Bhutan Motorcycle Tour Riding the Land of the Thunder Dragon
Royal Enfield runs an official annual “Tour of Bhutan” ride, drawing committed riders specifically for one reason: Bhutan’s mountain roads are widely considered among the best motorcycle touring terrain in the Himalayas. This tour puts you on the Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc over Dochula Pass, Pelela Pass, and toward Chele La at 3,988 metres — the highest motorable road in the kingdom — with a genuine mechanic and support vehicle following throughout.
Why Bhutan Is Genuinely One of the Best Motorcycle Touring Countries in the Himalayas
Bhutan’s combination of light traffic, well-maintained mountain roads, and dramatic elevation change has made it a genuine destination for serious motorcycle touring operators, not just a casual add-on to a sightseeing trip. Royal Enfield itself runs an official annual “Tour of Bhutan” ride, with its own published rules covering everything from tyre condition to environmental conduct.
This tour rides the classic western and central route: from Paro, climbing to Dochula Pass (3,100m) with its 108 memorial chortens, descending into the Punakha Valley, then continuing toward Wangdue Phodrang and over Pelela Pass before reaching Bumthang — Bhutan’s spiritual heartland. For riders wanting the highest stretch of paved road in the country, we can extend the itinerary to include Chele La, at 3,988 metres.
Riding into Bhutan as an Indian national, your own motorcycle is permitted with proper documentation — valid registration, driving licence, insurance, and a green tax of currently around INR 4,500 per bike. International riders typically ride bikes provided by the tour operator.
“This is not a country you simply drive through on a motorcycle tour. The roads themselves — the climbs, the switchbacks, the sudden change from forest to alpine pass — are as much the point of the trip as any single destination.”
This tour takes the Phuentsholing route through Thimphu, Punakha, and Trongsa to Bumthang on a Royal Enfield Himalayan, with a mechanic and support vehicle throughout — followed by the Tiger’s Nest hike before your final departure.
🏍️ Riding your own bike? We can advise honestly
Bringing your own motorcycle is genuinely possible for Indian nationals with proper documentation. Let us know and we’ll explain exactly what’s required.
Tour at a Glance
Everything you need to know about this Bhutan Motorcycle Tour at a glance.
🗓️ Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
🏍️ Route
Paro–Thimphu–Punakha–Trongsa–Bumthang
⛺ Focus
Mountain Passes · Royal Enfield Riding · Culture
🏍️ Motorcycle
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc
🏨 Hotel Brands
3-Star Hotels Throughout
👥 Group Size
2 – 12 Riders
💰 Starting Price
From $2,650 Per Person
🪪 Documents Needed
Motorcycle Licence + Entry Permit
Three Real Entry Points for Motorcycle Touring
Where you cross the border genuinely shapes your route.
Phuentsholing (Southwest)
The most established and best-connected entry point for motorcycle tours, with 24-hour services, better road connections, and easy access to fuel and mechanical support near the border.
Gelephu (South-Central)
A less commonly used southern entry point, generally involving a longer approach route and additional permit considerations.
Samdrup Jongkhar (Southeast)
The eastern entry point via Guwahati, used by riders wanting to combine an eastern Bhutan loop without retracing the western route on return.
For this itinerary, we use Phuentsholing, the most established and best-connected motorcycle entry point. Riders wanting to explore eastern Bhutan can extend toward Trashigang via Samdrup Jongkhar instead.
Permits & Documentation — What Riding in Bhutan Actually Requires
Motorcycle touring has its own specific documentation needs beyond a standard Bhutan trip.
🪪 Valid Motorcycle Licence
A valid motorcycle licence from your home country is mandatory. An International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle endorsement is genuinely recommended, particularly for non-Indian riders.
📋 Entry Permit
Issued at the Phuentsholing Immigration Office for Indian nationals (no visa required), or processed alongside your standard Bhutan visa for other nationalities. We handle this on your behalf.
🚙 Vehicle Documentation (Own Bike)
If bringing your own motorcycle as an Indian national, you’ll need valid registration, a driving licence, insurance, and the green tax (currently around INR 4,500 per bike).
