Bhutan

Overview

Cycling across Bhutan is one of the most exciting adventures one can experience on a bicycle. 

Travelling from the far west to the central region of the Bhutanese Kingdom will reward riders with challenging climbs of up to 4,000m in elevation and allow them to experience mind-blowing descents that last for hours through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes on earth.

Our guide is one of the world's only certified cycling guides to be recognised by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

I had great expectations for the Bhutan LabRat Run.  They were truly exceeded.  Thanks Painted Roads!

Paul Crowley on Bhutan

Difficulty

This is a challenging tour, with several days of riding more than 100 kilometres and daily climbing between 1100 and 2100 metres. climbs can be up to 35 kilometres in duration, with descents to match. The highest point of the tour is 4000 metres, so altitude can be a factor, although we do not stay long at this altitude and do not sleep this high.

Overall, this is a challenging tour for experienced cyclists.

Accommodation 

We will be staying in comfortable 3-star hotels.

Joining Instructions

You will be met at Paro International Airport (Code PBH) on arrival and escorted to our joining hotel where you will be greeted by your tour leader.

Biking from western to central Bhutan compressed in 7 days; like drinking from a firehose of quickly changing wondrous  mountain landscapes with like-minded companions, tiring but exhilarating.  Good food too.

Nida and Tack on Bhutan

Included in this tour

Daily SDF fee, visa, all accommodation, Western tour leader, local guide, support vehicle, all meals, snacks and water whilst cycling.

Not Included: 

International flights, travel insurance (mandatory), bicycle (rental bicycle available), alcohol, food and drink away from the group meals and snacks.

This tour delivered what we've come to expect from Painted Roads. Good scenery, challenging cycling, no one leaves a meal or snack stop hungry, a beer is available within 30 seconds of dismount, and a roof is provided each and every day; I thought the lodging was exceptional, much nicer than I was expecting.

Morgan Viggers on Bhutan

Bicycle Advice

At PaintedRoads, we hold firmly to the opinion that using your own bike, the bike on which you feel at home and comfortable, is the finest way to enjoy a cycling adventure.

Most kinds of bicycle, except light-weight racing bikes, are suitable for this ride: touring bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, gravel, or cyclocross bikes are all fine. The roads on this tour are predominantly sealed, but there are a few gravel sections. Tyres from 35mm in width upwards will be fine. There are plenty of long climbs, one reaching up to 4000 metres in altitude, so please be sure that your bicycle has sensible gearing - this is not the Tour de France; it is an adventure. If in doubt, please ask for advice.

Our backup vehicle carries tools, but for those competent with repairs, bringing your own pump, puncture kit, and multi-tool is recommended as it will speed up repairs and minor adjustments. If bringing your own bike, please bring along a couple of spare inner tubes, a puncture repair kit, spare brake pads, and a few spare spokes that fit your wheels (please note that different wheels have different-sized spokes). We recommend tubeless tyres; if using tubeless, please be sure you are running fresh sealant, and please bring spare sealant. We cannot service Di2, eTap or other electronic groupsets; if using such electronic gears, please be sure your system is in tip-top condition and your battery is as new. If in doubt, please ask at your local bike shop.

A means of carrying water, your camera, sunblock etc is also essential – either an on-bike bag, handlebar or saddlebag for example, or a light-weight day-pack.

•Recommendation: Although our hire bikes come equipped with a saddle, if you have a saddle you use and are happy with it is strongly recommended that you use it on tour. If you use SPD-type shoes, please bring your own matching pedals. We are happy to fit these for you. 

Never cycling other than in peace, always in sight of spectacular surrounding mountains  ( in clean mountain air ) witnessing timeless Buddhist architecture, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” absolutely will not disappoint in the chance to experience natural beauty and wildlife in a country still steeped in a unique cultural heritage

Julia. on Bhutan

Suitable Bicycle: MTB, Touring Bike, Cyclocross/Gravel Bike.

ESSENTIAL! Please be sure your bicycle is in perfect condition before you leave home. Again, if in doubt, please consult your local bike shop.

