Bhutan mountain bike tours

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Bhutan trip dates in 2024

• November 27-December 6, 2024

Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact us for custom trip dates!

Skill and fitness level requirements

Fitness level: ● ● ● ● ○
Skill level: ● ● ● ● ○

What do these ratings mean?

What to expect after you’ve booked your trip

• Once you’ve booked your trip, you will get a confirmation email through our booking system and a trip information sheet for your trip.
• Please hold off booking your flights until we confirm that the trip has enough participants to run. We will send out an email to let you know.
• Once the trip is confirmed, please go ahead and book your flight and upload your flight information into your WeTravel account (this is the account you will have booked your trip through).
• If you plan to extend your visit on either end of the trip, please let us know and we can help arrange for extra nights at the hotel if needed.
• Make sure to read through your trip information sheet, and always feel free to reach out with any questions to Julie!

Day 1- Welcome to Bhutan – Arrival.  

Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly professional guide and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu. If time permits, we’ll go for a short ride on thimphu’s favorite XC trail – the Wangditse loop.

In the evening, we will visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy a welcome dinner at the best restaurant in Thimphu, where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisine. We will talk about the trip before heading to the resort for a good night of sleep. 

Accommodations: 4-star- Thimphu Tower Hotel or Pelyang Boutique

Day 2 – Best of Thimphu’s trails to get Acclimatized, Enduro Shuttled rides

Let’s get straight into riding! Today we’ll explore the capital city which boasts some of our best mtb trails in the country. We will first proceed to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking the Thimphu city. We will take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride the capital’s favorite MTB trails called the KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang. We will then shuttle back to the Buddha statue and ride the downhill trail to Babesa.

Next, we’ll hit the hills up to the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal. We will then continue to the radio tower, where the Wangditse MTB single-track trail starts. We will shred this trail all the way down to Bebena, and then huttle back to the radio tower to ride the purpose built Takin trail, where you can go fast and furious through the twists and turns in the pine forests.

After lunch, we’ll hike-a-bike for an hour on the Phajoding trail and ride the Ridge down to the radio tower and continue on for another lap on the Takin MTB.  We may also meet some of our local MTB riders on this popular trail.

After the ride, we will have some time to stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner. We’ll also go to to one of our favorite bars called the Mojo Park to see a bit of Bhutan’s urban culture! 

Ride time 6-7 hours/ 35 km

Accommodations: 4-star- Thimphu Tower Hotel or Pelyang Boutique

Day 3 -Mega-Madman trail with 2500m descending on one epic trail! 

Every rider that’s mountain biked in Bhutan has agreed that this is one of the world’s best trails. We will start the day by driving to Trashigang Gonpa at 3000m. From here, we’ll hike-a-bike to Lungchutse Gonpa for an hour. From the trail head at 3600m, the ride drops into rhododendron forests with wide and wild trails for 3 km of pure descending into the mist. From Dohula pass, we continue riding on the Trans-Bhutan trail- a heritage trail full of Bhutan’s history. These are the trails where the nation was built and they are full of stories. We will continue descending down on the famous Madman trail down to Talo village, where a picnic lunch will be waiting for you. 

After lunch, we will continue to ride down to an old village by the river, and then pedal on a gentle climb through pine forests to Laptsakha village. From here, we’ll ride downhill to Punakha Dzong fortress. The entire day is 25 km with 90% downhill on one of the best trails in the world!

It will then be beer time at a local bar before we head to hotel for a nice evening and dinner. 

Ride time 6-7 hours, 25 km ride

Accommodations: 3-star Zhingkham Resort or Hotel Lobesa

Day 4 – Punakha Rest day with sightseeing 

Today, it’s time to give your bike and legs a rest. We will drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes to the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions. If the group is up for it, we can do a white-water rafting at Pho-chu river.  

After, we will continue to Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture. 

After, we will head to town for an authentic local dinner from southern Bhutan.

Accommodations: 3-star Zhingkham Resort or Hotel Lobesa

Day 5– Punakha Gravity and Flow

Today we’ll enjoy some serious descents. First, we’ll shuttle to Tshochhasa village and enjoy a long flowy descent from 2200m to 1300m. This ride mostly winds through chripine forests and ends at the paddy fields near the fortress. 

After, we will shuttle to Talo village and enjoy riding on one of the best downhill natural singletrack trails in the valley. We’ll have lunch at the country-side farmhouse, quite possibly the best lunch in Bhutan. Stretching 8.9 km with an altitude drop of 1000m, this ride takes us through beautiful forests and villages, punctuated with monasteries and awesome viewpoints.

 Ride time 6 hours, 35km

Accommodations: 4-star Wangdue Eco Lodge

Day 6- Khotokha Hidden Valley Tech Trail

 Today, we’ll shuttle about 1.5 hours to Khotokha pass. From the pass, we’ll ride down to Khotokha valley, an area that is beautiful and away from civilization. Our riders are the only visitors who pass through this old authentic village that seems to be untouched by tourism. We will have a lovely lunch at a local farmhous before an easy 30 minute pedal to the point where we’ll start the 45 minutes hike-a-bike to reach Moleyla pass at 3000m. From here, we will be rewarded with one of the most technical and exciting trails in Bhutan. The Khotokha trail is 40% rock-gardens before a stretch through a beautiful forests ride where you can just shred. The flowy trails are full of roots, leaves, switchbacks, natural berms, jumps and very fast sections. 

