Bhutanis a kingdom and the Land of the Thunder Dragon. While Bhutan is “only” about the size of Switzerland, it’s certainly one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations. It’s not surprising that Lonely Planet put Bhutan at the top of its list of countries to visit in 2020. On our Bhutan motorcycle tours, you’ll not only experience all of the scenic highlights, such as Chele La, the country’s highest pass at 3,988 meters and the famous Tiger’s Nest, but also the very special lifestyle of Bhutan and its unique culture. Nowhere else in the world has Tibetan culture, with its ancient customs and beautiful monasteries, been preserved as well as here. On our motorcycle tours in Bhutan, we take our time and immerse ourselves in the country, meet the friendly Bhutanese people, and come to understand why “Gross National Happiness” – or happiness itself for that matter – is central to the lives of the locals.
Bhutan Intensive
BHUTAN
20.10. – 30.10.2024 || 03.11. – 13.11.2024
16.03. – 26.03.2025 || 19.10. – 29.10.2025
02.11. – 12.11.2025
On our 13-day motorcycle tour through Bhutan, you can look forward to win-ding roads, no traffic worth mentioning, the Trumshing La (3,789 meters) and Chele La (3,988 meters) passes and truly stunning views. Ride with us through the remote kingdom and experience a Buddhist culture where people have recognized happiness as the supreme good in the world and ancient traditions live on today.
Guided Motorcycle Tours in Bhutan – on Royal Enfields through the Land of the Thunder Dragon
Motorcycle tours in Bhutan – experience a unique country from the saddle of your motorcycle
We’ve been riding the roads of Bhutan for more than 15 years – we organized the first Bhutan tour in October 2004, to be precise. Long before countless travel magazines, guide books and documentaries drew the attention of western adventure-seekers to Bhutan, we were already there on the ground, doing at least two tours a year. Bhutan is only accessible from India, yet it’s very different from its big neighbor. Life is much more orderly in Bhutan, and the government strictly limits the number of visitors. In comparison to its neighbor Nepal, the mountain kingdom receives only a small trickle of visitors — and the high price of admission is likely to keep it that way. 250 US dollars is the government-mandated minimum daily expenditure for tourists in Bhutan. Individual motorcycle tours without a guide are not permitted.
In return, visitors can marvel at the country’s spectacular, virtually untouched natural beauty. Bhutan is sparsely populated. The eastern part of the country is still remote, and rugged mountain ranges separate it from China and Tibet in the north. It’s a land of snowcapped mountains, deep gorges, broad valleys with fertile rice paddies and orchards, tiny villages and bustling market towns. Yet the south is covered in jungle and more reminiscent of India than the Himalayas. Bhutan is a thoroughly exotic country with friendly people – a place that stimulates all of the senses.
This previously inaccessible biker’s paradise in the Himalayas is within your reach with Classic Bike Adventure’s motorcycle tours in Bhutan!
Questions & Answers
If you want to travel to Bhutan, there is a minimum rate of $ 250 that a tourist has to pay each day for his Bhutan trip. Most of the money goes directly to Bhutan’s health and school system. The minimum rate set by the Bhutanese government doesn’t include local and international guides, mechanics, bike transport or other motorcycle tour related items.
Even if the prices are a bit more expensive compared to other tour prices, Bhutan is definitely worth it. A tour of Bhutan awaits you, where you will experience a hidden country, a new culture and unique adventures.
Via Delhi by plane to Thimphu, the capital. Or by motorcycle across the border at Samdruk near Guwahati (in the east of the country) or in the west at Phuentsholing.
Everyone who travels to Bhutan should of course have the standard vaccinations. These include hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, measles and pertussis.
A vaccination against hepatitis A and B or its refreshment is generally recommended. In addition to medication for personal use, remedies for stomach problems, diarrhea, insect bites, fever and colds are recommended.
Some doctors may recommend taking malaria prophylaxis, but there is little risk of developing malaria in Bhutan. No participant has had to fight malaria on any of our tours. It is best to speak to your doctor about this. This also applies to the vaccinations recommended above.
For emergencies, our medicine chest is already a small treasure chest. We are prepared for (almost) every ailment. For the other cases, we organize everything necessary quickly and conscientiously with professional routine. However, every tour participant should bring good health and general fitness with them. It is important in any case that you take care of it in good time so that you do not get all the vaccines injected at the same time!
In the event of current dangers from epidemics or the risk of plague, we will react and inform you immediately. However, this has not happened in the past ten years.
Yes, everyone who travels to Bhutan needs a visa. We will organize a visa for you.
