Thunder Dragon
Discover Bhutan’s hidden trails, sacred monasteries, and stunning Himalayan views. Ride and explore a kingdom where tradition thrives and every moment feels otherworldly.
Joining In
Paro, Bhutan
Skill Level
Advanced +
Group Size
4-8
Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Per Person From
USD $3995
Single Supplement
$675 USD
Dates and Availability
Region
Trip Details
Bhutan is unlike anywhere else on Earth. It’s the last Buddhist kingdom, where the 17th century often feels more present than the 21st. Its people are warm, gracious, and deeply connected to their traditions. You’ll explore otherworldly monasteries, including the majestic Punakha Dzong and the iconic Paro Taktsang—better known as the Tiger’s Nest—clinging to a cliffside. Tourism here follows a “high-value, low-impact” model, and for those who are up for the adventure, Bhutan offers an experience that feels like a secret—peaceful, preserved, and profoundly special. There are no Western chain stores, and you might go days without seeing another tourist. This journey is more than just a mountain bike trip—it’s a path of self-discovery as you ride hidden historic trails known only to locals and pedal through remote and pristine forests and quiet valleys before reaching the famed Tiger’s Nest. Every stop is rich with culture and nature, leaving you with the feeling you’ve ridden through Bhutan’s soul. The riding is challenging yet rewarding—shuttles up winding roads lead to hike-a-bikes followed by thrilling and technical descents. It’s terrain that tests your body and lifts your spirit. Travel in Bhutan feels like one vast mental and physical retreat—a reset like no other, free from the stress and noise of daily life.
- Trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Please review the Single Supplement policy in our Terms and Conditions.
- Expert local leadership and support team.
- Nine nights hotel accommodation.
- All meals starting with dinner on Day 1, ending with breakfast on Day 10.
- Bhutan Tourism Levy ($100/day per per person)
- Visa Fees, permits, park fees & entrances to monuments & temples.
- Daily luggage transfers and support vehicle.
- Visit to traditional hot-stone bath.
- Detailed pre-departure information
- 24 Hour Trip Support
- Any alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, etc).
- Ride snacks and supplements.
- Your bike and equipment needed to ride.
- Airfare; airport taxes and extra baggage fees.
- Mandatory personal travel and medical insurance.
- Optional tipping to guides.
Advanced +
You eat, sleep and drink all things mountain biking and have been riding for over a decade. You ride four or more times a week in all weather and can ride all day long in challenging conditions. You can handle almost any type of terrain including hike-a-bike sections and can navigate truly technical trails. Your overall fitness level is very high and you can handle hours of intensity, for multiple consecutive days. You know when to walk a section that might be outside your comfort zone.
Pelden
Pelden is happiest when he is on his bike – sharing his beloved country with riders from around the world, where he brings warmth, wisdom, and decades of experience to every journey he leads. His contributions to Bhutan’s adventure tourism sector have been instrumental in positioning Bhutan as a top mountain biking destination. He is also actively involved in a small biking community in Bhutan, where he has set up a bike library to encourage young Bhutanese women and kids to ride. Although his guitar playing has become rusty with age, he loves music, knows his local eateries, and loves an epic self-drive adventure.
Do you thrive on rugged, natural trails where every climb, push, and descent feels earned? Have you been mountain biking for over a decade, riding four or more times a week in all weather, and can handle long, technical days in the saddle? If so, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure through Bhutan is for you. The minimum technical ability required for this trip is Advanced+. You’ll ride hidden historic trails that have connected monasteries and villages for centuries. These ancient paths are raw and untamed: steep climbs, hike-a-bike sections, loose rock, compact dirt that turns slick when wet, and overgrown forest singletrack that demands skill, patience, and precision. The riding is shuttle-assisted but far from easy. Expect challenging hike-a-bikes leading to high-altitude descents that test both body and mind. Trails thread through pristine forests, remote villages, and landscapes that feel unchanged for centuries. Each descent rewards you with raw technical features, natural rock gardens, and the sheer joy of riding terrain few outsiders have ever experienced.
Our Trips, Your People
There’s nothing quite like gathering with close friends or family for an unforgettable adventure — whether it’s a milestone birthday adventure with your closest riding crew, a friend group escape to a fully-catered chartered boat, a couples’ anniversary trip to Italy complete with all the wine tasting, or even an eMTB trip in Mexico combined with yoga classes and beach time.
The possibilities are endless. With a private trip, everything is tailored to your group — your pace, your style, your crew. Choose from one of our existing itineraries and fill out the form below to start planning.
Pricing & Booking Details
Private group pricing follows the posted rates for your chosen itinerary, provided your group meets the minimum number of riders required for that destination.
Your group can choose any available scheduled departure that doesn’t already have riders booked, or — subject to availability of guides, accommodations, and logistics — we can work with you to select custom dates that best suit your group’s schedule. Once dates are confirmed, we require a 25% deposit per person to secure your private departure.
Please note that prices may be subject to change if booking more than a year in advance, or if any factors affect trip costs (such as group size adjustments, accommodation upgrades, or adding extra nights before or after your main itinerary).
Want to customize the itinerary for your group? No problem. Any updates, additions, or changes to existing itineraries are subject to a $1000 USD one-time booking fee.