Ride time 6 hours, hike-a-bike 1 hour, 25 km distance.

Accommodations: 4-star Wangdue Eco Lodge

Day 7– Rest Day and Transfer to Paro

After a leisurely breakfast and soaking in the views, we’ll drive 3 hours to Paro.  

In the afternoon, we will visit a farmhouse to try a herbal hot-stone bath, known to be therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, as well as soothing your mind and body. It is the perfect way to unwind. 

Those who want to visit a spa and get a proper massage, we can do this today as well. 

We will have some time to explore the town in the evening on foot, and visit handicrafts shops along the street to appreciate Bhutanese craftsmanship. You can perhaps take home a few souvenirs to remind you of the beautiful moments in Bhutan.

Accommodations: 3-star Golden Paddy Field Hotel 

Day 8– World Class Singletrack of Paro

After a day’s rest, we will start the first of two amazing big days. After breakfast, we will shuttle for 45 mins to the trailhead, and from there begin the hike-a-bike on the famous Trans-Bhutan Trail to Jela Dzong. We will then hit the famous Jela trail, a 15 km downhill ride on one of the best trails in Bhutan.

After lunch in Paro town, we will shuttle for about an hour and a half to reach the distant Kila Goenpa nunnery at 3800m. Once we reach the temple, we’ll enjoy a long 12 km descent down to Paro valley. The trail is loamy, fast and flowy through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. Once we get to Gorina monastery, the trail gets a bit more technical with a number of rock gardens, making it an awesome ride.  

Ride time 6- 7 hours, 30 km

Accommodations: 3-star Golden Paddy Field Hotel 

Day 9– Tiger’s Nest Ultimate Ride

Today’s ride is not just for the sake of ripping down to the most iconic landmark of Bhutan, but rather for the epic feeling of having discovered Shangri La. Today we’ll start our day with a 3.5-4 hour hike-a bike to Bumdra campsite via Sangchhokhor Buddhist College at 2800 m and then past the yak pasturelands to reach Bumdra Monastery (3,800 m). 

After lunch at Bumdra, we’ll ride Bhutan’s ultimate downhill, with a pit stop at the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery. It’s a 2000 m descent on some spectacular trails. Switchbacks, off-camber, downhill, rock gardens, flowy trails, enduro style of riding – you name it and it’s all there. After visiting the spectacular temple, we’ll enjoy some proper downhill type of riding to end our spectacular MTB adventure in Bhutan.

Tonight we will have some chill time with some beers to celebrate good times together.

Note – There is an option to make this an easier sightseeing and hiking day.  

Accommodations: 3-star Golden Paddy Field Hotel 

Day 10– See you later!

After breakfast at your hotel and our “see you laters”, your driver will take you to the airport for your departing flight. 

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Download our Bhutan Information Guide for a more detailed trip overview.

• Bhutan Tourism Royalty/Levy ($100 per day per person) payed to the government of Bhutan
• Visa Fees ($40 per person)
• All necessary permit and park fees
• All entrance fees to monuments, temples. fortresses
• All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
• All meals and evening tea
• Drinking mineral water
• All accommodations in 3–4 star hotels
• MTB guide and mechanic
• 4 x 4 Pickup truck for bike shuttle
• SUV/Van/Bus for passenger transfers

Price – $4495

A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Deposits are non-refundable and can be put toward any other World Ride trip in the future.

The remainder of the cost of the trip is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip and can be made in payments. Trips require a minimum of six people in order to run. Please check with us to confirm your trip before you book your flight.

Fundraise for your trip

Fundraise for your trip! We can set up a personalized fundraising page for you. We offer $100 off your trip costs for every $1000 that you raise, up to the cost of the trip.

The money you raise supports World Ride in building bike and gear libraries and offering guide training and certification in the countries we work with.

Get in touch with us for more details on the fundraising process.

This trip is helping to jumpstart the World Ride in Bhutan. We will be working to help train at least one female guide as part of this trip.  Thank you for helping support our work to bring economic opportunities to women in this amazing country!

Bhutan is a warm and welcoming country, but like any place in the world, you will need to be cautious of your valuables during the trip. The bikes will be securely stored throughout the trip.

Please see the US State Department website for any other travel safety information.

For any travel related vaccines and health questions, be sure to check the CDC website and consult your doctor.

Wondering what clothes to pack, what sort of power adapter to bring, or how to pack for Bhutan? We’ve got you covered! Check out the lists below.

More insights into your Bhutan mountain biking tour

• Why going on a World Ride mountain biking trip is the best way to support our mission

Other things to explore in Bhutan

There are opportunities to extend your stay in Bhutan and explore more via bike or safari. Please get in touch if you would like to get more information!