🛡️ Motorcycle Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance covering motorcycle riding (typically up to 500cc) is genuinely necessary — standard travel insurance often excludes motorcycling.
The Real Distances on This Route
No vague “scenic mountain roads” language — here are the genuine passes and elevations this itinerary includes.
Segment
Distance
Duration
Paro → Thimphu
~65 km
~2 hours
Thimphu → Punakha (via Dochula Pass, 3,100m)
~80 km
~3 hours
Punakha → Trongsa (via Pelela Pass, ~3,400m)
~140 km
5–6 hours
Trongsa → Bumthang (via Trumshing La, 3,789m)
~68 km
2–3 hours
Optional: Paro → Chele La
~35 km
~2 hours
Note: Bhutan’s mountain roads average around 45 km/h due to constant winding turns and elevation changes — distances that look short on a map genuinely take longer to ride than equivalent stretches on flat highway.
Why This Specific Route and Motorcycle
Every choice on this tour reflects what genuinely works best for Bhutan’s roads.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan's Genuine Suitability
Its stability and comfort on winding mountain roads make it the bike most experienced Bhutan motorcycle operators trust, not simply a marketing choice.
Genuinely Light Traffic Outside Western Bhutan
Once past Thimphu, traffic drops dramatically, making for a genuinely relaxed and rewarding riding experience.
Real Elevation Variety in a Single Trip
From Punakha's subtropical valley floor to Chele La's 3,988m summit, this route covers a genuine range of Himalayan riding conditions.
A Country That Still Recognises Its Own Cultural Pace
Riding through dzongs, monasteries, and farming villages alongside the physical demands of the road offers a genuinely different texture of travel than a standard vehicle tour.
Recognised by a Major Global Motorcycle Brand
Royal Enfield's own official annual touring programme in Bhutan reflects genuine industry confidence in this country as a riding destination.
Genuine Mechanical and Support Backup
A qualified mechanic and support vehicle travelling with the group genuinely reduces risk on remote mountain stretches.
What Makes This Tour Different
Most “Bhutan motorcycle tour” pages list vague highlights without real permit or road detail. We tell you exactly what riding here actually involves.
Honest Permit and Documentation Detail
We clearly explain what's needed for both rented and personal motorcycles, rather than glossing over the genuine paperwork involved.
A Genuine Mechanic, Not Just a Driver
Our support vehicle includes qualified mechanical backup throughout, with a spare bike carried where available.
The Right Motorcycle for These Roads
We provide Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycles specifically because of their genuine suitability for Bhutan's terrain.
A Guide Who Understands Riding Logistics
We assign guides with genuine experience supporting motorcycle groups, not generalist sightseeing guides unfamiliar with riding-specific needs.
Comfortable Hotels Throughout
3-star hotels selected for genuine comfort after demanding riding days, including secure overnight bike parking.
Full Support Before, During & After
Visa, SDF, permits, all bookings — handled entirely. We remain available throughout your trip and after you return home.
Day by Day
13-Day Bhutan Motorcycle Tour Itinerary — Day by Day
Every pass, every road condition, every reason this route is sequenced this way — described in full.
DAY 1
Arrival in Delhi
📍 Indira Gandhi International Airport · Transfer to Hotel
Landing in Delhi marks the true start of this longer eastern Bhutan expedition. A member of our team meets you at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in New Delhi, where you can rest, adjust to the time zone, and meet any fellow riders joining the same departure before the road genuinely begins tomorrow.
Delhi airport arrival
Hotel transfer
Overnight: New Delhi
DAY 2
Fly to Bagdogra, Ride to Phuentsholing
📍 Domestic Flight · Drive to the Bhutan Border (~170km, ~5 hrs)
An early flight covers the long stretch to Bagdogra, after which the real journey toward Bhutan begins by road into Phuentsholing, our actual point of entry into the kingdom. Genuinely more of a working border town than a postcard destination, Phuentsholing still offers a clean, orderly first impression — a fitting, unhurried place to settle in before the mountain roads start tomorrow.
