Motorcycle tour · 10 days, 9 nights

Bhutan Motorcycle Tour: 10 Days Across the Kingdom

Ride from Thimphu over Dochula to the Phobjikha valley, through Trongsa to Bumthang, south through Zhemgang to Gelephu and back north to Punakha, with a support vehicle and a riding guide.

1,000+ km

On the road, about

3,425 m

Yotong La, about

Riding days

Moderate to hard

Riding grade

Trip overview

The best way to feel Bhutan's mountain roads

Bhutan’s roads were made for motorcycles: one main highway running east to west over a series of high passes, and a newer road in the south through subtropical forest. Traffic is light, the scenery changes every hour, and every village has a temple, a tea shop and children who wave. This tour rides a loop from Thimphu into central Bhutan and back through the south, so you see both the high Himalayan valleys and the warm foothills near the Indian border.

You ride with a Bhutanese riding guide, and a support vehicle follows with luggage, spare parts, a mechanic and room for anyone who wants a break. Daily distances are short by European or American standards, but Bhutan’s roads are narrow and winding, so 150 km can take most of a day. Along the way you visit Punakha Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, Bumthang’s temples and the new city being built at Gelephu.

Highlights

What you will ride

High passes

Dochula, Pele La and Yotong La.

Phobjikha

The crane valley, quiet roads and farmhouses.

Trongsa Dzong

The great dzong above a gorge.

Bumthang

Temples, the Burning Lake and the Tang valley.

The southern road

Subtropical forest and golden langurs near Zhemgang.

Gelephu

Bhutan's southern gateway and new Mindfulness City.

Itinerary at a glance

Ten days on two wheels

Distances and times are approximate; road works can change them.

Day 1: Arrive, to Thimphu

Land in Paro, drive to Thimphu, bike handover.

Day 2: To Phobjikha

Over Dochula, through Wangdue, up to the Phobjikha valley.

Day 3: To Bumthang

Pele La, Chendebji, Trongsa Dzong, Yotong La to Bumthang.

Day 4: Bumthang

Tang valley ride, Burning Lake, temples.

Day 5: To Trongsa

Back over Yotong La to Trongsa, Tower museum.

Day 6: South to Gelephu

Down through Zhemgang and Tingtibi to Gelephu.

Day 7: To Punakha

North through Sarpang and Tsirang to Punakha.

Day 8: To Paro

Punakha Dzong, over Dochula to Paro.

Day 9: Tiger's Nest

Hike to Paro Taktsang, farewell dinner.

Day 10: Fly out

Transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Arrive and meet your bike

Your guide meets you at Paro airport for the hour’s drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon, bike handover, safety briefing and a short ride around the capital to get used to the bike and the traffic rules.

Day 2

Over Dochula to Phobjikha

The first proper ride climbs to Dochula, at about 3,100 metres, with its 108 chortens, then winds down to Wangdue and up again into the Phobjikha valley. In winter, black-necked cranes feed on the marshes.

Day 3

Into central Bhutan

A long and beautiful day: over Pele La, past Chendebji Chorten, to Trongsa and its great dzong for lunch, then over Yotong La, at about 3,425 metres, into Bumthang.

Day 4

A day in Bumthang

A short ride into the Tang valley to Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake, and back past Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang. In the afternoon, rest or try Bumthang’s local beer and cheese.

Day 5

Back to Trongsa

A shorter ride back over Yotong La to Trongsa. In the afternoon, a visit to Trongsa Dzong and the Tower of Trongsa museum.

Day 6

South through Zhemgang to Gelephu

The road drops south through the Mangde Chhu valley and the forests of Zhemgang. Near Tingtibi, golden langurs, a rare monkey found only in this region, often sit by the road. The air grows warm and humid as you descend to Gelephu on the Indian border, where the government is building the Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Day 7

North to Punakha

We ride north through the foothills of Sarpang and the orange-growing district of Tsirang, climbing gradually back into the mountains to Wangdue and the warm Punakha valley.

Day 8

Punakha Dzong and back to Paro

A morning visit to Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, then the last ride over Dochula and through Thimphu to Paro. Bike handback in the evening.

Day 9

Hike to the Tiger's Nest

A day off the bike: the hike to Paro Taktsang, 4 to 6 hours return, and a farewell dinner with a hot stone bath.

Day 10

Farewell to Bhutan

Your guide takes you to Paro airport in time for your flight.

Where you stay

Hotels along the route, chosen for safe bike parking.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Bike handover
2	Phobjikha	Lodge or 4-star hotel	Crane valley
3 to 4	Bumthang	3-star or 4-star hotel	Temples
5	Trongsa	3-star hotel	Gorge views
6	Gelephu	Best available hotel	Southern border town
7	Punakha	3-star or 4-star hotel	Warm valley
8 to 9	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the airport

Luxury lodges are available in most valleys.

What the price covers

Included and not included

Included

Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
A licensed English-speaking guide for the whole trip
Private car or SUV with a Bhutanese driver, and all transfers
Entry fees to dzongs, temples and museums
Bottled water in the car
Motorcycle rental, fuel and riding gear on request
Riding guide and support vehicle with mechanic

Not included

International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
Drinks, laundry and other personal costs
Tips for your guide and driver
Anything not listed under included
Damage excess on the motorcycle

Price on request

Tell us your budget and we will send our best price

We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this motorcycle tour.

How we price

What decides the cost of this trip

Government fees

The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.

Hotels you choose

Motorcycle model, hotel style and group size shape the price. Riding with a partner on the back is also possible.

Season and dates

Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.

Group size

Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.

We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.

Good to know

Planning notes for riding in Bhutan

Riding gear

Bring your own helmet if you can, plus riding jacket, gloves, boots and rain gear. We can provide helmets and basic gear on request. Mornings on the passes are cold even when the valleys are warm, so thermal layers help. Your luggage travels in the support vehicle, so you only carry a small tank bag.

Licence and experience

You need a valid motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit. We arrange any local permits. Riders should be comfortable on narrow mountain roads with hairpin bends, gravel sections and the occasional cow. Bhutanese drive on the left.

When to ride

October to April is the best season: dry roads and clear views, though passes can be icy in December and January. The monsoon, from June to August, brings landslides and is not recommended.

What riding in Bhutan is like

Bhutan’s main roads are narrow and winding, with many blind corners, so speeds are low. Traffic drives on the left. Expect trucks on the climbs, cows and dogs on the road, and roadworks with gravel sections, especially after the monsoon. Your guide rides ahead and the support vehicle follows behind. We stop often, at passes, temples and tea houses, so the days feel unhurried even when the distances are long.

Visa, SDF and guide rules

Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.

Flying into Paro

Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, mainly from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore. Pilots land by sight between the ridges, so morning flights are the most reliable. We suggest a night in your hub city on the way in. Our flights to Bhutan page lists every route.

Bhutan motorcycle tour: questions

How much does the motorcycle tour cost?

It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.

Which motorcycles do you use?

Usually Royal Enfield or similar touring bikes, well suited to Bhutan’s roads.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Yes, with a valid motorcycle licence from your home country.

Can a passenger ride with me?

Yes. Passengers can also travel in the support vehicle.

How many hours a day do we ride?

Usually 4 to 7 hours, with stops.

What are the roads like?

Mostly paved, narrow and winding, with some rough sections where the road is being widened. Expect landslide repairs after the monsoon.

Can I bring my own motorcycle?

It is possible by road from India, but paperwork is complex. Most riders rent in Bhutan.