Mountain Bike

Adventure

Ride of the Dragon (Cycling)

Overview

Journey style
Adventure
Route
Bumthang · Gangtey · Paro · Punakha · Thimphu · Trongsa
Flexibility
Private and fully customisable

For mountain-biking enthusiasts this is a dream come true! Enjoy the adrenaline rush as you ride along the tarmac roads (the East-West national highway) of Bhutan enjoying the pristine air and aesthetic natural feasts. Considered one of the world’s best cycling holidays, the ride across Bhutan is a challenging experience through some of the highest motorable roads and mountain passes.

Tour Highlight

  • Visit some of the important and religious landmarks in Bhutan.
  • Immersion in Nature Biodiversity
  • Experience Biking in Bhutan
  • Day Hike to Tiger’s Nest

Trip Cost

The minimum daily tour package covers the following services.

Highlights

  • Seasons: Throughout the year

Price includes

  • A minimum of 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars can be upgraded at an additional fee)
  • All meals / Tea & snacks
  • All internal transport (excluding Domestic flights)
  • Sightseeing with entrance fees
  • An experienced English speaking tour leader
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), government fees & visa fee
  • Bike (cycle) & Backup transportation

Price excludes

  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Additional personal expenses such as souvenirs, meals, snacks, alcohol, laundry, tips, and gratuities for the tour leader and staff.

The Sustainable Development Fee, visa and permits are all included — see how the Bhutan visa & permits process works.

Day by day

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival: Paro to Thimphu

Driving duration: 1.5hrs/ 65km
Elevation: 2350m / 7710ft

Drive on to Thimphu

Attractions
- Buddha Point
- Authentic Bhutanese Craft Market
- Tashichho Dzong

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu

Day 02 Thimphu Sightseeing

Elevation: 2350m / 7710ft

Drive on to Thimphu for sightseeing

Attractions:
– Cheri Monastery
– National Textile Museum
– Thirteen Traditional Arts & Crafts: Closed on Weekends and during government holidays
– Takin Preservation Center

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu

Day 03 Thimphu to Punakha

Driving Duration: 2hrs/ 133km
Elevation: 1310m / 4300ft

Drive on to Punakha

Attractions:
- Dochula Pass (3140m/ 10300ft)
- Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple)
- Punakha Dzong
- Punakha Suspension Bridge

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Day 04 Punakha to Phobjikha

Driving Duration: 2.5hrs/ 77km
Elevation: 2900m / 9510ft

Attractions:
- Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
- Gangtey Nature Trail
- Gangtey Monastery
- Black Necked Crane Information Center

Overnight at the Hotel in Phobjikha

Day 05 Phobjikha to Paro

Driving Duration: 214km/6.5hrs
Elevation: 2800m / 9185ft

Drive on to Paro recrossing Dochula Pass (3140m/ 10300ft)

Attractions:
- Ta Dzong (Paro National Museum)
- Paro/Rinpung Dzong

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Day 06 Paro to Haa

Driving Distance: 70km/ 2.5hrs
Elevation: 3056m/ 10026ft

Drive on to Haa for sightseeing

Attractions:
- Via Chelela Pass (3,988 m/13,083 ft)
- Lhakhang Karpo
- Juneydrak Hermitage
- Drive through Haa Valley

Overnight at the Hotel in Haa

Day 07 Haa to Paro

Driving Duration: 70km/ 2.5hrs
Elevation: 2250m / 7382ft

Drive on to Paro

Attractions:
- Paro Airport Bird's Eye Viewpoint
- Paro Ta Dzong (National Museum)
- Paro Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Day 08 Paro - Hike to Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest

Hiking Duration: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs roundtrip
Elevation: 3120m / 10236ft

A day hike to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery (5-6hrs/ 11-12km). Take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest.

Optional: Traditional farmhouse visit (Tentative and subjective to change depending upon the host family.) Experience Hot Stone Bath (Additional Charges per person).

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Day 09 Departure

After breakfast, time to check out from the hotel. Leave Bhutan behind you carrying only the good memories and experiences as you are accompanied by the representative to the airport for departure.

Like the look of this itinerary? Every departure is customisable.

Enquire about this tour

Where you'll go

Bumthang Chukha Dagana Gasa Haa Lhuntse Mongar Paro Pemagatshel Punakha Samdrup Jongkhar Samtse Sarpang Thimpu Trashigang Trashiyangtse Trongsa Tsirang Wangdue Phodrang Zhemgang
Districts on this tour: Bumthang · Gangtey · Paro · Punakha · Thimphu · Trongsa

In pictures

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Ride of the Dragon cycling tour?

It is a 9-day, 8-night cycling tour, available from January to December.

Which places does this tour visit?

The ride runs from Paro to Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha, then back to Paro, out to Haa and returns to Paro for the hike to Taktsang, Tiger's Nest.

How difficult is the Ride of the Dragon cycling tour?

The route ranges from 1200 m to 4000 m over 9 days.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a minimum of 3-star accommodation (4 and 5 star can be upgraded at an additional fee), all meals with tea and snacks, all internal transport (excluding domestic flights), sightseeing with entrance fees, an experienced English-speaking tour leader, bottled water in the vehicle, the Sustainable Development Fee, government fees and visa fee, and the bike (cycle) and backup transportation.

What is not included?

Flights, travel insurance, and additional personal expenses such as souvenirs, meals, snacks, alcohol, laundry, tips and gratuities for the tour leader and staff are not included.

Enquiry

Enquire about Ride of the Dragon (Cycling)

Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll reply within one working day with a tailored itinerary and quote. No payment until everything is confirmed.

  • Licensed local operator — Thimphu
  • Visa, permits & SDF handled for you
  • 108+ traveller reviews

We reply within one working day — a real person reads every enquiry.