The Dragon Kingdom

It is our only tour in Bhutan: 12 days with 8 riding days, crossing the kingdom from east to west, from the Indian border at Samdrup Jongkhar to Paro, via Bumthang, Punakha and Thimphu. It is all on pavement, rated Intermediate, with a dzong or a monastery at almost every stage. In Nepal, our tours start from Kathmandu; in the Indian Himalayas, our Ladakh tours climb higher, over passes above 16,400 ft.

The level is Intermediate: you need to ride regularly and handle 5 to 6 hours in the saddle, day after day. There are no technical off-road sections, but the mountain roads are narrow and winding, in good shape over about 80% of the route, the rest under construction. Some stretches run along steep drop-offs, and fog and rain are still possible, even in spring and fall.

603 miles over 8 riding days, from 43 to 118 miles a stage: on roads that never stop winding, each stage fills the day. You cross four major passes, the Thrumsing La and the Chele La at about 12,500 ft, the Pele La at about 10,800 ft and the Dochu La at over 10,100 ft. On day 10, you ride only 12 miles around Paro, to hike up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery, clinging to its cliff.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, with a seat height of 32.5 to 33.3 in, or 31.7 to 32.5 in with the lowered seat: if your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. Passengers are welcome, at $5,690 per passenger. The luggage travels in the support vehicle, but your passenger must be fine with long days on very winding mountain roads.

On riding days, an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader leads the group: they meet you at Samdrup Jongkhar, as you enter Bhutan. A local English-speaking guide also travels with you, along with an experienced mechanic and the driver of the support vehicle, which carries the luggage and spare parts. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles, 12 participants with passengers.

$6,390 per rider and $5,690 per passenger. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, the team, the Delhi-Guwahati and Paro-Delhi flights, transfers, lodging, all meals from breakfast on day 2 to dinner on day 10, breakfast on days 11 and 12, and the Bhutan visa. The $41 registration fee only applies to your first trip with us.

Your flights to Delhi, the Indian visa, the international driving permit, drinks, entrance fees for temples, monasteries and museums, tips and a $708 deposit per motorcycle. Bhutan also charges a Sustainable Development Fee, the SDF, paid with the visa application (official Bhutan tourism website): your travel advisor will tell you how it is shown in your quote. For the rest, our budget page suggests the equivalent of €200 to €300 in spending money.

The season runs from March to April, then from October to November, in spring and fall, outside the monsoon. Next departures: October 15 to 26 and November 14 to 25, 2026, both sold out, then April 16 to 27, 2027, and October 4 to 15, 2027. Other dates are possible on request: ask your travel advisor. Bring a warm layer for the passes and rain gear.

You book your flights to Delhi, where our local representative meets you on day 1 and hands you your schedule for the next day. On day 2, an included flight takes you to Guwahati, in Assam, then a vehicle drives you to the border at Samdrup Jongkhar. On day 11, another included flight brings you back from Paro to Delhi, and on day 12 your airport transfer is timed to your flight. These domestic flights allow 44 lbs of checked baggage: bring a soft duffel bag.

Two visas. The Bhutan visa is included: we apply for it on your behalf, with a recent digital ID photo that is not the one in your passport. Since the tour starts and ends in India, you also need a double-entry Indian visa, which you apply for on indianvisaonline.gov.in (see our guide to documents for India). India asks for a passport with at least six months of validity when you apply for the e-Visa. Bring your motorcycle license and an international driving permit, and check the State Department pages on Bhutan and India for the latest entry rules.