Spiritual MTB Adventure

We want you to have the best experience in Bhutan, so it’s important to be sure that this is the perfect mountain bike adventure, with the right level of challenge, for you.

You’re a very experienced mountain biker, riding at least three times a week through the season and comfortable with: steep, fast singletrack descents; tough climbs; hike-a-bike; technical rock chutes; drop-offs; boardwalk; and muddy, forested singletrack. Read more on our advanced skill level.

Does this sound like you? Your vacation time is precious and we want to be absolutely sure that you’re making the most of it. Be honest with yourself, if this adventure isn’t right for you, we have other MTB tours [link] that may be a better fit for your mountain biking ability.

Please note: The skill level required reflects an overall rating for the trails on the trip but you should expect to find sections and obstacles that push your ability levels.

Skill level: Advanced

• You are very confident handling most types of riding and obstacles, including drops (up to 1 foot mandatory and 6 foot optional), rocks, logs, switchbacks, larger rock gardens and sustained technical singletrack
• You can brake, use gears and corner instinctively
• You have excellent bike handling skills and can lift front and rear wheels , do small jumps, corner, climb and descend steep trails
• You have considerable experience of riding on a wide variety of technical terrains including: rocky, rooty, muddy, loose, fast singletrack, exposed trails, bedrock for extended periods
• You ride at least three times a week and rarely get off and walk sections
• You can climb and descend comfortably on technical singletrack for as long as required

Fitness level: 5/7

• You have a good level of bike fitness, exercising at least three times every week throughout the year, for an hour at a time
• You can ride a mountain bike for up to six hours a day at a moderate pace, with snack and photo stops, for three or more consecutive days
• You can tackle two or three fairly significant climbs a day, up to 600 metres each

Typical trails you’ll be riding

• Some of the riding you’ll do on our mountain bike tour in Bhutan is just over 10,000ft/ 3,000m with exposure present on some trails
• Double track: undulating jeep roads made up of hard-packed dirt, small rocks and occasionally sand
• Singletrack: rustic singletrack, mainly high mountain trails with very dry, loose surfaces, and through valley forests with roots crossing the trails, and at times you will encounter tennis ball-sized rock gardens, and occasionally flow trails
• The trails in the Bhutan mountains are thousands of years old, so are not buff purpose built trails, they are natural high altitude walking trails that link villages across the region and surfaces will be soft and loose, and/or rocky and dry at times. They are also affected by the weather and may be eroded in places
• You will have to hike-a-bike for up to two hours during this adventure to reach the high mountain passes

Training for your Bhutan MTB adventure

To get the most out of your mountain bike tour in Bhutan you should plan plenty of training in advance of your tour.
You will experience altitudes of between 3,000ft/ 1,000m and 13,000ft/ 4,000m when mountain biking in Bhutan, so we have some advice on mountain biking at high altitudes.

The ideal bike for the Bhutanese trails is a good quality full-suspension mountain bike with 29” or 27.5” wheels, dropper seat post, and 130mm -150mm of travel front and rear. We recommend durable tyres that can handle a range of terrains such as the Vitorria’s Mazza Enduro.

We recommend that you travel with your own bike, and have some handy tips on how to do this.  When travelling with your own bike, you must ensure that it has been properly serviced before the trip.

If you would prefer not to travel with your bike, we have a fleet of Yeti Cycles mountain bikes to rent in Bhutan. Contact us for details of models and availability for your tour.

We only run small group mountain bike tours to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, and there will be a maximum of 10 people in each group. The minimum number of people we require to run this mountain bike tour in Bhutan is four.

Our mountain bike tour in Bhutan caters for a wide age range; typically between 30- and 55-years-old. Regardless of age, you must have the appropriate level of physical fitness and mountain biking skills to participate in this adventure. Please refer to clause 14 of our terms and conditions of booking to find more information on rider age.

This mountain bike tour in Bhutan is a guided mountain bike vacation, ideal for advanced mountain bikers. The terrain you’ll be riding on consists of double track and singletrack through thick forests, villages and across high plateaux and mountain passes. You’ll encounter some steep climbs and rooty sections, as well as fabulous, swooping descents.

Altitude is a factor in this trip and we have some tips for riding at high altitudes and managing the effects of altitude.

The distances we cover each day range from 12km to 35km, in accordance with the altitude and height gain/ loss on each stage.

Each evening your guides will chat with you about the following day’s mountain biking and give you an idea of the sorts of trails you can look forward to. If there’s anything you feel anxious about, your guides will be happy to discuss it with you.

No, you only need to carry a day pack with you whilst riding. We have your large kit bags transferred to your next accommodation each day, and have it ready and waiting for your arrival.

Your guide will be very happy to give you some bike skills help during your trip to help improve your confidence and your enjoyment of your mountain bike tour in Bhutan.

