THE DRAGON KINGDOM BHUTAN

SELECT YOUR DATES



campus design
DURATION

13 Days / 12 Nights

STARTING FROM

Rider 4390 €
Pillion 3390 €

LEVEL

Intermediate

SEASONS

April/May/October

DISTANCE

1356 km


ABOUT THE DESTINATION

On our 13-days Royal Enfield motorcycle tour across Bhutan, you can expect winding roads, the Trumshing La (3,789 meters) and Chele La (3,988 meters) passes, and really breathtaking views. Ride with us through the isolated kingdom and encounter a Buddhist culture in which people have identified happiness as the greatest good in the world and old traditions are still practised today. Our exploration journey begins with your arrival in Delhi and a connecting flight to Guwahati. We will move up in Samdruk Jongkar, eastern Bhutan, and soak up all the experiences that the Land of the Thunder Dragon and its mighty Himalayan Mountains have to offer. As the journey kicks off, winding roads and beautiful sights will be the rule of the day. We will ride through Bhutan's highest passes on Royal Enfield Bullets, discover the "Switzerland of Bhutan" in Bumthang Valley, explore the hot springs in Gaza, wander around the alleys of Thimphu, and, of course, try the local brew. We at Asia Rides, believe to offer unforgettable experiences and insights into a country and many hidden gems that have stayed under the radar of mass tourism. We take time not only for its magnificent landscapes but also to meet its wonderful, friendly people and get to know their lifestyles and cultures. So, what’s keeping you aside? Bhutan is waiting for you to discover it!


TRIP ITINERARY

circle

With all the crazy excitement to begin the journey, our Bhutan motorcycling adventure begins with our arrival in Delhi early in the morning. We then fly to Guwahati, the state capital of Assam in northeastern India. A taxi will be right there to take us to Samdruk Jongkar, which is near the border with southeastern Bhutan. Following the border formalities, you get to relax on the Bhutanese side and meet new people at the welcome supper. We spend the night at Samdrup Jongkhar, which is located at an elevation of around 200 meters.

This day as we start with the crazy real biking adventure, there will be much more than just the rides. We will begin with a tortuous ascent from 200 meters at the border to the Indian state of Assam to over 1,000 meters. In Khaling, if you are a crafty person this will simply make your day better. Here you get a chance to interact with the local weavers, practitioners of a craft for which eastern Bhutan is quite famous around the world. Moving ahead, we even get to see Bhutan’s only university in Kanglung. While crossing the areas, where you get to witness why Bhutan is an actual paradise for the bikers right from your eyes. Looking forward to a day of exploring our way through the mystic mountains on an endlessly twisting route and a picnic lunch. We will arrive in the afternoon at our destination for the day, the peaceful small village of Trashigang. After you have settled in, say no to rest and get ready to go exploring.

We will be cruising from Tashigang to Mongar via Drametsi today. In the morning, we ride through the relatively low-lying and warm Kanglung Chu valley, moving ahead through gorgeous evergreen forests on the Yadi Loops before arriving in charming Drametsi. We will cross the 2,490-meter Kori La Pass and spend the night in Mongar, a little district town at an altitude of around 1800 meters.

Today, we will cross three mountain crossings in Bhutan! We will begin our journey eastward from Bumthang. Many people have always heard about these areas, but hardly any visit the regions we will be visiting today. We will cross the treacherous Trumshing La Pass, Bhutan's highest motorable road at 3,789 meters. We are sure you’ll be loving this experience. The rise than will take us through many temperate zones with gorgeous, ever-changing greenery, exploring alluring vegetation on your way. We will stop for a quick tea break along the road in Ura, a little farming village that is quite unusual for Bhutan. The houses here are built fairly near to one another so that farming families can easily aid one another. Isn’t this such a beautiful thought? Surprisingly, all of the houses face the same direction!

Today we will visit Choskhor Valley, which is home to a Swiss-run dairy. Here we will also get a chance to explore the Jambay Lhakhang, Bhutan's second-oldest Buddhist temple, which was established in the 7th century by Tibet's King Songtsen Gampo. Tanshing Gompa, one of Bhutan's oldest monasteries with a 15th-century temple, is also a spot that we will explore on the same day. Later, on our way, we will visit a tiny, Swiss-owned wheat beer brewery. It goes without saying that we will try the local brew and cheese with cheers! After a great exploration day, we spend the night in Jakar, which is 2,550 meters above sea level. After a delicious dinner, it is time to unwind around a roaring bonfire with some chit chats.

