Rider flying down the Tigers nest trail in the Paro valley of Bhutan

Tigers Nest Trail © Margus Riga

Paro Dzong Bridge © Punap Ugyen Wangchuk

Down to Punakha © Margus Riga

Tiger Nest Trail © Margus Riga

Bhutan Ultimate Enduro Adventure

Bhutan’s Best Singletracks is our exclusive offering designed to give you an unparalled all-mountain MTB adventure combined with culture, nature, its people and the Bhutanese way of life, all on the thrills of riding your mountain bike. On this tour we invite you on a road of self-discovery as your shred through the best kept secret trails of Bhutan. Note that our trials are 100% natural adding an element of surprise and excitement as you never know what's around the corner. The trip starts with an easy acclimatizing ride in the capital Thimphu valley along with some major cultural highlights. Continue to Punakha to ride some of the best trails in the country and then head to Paro for some amazing rides and end your MTB adventure by visiting the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery. Every stop is laden with attractions that will enliven your senses and will leave you with an indelible feeling of having ridden through the soul of Bhutan.

Starts In: Paro
Ends In: Paro
Duration: 8 Days
Difficulty Grade: Demanding

Highlights

The trails are out of this world, never ending descending!
The unspoilt nature we ride through on these rides
Exploring the culture of Bhutan
The food and the crafts beers!

Itinerary

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Day 01: Welcome to Bhutan

If you are arriving on a bright sunny day, your holiday begins with a panoramic view of the Himalayan range from your Drukair seat, where you’ll be greeted by Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. Make sure you are seated on the left side of the aisle for better views over the himalayan ranges (ask the check-in counter).

Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly guide who will help you settle into your comfortable vehicle, and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu. En-route stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang to take a short break and marvel at Bhutan’s fresh air and rich nature. Walk over the ancient heritage iron bridge reconstructed using original chain link from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo back in the 15th century.

If time permits, we’ll go for a short ride on Thimphu’s favorite XC trail – the Wangditse loop.

In the evening visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy welcome dinner at the best restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Tour briefing over dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu Towers
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Buddha Dordenma © Margus Riga

Day 02: Best of Thimphu’s trails to get Acclimatized

Lets prepare you for your ride in the coming days and start flexing your muscles and acclimatise to the altitude. Today we’ll explore what the capital city boasts as some of our best mtb trails in the country. Proceed to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride the capital’s favourite MTB trails called the KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang.

After lunch, we’ll hit the hills near the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal first. Then continue to the radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single track trail starts. The loop is about 6 km. Ascend to 300m into blue pine forests and then descend to Wangditse temple that is currently being renovated. Continue towards the Takin MTB trailhead and enjoy another fast flowy ride with some jumps and table-tops. The entire ride is on fantastic singletrack punctuated with great views over the capital city. You may also likely come across some of our local MTB riders on this popular trail.

Take a break from riding and drive back to the capital city Thimphu. Visit to the Folk Heritage – a three story, 19th century traditional Bhutanese farm house which provides a glimpse of Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. One can come across typical household objects, religious tools and equipment.

We’ll stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the capital. Your time in Bhutan is not just about riding, but you can also enjoy some very good craft beers. We’ll go to one of our favourite bars called the Mojo Park where young musicians will be belting out covers and originals. It’s interesting to see a bit of Bhutan’s urban culture! If anyone of you has a penchant for music, you might as well hit the stage too!

Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu Towers
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Prayer flags trail © Margus Riga

Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha - The Mega Madman

This morning we shuttle for an hour up to the Trashigang gonpa at an altitude of 3,000m. From here we’ll hike-a-bike to Lungchutse gonpa for an hour and half. Some strong riders may be able to ride 60% of it. Look out for Red panda on the way and on a clear day the view from the top is stunning! After taking in the view, we’ll enjoy a nice technical descent to the Dochula pass, and then continue riding on the famous Madman trail down to Lumitswa village. After this amazing start to the day, we have a picnic lunch before continuing out descend to Thenleygang.

We’ll continue downhill to cross the river, and from where we’ll pedal on a gentle and long meditative climb through pine forests offering great views to reach Laptsakha village. For the final part of the day we’ll head downhill to Punakha Dzong fortress on a mix of gravel road and super fun single track. The ride is 25 km with 80% downhill on one of the best trails in Bhutan, descending from 3500 to 1200!

When we arrive back at our hotel we’ll be ready for a hot shower and cold drink before dinner!

Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dochula pass trail © Margus Riga

Day 04: Punakha Gravity

Today we’ll enjoy some serious descents. Let’s shuttle the bikes to Talo village and enjoy riding on one of the best downhill single track natural trails in the valley. Stretching 8.9 km with an altitude drop of 1000m, this ride takes us through beautiful forests and villages, punctuated with monasteries and awesome viewpoints.

