MOTORCYCLE:
Royal Enfield Himalayan. Motorcycle rental is included in the tour price.
Car option is available.
TOUR DESCRIPTION:
Bhutan Tour — The Last Himalayan Kingdom
Step into Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom where mountains meet meaning. Cradled between China and India, Bhutan guards a living culture of dzongs, monasteries, and a national compass set to Gross National Happiness—not GDP. With 20+ peaks over 7,000 m, winding roads, and quiet towns, this journey offers perspective as much as place.
Highlights
- Gross National Happiness: Bhutan’s unique, 40+ year well-being philosophy
- Living heritage: 2,000+ monasteries/gompas and majestic dzongs anchoring each region
- Grand scenery: sacred lakes near 4,500 m, Himalayan horizons, valleys carved by time
- Slow to open, rich in ritual: TV (1999), internet (2000), tourism since 1974
Iconic road: the “celestial highway of a thousand bends” — narrow, scenic, unforgettable - Small nation, big spirit: ~750,000 residents; fiercely independent and deeply spiritual
Tucked between two giants, Bhutan has chosen its own rhythm. Here, the measure of progress is happiness: a royal vision that surveys national well-being and shapes daily life. The result is palpable—pride in tradition, quiet confidence, and a landscape of dzongs and monasteries that still define the skyline.
Your route moves from valley towns to high country, from sacred lakes glowing blue at altitude to Himalayan walls that punch through the sky. Roads curl like ribbons—sometimes just 3.5 m wide—past prayer flags and hillside hamlets that feel paused in time. Along the way, you’ll encounter the country’s layered story: a late arrival of cars, TV, and internet; a deliberate opening to the world; and a culture that wears its national dress with everyday pride.
This isn’t a checklist tour. It’s an immersion. Potala-style fortresses (dzongs), Jokhang-centered devotion in the capital’s spiritual heart, and remote villages where the air is thin and the welcome warm. Bhutan is often called the last Shangri-La—and while the legend is literary, the feeling here is real.
Ready to see whether the myth holds up? Join this Bhutan cultural journey and trade ordinary travel for insight, serenity, and the rare joy of a country designed for well-being.
START:
END:
NUMBER OF DAYS AND NIGHTS:
NUMBER OF RIDING DAYS:
TOUR TYPE:
TYPE OF ROADS:
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
MIN./ MAX. NUMBER OF BIKES:
Available
Choose your options:
DETAILS OF THE TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Paro and the world heritage site of Drukgyel Dzong
- Tiger’s Nest buddhist monastery
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Punakha Dzong
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest fortress
- Bumthang valley, including Tamshing Monastery
- Trashigang
- Chorten Kora Monastery
Passes:
- Dochula Pass (3100 m)
- Pelela Pass (3423 m)
- Yutongla Pass (3425 m)
- Thrumshingla Pass (3780 m)
WEATHER:
The weather at this time of year is generally sunny, but as always in high mountains things can change quickly. It is much cooler at night. During the day, the temperature varies between 15C and 20C.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR:
Wearing adequate riding gear is an individual responsibility. We strongly recommend “adventure” type gear. Bring your own riding gear.
LUGGAGE:
We will be traveling light. Try not to take more than one 20kg luggage piece. It should be dust & water proof. For riding days take with you a small backpack or waterproof bag, with straps, to enable you to attach it to your motorbike.
IMPORTANT, REMEMBER:
Our trip starts and ends in Paro. Flights to/from Bhutan are operated by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline. Departure times vary between 05:00 and 12:30
Our trip end in Paro. Paro Airport is Bhutan’s only international airport. Bhutan’s two national carriers are Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. There are several cities to fly from, but the most common flights depart from Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore and Kathmandu.
We suggest you arrange your intercontinental flight to/from Delhi. Please remember to arrange your tickets to Bhutan in advance as Druk Air is often fully booked weeks ahead.
In most hotels in Bhutan you can pay with a credit card. However we suggest changing some cash in the airport, for souvenirs and personal expenses.
