Bhutan Thunder Dragon Ride - The complete traverse

A complete bike traverse of Bhutan - Challenging climbs and endless descents - Taktsang Monastery, the ''Tiger's Lair'' - One of the best cycle touring holidays in the world

The classic bike ride across Bhutan is one of the world's most challenging cycle holidays. At the eastern end of the Himalaya, sandwiched between India and Tibet, the 'Shangri La' kingdom of Bhutan is renowned for its colourful Buddhist culture and for the beauty of its unspoiled mountain scenery. A single spectacular road runs west to east across the country, traversing a succession of steep-sided and heavily wooded ridges.

Presenting long climbs on easy-angled switchbacks, as well as mind-blowing descents that seem to last for hours, this largely deserted single-track highway provides the basis for one of the worlds' great bike journeys. Starting out from Paro and crossing several high passes, we accumulate a total of 15,500m/50,856ft of ascent and a staggering 18,200m/59,715ft of descent, en route to the eastern land border with India at Sandrup Jongkhar. Staying primarily in characterful lodges and with plenty of opportunity to meet the Bhutanese people, this is an unmissable adventure biking holiday. A sparsely populated country, Bhutan is often likened to Switzerland because of its small size, jealously guarded isolation and stunning mountain scenery.

More than 90% of the population are hill farmers who live in small villages spread over rugged mountain country. Buddhist teachings and philosophy are influential throughout the kingdom, as they have been since the 7th century and a deep and traditional reverence for nature has led to Bhutan imposing some of the strictest standards of environmental preservation in the world. More than 65% of the land is still under forest cover and some of the rarest of Himalayan wildlife, such as the blue sheep, takin and golden langur, are quite common. It is often said that ‘‘even the most experienced cycle traveller will find Bhutan a revelation'' and we cannot disagree. In this country known as Druk Yul, the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon', the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony and accord, amongst incredible natural beauty. The air is clean and unpolluted, the mountains are magnificent and the architecture is inspiring. Bhutan is the least visited of all the Himalayan countries, as a direct result of deliberate Bhutanese government policy. In an attempt to protect the delicate sensitivities of its environment, and the sacred values of its peoples, the Bhutanese Government actively restricts the number of tourists allowed into the country.

We run this holiday in conjunction with our friends at Hauser, the German adventure specialists. This enables us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get the trip up and running quickly. The cosmopolitan nature of the groups will be an important part of the experience! The holiday will be led by an English-speaking guide.

If you're unsure if this holiday is for you, or want to learn more about KE world biking, whilst enjoying the best mountain and trail rides in the Lakes - check out Dirty Weekends in the Lake District.

Trip Guide

SEMI-SLICK ADVENTURE - A moutain bike fitted with semi-slick tyres or a cyclocross bike is ideal for this holiday. This is a mostly road-based trip and is suitable for regular weekend riders. The road is narrow, little used and 90% tarmac, with rough sections on the high passes. This trip has some long days and several tough climbs. There are 10 road passes to cross on this spectacular ride, the highest of which are the Pele La (3420m / 11,221ft) and the Thumsing La (3800m / 12,468ft). What goes up must come down, and the descents are equally awesome, the longest involving 3259 metres (10,693 feet) of descent over 85 km / 53 miles - one of the longest in the world. The climbs are usually of a shallow gradient and the roads generally narrow and almost traffic-free and we will be biking at altitudes between 600 metres (1970 feet) and 3800 metres (12,468 feet). Whilst these heights should not cause us too much of a problem we will notice a marked difference in temperatures - from very pleasant and warm to cold and frosty on the highest of the passes. Winter clothing is recommended for the highest of passes and some of the descents will be cold! The average time in the saddle will vary between 6-8 hours each day, with at least 2 longer days of up to 10 hours, inclusive of stops, covering in excess of 100 km / 62 miles. Although the route is certainly all rideable in the time we have allowed, we will also have a support vehicle with the group throughout the trip.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. Complimentary airport transfers are provided for clients arriving on this day. KE Land Only package services begin with lunch.

Day 2: We take the spectacular onward flight to Bhutan's only airport at Paro. After checking in to our hotel, we have time for a visit to the Taktsang Monastery.

Day 3: An early start biking on the new road towards Thimpu but turning off over the Dochu La. A stunning 1700m/5578ft descent to the Punakha Valley. Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong.

Day 4: One of the most challenging biking days lies ahead as we climb over the Black Mountains that lead us to Gantey, the winter home of the Himalayan Black Neck Crane.

Day 5: Our route today continues across the Chele La to Tongsa, overlooking the spectacular Dzong. We visit the Dzong in the afternoon and may even see some Bhutanese archery.

Day 6: Another climb, to the Yutong La (3400m/11,155ft) and a descent into Bumthang. There is a further short climb to the Kiki La, beyond which we coast down to Jakar.

Day 7: The Ura La provides another major ascent, followed by a long swooping descent through pasture and farmed land to our camping place at Ura Village.

Day 8: A long and gradual ascent to the Thumsing La (3800m/12468ft), the last of the big climbs. Then an enjoyable, beautiful descent and a final climb to Mongar.

Day 9: A more modest climb to the Kori La, then another superb descent to the Sheri River and a final taxing climb up to our lodge in the town of Tashigang.

Day 10: Turning southwards towards India, we have two long days.We initailly climb to Kanglung and cross several passes to reach Khaling, famous for its weaving and handicraft.

Day 11: We climb to another small pass at 2450m/8038ft, before descending and then following an undulating ridge-top road to Samdrup Jongkhar and the Indian Border.

Day 12: We cross the border and drive to the airport at Gauhati. Fly to Delhi and transfer to a hotel for showers and dinner. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services end.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

On arrival in Delhi we stay in a tourist class hotel near to the airport. On our return to Delhi at the end of the trip, the group will have time for an evening meal in a restaurant before transferring to the international airport. Although no overnight hotel is included on this last night we make use of a couple of day rooms to allow us to shower and change for our return flight home. We use the best available standard of hotel accommodation during our time in Bhutan and there are one/two nights where we will probably have to camp.