We reach the Punakha Dzong and cross the river before riding the Pho-chu cross-country undulating trail for 7 km along the river to Samdinkha village where we’ll have a picnic lunch by the river.

After lunch, we’ll shuttle the bikes to Sewla gonpa monastery and enjoy a beautiful flowy trail for 10 km of pure shredding heaven. The trail passes through oak forests and enters a ridge line of beautiful chir pine forest.

If time allows, we can visit the most beautiful fortress – the Punakha Dzong after the ride.

Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Above Punakha © Pelden Dorji

Day 05: Punakha Flow and on to the Khotokha valley

This morning, we’ll shuttle to Tshochhasa village and again enjoy a long flowy descent from 2200m to 1300m. This ride mostly winds through chir pine forest and ends at the paddy fields near the fortress.

We continue to the village of Lobesa and pay our respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the temple of fertility.

We have lunch in Lobesa and then drive to Khotokha valley – a high glacial valley that is really beautiful and away from civilization. Here we camp for a night in the serene valley and enjoy some great food that our camp team will prepare.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Khotokha Valley © Pelden Dorji

Day 06: The Khotokha Trail

Wake up in the wild and feel like you are transported back in time. After breakfast, we’ll hike-a-bike for about 1 hour to Moleyla pass. The hike itself is a beautiful walk through the forest.

Once we are on Moleyla at 3000m, you are about to be rewarded with one of the most technical trails we know. The Khotokha trail is 40% rock-gardens and then it comes to a beautiful forest ride where riders can just shred. The trials are full of roots, leaves, switchbacks, natural berms, jumps and very fast sections allowing you to take your riding to its limits.

After lunch in Wangdue, drive to Paro. Tonight we’ll visit the first craft beer pub and enjoy some nice brews.

Accommodation: Nemjo Heritage
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Big down © Margus Riga

Day 07: Paro Enduro with Tiger’s Nest Monastery

We have kept the best for the last. Shuttle the bikes to Kila Gonpa nunnery at 3800m. You can choose to ride on jeep track for 3 km, and once we reach the temple, we’ll enjoy a long descend down to Paro valley for 12 km. This singletrack follows a loamy trail through rhododendron forest down to blue pine forest. The ride ends at Paro town where we’ll grab some lunch.

After lunch, today we will say goodbye to the bikes and hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery. Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on a cliff and one of the most important places in Buddhism. While flying on the back of a tiger, Guru Rinpoche identified Taktsang as a sacred place and meditated in a cave for three months. Guru Rinpoche is also known as Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD. Today it’s perhaps the best known monastery in the world, because of its stunning location and it is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. The monastery was built around the meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro and although a fire destroyed most of the original buildings in 1998, these have since been painstakingly restored to their former glory.

Tonight its chill time with some good times together.

Accommodation: Nemjo Heritage
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tigers Nest Trail © Mads Mathiasen

Day 08: Farewell for now...

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and when it is time your guide will take you to the airport, help you with the formalities and fare you well before your flight to home.

Meals included: Breakfast

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Gallery

Included In Price

Bhutan Tourism Royalty/Levy ($100 per day per person)
Visa Fees ($40 per person)
All necessary permit fees
All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
All meals and evening tea
Drinking mineral water
All accommodations in 3 and 4–star hotels
MTB guides and mechanics
Shuttle trucks
Basic spares for bikes

Not Included In Price

Airfares
Mountain bikes
Ride Nutrition
All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, shopping expenses
Spa Charges (except for the traditional hot-stone bath)
Travel and Medical insurance

Adventure travel: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in the mountains, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of fellow travelers can all contribute to changes. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy- going nature will be an asset!

<h2>Day 01: Welcome to Bhutan</h2>
								
									If you are arriving on a bright sunny day, your holiday begins with a panoramic view of the Himalayan range from your Drukair seat, where you’ll be greeted by Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. Make sure you are seated on the left side of the aisle for better views over the himalayan ranges (ask the check-in counter).
Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly guide who will help you settle into your comfortable vehicle, and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu. En-route stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang to take a short break and marvel at Bhutan’s fresh air and rich nature. Walk over the ancient heritage iron bridge reconstructed using original chain link from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo back in the 15th century.
If time permits, we’ll go for a short ride on Thimphu’s favorite XC trail – the Wangditse loop.
In the evening visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy welcome dinner at the best restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Tour briefing over dinner.
																			Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu Towers 																												Meals included: 
										Lunch, Dinner

