Bhutan’s Tour of the Dragon: The World's Toughest Bike Race in Bhutan

When it comes to racing bikes on long-distance routes, nothing comes even close to the now-infamous Tour of the Dragon race that is held annually in Bhutan. This small Himalayan kingdom, which had never even seen a bicycle until the 21st century had already begun, is the location of the most grueling and arduous bike race on the planet.

The Tour of the Dragon (ToD) is a 268km race along sketchy, serpentine roads from Bumthang in Central Bhutan to Thimphu, the capital of the kingdom in Western Bhutan. However, this is a ONE DAY race that starts while it is still dark, and uses a road that can be asphalt, gravel, dirt, or just pure mud. In a class of its own, this “ultra-marathon’ bike race takes you over four high passes in climbs that make the Tour de France appear like a mild afternoon ride.

Why is Bhutan’s Tour of the Dragon one of the toughest bike races in the world?

So what is it that makes this bike race through the scenic mountains of Bhutan so hard? Check the reasons below.

268km Biking Distance to Complete in One Day

The race covers a distance of 268 kilometers in just one day, which makes it the longest single-day race in the world. In a car, at an average speed for the road conditions, that would normally take around 15 hours for an inexperienced driver. For a cyclist, traveling at lower speeds, it is going to take at least 19 hours of hard strenuous riding in conditions that are often described as “horrendous”.

The route takes you from the start in Jakar in sections to Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. From Jakar to the town of Gyetsa, the ride is just 8km, but for the following section to Trongsa, the route covers around 60 kilometers. From there to Chendebji is a distance of around 49 kilometers, and from Chendebji to Wangdue Phodrang is another 84 kilometers. The final section of the route, from Wangdue Phodrang to Thimphu is a distance of around 68 kilometers.

Four High Mountain Passes to Conquer

The race covers four high mountain passes as well, which takes the riders up to altitudes of more than 3,400 meters above sea level. Conquering these passes is a feat in itself, as the first pass is normally reached while it is still dark, so extra care has to be taken. The first pass to cross is the Kiki La Pass, at 2,870 meters, shortly after passing through the Gyetsa Substation checkpoint.

The second pass is reached in daylight, and is the famous Yutong La Pass, which ascends to 3,425 meters on the road from Gyetsa to Trongsa. The highest pass on this route, at this time of the year you can expect the temperatures to be around 5-8 degrees only.

The Pele La Pass lies on the section between Chendebji and Wangdue Phodrang, and rises to around 3,390 meters above sea level. The pass is renowned as being the Gateway to Central Bhutan, and is one of the steepest of all the climbs.

The Dochu La Pass is the last pass to cross on the road to Thimphu lies at an altitude of just 3,100 meters, and is a major checkpoint for the race. Riders that do not reach the crest of the pass and the famous 108 chortens by 6 pm are not permitted to continue the race down into the capital.

Bumpy Mountain Roads to Overcome

The roads along this route are not the best in the world, and while they appear to be okay when driving the route, for someone on a bicycle, this is a very rough and arduous road. Some parts of this route are little more than dirt roads, and it is common for parts of the road to have been washed away in the summer monsoon rains. No single part of the route is flat for more than a few meters, and it is all up and down, with some very steep climbs along the route.

What to see along the Tour of the Dragon trail?

Impressive Views from the Four High Mountain Passes

Dochu La and Pele La passes are actually well known for their stunning Himalayan views. From the tops of these famous pass, you get a great view of the mighty Himalayas to the north, including such mountains in Bhutan as Jichu Drake and Jomolhari, as well as the highest mountain in the kingdom, Gangkar Puensum.

The passes are also renowned for being strewn with prayer flags, which flutter in the winds from the mountains sending their blessings around the globe. Prayer flags are a common sight on mountain passes, as it is believed that high passes mean the prayers and blessing can travel further and to more creatures on the planet.