If there is a section that you would prefer not to ride, then you can simply hop off your bike and walk. You won’t be the only one to walk certain sections and it’s not a competition in biking ability; it’s a mountain bike holiday!

Your mountain bike guides are local to Bhutan and experienced professionals who have a real passion for mountain biking and for the culture and landscape of Bhutan. Your safety is their number one priority, closely followed by your enjoyment of your mountain bike tour in Bhutan. They will always be on-hand to answer any questions or requests you may have throughout your trip. Meet your mountain bike guide in Bhutan…Pelden. 

On this mountain bike tour in Bhutan you will be staying in a selection of traditional mountain huts, small family run hotels and unique mountain accommodation in the Himalayas.

All meals starting with lunch on day one, and ending with breakfast on day eleven. Bhutan has a diverse offering when it comes to food, pulling on the country’s history to influence its dishes.

The ideal bike for the Bhutanese trails is a good quality full-suspension mountain bike with 29” or 27.5” wheels, dropper seat post, and 130mm -150mm of travel front and rear.

Read the full kit list to find out what you need to pack for your mountain bike tour in Bhutan.

Yes, you will have the chance to have laundry done on days 3, 4, 7 and 8, you will also be able to hand wash kit and dry it in the Bhutanese afternoon sun.

Unfortunately not. We are working hard to provide each and every customer who rides with us an unparalleled mountain bike experience in every destination we ride. This takes years of experience, riding and planning to get right, and a drone adds a very real danger to the group’s riding experience and health & safety. 

You should travel to Paro, in Bhutan, via Bangkok. Should you wish to fly via a different route, please check with us beforehand.

From Bangkok you will take a ‘domestic’ flight to Paro. Our in-country team will book this flight for you, and we will confirm the times and costs to you, before adding to your booking.

You should book your bike on to your international flight in advance, otherwise you could face a higher charge at the airport.

Please allow a 24-hour layover in Bangkok before your scheduled flight to Bhutan. This will allow for any weather delays getting into and out of Bhutan. Flights to Paro are likely to be early morning of day 1 of your tour.

Visas

All travellers require a visa to enter Bhutan. Our in-country team will arrange this for you, so please speak with your tour expert to organise this. You must print out a copy and bring it with you on your adventure. 

All travellers must have a passport which is valid for at least six months from the time you enter Bhutan.

All travellers should consult the relevant government website to satisfy themselves of their requirements for entering and leaving Bhutan.

Arrival and departure details

Your guide team will meet you at Paro airport when you arrive on day 1, and transfer you to your first hotel.

On the last day of the tour, your guide will ensure you are dropped off at Paro airport in time to catch your flight back home.

Our mountain bike guides in Bhutan are of the highest level.

They are qualified in first-aid and they have the knowledge and experience to lead a group safely in these remote, wild and beautiful parts of Bhutan.

Our guides have years of experience in the saddle on the trails of Bhutan and will be able to enhance your holiday with facts and fables on local history, flora and fauna. They’re also genuinely nice people and will do their best to make sure that everyone in the group has a great time.

One of the things that sets our adventures apart is the unique local accommodation we use. We  use the best, locally-run accommodation in each country, and that which is traditional to that area, whether it be a city or mountain.

On our mountain bike tour in Bhutan you’ll be staying in a selection of traditional Bhutanese accommodations from rustic mountain huts, to small family run guest houses, to hidden mountain lodges in the valley floors.

Most of the food you will enjoy on our mountain bike tour in Bhutan is traditional food influenced by surrounding countries, all prepared with the greatest of care and skill. Typical dishes include: curry, eggs, local meats, noodle dishes and of course plenty of rice.

We will eat together as a group at each mealtime, and all meals are included in the tour price.

No vaccinations are required for visiting Bhutan.

You should always consult your own doctor or physician before travelling to new countries to seek their advice on matters concerning your health abroad.

We recommend you check before drinking tap water. Bottled or filtered water will be readily available throughout the trip.

Also, please let us know if you have any special food requirements, allergies or pre-existing conditions your guides should know about.

Your health and safety on tour is our top priority and when you travel with us you will be covered by Global Rescue emergency medical and evacuation services.

The official currency of Bhutan is the Bhutanese Ngultrum. ATM machines are available in Paro, but limited in the countryside.

Tipping

It is not compulsory to tip your guides or drivers in Bhutan, but it is much appreciated. If you feel you’ve had a good service or experience on your mountain bike tour in Bhutan, you can tip at your discretion.

It is not compulsory to tip in restaurants, however should you wish to tip your servers, 10% – 15% of your meal cost would be acceptable.

You are required as a condition of booking to be insured against medical and personal accident risks. In this policy you must include cover for mountain biking and we recommend that you take out a policy which covers cancellation and baggage, including your bike.

We work with Global Rescue whose policies are specially designed for adventure travel and you can arrange your insurance cover directly with them.