Rental Bicycles

If you wish to hire a bicycle, we can arrange for the hire of good quality cycles from our in-country agent. 

Print Itinerary

DAY 1 - PARO ARRIVAL: sleeping altitude 2200M

Arriving at Bhutan’s premier airport, in the beautiful Paro Valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries, and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress will provide a beautiful first impression. 

Arriving at our hotel, we can rest before preparing our bicycles for the adventure to come.

We will meet this evening for a group briefing and our first dinner together.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 0KMS

 

DAY 2 – PARO: Tiger's Nest hike: sleeping altitude 2200M

Bhutan’s most iconic temple, The Tiger’s Nest, is perched high on a cliff face 3,000m above sea level. The two-hour trek on a footpath through the beautiful Pine forest is a relaxing way to get to know our fellow travellers and a perfect introduction and acclimatisation aid for the altitudes encountered in Bhutan.

Leaving the main pathway, we climb a little higher than the regular hike to where we can enjoy magnificent views of this remarkable architecture. During our descent, we can enjoy lunch at the oldest cafe in Bhutan, with spectacular views of the Monastery. 

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 0KMS

 

Day 3 - PARO to SHANA: sleeping altitude 2200M

After breakfast, we will mount our bicycles for our first experience of cycling at altitude. Following the Paro River, we pass through cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages as we gradually climb towards Shana, the starting point of the Snowman Trek, which usually takes 30 days to complete. During our return journey, we will enjoy a picnic lunch before reaching our lodge on the outskirts of Paro.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 65KMS

Accent: 930M

Decent: 930M

DAY 4 - PARO to HAA: sleeping altitude 2725M

This morning, we pass through farmland and scattered hamlets en route to the start of the long climb to Bhutan’s highest motor-able pass, the 4000 metre-high Chele La. The ascent is gradual and offers glimpses to the north of Bhutan’s snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Some 36 kilometres after leaving our hotel, we reach the prayer-flagged pass, where snacks and refreshments await before the 20-kilometre descent to Haa. 

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 65KMS

Accent: 1625M

Decent: 1130M 

DAY 5 - HAA to THIMPH: sleeping altitude 2320M

Today, we ride 110 km to the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. The first half of the ride follows the Haa Chu River gently downstream, through small villages where locals will greet us with friendly waves and warm greetings, and wild monkeys and mountainside yak may be seen beside the road. 

The remainder of the day is an undulating ride towards the nation’s capital, Thimphu, with a population of 150,000, including Bhutan's King and Queen. Our hotel is in the heart of the city, and this evening, we can watch the local people in the town square wearing their traditional dress as they go about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese manner.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 110KMS

Accent: 1145M

Decent: 1600M

DAY 6 - THIMPHU to PUNAKHA: sleeping altitude 1225M

After a short but memorable stay in Thimphu, we leave to cross the 3000-metre Dochu La pass. After a gentle 5-kilometre to warm the legs, the gentle 22km climb to Dochu La begins in earnest as we climb through woodland, abundant with flora and fauna. The lower slopes are lush with orange and banana trees, as well as bamboo. As we climb, we may spot the deer and monkeys who make their home in the forest. At the top of the pass, marked by 108 magnificent Buddhist stupas, our crew will greet us with snacks as we enjoy magnificent views of the Eastern Himalayas. The downhill from Dochu La to the Punakha Valley is one of the most stunning rides in the world, losing seventeen hundred vertical metres during forty kilometres of sweeping descent through lush majestic jungle to lunch. Continuing towards the ancient capital of Punakha, we cross Bhutan's longest suspension bridge, which leads us to our hotel for the night with a beautiful view of the valley and river below us.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 75KMS

Accent: 980M

Decent: 2100M

DAY 7 – PUNAKHA to PHOBJIKHA: sleeping altitude 2900M

We will leave our hotel and cycle down to the river and the valley floor, one of the lowest points of the trip at 600m above sea level. Crossing the river, we begin the deceptively long climb over the Black Mountain, during which we gain nigh on 1200 metres on a road that brought great changes to the local people when completed some thirty-five years ago.