Bagdogra flight
Phuentsholing border town
Overnight: Phuentsholing
DAY 3
Ride: Phuentsholing to Paro
📍 First Real Mountain Climb (2,300m, ~148km, ~5 hrs)
With entry formalities complete, the road finally climbs — genuinely the first taste of the elevation change this tour is built around. The ride passes Gedu University perched on its hillside and the quiet Rinchending Monastery before winding through a string of small villages on the way up to Paro. Once in the valley, there’s time to visit Paro’s dzongs and temples before the light fades.
Gedu University
Rinchending Monastery
Overnight: Paro
DAY 4
Tiger’s Nest or Chele La, Then Ride to Thimphu
📍 Optional Chele La Pass (3,988m) · Ride to Thimphu (2,320m, ~65km, ~1.5 hrs)
The morning offers a genuine choice: the roughly 4-hour round-trip hike to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, or a ride up to Chele La, at 3,988m the highest motorable pass most riders on this route will cross. Either way, the afternoon’s short ride into Thimphu is easy and scenic, ending at Kuenselphodrang, the Buddha viewpoint overlooking the entire valley.
⛰️ Your First Real Elevation Test (Optional)
Riders who choose Chele La over the hike get their first genuine high-altitude riding of the trip — thinner air, sharper switchbacks, and a real sense of what’s ahead further east.
Tiger’s Nest or Chele La
Kuenselphodrang viewpoint
Overnight: Thimphu
DAY 5
Ride: Thimphu to Phobjikha via Dochula Pass and Punakha
📍 Dochula Pass (3,140m) · Punakha Dzong (2,900m, ~168km, ~6 hrs)
A morning at the Buddha Dordenma statue and Thimphu’s painting school sets up a genuinely full riding day. The road climbs to Dochula Pass, its 108 memorial chortens making it one of the most photographed viewpoints on the entire route, before dropping into the warmer Punakha Valley for lunch and a visit to Punakha Dzong. From there, the ride continues via Bajo town up into the glacial Phobjikha Valley.
Dochula Pass 3,140m
Punakha Dzong
Overnight: Phobjikha
DAY 6
Ride: Phobjikha to Bumthang via Trongsa
📍 Trongsa Dzong & Ta Dzong Museum (2,600m, ~180km, ~7 hrs)
One of the longer riding days on this route, genuinely rewarded by the stop at Trongsa Dzong, perched dramatically above the Mangde River gorge, and the adjoining Ta Dzong watchtower-turned-museum tracing the history of Bhutan’s monarchy. The final stretch into Bumthang brings you into Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, with time for a visit to Jakar Dzong and an unhurried evening stroll before dinner.
Trongsa Dzong
Ta Dzong Museum
Overnight: Bumthang
DAY 7
Ride: Bumthang to Mongar over Two High Passes
📍 Sertang La (3,950m) & Trumshing La (3,750m, ~192km, 6–7 hrs)
Genuinely the most physically demanding riding day of the whole tour, and the one most riders remember longest. Two high passes back to back, separated by a stretch of national park thick with cedar and overhanging cliff, and on a clear day, a distant view of Gangkar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest and still-unclimbed peak. The long descent that follows drops you past waterfalls and streams into a genuinely different Bhutan — rice terraces, tropical fruit trees, and noticeably warmer air by the time you reach Mongar.
🏔️ The Hardest Riding Day, Honestly
Crossing two passes above 3,700m in a single day is a real physical undertaking. We build in extra rest stops and keep the pace realistic — this is not a day to rush.
Sertang La 3,950m
Trumshing La 3,750m
Overnight: Mongar
DAY 8
Ride: Mongar to Trashigang via Rangjung
📍 Rangjung Monastery (~91km, 3–4 hrs)
A shorter, gentler riding day after yesterday’s climb. Trashigang Dzong, guarding the confluence of the Drangme Chhu and Gamri Chhu rivers, is the day’s first proper stop, followed by a visit to the quiet monastery at Rangjung. Trashigang itself, the largest town in eastern Bhutan, leaves genuine time in the afternoon for a walk through its streets before dinner.
