 m
- Highest Elevation 2,500 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,320 m
Day 03 Thimphu → Punakha
Over Dochula’s 108 chortens — on a clear morning the whole Himalaya lines the horizon — and down into the banana-and-chilli warmth of Punakha.
- Distance 85 km
- Hours on the Saddle 4 hrs
- Elevation Gain 900 m
- Elevation Loss 1,970 m
- Highest Elevation 3,100 m
- Hotel / Camp 1,250 m
Day 04 Punakha → Gangtey
Riverside sweepers, then the climb into the glacial Phobjikha valley, winter home of the black-necked cranes.
- Distance 78 km
- Hours on the Saddle 4 hrs
- Elevation Gain 2,300 m
- Elevation Loss 650 m
- Highest Elevation 3,360 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,900 m
Day 05 Gangtey → Trongsa
Cross Pele La into central Bhutan and spiral down to the vast watchtower dzong of Trongsa.
- Distance 120 km
- Hours on the Saddle 5.5 hrs
- Elevation Gain 900 m
- Elevation Loss 1,600 m
- Highest Elevation 3,420 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,200 m
Day 06 Trongsa → Bumthang
Over Yotong La and into the four sacred valleys — Switzerland with chillies drying on the roofs.
- Distance 68 km
- Hours on the Saddle 3 hrs
- Elevation Gain 1,400 m
- Elevation Loss 1,000 m
- Highest Elevation 3,425 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,600 m
Day 07 Bumthang valleys
A gentle loop day: Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, the Mebar Tsho burning lake, and Red Panda beer at source.
- Distance 45 km
- Hours on the Saddle 2.5 hrs
- Elevation Gain 1,100 m
- Elevation Loss 1,100 m
- Highest Elevation 3,600 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,600 m
Day 08 Bumthang → Wangdue
The long westward run back over both passes — the ride you’ll replay for years.
- Distance 160 km
- Hours on the Saddle 6.5 hrs
- Elevation Gain 1,900 m
- Elevation Loss 3,150 m
- Highest Elevation 3,425 m
- Hotel / Camp 1,350 m
Day 09 Wangdue → Haa
Skirt Thimphu and climb into the hidden Haa valley via the dramatic Chele La road.
- Distance 130 km
- Hours on the Saddle 6 hrs
- Elevation Gain 2,600 m
- Elevation Loss 1,280 m
- Highest Elevation 3,100 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,670 m
Day 10 Haa → Paro over Chele La
Summit Bhutan’s highest motorable pass at 3,988 m, then descend to Paro for the farewell dinner.
- Distance 65 km
- Hours on the Saddle 3 hrs
- Elevation Gain 1,350 m
- Elevation Loss 1,820 m
- Highest Elevation 3,988 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,200 m
Day 11 Tiger’s Nest
Park the bike and hike to Taktsang monastery — earn the prayer flags one last time.
- Hours on the Saddle 0 hrs
- Elevation Gain 0 m
- Elevation Loss 0 m
- Hotel / Camp 2,200 m
Day 12 Departure
Airport transfer for your onward flight.
Day-by-Day Ride Stats
| Day | Hours on the Saddle | Distance Ridden | Elevation Gained | Elevation Lost | Highest Elevation | Hotel / Camp Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5 hrs | 30 km | 250 m | 250 m | 2,400 m | 2,200 m |
| 2 | 3 hrs | 65 km | 700 m | 580 m | 2,500 m | 2,320 m |
| 3 | 4 hrs | 85 km | 900 m | 1,970 m | 3,100 m | 1,250 m |
| 4 | 4 hrs | 78 km | 2,300 m | 650 m | 3,360 m | 2,900 m |
| 5 | 5.5 hrs | 120 km | 900 m | 1,600 m | 3,420 m | 2,200 m |
| 6 | 3 hrs | 68 km | 1,400 m | 1,000 m | 3,425 m | 2,600 m |
| 7 | 2.5 hrs | 45 km | 1,100 m | 1,100 m | 3,600 m | 2,600 m |
| 8 | 6.5 hrs | 160 km | 1,900 m | 3,150 m | 3,425 m | 1,350 m |
| 9 | 6 hrs | 130 km | 2,600 m | 1,280 m | 3,100 m | 2,670 m |
| 10 | 3 hrs | 65 km | 1,350 m | 1,820 m | 3,988 m | 2,200 m |
| 11 | 0 hrs | - | 0 m | 0 m | - | 2,200 m |
| 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Totals | 39 hrs | 846 km | 13,400 m | 13,400 m | 3,988 m | - |
Picture Yourself Here
Good to Know
The answers below apply to every Bhutan Rides trip — one honest FAQ, no small print.
