Biking Around Bhutan

This article is picked from the in-flight magazine 'Tashi Delek' with compliments from DRUKAIR CORPORATION LTD.

Tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas – the abode of snow – Bhutan’s rugged mountain landscape with narrow serpentine roads, connecting remote settlements and far-flung communities, make mountain biking an incredible adventure.?

Mountain biking in Bhutan offers the opportunity to experience the spectacular beauty of this Buddhist country, taking you closer to the natural wonders of the Himalayas, its pristine environment and living culture.?From short day trips to longer, more grueling but equally rewarding, biking expeditions, the options are many.

But what really makes mountain biking around Bhutan truly remarkable is the joy of traversing an ever-changing landscape of steep hills, dense vegetation, sprawling valleys, and remote mountain villages scattered around the country. Add to it the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular mountain peaks that soar into the skies along its northern border straddling Bhutan and Tibet.

While the majority of riding takes place on well-paved roads, there are also many off-road trails, dirt roads and mountain trails that cut through deep forests and hillsides to choose from.

Of the many, the Divine Madman Trail is one of the most popular hiking and biking trails in the country. The 21km trail begins at Dochula pass, dropping dramatically into cool-broad leaf forest and eventually to warm sub-tropical vegetation. The trail connects 21 villages, taking you through an expanse of rich biodiversity, many layered terraced paddy fields, and traditional manor houses. The trail eventually leads to the village of phalluses at the foothill of the famous Chimi Lhakhang or Temple of Fertility, which was blessed by the 15th century maverick saint Lam Drukpa Kuenley, fondly known as the Divine Madman for his highly eccentric way of teaching Buddhism.?

Tour of the Dragon race, which was initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, is by far the biggest biking adventure in the country. Considered the world’s toughest one-day mountain bike race, the Tour of the Dragon covers 268km of stunning Himalayan landscapes. The race begins in Bumthang in central Bhutan and concludes in the capital city, Thimphu, covering an elevation ranging from 1,200m to 3,340m. This race is a true test of endurance, even for seasoned and well-trained riders, requiring extraordinary level of physical fitness and stamina.

All cycling tours in Bhutan are guided, meaning an experienced guide and back-up transport service accompanies you. Bikers have the options to travel in the car and engage in cultural visits to villages and temples along the tour. Many of Bhutan’s biking trails pass through tiny villages and temples, which provide entertaining and educational diversions if you need a break from the usual tourist spots.

Recently I had the joy of leading a biking group, cycling from west to east of Bhutan, covering a total distance of around 456km. It was an epic journey, crisscrossing the country, through the mountainous roads. It was a wonderful way to experience the inner heartlands of Bhutan, the sublime beauty of its exotic locations and its rich social and cultural landscape.

From Thimphu to the far eastern district of Lhuentse, the biking journey took us through four major mountain passes above 3000m, several small towns and villages sprinkled along the way, and historic dzongs (fortresses), Buddhist monasteries, and temples wedged on precarious cliffs. We biked through Thimphu city, Punakha, Phobjikha valley, Trongsa, Bumthang, Lhuentse and Mongar. And from Mongar, we drove back to Paro, stopping at Ura in Bumthang and Punakha for the night.

We pedaled through dirt roads and biked through some of the most spectacular, diverse yet traffic-free roads with several of the world’s great descents and hilly countryside. And we were rewarded with epic Himalayan panoramas and the untouched raw beauty of the east.

The biking trip included several extra days to explore traditional villages and remote valleys of central and eastern Bhutan, some of the least visited parts of this Himalayan kingdom. En route, we witnessed local festivals and feasted on Bhutan’s unique cuisine and regional specialties. We stopped by small shops along the way, chatting with local people, and visited Bhutanese homes, partaking in the simplicity of the traditional way of rural life.

The journey on bike to the east of Bhutan opens up totally new vistas of both geographical and cultural landscapes. The east of Bhutan is raw, and biking takes you closer to these unexplored locations – unraveling its natural beauty and thriving culture, welcoming you to be one with it.

The best time to go on a cycling holiday in Bhutan is from October to November and from March to April. This is the best window with favorable climate and clear blue skies. Biking through mud-splattered roads during monsoon or snow-covered, icy roads during winters can be extremely challenging. But if you are an adventurer, seasons shouldn’t matter, for adventure is an all-season fare!

This article is written by Passang Tshering. He is a qualified tour guide (culture and trekking). He leads tour groups across Bhutan. He enjoys photography and Facebook and Instagram blogging. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram @bhutanwithpassang