Bhutan by Bicycle: through the Himalayan Dragon Kingdom

DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY 1-2
Flight to Bhutan (during the daytime flight, it is possible to admire views of the eight-thousanders Everest, Cho Oyu, Kangchenjunga, or Makalu). After arrival, a light warm-up trek (without bikes) to Taktshang Monastery, picturesquely located on a rock at 900 m above sea level, the famous temple reached long ago by Guru Rinpoche riding on the back of a tigress. The Tiger’s Nest is the symbol of Bhutan. Welcome dinner at the home of local hosts, rice farmers.

*In the spring season, the Kingdom of the Dragon will welcome us with a festival full of colorful masks, dances, and singing at the Paro fortress, where Bertolucci filmed “Little Buddha”.

DAY 3
Bike preparation and the start of our cycling expedition in Bhutan. Ride (depending on the chosen option: by bike or by support vehicle) 40 km to Chele La Pass (3988 m above sea level), from where, in good weather, we can admire the main ridge of the Himalayan seven-thousanders, with the sacred Buddhist mountain Jomolhari (7326 m above sea level). A 30-kilometer descent into the atmospheric Haa Valley, through which the only accessible road to Tibet runs, making it a place where many traders with Tibetan products can be found. After lunch, the standard group explores the Haa Valley (the pro group remains “on route”). Riding through villages along orchards and green fields where the famous chili peppers are grown, reaching the village of Yangthang.

Cycling route:
• standard - 50 km, ⬆ 350 m / ⬇ 1500 m
• pro group - 75 km, ⬆ 1650 m / ⬇ 1200 m

DAY 4
Along an old trade road winding through the valleys of the Haa and Wang rivers, we ride to the smallest capital city in Asia, Thimphu. We visit the Dzong palace, seat of the government, and see the unusually modest ministry buildings covered with metal roofs. We walk up to the massive seated Buddha Dordenma statue and visit an art school where Bhutan’s greatest treasures are created using traditional methods. In the evening, we experience the nightlife of this small-town capital, attending a rock concert by a local band or joining the locals for their favorite karaoke.

Cycling route:
• standard - 60 km, ⬆ 870 m / ⬇ 1600 m
• pro group - 100 km, ⬆ 1100 m / ⬇ 1600 m

DAY 5
For those interested, an early-morning walk before breakfast to Changangkha Lhakhang Monastery, visited by women with newborns and older children. Ride (depending on the chosen option: by bike or by support vehicle) to Dochu La Pass (3100 m above sea level), followed by a long descent into the Punakha Valley, famous for its terraced rice fields. During the day, we visit Chimi Temple and the village of the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley, a medieval lama believed to heal with his masculinity. As a sign of respect, houses in the village are still decorated with giant phalluses, symbols of fertility. The village is commonly known as the “phallic village”.

Cycling route:
• standard - 50 km, ⬆ 300 m / ⬇ 2200 m
• pro group - 75 km, ⬆ 1100 m / ⬇ 2300 m

DAY 6
From the confluence of the Mo (female) and Pho (male) rivers, we continue riding toward the Black Mountains and Lawa La Pass, entering Wangchuck King National Park. This is where hawks migrate from Tibet, and the Phobjikha Valley is inhabited by yak herders. In the village, we visit a monastic community of several hundred monks, observe their daily life, admire traditional architecture, talk with locals, and play darts.

Cycling route:
• standard option 1 - Khotokha - Phobjikha - 40 km, ⬆ 1400 m / ⬇ 1100 m
• standard option 2 - Punakha - Wangdue Phodrang - 20 km, ⬆ 285 m / ⬇ 400 m
• pro group - 75 km, ⬆ 2500 m / ⬇ 700 m

DAY 7
After four days of intensive cycling, a well-deserved rest in the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, called by locals “Little Switzerland” (although it seems to us they may never have been to Switzerland). The valley is full of monasteries, dominated by Gangtey Monastery. We explore the area by bike or on foot, observing rural life high in the mountains. With some luck, we may also see locals practicing traditional long-distance archery.