Trashigang Dzong
Rangjung Monastery
Overnight: Trashigang
DAY 9
Day Excursion: Trashigang to Trashiyangtse
📍 Chorten Kora Stupa & Local Market
Riding without luggage for once, today’s out-and-back excursion winds through lush valleys and traditional villages to Trashiyangtse, a genuinely charming eastern town built around the riverside Chorten Kora Stupa, one of the region’s most important pilgrimage sites. There’s time to browse the local market and, if the day allows, visit Trashiyangtse Dzong before the ride back to Trashigang for a second night.
Chorten Kora Stupa
Trashiyangtse market
Overnight: Trashigang
DAY 10
Ride: Trashigang to Bhangtar via Gomdar and Martshala
📍 Descending to the Subtropical Foothills (262m, ~170km, 4–5 hrs)
The route turns decisively downhill today, dropping from eastern Bhutan’s cool highlands through Khaling, Wamrong, Gomdar, and Martshala into the warm, subtropical lowlands near Bhangtar and the Indian border. The change in climate and landscape across a single riding day is genuinely striking — pine forest and terraced hillsides give way to dense, humid forest by the time you arrive.
Khaling & Wamrong
Gomdar & Martshala
Overnight: Bhangtar
DAY 11
Day Excursion: Bhangtar to Bairakunda Temple
📍 Off-Road Ride to Daifam
A genuinely different kind of riding day — predominantly off-road, winding through subtropical forest, river crossings, and small, remote settlements to reach the Bairakunda Temple at Daifam, a site sacred to Lord Shiva sitting right on this frontier region’s edge. Riders comfortable with rougher terrain will find this one of the most memorable days of the whole trip, a sharp contrast to Bhutan’s high mountain passes.
Off-road riding
Bairakunda Temple
Overnight: Bhangtar
DAY 12
Ride: Bhangtar to Guwahati via Samdrup Jongkhar
📍 Border Exit & Assam Tea Country (~170km, 5–6 hrs)
The final riding day, and genuinely a bittersweet one. A short ride to Samdrup Jongkhar brings you to Bhutan’s exit formalities and on through Indian immigration, and the landscape opens almost immediately into Assam’s fertile plains and tea gardens. By evening you’ll reach Guwahati, marking the practical end of the road for this tour, with a free evening to properly absorb what the last twelve days have covered.
Samdrup Jongkhar border exit
Assam tea gardens
Overnight: Guwahati
DAY 13
Departure Day
📍 Transfer to Guwahati Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Guwahati Domestic Airport for your onward flight to Delhi, Kolkata, or wherever comes next. This longer eastern route covers a genuine cross-section of Bhutan few riders ever see in one trip — from Paro’s western valleys to the frontier forests near Bairakunda — and it’s a fitting, unhurried place to let thirteen days on the road properly sink in. Tashi Delek.
Guwahati Airport transfer
Tour concludes
Why Book With Us?
We are local Bhutan travel experts with genuine knowledge of these specific mountain roads, providing well-maintained Royal Enfield motorcycles, qualified mechanical support, and honest route and permit information throughout.
What’s Included
What's Included & Excluded
Complete transparency — exactly what your motorcycle tour covers.
✓ Included in This Tour
- All meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening tea throughout
- Accommodation throughout on twin/double sharing basis (single supplement available)
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycle hire, including fuel
- Support vehicle with qualified mechanic and spare bike where available
- Licensed English-speaking guide for the entire trip
- Tiger’s Nest hike with guide
- Entry permits, road use fees and vehicle documentation
- Government Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- One-time non-refundable Bhutan visa processing fee (non-Indian nationals)
- All monument and dzong entry fees
- Full support before, during and after your tour
✕ Not Included
- International flights to/from Paro International Airport (or transport to your land entry point)
- Personal riding gear (helmet, riding suit, gloves, boots) — bring your own
- Motorcycle security deposit (refundable, typically required per bike)
- Bottled drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance specifically covering motorcycle riding (mandatory, not optional, for this tour)
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone calls, shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guide, driver and mechanic (appreciated, entirely your choice)
- Unforeseen costs from weather delays, road closures, or accident-related damage beyond standard coverage
This Tour Is Made for You If —
You Have a Valid Motorcycle Licence and Genuine Riding Experience
Comfortable riding on winding mountain roads with varied conditions, including occasional rough or gravel sections, is genuinely necessary.