The whole country is made up of curves only, on average we count 10 per kilometer. There is hardly any traffic, even the capital Timphu does not need traffic lights! We experience small mountain roads in different conditions. The ride will never be boring – wonderful landscapes take away the joy of “driving fast”. Pure enjoyment and the real classic Royal Enfield Bullets, made for cruising at a speed of 30-70km / h.
A travel day normally begins at 8 am with breakfast. Around 9 am, after a short briefing by the road captain, it’s time for the day’s riding, the mileage of which can vary quite a bit. Plenty of time will be available for lunch and coffee breaks, of course. Depending on the day’s mileage, we’ll reach the destination hotel between 3 and 4 pm.
Since our tours vary considerably, we may also hit the road at 8 am on high-mileage days – which is also nice, because then we have the whole day ahead of us.
Technical specifications: Single-cylinder four-stroke, 499 cc, 16 kW (28 bhp) at 4,600 rpm, 178 kg, 80 cm seat height, 123 kph max.
Our Enfields were manufactured from 2013 to 2017 and are well-maintained. Naturally, some of them bear the minor battle scars typical of touring motorcycles. Technically, they are all in top shape and perfectly suited to the planned tours. They’re tremendous fun to ride, and their handling is safe and predictable after a brief familiarization period. Our average speeds on the tour range from 40 to 60 kph, depending on the road conditions and traffic.
Riders must make a deposit of USD/EUR 500.00 in cash for their bikes. The deposit will be refunded when the bike is returned in good condition. The deposit corresponds to the comprehensive insurance deductible for damage to the rented bike and damage or injuries to third parties caused by the rider.
(The deductible is payable in such cases!)
Important note: The deductible also applies to damage or injury to third parties. In practice, the rider is initially liable for the full damages. The costs are later refunded by the insurance company, minus the deductible.
Your baggage will be carried by the support vehicle. Please don’t pack too much – remember: less is more. From time to time, we’ll have to carry our baggage over short distances to the hotel. Baggage is not insured, so please be sure to purchase your own baggage insurance for the trip if necessary. Your personal items for the day are best kept in the saddlebags or your daypack. Tank bags – including magnetic ones – can be used on the Enfields, but we don’t provide them.
Simple street maps are often available locally. The best road maps are available from the German publishers Reise Know How and Nelles. These are only available in specialized bookstores or online.
All riders must have a valid motorcycle driving license issued in their home country. An international driving license is also required. Be sure to contact the relevant authorities in your home country well in advance for more information on obtaining an international driving license.
You will need your passport, national driving license, international driving license and flight ticket. Please be sure to make photocopies of all of your important travel documents and carry them separately. They can be invaluable in an emergency.
We ride 500cc Royal Enfield Bullets manufactured from 2014 to 2017 that feature electric starters, 5-speed gearboxes with the gearshift on the left, front disk brakes, roomy and rugged leather saddlebags, crashbars, 19” tires and twin horns.
Our European tour guides are skilled motorcyclists and inveterate travelers who love India. They’re resilient in the face of stress and know the history and culture of the regions they cover. Our Indian mechanics are experienced Enfield specialists who all speak English and are happy to help with any technical problem, great or small.
A stand-in rider is always available. More information on our travel concept is available here.
Groups generally consist of 8 to 14 riders and 2 to 6 passengers. The minimum number of participants is 6 riders.
Yes, all passengers have a guaranteed seat. In bad weather or challenging riding conditions, they can switch to the support vehicle at any time – and back to the bike when conditions improve.
Riding two-up is almost always possible. In difficult terrain or on rough tracks, every passenger has a guaranteed seat in the support vehicle to keep things relaxed for both rider and pillion.
We always recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover costs incurred if you need to cancel the trip due to illness or other reasons. When shopping for travel health insurance, make sure the policy covers the potentially high cost of medical evacuation to your home country. Both forms of insurance can save you a lot of money in an emergency and we recommend them unreservedly. In many countries, your national motoring organization can provide the coverage you need.
You will definitely want to bring your riding suit with protectors and a helmet. You will also need motorcycle boots or lighter riding shoes and gloves. While your gear should be breathable in hot climates, you need to be ready for anything at high altitudes and in the Himalayas. We recommend winter gloves, warm socks, liners for jackets and trousers, a scarf and face protection. Rain gear is a good idea if your riding suit is not waterproof.
Please note that we do not hire out clothing. We believe that your own riding gear will fit best and thus give you the best protection. If you forget anything, we’ll find a solution, however. We often have spare gear with us, or we can point you in the direction of a shop.