Overview

Cycling in Bhutan is an adventure in itself, offering more excitement than most tour activities due to its challenging terrain and traffic-free roads. Cyclists can ride along steep mountain highways with dramatic zigzags or explore newly created off-road trails, making Bhutan an emerging hub for mountain biking lovers.A highlight for avid riders is the legendary Tour of the Dragon, a demanding one-day race of over 260 km that stretches from Bumthang to Thimphu. This iconic event is typically held in mid-fall. The most favorable times for biking and cycling in Bhutan are during mid-to-late spring and mid-fall.

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7 Days & 6 Nights

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Duration

7 Days>

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Group Size

1 & above

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Tour Grade

Easy>

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Accommodation

Hotels

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Walking Hours

4–5 Hours

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Best Season

Mar-may, Sep-Oct

Tour Highlights

Arrival, visit majestic dzong, explore Paro town.
Easy bike ride, ruined dzong, farmhouse stop.
Cycle to capital, Thimphu Dzong, market stroll.
Dochu La Pass views, downhill ride, fertility temple, Punakha Dzong, suspension bridge.
Hike to iconic cliffside monastery with stunning valley views.

PREVIEW THE ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrival in Paro

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Upon arrival at Paro Airport, you will be warmly received and transferred to your selected hotel. If time and energy permit, enjoy a short afternoon sightseeing tour of Paro, including your first visit to a majestic Bhutanese dzong—an impressive fortress strategically built across the country and a striking introduction to Bhutanese architecture.

DAY 2 Explore Paro by Bike

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Paro lies at an altitude of 2,200 meters, so today is kept relaxed with a short ride to help acclimatize. This easy outing allows time to warm up, get comfortable with the bikes, and enjoy the scenic Paro Valley, including a visit to a ruined dzong, a stop at a remote farmhouse, and a gentle walk through Paro town.

DAY 3 Cycle to Thimphu

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Today, depart Paro and begin your ride toward Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. This first point-to-point journey is the gentlest of the trip, with elevations ranging between 2,100 m and 2,350 m, though the road gently rises and falls. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed walk through the vibrant Thimphu market and visit the impressive yet graceful Thimphu Dzong.

DAY 4 Cycle to Punakha

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The journey’s first mountain pass, Dochu La (3,050 m), rewards riders with stunning panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas on clear days. After a steady climb, enjoy a thrilling 40 km downhill ride to the famous fertility temple, believed to bless couples seeking children. The route then follows the valley floor to Punakha, where you will stay overnight at a warm, low altitude of 1,350 m.

DAY 5 Explore Punakha by Bike, Transfer to Paro

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Spend the day exploring the stunning Punakha Dzong, once Bhutan’s summer capital, by cycling along a scenic, mostly unpaved back road with beautiful river views. Before reaching the fortress, cross Bhutan’s longest and highest suspension bridge, rising over 200 m above the turquoise Pho River. After a relaxed riverside picnic in Punakha, drive back to Paro to prepare for the hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest.

DAY 6 Trek to the Tiger Nest Monastry

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This morning, hike to one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites—the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Dramatically perched on a cliff 900 m above the Paro Valley, it is revered as a powerful spiritual center where many great saints once meditated. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and breathtaking views as a rewarding end to the trek.

DAY 7 Departure

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