You Want to Genuinely Feel Bhutan's Mountain Terrain
Riding the passes yourself offers a physical connection to the landscape no vehicle tour can replicate.
You Want Proper Mechanical Backup, Not Just a Rental
A genuine mechanic and support vehicle travelling with the group throughout genuinely reduces risk on remote mountain roads.
You Want a Real Cross-Section of Bhutan's Elevation Range
From Punakha's subtropical valley to passes above 3,700 metres, this route covers genuine variety.
You Want Culture Alongside the Riding
Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong, and Bumthang's ancient temples are all properly included, not squeezed in as an afterthought.
You Want Honest Permit and Documentation Information
If you'd rather understand exactly what riding in Bhutan genuinely requires than discover the paperwork mid-trip, this tour is built on exactly that principle.
Why Book Your Bhutan Motorcycle Tour With Kingdom of Happiness Tours?
We are local Bhutan travel experts with genuine knowledge of these specific mountain roads, providing well-maintained Royal Enfield motorcycles, qualified mechanical support, and honest route and permit information throughout.
Honest Route and Permit Data, Always
We will never understate the genuine demands of mountain riding or simplify the real documentation requirements.
Completely Private Group Options
We can run this tour for your specific party, or join a small scheduled group departure if you prefer.
A Genuine Mechanic, Not Just a Driver
Our support vehicle includes qualified motorcycle maintenance support throughout the tour.
Genuinely Researched Content
Every pass elevation, distance, and permit detail on this page is accurate and verifiable.
Comfortable Accommodation Throughout
Carefully selected hotels with secure bike parking at every stop.
Full Support Before, During & After
Visa, SDF, permits, all bookings — handled entirely, with support throughout your trip and after you return.
Book Your Bhutan Motorcycle Tour
Complete the form below and our team will confirm availability and send you full itinerary and pricing details within 24 hours. We recommend enquiring at least 8-10 weeks ahead, particularly for spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) departures, when riding conditions are best.
By submitting this form you agree that Kingdom of Happiness Tours may contact you regarding your enquiry.
Starting from
USD $2,650
per person, all-inclusive (13 days / 12 nights, twin/double sharing)
Includes all meals, accommodation, motorcycle hire and fuel, mechanic support, guide, permits, SDF, visa processing. Refundable security deposit per bike applies.
📞 +975 16107830
💬 WhatsApp: +975 16107830
✉ hello@kingdomofhappinesstours.com
Tour Highlights
✅ Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc riding
✅ Dochula, Pelela & Trumshing La passes
✅ Tiger’s Nest hike included
✅ Punakha Dzong & Bumthang temples
✅ Genuine mechanic & support vehicle
✅ All meals, transport, permits, SDF included
🏍️ Best Riding Season
March-June and September-November offer the clearest skies and driest roads. Avoid July-August due to monsoon landslide risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honest, complete answers about this genuine motorcycle touring route.
Yes, genuinely — you should have a valid motorcycle licence and be comfortable riding on winding mountain roads with varied conditions, including occasional rough or gravel sections, particularly on the eastern legs of this route. Bhutan’s roads are well maintained overall but can be genuinely challenging in places. This is not a suitable first motorcycle experience.
Riding into Bhutan as an Indian national, your own motorcycle is permitted with proper documentation — valid registration, driving licence, insurance, and a green tax of currently around INR 4,500 per bike. International riders typically ride bikes provided by the tour operator.
We provide the Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc, the bike most experienced Bhutan motorcycle operators trust for its stability and comfort on winding mountain roads, including the rougher eastern stretches toward Bairakunda.
Yes — a qualified mechanic and support vehicle travel with the group throughout, along with a spare bike where available.
March–June and September–November offer the clearest skies and driest roads. Avoid July–August due to monsoon landslide risk, particularly on the off-road stretch to Bairakunda.
Ride the Roads a Global Motorcycle Brand Chose to Honour
Thirteen days. A Royal Enfield Himalayan beneath you. Real passes above 3,700 metres. Genuine mechanical backup the entire way. This is the actual riding experience that earned Bhutan its own official Royal Enfield touring programme — accurately described and properly supported.
“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.” — His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Fourth King of Bhutan