- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan adventure tours 2027
Bhutan adventure tours
Race the Tour of the Dragon, run the Bhutan marathon, ride a motorbike across the country or raft the rivers of Punakha. Active trips with time for the culture too.
- Biking, running, rafting
- Birding in the east
- Private guide and support car
Adventure in Bhutan
Big climbs and cold, fast rivers
More than 70 per cent of Bhutan is forest, and the land drops from glaciers in the north to subtropical jungle in the south in under 200 kilometres. That makes for big climbs on a bike, cold clear rivers and some of the richest birdlife in Asia.
We plan active trips with a support vehicle, a licensed guide who knows the route, and rest days in good hotels. The cultural sights are always close by, so you can ride in the morning and visit a dzong in the afternoon.
Itineraries
Our adventure itineraries
Tour of the Dragon
Ride the 268 km one-day race from Bumthang to Thimphu, held on the first Saturday of September.
Bhutan International Marathon
Run the full or half marathon in the Punakha valley, with Thimphu and Paro before and after.
Bhutan Sports Festival
A day of trail running and mountain biking events, with Punakha, Gangtey and Paro around it.
Motorbike Tour: Happiness is a Place
Ride from Thimphu to Phobjikha, Bumthang, Trongsa and down to Gelephu.
12 Day Birdwatching Tour
Menchuna, Tashithang and Tingtibi forests, plus black-necked cranes in Phobjikha.
Lhasa to Everest by Motorbike
A Tibet ride from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso lake.
Activities
What you can do
Mountain biking
Day rides around Paro and Thimphu, or the full Tour of the Dragon route over four high passes.
Rafting and kayaking
The Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu in Punakha have grade 2 to 4 sections. Best from March to May and October to November.
Trail running
Races and supported runs on forest trails and old mule tracks.
Motorbike touring
Long rides on the lateral road with a guide and back-up vehicle.
Birdwatching
More than 700 bird species are recorded in Bhutan, from rufous-necked hornbills to the rare white-bellied heron.
Hiking
Day hikes to cliffside monasteries, Tiger's Nest and high lakes. See our trekking page for camping trips.
Bhutan travel rules for 2027
What you pay the government, and what we arrange
These rules apply to every tour in Bhutan, whoever you book with. We checked them against Department of Tourism notices in October 2026.
SDF: USD 100 a night
The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027. Children aged 6 to 11 pay USD 50 and under-6s pay nothing. The government has not yet said what the rate will be after that date.
Visa: USD 40, once
Most nationalities need an e-visa before they fly. It costs USD 40 per person and is usually issued within 5 working days. Indian visitors need only an entry permit. Bangladeshi and Maldivian visitors follow separate regional rules.
Indian visitors
Indian nationals pay an SDF of INR 1,200 per night and enter with a passport or voter ID. No visa is needed.
Licensed guide required
A Department of Tourism notice issued on 8 April 2026 confirms that guests must travel with a licensed guide beyond the first checkpoint, including on the drive from Paro airport. Treks need a licensed trekking guide.
Insurance is optional
Travel insurance has not been compulsory since 23 April 2024. We still recommend a policy that covers medical evacuation, especially for treks.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Bhutan.
Rates can change. We confirm the current SDF and visa fee in writing before you pay anything.
What guests say after travelling with us
“I am a solo traveler most of the time and prefer planning on my own. But for a change this time used Deya for my trip to Bhutan and absolutely loved the idea of doing it.”
Suma K
Solo traveller
“We did 7 nights 8 days tour with Deya Bhutan and had a wonderful experience. Om Naath was in regular touch with us before during and after the trip. He was always available on WhatsApp.”
ketan_fans
7 nights, 8 days
“Mr. Omanth did a fantastic job overall. He took care of all the cancellations of hotels due to government holidays, and booking it again on our previously planned dates, that too without charge.”
Munendra
Trip via Phuentsholing
Adventure tour questions
The race is held on the first Saturday of September. It runs 268 kilometres from Bumthang to Thimphu in a single day, so riders need solid endurance training.
Yes. Most riders bring their own bike for the race. For day rides, mountain bikes can also be hired in Thimphu.
Rafting runs with licensed operators and trained river guides, and we choose a section that suits your experience.
The forests of central and southern Bhutan, around Tingtibi, Zhemgang and Tashithang, are the richest. Phobjikha is the place for black-necked cranes from late October to February.
Free trip planning
Plan your adventure in Bhutan
Tell us what you want to ride, run or paddle, and your dates. We will check event calendars and send a plan.
- Free personalised consultation
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.