Cycling route:
• standard and pro group - 20-35 km, ⬆ 800 m / ⬇ 800 m

DAY 8
(Depending on the chosen option: by bike or by support vehicle) A short but steep climb to Lawa La Pass (3333 m above sea level), rewarded with a 65-kilometer descent from the mountains into deep valleys, reaching the largest Bhutanese fortress, Trongsa, which once protected the eastern part of the Kingdom of the Dragon. Trongsa is known as the place of the “golden voice”, home to Bhutan’s best singers. We will try to find one. We visit the largest dzong on Earth.

Cycling route:
• standard - 65 km, ⬆ 700 m / ⬇ 2000 m
• pro group - 80 km, ⬆ 1300 m / ⬇ 2100 m

DAY 9
We continue cycling eastward along the only and rarely traveled road connecting the eastern provinces. We conquer Yutong La Pass (3400 m above sea level) and descend even longer than the previous day, 68 kilometers, into the wide Jakar Valley in the Bumthang region. This is the spiritual heart of Bhutan. To balance the spiritual aspect of the journey, in the evening we join locals for billiards and a beer in one of the many underground bars.

*Depending on the chosen option: by bike or by support vehicle.

Cycling route:
• standard - 40 km, ⬆ 200 m / ⬇ 1100 m
• pro group - 70 km, ⬆ 1600 m / ⬇ 1100 m

DAY 10
The Bumthang Valley, said to be home to the most beautiful women in the world, including the Queen of Bhutan, lies at around 3000 m above sea level. This is also the birthplace of Pemalingma, one of the most revered Buddhist masters. The valley is home to Bhutan’s only whisky distillery and the Red Panda microbrewery (yes, we will try it). We ride to Membartso Lake and visit a female Buddhist monastery. Overnight in the nomadic village of Ura.

*In autumn 2026, we will take part in the Jakar Tshechu festival.

Cycling route:
• standard and pro group - 55 km, ⬆ 550 m / ⬇ 1200 m

DAY 11-12
We continue cycling through a region that was opened to tourism only a few years ago. We ride to Mongar along a road crossing three mountain passes, including the highest point on the road linking eastern and western Bhutan, Thrumshing La Pass (3780 m above sea level). This road is considered one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the Himalayas. It leads through deep jungle-covered valleys, past tall waterfalls and villages clinging to steep slopes, with houses roofed with traditional stone tiles. In many places, interesting local markets can be visited.

Cycling route day 11:
• standard - 55 km, ⬆ 1500 m / ⬇ 1100 m
• pro group - 100 km, ⬆ 2300 m / ⬇ 2000 m

Cycling route day 12:
• standard - 55 km, ⬆ 1500 m / ⬇ 1100 m
• pro group - 85 km, ⬆ 2300 m / ⬇ 3700 m

DAY 13
Ride (depending on the chosen option: by bike or by support vehicle) to Kori La Pass, from where another long descent of several dozen kilometers leads to Trashigang, near the border with Tibet and the Indian region of Arunachal Pradesh. Very few travelers reach this area, and cyclists are virtually nonexistent. In Trashigang, we visit the last beautiful dzong of our Bhutan cycling journey. Here we officially conclude our journey following the footsteps of the greatest guru, Rinpoche.

*In autumn 2026, we will divert from the main route to reach the Pemagatshel Tshechu festival.

Cycling route:
• standard - 55 km, ⬆ 900 m / ⬇ 2200 m
• pro group - 85 km, ⬆ 1700 m / ⬇ 2200 m

DAY 14 (BONUS cycling day for the indestructible)
Today is up to you. Those who wish can ride all the way to the border (a long distance, mostly downhill). Others may choose a relaxed ride through the final descents to forgotten villages hidden in the jungle, observing monkeys running around, and with some luck, spotting the rare red panda. In the afternoon, we pack the bikes into boxes, say goodbye to Bhutan, and cross to the Indian side of the border.

Cycling route:
• standard - 70 km, ⬆ 900 m / ⬇ 3700 m
• pro group (for those who still want more) - 145-175 km, ⬆ 1800 m / ⬇ 5500 m

DAY 15-16
Transfer through tea-covered Assam to Guwahati, located on the sacred Brahmaputra River. Visit to a tea plantation. For those interested, a visit to the Kamakhya Temple dedicated to the goddess Shakti (note: this is a very important temple devoted to yoni worship. The waiting time to enter the temple is 2-4 hours, and it is necessary to get up at 5 a.m. to visit). Return flight.