Big mountains, bigger descents.
This is the ride our guides do on their days off, polished into ten days. The Ultimate Enduro strings together the best all-mountain descents of western Bhutan — high ridgelines above Thimphu, monastery trails at Phajoding, the huge alpine plunge off Chele La — linked by uplift in the support truck so your legs are saved for the way down.
Every stage is graded and re-ridden by our crew before you arrive, and every day flexes to the group: add a lap, skip a climb, chase golden hour. You’ll sleep in hand-picked hotels and farmstays, eat like a racer and descend like one too.
Mar – May · Sep – Nov
≈ 180 km riding
10 Days / 9 Nights
7 Ride Days
Advanced
Alpine singletrack · loam forest
Enduro / All-Mountain
4 – 10 Riders
From US$ 4,350
Tour Dates
8 – 17 Nov 2026
Places open
14 – 23 Mar 2027
Places open
Tour Highlights
- The 1,700 m Chele La descent — Bhutan's biggest single drop on a bike
- Phajoding monastery trails high above Thimphu
- Truck-supported uplift days: maximum descending, minimum grinding
- Punakha Dzong and the Dochula pass of 108 chortens between stages
- Nightly bike checks by our travelling mechanic
- Farmstay dinner and hot-stone bath on the final riding night
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Paro · transfer to Thimphu
Fly into Paro past the high Himalaya, meet the crew, and drive up the valley to the capital. Bike build and suspension setup in the garage, welcome dinner and route briefing.
Day 02 Thimphu shakedown
Warm-up laps on the Sangaygang and Wangditse trails above the city — a taste of Bhutanese loam and a chance to dial your setup.
- Distance 25 km
- Elevation Gain 600 m
Day 03 Phajoding big-mountain day
Climb (mostly by truck) toward the Phajoding monasteries at 3,700 m and descend ancient pilgrim trails back to the valley floor. Repeat as legs allow.
- Distance 30 km
- Elevation Loss 1,500 m
Day 04 Dochula → Punakha
Cross the Dochula pass and its 108 chortens, then drop the legendary Lumitsawa singletrack into the subtropical Punakha valley.
- Distance 35 km
- Elevation Loss 1,800 m
Day 05 Punakha valley trails
Rice-terrace singletrack, suspension bridges and a visit to Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers.
- Distance 28 km
Day 06 Gangtey rim ride
Transfer to the glacial Phobjikha valley, winter home of the black-necked cranes, and ride the forested valley rim.
- Distance 26 km
- Elevation Gain 700 m
Day 07 Chele La — part one
Drive west to Haa via Bhutan’s highest road pass. Afternoon recon laps on the upper mountain and a night in a Haa valley lodge.
- Distance 18 km
Day 08 Chele La — the big one
From prayer-flag summit at 3,988 m, descend nearly 1,700 vertical metres of ridgeline, meadow and forest to the Paro valley. The descent of the trip — most groups ride it twice.
- Distance 34 km
- Elevation Loss 1,700 m
Day 09 Paro · Tiger’s Nest
A rest-day hike to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest monastery, or one last uplift lap for the unrepentant. Farewell dinner and hot-stone bath.
Day 10 Departure
Airport transfer for your onward flight — trail dust included, no extra charge.
Day-by-Day Ride Stats
| Day | Hours on the Saddle | Distance Ridden | Elevation Gained | Elevation Lost | Highest Elevation | Hotel / Camp Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | - | 25 km | 600 m | - | - | - |
| 3 | - | 30 km | - | 1,500 m | - | - |
| 4 | - | 35 km | - | 1,800 m | - | - |
| 5 | - | 28 km | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | - | 26 km | 700 m | - | - | - |
| 7 | - | 18 km | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | - | 34 km | - | 1,700 m | - | - |
| 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Totals | - | 196 km | 1,300 m | 5,000 m | - | - |
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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.
-
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.