BHUTAN / Gross National Happiness

If you do visit Bhutan, you will become one of the few who have experienced the charm and magic of one of the world’s most enigmatic countries - the last "Shangri La" - and you’ll be playing your part in this medieval kingdom’s efforts to join the modern world, while steadfastly maintaining its distinct and amazing cultural identity. So why spend all your money to come here? Because most of all, Bhutan offers an opportunity to glimpse another way of living, an alternative vision of what is truly important in life. (Quote Lonely Planet - Bhutan)

At a Glance ...

Best traveltime	April - May, September - October
Start/Finish	Bagdogra / Guwahati
Duration	15/16 travel days, 12 riding days
Distance covered	around 1.100 mi / 1.700 km
Day rides	50 - 130 mi / 80 - 210 km
Roads	Tarmac with stretches of gravel and dirt (depending on previous winter or monsoon)
Motorcycles	Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc, left side gear shift, e-start, front disk break
Rider's requirements	Very winding roads up and down hill. Drive carefully and you'll be ok.
Group size	Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car.
Accomodation	Comfortable middle-class hotels
What's included	All meals, water / soft drinks , all entry fees, petrol for the bikes, back-up car, mechanic
Highlights	Darjeeling, Himalaya, Bhutan people and architecture ...
Important	VISA needed! Visa on-arrival might be possible for you. Check online please!

Upcoming tours ...

Currently there are no events.

Druk Yul - Ride the Dragon

Day 1	Arrival at Bagdogra/Siliguri and transfer to Cindrella Hotel in Siliguri.
Day 2	As we wind our way up towards Darjeeling we will at times follow the trails of the UNESCO Heritage Toy Train. Tea Plantations all around us.
Day 3	A bendy downhill ride before crossing into Sikkim is followed by another uphill ride to Pemayangtse monastery and Pelling.
Day 4	Roller coaster ride to Rumtek monastery near Gangtok. The monastery is home of the Karmapa Sect of tibetan Buddhism.
Day 5	Passing through Sikkim's capital Gangtok we make our way to Kalimpong, once a branch of the old Silk road.
Day 6	Down into the plains again we traverse a fair amount of Assams tea plantations to Jaigon right at the border with Bhutan.
Day 7	Today we ride from 200 m / 656 ft at Phuentsholing to 2.000 m / 6.560 ft in Paro. On our way we reach the highest point on tour, the Cheli La Pass (3.780 m / 12.400 ft)
Day 8	Before we leave the Paro's valley for Bhutan's capital Thimphu we should have time to visit to the spectacular "Tiger Nest" monastery.
Day 9	After leaving Thimphu we cruise up to Dochu La (3.100 m / 10.170 ft), drop into Phunaka valley, visit Phunaka Dzong and ride on to Trongsar.
Day 10	A visit to Trongsar Dzong and another beautiful day's ride into Bumthang valley to Jakar.
Day 11	After all the countless bends and curves we've been riding we enjoy a well deserved day off the bike in Bumthang.
Day 12	One of the highlights of our tour the Thrumsig La leads us deeper into the remote east of Bhutan to Mongar.
Day 13	Via Drametsi across Kori La and through pine forests along the Yadi loops we ride to Tashigang.
Day 14	Last day's ride in Bhutan takes us back into the lowlands. Our night's stop, Samdrup Jongkhar, at an altitude of 200 m / 656 ft.
Day 15	We board a bus for the last 130 km / 80 miles ride to Guwahati where we board our plane to Delhi.
Day 16	Full of lasting impressions we arrive back home.