15 Tips for a Solo Bike Trip to Bhutan

A solo biking tour of Bhutan is one of the most serene trips you can take anywhere in the world. Just you, your bike, and the amazing Bhutan countryside. Touring Bhutan on a bike may be the perfect way to explore this unique mountain kingdom on the southern edge of the Himalayas, nestled between India and Tibet. Your guide will be with you, in the support vehicle, and will be there ready for your entrance to the attractions.

But for the most part, you will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of this serene kingdom without interruption. For those planning a solo trip to Bhutan for a bike tour, here are a few tips to help you prepare better.

Tip 1. Travel permits are required

Before you can even get to Bhutan, you need to arrange your visa and travel permits for the tip. The visa is not applicable for individual tourists, and all application must be made by the travel agency handling your trip. As all tourists are required to be on a pre-arranged tour of the kingdom, the visa application is just one of the many amazing services offered by travel agencies in Bhutan. Your visa will be applied for through the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once you have booked your tour of Bhutan.

The Entry Permit is provided on your entry into Bhutan at Paro or Phuentsholing, and covers your tour and travel in the area of Paro and Thimphu for the duration of your tour only. The permits will be issued when you arrive in the kingdom, and is required to be shown at checkpoints and when requested by officials.

For those traveling further afield from Paro and Thimphu, you will be issued with a Restricted Areas Permit or Route Permit. This allows you to travel to areas outside the capital and Paro, but is strictly limited to only the places already listed on your confirmed itinerary.

Tip 2. You’d better book flights to Bhutan in advance

Flights to Bhutan can only be taken from nine airports in five countries in Asia, and the flights are very limited. Most airports do have one flight a day to Paro, while some have less, down to as little as just 1-2 flights a week. However, whichever airport you decide to depart for Paro from, you should book your flights well in advance of your trip, to ensure you can get the flights you want on your expected date of travel. You can book your flight, or ask us to book it for you, as soon as your visa has been approved and you have the approval letter.

Tip 3. You can also get to Bhutan from India by road

As well as being able to fly in to Paro International Airport, you can also travel overland to Bhutan via India. There are actually three border crossings between Bhutan and India, which are the only land border crossings in the kingdom.

The border crossing at Phuentsholing and Jaigaon is the most popular and busiest of them all, and can be reached via train to Hasimara and taxi to the border. The border crossing at Gelephu and Bongaigaon is just as easy to cross at, though it is harder to get to, with few rail and bus links.

The crossing at Samdrup Jongkhar and Darangamela is also open for crossing, through information about the ability to cross from Bhutan to India is often sketchy at best and changeable without notice. However, you can cross into Bhutan easily enough.

Tip 4. A solo bike trip in Bhutan will be safe

One concern for tourists to Bhutan is safety. With its policies of always needing to travel with your tour guide, and the fact that Bhutan has one of the world’s lowest rates of crime, you can be pretty sure that you will be safe enough traveling on a solo Bhutan bike tour.

Tip 5. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Bhutan on bike, also the high season

If you are planning a biking tour of Bhutan, then the best times to take it are in the spring and autumn seasons. The weather in spring, from March to May, is relatively warmer than the winter months, and the dry landscape is ideal for biking. In the autumn, from September to November, the weather is warm turning chilly, but is relatively dry. The landscape is also more verdant and green from the rains of the previous monsoon season.

Tip 6. The daily tariff for a solo bike trip in the high season costs US$290 per night

While the Bhutan daily tariff or Minimum Daily Package fee for tourists is normally 200-250 US dollars per night, for a solo traveler there is a 40 dollars surcharge for being a solo tourist. This means that the MDP fee rises to 240-290 US dollars per day for a solo bike tour of Bhutan. All tourists must be on a pre-arranged tour, except those from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.

Tip 7. Roads are well paved in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, good for road biking

As the most popular areas of Bhutan for tourism, the roads around and between Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha are fairly good, and easily suitable for a bike tour. The most popular biking routes in these areas include the route from Paro to the Drukgyel Dzong, via the Tiger’s Nest; and the route from Thimphu to Punakha, which takes you over the high Dochula Pass.

Tip 8. You can try mountain biking in Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, and far east Bhutan

If you are looking for a little more adventure, and like to ride on rougher roads for the mild off-road experience, then you can try touring in areas such as Phobjikha, which is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan, and in the famous Bumthang Valley, a collection of four stunning valleys that are well-known for their scenic trails. And if you really want to get off the beaten track, head to the east of the kingdom for some of the most amazing cultural experiences in Bhutan.

Tip 9. You can challenge the Tour of Dragon if you are a good mountain biker with an excellent level of fitness

The Tour of the Dragon is rated as the world’s hardest mountain bike race, and covers more than 200 kilometers in just one day from Bumthang to Thimphu. Classed as an ultra-marathon bike race, if you are fit enough, you could apply to take part.

Tip 10. You need to dress appropriately while visiting a Dzong or monastery

Dzongs and monasteries in Bhutan are notable for their strict religious practices, and if you are visiting, then you should ensure that you dress appropriately. Short and short skirts are not allowed, and you should wear long pants or a long skirt. You should also make sure that your shoulders and upper arms (at least) are covered, and that your neckline is not low. Shoes are optional, as you will likely be taking them off anyway, so wear some warm socks. And remove your hat before you enter.

Tip 11. You can attend a traditional festival to experience the unique Bhutan culture

Festivals are a huge part of Bhutanese culture, and there is not a single month when there is not at least one festival somewhere in Bhutan. If you want to experience traditional Bhutanese culture in all its vibrant colors, then there is nothing better than one of the famous Tsechus for the perfect festival experience during your Bhutan tour.

Tip 12. Homestay will be an unforgettable experience during your solo bike trip to Bhutan

Homestays are a great way to learn more about the traditional Bhutanese culture, and you get to stay with a local family and live as they do for a night or two. Homestays can be organized as part of the tour, and you get to meet and stay with a local family, sleep in their home, and eat local dishes with them. There are few better experiences for tourists to Bhutan.

Tip 13. You can take your own bike for cycling in Bhutan

If you have your own bike, you can bring it with you to use for your cycling tour of Bhutan. However, you should make sure that you have insurance for the bike, and you will need to pay for its shipping costs. Often the best way to bring your own bike is to travel over the land border at Phuentsholing, as it is easier to transport it this way.

Tip 14. Bike rental in Bhutan is available and it costs an US$35 per day

If you do not have your own bike, or you do not want to ship it all the way to Bhutan, you can rent bikes locally for as little as 35 US dollars per day. Bike rentals can be found in all major cities in Bhutan, with most being found in the capital of Thimphu.

Tip 15. Local food is generally made very spicy with a lot of chilies and cheese

If you want to be adventurous, then try the local cuisine while you are in Bhutan. Bhutanese cuisine uses a lot of chilies in all the dishes, and it is even used in some dishes as a vegetable instead of just a spice. Even the national dish, Ema Datshi, is made from just chilies and cheese, and is a great way to get some spiciness into your diet.

Conclusion

Bhutan is an amazing place to visit, and as long as you are ready, you will find that you have no problems at all when visiting this Himalayan kingdom. And with these tips in mind, you can travel to Bhutan like a local on your solo bike tour of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.