This day we will bid goodbye to the beautiful Bumthang Valley via the Yotong La Pass (3,425 meters). We will stop for a while on the way to see the Chumey Yathra weavers and the local fortress, the dzong. Trongsa Dzong, a Buddhist monastic castle, is a work of art that exudes the power and majesty of central Bhutan's ancient ruling dynasty. It is unquestionably worthwhile to pay a visit - see for yourself! We will spend the night with a view of the dzong, a lovely garden, and an attentive crew that will set up the bonfire at the end of the day.

After breakfast, we will first visit dzong and, depending on time and interest, the National Museum. Now comes one of the loveliest everyday stages: we are reaching for the sky once again. Curves that seem to go on forever will lead us to the summit of Pele La Pass at 3,300 meters. We will stop for a break near the majestic Chendebi Chorten on the way up, followed by hours on winding roads into the Black Mountains. We will leave the "highway" after cresting the pass to take a detour into the valley of black-necked cranes and to Gangtey monastery. Something interesting that you will surely capture, not with just your phone but also with your eyes. We will spend the night in Phobjikha Valley, at an elevation of 2,800 meters. This will become slight more adventurous as you can plan a short hike in the afternoon also.

After four hours of winding our way through the mountains, we will get our first glimpse of Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most spectacular stronghold. The dzong's construction began in 1637 and is still used as the winter residence of the Bhutanese government. We have plenty of opportunities to photograph this picturesque monument, which is located directly on the river. The massive edifice is expected to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the near future — and looking at it, it is hard to believe it has not been listed for a long time. We will have a fantastic dinner in the evening, followed by a warm campfire courtesy of our host.

Today will be quite more of a relaxing day for you. We will begin with a ride from Punakha straight up to the hot springs of Gaza. Along the route, we will stop at temples and have a picnic in the countryside. We will cap up the day with a delectable meal to serve your taste buds well.

The route begins a steep, winding rise with multiple hairpins turns just outside Punakha to the Dochu La Pass at 3,450 meters. A big Bhutanese Chorten, a prayer flag pole, and little prayer flags hung by local pilgrims mark the pass top, making it a memorable mark. We will stay in Thimphu for the night. After supper at a speciality restaurant, we can visit some of the pubs in what is possibly the world's smallest capital city. Get your party outfits ready.

This day, we will take a scenic trip to western Bhutan, passing the Chele La Pass (3,988 m) with views of the Haa Valley and the Dobj monastery. The journey begins with a section of the new "expressway." We will leave Thimphu at a quick pace on a beautifully paved road, headed for the Coronation Bridge, which is 30 kilometres away. The town of Paro is small since the majority of the residents live in the surrounding countryside, working the fertile soil. The path leading from the Dzong Bridge to Paro is lined by massive chortens. The royal palace of Ugyen Pelri, erected in 1930 by Paro Penlop Tshering Panjor, is barely visible in the night. We will spend the night in one of the most premium hotels in Bhutan.

In the morning, we will embark on an exciting journey to the renowned Taktshang monastery (the "Tiger's Nest"), one of Bhutan's most treasured national monuments, set on a cliff with a breathtaking view (4-5 hours trekking, 500-meter climb). Alternatively, we might take a brief motorcycle trip through western Bhutan's Paro Valley to the imposing ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong medieval monastery. The day will include time for sightseeing and shopping in Paro, a town that did not exist until 1985. Oh, fret not! Now it does. There was no village near the dzong, as is so often the case in Bhutan.

The final day is here we bid goodbye to the most exciting adventures our way and the days we have explored the best of Bhutan. On the last day, we fly back to Delhi from Paro and mark the end of the guided Bhutan Intensive Motorcycle Tour. Check-in will take place at midday at the Hotel in New Delhi Aerocity. At the end of our tour, we will stop by the Royal Enfield Flagship Store and gather for one last farewell meal in a nice restaurant. Anyone who is not travelling home that evening can spend the night at the Hotel, as we would be pleased to arrange a transfer to New Delhi Airport for you the next day.

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS


  • Departure : Delhi Airport
  • End : Delhi Airport
  • Average Daily Ride Hours: 4-5
  • Departure guarantee from 6 participants
  • Baggage transfer by vehicle.

INCLUSIONS


  • All airports transfer
  • All accommodations in double/twin rooms.
  • Dinner & Breakfast
  • Royal Enfield Himalayan Bike 410CC
  • One backup vehicle for luggages
  • Experience English speaking Guide on own motorcycle
  • Experience motorcycle mechanic
  • Delhi-Guwahati flight
  • Paro-Delhi flight

EXCLUSIONS


  • International flight
  • Lunch
  • Personal Expensis
  • Tips for the team
  • Monuments entrance fees
  • Motor bike equipments
  • Drinks