Race tour · 10 days, 9 nights · early September 2027

Tour of the Dragon 2027: 10 Days for Bhutan's Toughest Bike Race

Ride the Tour of the Dragon, a one-day mountain bike race of 268 km from Bumthang to Thimphu over four high passes, with a course preview on the way east and a relaxed week after the race.

268 km

Bumthang to Thimphu

Mountain passes

2 am

Usual start time

Extreme

Race grade

Trip overview

One of the hardest one-day races in the world

The Tour of the Dragon starts in the dark, usually at 2 am, in Chamkhar, Bumthang, and finishes 268 km later at the clock tower square in Thimphu. In between, riders cross four passes: Kiki La, Yotong La, Pele La and Dochula, three of them above 3,000 metres. Most riders take between 11 and 16 hours. It is held each year in early September; the 2026 race is set for 5 September, and we expect the 2027 race on a similar date.

Our trip is planned around the race. You arrive in Thimphu, ride short stages to test your bike and legs, then drive the course east to Bumthang, so you see every climb before race day. After the race you rest in Thimphu, ride gently in Punakha and Haa, and finish with the Tiger’s Nest. We arrange transport, support on the course and a hot meal at the finish; entry to the race is through the organisers.

Highlights

Race and ride highlights

The race

268 km and four passes in one day.

Yotong La and Pele La

Two passes near 3,400 metres.

Trongsa Dzong

Seen from the road halfway through the race.

Bumthang

Temples and the start line at Chamkhar.

Haa and Chele La

A scenic post-race ride.

Tiger's Nest

A walk to stretch the legs.

Itinerary at a glance

Ten days around race day

Race day is day five. Dates are set once the 2027 race date is confirmed.

Day 1: Arrive, to Thimphu

Land in Paro, drive to Thimphu, bike assembly.

Day 2: Dochula test ride

Ride from Thimphu up to Dochula and back.

Day 3: Course preview to Trongsa

Drive the course east over Dochula and Pele La to Trongsa.

Day 4: To Bumthang, registration

Over Yotong La to Bumthang, race registration.

Day 5: Race day

268 km from Chamkhar to Thimphu over four passes.

Day 6: Rest in Thimphu

Rest, massage, prize ceremony, gentle sightseeing.

Day 7: To Punakha

Drive over Dochula, easy ride in the Punakha valley.

Day 8: To Paro, Chele La and Haa

Drive to Paro, ride from Chele La into the Haa valley.

Day 9: Tiger's Nest

Hike to Paro Taktsang, farewell dinner.

Day 10: Fly out

Pack the bike, transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Arrive and build your bike

Your guide meets you at Paro airport. In Thimphu, our mechanic helps assemble your bike or fit a rental bike. An easy spin around the city in the evening.

Day 2

A test ride to Dochula

The last climb of the race is Dochula, about 22 km from Thimphu at about 3,100 metres. Riding it now shows you how your body copes with the altitude and gives you a feel for the final hours of the race.

Day 3

Preview the course: to Trongsa

We drive the course in reverse, stopping on Pele La, at about 3,400 metres, and at Chendebji Chorten. You can ride sections of the descent if you like. Trongsa Dzong comes into view across the gorge.

Day 4

To the start line in Bumthang

Over Yotong La, at about 3,425 metres, to Bumthang. Registration and bike checks are held in Chamkhar. In the afternoon, rest, eat and prepare your kit for a 2 am start.

Day 5

Tour of the Dragon race day

The race starts in the dark in Chamkhar. The first climb is Kiki La, then Yotong La, the long descent to Trongsa, the climb to Pele La, the drop to Wangdue and the final climb to Dochula before the descent into Thimphu. Our support car meets you at feed points with food, drinks and spares. Finishers are welcomed at the clock tower square.

Day 6

Rest day in Thimphu

A slow morning, a massage, and gentle sightseeing: Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong. The organisers usually hold a ceremony for finishers.

Day 7

An easy ride in Punakha

We drive over Dochula and ride gently along the river in the warm Punakha valley to Punakha Dzong and through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang.

Day 8

Over Chele La to Haa

We drive to Paro and up to Chele La, at about 3,988 metres. From the pass, a long descent by bike into the Haa valley, with a visit to the White Temple, before the car brings us back to Paro.

Day 9

Hike to the Tiger's Nest

The hike to Paro Taktsang takes 4 to 6 hours. In the evening, a farewell dinner and a hot stone bath.

Day 10

Farewell to Bhutan

We help pack your bike and take you to Paro airport.

Where you stay

Hotels along the course.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1 to 2	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the finish
3	Trongsa	3-star hotel	Course preview
4	Bumthang	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the start
5 to 6	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Rest after the race
7	Punakha	3-star or 4-star hotel	Easy riding
8 to 9	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Haa and the Tiger's Nest

Bumthang hotels fill for race weekend, so we book early.

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
Support car and staff on race day
Bike mechanic support

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
Race entry fee, paid to the organisers
Bike rental, if you do not bring your own

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 race 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

Hotel style, bike rental and group size shape the price.

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 the Tour of the Dragon

Race date

The race is held each year in early September, usually on a Saturday. The 2026 race is set for 5 September. We confirm the 2027 date as soon as it is announced and plan your trip around it.

Training and bikes

You need to be able to ride 250 km or more in a day with several thousand metres of climbing. Most riders use a hardtail mountain bike or a gravel bike with wide tyres, as some sections are rough. Bring your own bike if you can, with spare tubes, brake pads and a good set of lights for the dark start.

Weather

Early September is the end of the monsoon. Expect rain showers, cool temperatures on the passes and warm valleys. Pack a waterproof jacket and arm warmers.

Support on race day

Riders start at 2 am in the dark, so the first hours are cold and you need good front and rear lights. Our support car follows the race with your food, water, warm layers, spare tubes, a pump and basic tools. Your guide knows where the car can stop safely on the narrow road, and meets you at each pass. Friends and family can ride in the car and cheer you over Kiki La, Yotong La, Pele La and Dochula. After the finish in Thimphu, a hot meal and a rest day are waiting.

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.

Tour of the Dragon: questions

How much does the Tour of the Dragon 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.

When is the Tour of the Dragon in 2027?

It is usually held in early September. The 2026 race is on 5 September. We confirm the 2027 date once it is announced.

How long is the Tour of the Dragon?

268 km from Chamkhar in Bumthang to Thimphu, in one day.

Which passes does it cross?

Kiki La, Yotong La, Pele La and Dochula.

Can I rent a bike in Bhutan?

Yes, but we recommend bringing your own for a race of this length.

Is there a time limit?

The organisers set cut-off times each year. We share them when entries open.

When should I book?

Four to six months ahead, as Bumthang hotels are limited.