Our team will maintain close communication with you throughout the process to ensure full transparency — no surprises. Once your trip details and pricing are confirmed, we’ll take care of everything so you can focus on what matters most — an incredible riding experience with your favourite people.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Highlights
Trail
Jela trail - 15 kms of descent and the best singletrack in Bhutan.
Amenities
Herbal hot stone bath in a traditional farmhouse.
Views
Dramatic sites like Tiger’s Nest and grand fortress-monasteries like Punakha Dzong.
Cuisine
Stews, meat dishes with chilies, and potato-based meals like Kewa Datshi.
Geographic Marvels
Lush valleys, high passes, and unspoiled trails to explore.
Cultural Experiences
Prayer wheels and fluttering flags, the culture here isn’t staged—it’s lived.
Getting Ready
- Gore-Tex/water-proof riding jacket
- Thin down jacket
- Toque/warm hat
- Polypro/Merino layers
- Bathing suit
- Bike shorts/pants & riding jerseys, etc.
- Socks (extras are good)
- Casual shorts/light pants
- Comfortable clothing for evenings
- Walking/running shoes & flip flops
- Long fingered bike gloves (two pairs)
- Warmer riding gloves (light version)
- Water shoes (for rocky beaches like Croatia)
Mandatory Parts & Tools (MTBs):
- Brake pads (one set)
- Derailleur hanger (for those that have a replaceable one)
- Chain link specific to your bike
Mandatory Parts & Tools (eMTBs & MTBs):
- Two tubes & tire irons & pump
- Chain lube & rag
- Allen keys & multi tool
- Pedals, hemet, riding gear (gloves, knee/elbow pads, eye protection, riding pack)
- Saddle (optional)
Additional Suggested Parts & Tools (MTBs only):
- Brake rotor
- Used derailleur
- Extra spokes
- Small bolt assortment
Suggested Miscellaneous:
- Headlamp
- Personal toiletries & hand sanitizer
- Camera (batteries)
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- Clear & sun lensed eye protection
- Earplugs (for the light sleepers!)
- Eye mask (for sleeping)
- Energy bars & electrolytes
- Packable snacks or preferred foods
- Air Tags / tracking devices for your luggage
NOTE: Some items on the parts list can be split up among the group and is only a recommendation for convenience. We recommend labeling your belongings & parts in case things get mixed up.
Bike Info
A limited number of high-performance rental bikes are available on this trip. It is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. A current full-suspension enduro bike with 150-160mm travel that’s capable of climbing and designed for descending through rough terrain is suggested on this trip. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread designed for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A 20L backpack is recommended.
This is a shuttle-assisted, mainly downhill trip for advanced and expert-level riders who have a high level of fitness. Rides are remote, naturally technical, and some trails require hiking your bike to reach the trailhead (up to one hour). Rides on this trip are between 2400 and 3600m (7875-11,811 feet), so altitude is a factor.
8km-50km and 1- 8 hours of riding time.
Some of the rides are accessed by shuttle, then hike-a-bike or push — there is considerable altitude to deal with so a high level of fitness is important. All trails are ancient hiking paths and feature some steep sections and fixed rock and loose rock, some compact dirt that can be slick when wet. Most trails are in the forest and trails are often overgrown and naturally technical.
No, your gear will be transported to each location. Days are long, and so a 20L pack is suggested to carry sufficient clothing, snacks, and water.
We always encourage you to ride well within your limits and to ride conservatively. There is no shame in walking a section of trail that makes you uncomfortable. Walking your bike is mandatory in areas of exposure.
We will be staying in a combination of small, family-run hotels, guest houses, and eco-lodges.
All meals, starting with dinner on Day 1, and ending with breakfast on the last day.
Bhutanese food is hearty, spice-heavy, and deeply rooted in local traditions. Chilies are used as a main ingredient and many dishes are enriched with cheese or curds to balance the heat. Red rice is the staple grain, alongside buckwheat and maize, while meals are built around fresh, seasonal vegetables like potatoes, mushrooms, and greens. The result is simple, filling food that’s both spicy and comforting. Local dishes include Ema Datshi, the national dish of chilies (green or red) cooked with yak or cow’s milk cheese, spicy stews, and buckwheat pancakes.
Yes, laundry facilities are available at all hotels.
The best time to visit Bhutan for pleasant, warm, and sunny weather is typically from March to May and again in October and November. Expect warm days, but you could encounter some rain showers. Riders must be prepared for all types of weather.
The currency in Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu.), which is pegged to the Indian Rupee (and Indian Rupees are also widely accepted in the country, except for the ₹500 and ₹2000 notes). Credit cards are accepted only in larger hotels, tourist shops, and some restaurants in cities like Thimphu and Paro, but they’re not widely used elsewhere. Many rural areas, local markets, and small businesses are strictly cash-only. ATMs are available in towns, but they can be unreliable, so it’s best to carry enough cash—preferably Ngultrum or smaller Indian Rupee denominations—for your travels.
Tipping in Bhutan isn’t a strong part of traditional culture—locals generally don’t expect it in day-to-day life. However, with the growth of tourism, tipping has become more common and appreciated, especially among guides, drivers, and hotel staff. Gratuities for your Big Mountain guides may be given at your discretion in response to their professionalism and leadership throughout the week. Historically, 5-10% of the trip price per individual guest is to be divided among your guiding team as a tipping standard.