What does the pricing include?
Our prices cover everything inside Bhutan: the government Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), your visa, all riding permits, twin-share accommodation, three meals a day, drinking water and trail snacks, a certified riding guide, a support vehicle with mechanic and driver, airport transfers, and all monument entry fees on the itinerary.
What is not included in the price?
International flights to and from Paro, travel insurance (mandatory — see the insurance question below), alcoholic drinks, personal shopping, tips for the crew, and single-room supplements. Bike or motorcycle hire is quoted separately so riders who bring their own machine never pay for one they don’t use.
Who is this tour for?
Each ride lists its own challenge level, but the honest rule is: if you ride regularly at home, there is a Bhutan ride for you. Cross-country trips suit anyone with moderate fitness; Enduro and expedition trips need confident technical descending; motorcycle tours need a valid licence and real-world riding experience. Not sure? Write to us — we’d rather match you to the right ride than sell you the wrong one.
Do I need to tip the guides?
Tipping is customary in Bhutan but entirely at your discretion. As a guideline, riders typically pool around US$8–12 per person per day, shared between the guide, driver and support crew at the end of the trip. It is a thank-you, never an obligation.
How many riders will there be in the group?
We keep groups small on purpose — most departures run with 4 to 12 riders plus crew. Small groups keep the singletrack flowing, the pace flexible and the evenings personal. Private groups of 2 or more can book any tour as a bespoke departure.
Can I do laundry during the trip?
Yes. Hotels in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha offer same-day or next-day laundry at a modest charge. On multi-day riding stretches between towns, plan for two to three days between laundry stops — quick-dry riding kit is your friend.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
Hand-picked three and four-star hotels and heritage lodges in the towns, and the best available farmstays or camps in remote valleys. Every property is chosen for hot showers, good food and secure bike storage. On expedition itineraries like Chasing the Yeti, some nights are full-service camping with our crew.
How are the medical facilities in Bhutan during an emergency?
Every district town has a hospital and the national referral hospital is in Thimphu; healthcare for visitors is competent for first-line treatment. Our guides are wilderness-first-aid trained, every trip carries a comprehensive medical kit and oxygen on high routes, and the support vehicle is never far from the trail.
Is helicopter evacuation possible?
Yes. Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services operates medical evacuation flights nationwide, and our crews carry the communications to call one in from remote valleys. Heli-evacuation is exactly why we require travel insurance that covers helicopter rescue and riding activities.
What kind of food can I expect?
Hearty and plentiful. Expect Bhutanese staples like red rice, momos and the famous ema datshi (chillies and cheese) alongside Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. Breakfasts are big, ride days include packed lunches or hot roadside stops, and we cater happily for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free riders — just tell us when you book.
Insurance and safety
Travel insurance is mandatory for every rider and must cover the activity you’re booked on (mountain biking or motorcycling), emergency helicopter evacuation and repatriation. On the safety side: certified guides, radio-linked support vehicles, quality loan helmets and pads, daily bike checks by our mechanic, and conservative route calls when weather turns. We’ve run rides here for over fifteen years without losing our record — and we intend to keep it.
What should I pack for the trip?
Your riding kit (helmet, gloves, eyewear, padded shorts, quick-dry layers), a warm down jacket and beanie for high passes, rain shell, casual clothes for evenings, sunscreen, a personal medical kit, and your licence if motorcycling. We send every confirmed rider a detailed, tour-specific packing list — pedals, saddles and other personal contact points are welcome if you’re riding our bikes.
Want to Ride This as a Private Trip?
Please write to us today — any departure can run privately for two or more riders, on your dates and at your pace.
How to find us?
Ride past the garage, ping us on WhatsApp or drop us a line — either way, you'll be talking to someone who rides.
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Visit usTangbi Building, Thori Lam,
Motithang, Thimphu, Bhutan - Call / WhatsApp+975 77 222 444
- Emailinfo@bhutanrides.com
A real rider replies within two working days — usually much sooner.