MotoBirds will arrange the Bhutanese tourist visa for you. However, each participant is responsible for arranging his tourist visa for India. For most nationalities it can be done online – we will provide you with the guidelines.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:
3780
meters above seal levelDAY BY DAY TOUR PROGRAM
DAY 1 (26.10) ARRIVAL TO PARO. CAR TRANSFER TO TIMPHU
PROGRAMME: Arrive at Paro (PBH), acclimatization, bikeallocation,optional sightseeing based on flight timing. TransfertoThimphu-1hour
ACCOMODATION: Hotel Bhutan Home
DAY 2 (27.10 / 125 KM) TIMPHU – GANGTEY
PROGRAMME: Paro to Phobjikha Valley. Stop at Dochula Pass for scenic views,visit the Phobjikha Crane Center upon arrival.
ACCOMODATION: Phobjikha Resort
DAY 3 (28.10 / 155 KM) GANGTEY – BUMTHANG
PROGRAMME: Phobjikha to Bumthang. Explore Bumthang Valley, visit a monastery.
ACCOMODATION: SwissGuestHouse
DAY 4 (29.10. / 80 KM) BHUMTANG – TRONGSA. BHUMTANG VALLEY SIGHTSEEING IN THE MORNING
PROGRAMME: Morning: Sightseeing remaining attractions in Bumthang. Afternoon: Visit Trongsa Dzong and the museum.
ACCOMODATION – Yangkhil Resort
DAY 5 (30.10 / 190 KM) TRONGSA- GELEPHU
PROGRAMME: Trongsa to Gelephu.
ACCOMODATION: Deyanam Hotel
DAY 6 (31.10 / 200 KM) GELEPHU – PUNAKHA
PROGRAMME: Visit Punakha Dzong,explore the area.
ACCOMODATION: Hotel Sonamgang
DAY 7 (1.11 / 125 KM) PUNAKHA – if the weather is good, ride through Haa Valley – PARO
PROGRAMME: PunakhatoThimphu, thentoParo. Stops:VisitChimiLhakhang, lunch in Thimphu.
ACCOMODATION: Olathang,Paro
DAY 8 (2.11)
PROGRAMME: HIKE TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY (TIGER’S NEST), alternative for non-hikers: ride to Chele La Pass or Dzongdrakha Monastery.
ACCOMODATION: Olathang,Paro
DAY 9 (3.11)
FLY OUT FROM PARO
THE ROUTE MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS.
YOUR OPINIONS
FROM GOOGLE
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5,based on 47 reviews
PRICE INCLUDES:
MOTORCYCLE
4X4 CAR
GUIDE
SUPPORT CAR
MOTORBIKE MAINTENANCE
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE HOTEL
PERMITS
ACTIVITIES
Entry fees to the touristic attractions en route, including buddhist monasteries and dzongs en route.
INSURANCE
- Basic travel insurance.
- Tourist Guarantee Fund fee.
- Tourist Support Fund fee.
IMPORTANT: For an additional fee, there is an option to independently extend the insurance within the Signal Iduna Safe Travels and/or Global Rescue partner offer. The price of the tour includes basic travel insurance.
PICTURES & GPX TRACKS FROM THE TOUR
WELCOME PACK
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
- Airline tickets (tickets should not be bought until the organizer confirms the completion of the minimum group size).
- Tourist entry visa, if required.
- Tests and / or vaccinations, if required.
- Medical expenses not covered by the standard MotoBirds insurance.
- Costs related to the transport of a participant to the nearest medical center, in case of injury, illness, inability or unwillingness to continue the tour, if those costs are not covered by the insurance.
- Additional, recommended Global Rescue coverage.
- Motorcycle refundable security deposit: US$300 payable at the start of the tour in cash./ US$600 car refundable security deposit payable at the start of the tour in cash.
- Drinks
- Tips.
- Entrance tickets to optional tourist attractions: use of a horse or a mule during the trekking to the Tiger’s Nest monastery (Taktsang).There is a hike of 800 meters vertical ascent / descent.
DEPOSIT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE:
US$300 motorbike refundable deposit, to be paid in cash on site. If damages to the motorbike exceed the deposit amount, the driver has to pay the difference.
US$600Car refundable security deposit payable at the start of the tour in cash.