Beautiful Natural Landscapes

Bhutan is a country of outstanding natural beauty, and along this route from Bumthang to Thimphu, the scenery is some of the best in Western and Central Bhutan. Beautiful natural landscapes are rewards for both of your eyes and mind while the Bhutan bike tour. High mountains line the route to the north, their snow-covered peaks reaching towards the skies, while deep mystic mist-shrouded valleys lie below the road, sometimes with sheer drops from the roadway to the valleys below. The beauty of these valleys is clouded in mist for part of the race, but as the day wears on, the beauty shines through the mist and is a welcome sight.

Stretching out across the center of Bhutan, this road takes you through dense areas of forests that are filled with a wide variety of trees, from Blue Pines and Alpine Spruces to ancient Oak trees, ceremonial junipers, and dense forests of rhododendrons, the Himalayas own native forest. And these forests are filled with an abundance of wildlife, with hundreds of species of birds, and maybe the odd clouded leopard or snow leopard lurking somewhere in the dense undergrowth.

Ancient Monasteries and Dzongs of Bhutan

The route from Jakar to Thimphu also passes by several ancient Dzongs, the fortresses used to defend Bhutan from invasion from the north and south, which are what you can’t miss during the Bhutan tour.

Jakar Dzong -- The main Dzong in Bumthang’s main city, Jakar Dzong lies on the ridge above the town and was built on the site of an earlier temple in around the mid-16th century. The name is taken from the local white bird, the “bjakhab”, which sang to signal the best location of the monastery in 1549.

Trongsa Dzong -- The largest Dzong in Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong lies on a spur of rock that extends over the gorge of the Mangde River. The temple was first established in around 1543, and the later Dzong on the site was built in 1647 by Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong is also the family seat of the Royal Wangchuck Dynasty, the kings of Bhutan.

Chendebji Chorten -- Patterned after the stunning Swayambhunath Stupa in Nepal, the Chendebji Chorten, or Chorten Charo Kasho, was constructed in the 18th century by Lama Shida, a lama from Tibet, to subdue the remains of an evil spirit that was buried there.

Simtokha Dzong -- Also known as the Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang or the "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras", Simtokha Dzong was constructed in 1629. The Dzong is the oldest of its kind to have survived in its original form in Bhutan, and was the first “castle monastery’ in Bhutan.

Tashichho Dzong -- Located on the northern edge of Thimphu, the Tashichho Dzong lies on the western banks of the Wang Chhu. The traditional seat of the head of Bhutan’s civil government, the Dzong was constructed in 1641 as the seat of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan.

How to pack for the Tour of the Dragon bike race in Bhutan?

When you are planning your travel to Bhutan for the Tour of the Dragon, you need to make sure you are packing all the things that you will actually need for this epic race.

Required Permits

The main thing to remember is you permits for taking part in the race. These are the normal permits required for a tourist tour of the kingdom, and all racers must also be on a pre-arranged tour of the country. This is required for all international travelers taking part in the race for their visa and Entry Permit when they arrive in Butan.

Clothes to Wear

You will need to have the right clothes for riding this race in the beginning of autumn, since the race is always held in September. This means that it can still be a little wet for the duration of your stay, so you need to bring wet weather gear for both the race and your time in the country. Bring some sturdy boots too, as the ground can be rough and muddy at times. While you will not need too much warm clothing, it is advisable to bring a few sweaters for the evenings, as it can still get chilly.

Essential Biking Gears

You also need to bring your bike and all the parts and gear you will need to ensure it is running well for the race. Parts for mountain bikes are not widely available in Bhutan, so best to bring the gear you want for your own specification with you. This should include brake pads, chain, cables, etc., to cover any eventuality.

Conclusion

The Tour of the Dragon is not the normal type of road or mountain bike race, and is the toughest race on the world. Traveling cross half of Bhutan, you will be taken on a thrilling ride of exhaustion and exhilaration at the same time as you travel through Bhutan’s beautiful mountain landscapes and stunning scenery.