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.
7 Days>
1 & above
Easy>
Hotels
4–5 Hours
Mar-may, Sep-Oct
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tour ends after breakfast and check-out with a transfer to Paro Airport in time for your departing flight