We will lunch in the small settlement in Norbuding, after which we have another 800 vertical metres of climbing before the final descent to the glacial Phobjikha Valley, considered by many to be the most beautiful valley in Bhutan. 

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 75KMS

Accent: 2325M

Decent: 681M

DAY 8 - PHOBJIKHA: sleeping altitude 2900M

Having climbed more than seven thousand metres in the past five days, a rest is in order. Fortunately, the Phobjikha Valley is an ideal venue to spend a day relaxing and revitalising for the days to come. 

The Valley is the winter home of black-necked cranes who traditionally arrive from Tibet during our stay and roost for the winter months. The valley, where electric cables run underground so as not to disrupt and disturb nature, is also home to a wide range of other birds, including two varieties of eagle, as well as fauna such as muntjac and sambar deer, wild boar, Himalayan bear, foxes, and leopards.

For those who take their rest seriously, our lodge offers a fine opportunity to relax with a book and enjoy the views across this magnificent valley.

For those wishing to stretch their legs and explore a little further, we can ride a leisurely loop around the valley on roads that are mostly unsealed farm tracks. There is also the option of an hour-and-a-half walk along the Gangtey nature trail and a visit to the nearby black neck crane information centre.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 20KMS loop available

Accent: 280M

Decent: 280M

DAY 9 – PHOBJIKHA to TRONGSA: sleeping altitude 2050M

Fifteen kilometres of climbing leads to our first pass, the Pele La, at 3400m. A 60-kilometre descent follows, during which we lose 1500 metres during which the scene around us changes as the downhill leads us past herds of grazing yak and rare langur monkeys. Following lunch at a magnificent stupa, we round off the day with an eight-kilometre climb to our comfy accommodation for the night.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 80KMS

Accent: 1565M

Decent: 2050M

DAY 10 - TRONGSA to BUMTHANG: sleeping altitude 26500M

The road out of Trongsa climbs rapidly through a series of hairpins, with splendid views back to the Dzong and out across the valley below. After passing through cultivated fields, we re-enter the forest before descending to a low point of 2650m and the wide-open Bumthang valley. There follows a short and beautiful climb to Kiki La before a fantastic descent to Bumthang - known as 'Bhutan's Switzerland’, and our rustic lodging. 

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 75KMS

Accent: 1962M

Decent: 1380M

DAY 11 - BUMTHANG to PARO: sleeping altitude: 2200M

After breakfast, a three hundred kilometres coach ride retraces much of our route as we journey back to Paro. The coach allows us to observe our route as spectators, and marvel at what we have achieved and experienced.

The trip will be broken up with some sightseeing, such as Taa Dzong, a watch tower that has since turned into a Heritage Museum and breaks for lunch and coffee. Reaching Paro we will say our goodbyes over a farewell dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

Cycling: 0KMS

 

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE

The tour officially ends today with a transfer to Paro International Airport in time for your outbound flight. For those with a later flight, we can visit Paro town for a stroll through the streets, some souvenir shopping, and a visit to a nearby craft brewery.

Meals: B

Cycling: 0KMS

Key

Markers below are clickable as are the markers on the map itself.

Check trip dates and availablility below. Click the Book This Date button to go ahead and make a booking, alternatively you can make a no-obligation request for us to keep you informed about the status of a trip or changes to a trip by clicking the Register Interest button against a date.

£ Pound Sterling Payment Option

Our prices are all in US dollars but we can offer you the option of paying in GBP (£) based on the exchange rate at the time of booking. You can choose on the booking form, adjusted prices will be shown there.

Dates	Price	Availability
2024: 20 Oct - 31 Oct	$5200.00 *Single Suppl.: $490.00	Spaces Will run	Book This Date	Register Interest

Bicycle Hire

Trek Marlin 7 or similar - US$395

*Single Supplement.

The prices quoted above are for a twin room share basis. If you are travelling alone you will be paired up with another lone traveler of the same gender to share with. Single room occupancy can be arranged, the single supplement rate shown is per person.

Click a thumbnail below to get started.