<h2>Day 02: Best of Thimphu’s trails to get Acclimatized</h2>
								
									Lets prepare you for your ride in the coming days and start flexing your muscles and acclimatise to the altitude. Today we’ll explore what the capital city boasts as some of our best mtb trails in the country. Proceed to the Buddha point on a 4 km gentle climb, where the largest Buddha statue (169ft) sits overlooking Thimphu city. Take a short diversion on a MTB trail to the viewpoint to ride the capital’s favourite MTB trails called the KC Trail that extends for 6 km and exits in Motithang.
After lunch, we’ll hit the hills near the Takin Reserve centre to see the national animal first. Then continue to the radio tower from where the Wangditse MTB single track trail starts. The loop is about 6 km. Ascend to 300m into blue pine forests and then descend to Wangditse temple that is currently being renovated. Continue towards the Takin MTB trailhead and enjoy another fast flowy ride with some jumps and table-tops. The entire ride is on fantastic singletrack punctuated with great views over the capital city. You may also likely come across some of our local MTB riders on this popular trail.
Take a break from riding and drive back to the capital city Thimphu. Visit to the Folk Heritage – a three story, 19th century traditional Bhutanese farm house which provides a glimpse of Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. One can come across typical household objects, religious tools and equipment.
We’ll stroll around the city and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the capital. Your time in Bhutan is not just about riding, but you can also enjoy some very good craft beers. We’ll go to one of our favourite bars called the Mojo Park where young musicians will be belting out covers and originals. It’s interesting to see a bit of Bhutan’s urban culture! If anyone of you has a penchant for music, you might as well hit the stage too!
																			Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu Towers 																												Meals included: 
										Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

<h2>Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha - The Mega Madman</h2>
								
									This morning we shuttle for an hour up to the Trashigang gonpa at an altitude of 3,000m. From here we’ll hike-a-bike to Lungchutse gonpa for an hour and half. Some strong riders may be able to ride 60% of it. Look out for Red panda on the way and on a clear day the view from the top is stunning! After taking in the view, we’ll enjoy a nice technical descent to the Dochula pass, and then continue riding on the famous Madman trail down to Lumitswa village. After this amazing start to the day, we have a picnic lunch before continuing out descend to Thenleygang.
We’ll continue downhill to cross the river, and from where we’ll pedal on a gentle and long meditative climb through pine forests offering great views to reach Laptsakha village. For the final part of the day we’ll head downhill to Punakha Dzong fortress on a mix of gravel road and super fun single track. The ride is 25 km with 80% downhill on one of the best trails in Bhutan, descending from 3500 to 1200!
When we arrive back at our hotel we’ll be ready for a hot shower and cold drink before dinner!
																			Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort 																												Meals included: 
										Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

<h2>Day 04: Punakha Gravity</h2>
								
									Today we’ll enjoy some serious descents. Let’s shuttle the bikes to Talo village and enjoy riding on one of the best downhill single track natural trails in the valley. Stretching 8.9 km with an altitude drop of 1000m, this ride takes us through beautiful forests and villages, punctuated with monasteries and awesome viewpoints.
We reach the Punakha Dzong and cross the river before riding the Pho-chu cross-country undulating trail for 7 km along the river to Samdinkha village where we’ll have a picnic lunch by the river.
After lunch, we’ll shuttle the bikes to Sewla gonpa monastery and enjoy a beautiful flowy trail for 10 km of pure shredding heaven. The trail passes through oak forests and enters a ridge line of beautiful chir pine forest.
If time allows, we can visit the most beautiful fortress – the Punakha Dzong after the ride.
																			Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort 																												Meals included: 
										Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

<h2>Day 07: Paro Enduro with Tiger’s Nest Monastery</h2>
								
									We have kept the best for the last. Shuttle the bikes to Kila Gonpa nunnery at 3800m. You can choose to ride on jeep track for 3 km, and once we reach the temple, we’ll enjoy a long descend down to Paro valley for 12 km. This singletrack follows a loamy trail through rhododendron forest down to blue pine forest. The ride ends at Paro town where we’ll grab some lunch.
After lunch, today we will say goodbye to the bikes and hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery. Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on a cliff and one of the most important places in Buddhism. While flying on the back of a tiger, Guru Rinpoche identified Taktsang as a sacred place and meditated in a cave for three months. Guru Rinpoche is also known as Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD. Today it’s perhaps the best known monastery in the world, because of its stunning location and it is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. The monastery was built around the meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro and although a fire destroyed most of the original buildings in 1998, these have since been painstakingly restored to their former glory.
Tonight its chill time with some good times together.
																			Accommodation: Nemjo Heritage 																												Meals included: 
										Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner