Bhutan Epic Thunder Dragon Motorcycle Adventure Tour 2027

The hidden magical Buddhist Kingdom of the Eastern Himalayas

Tour difficulty

Adventure – This category of MotoDiscovery motorcycle tour is likely to involve at least some unpaved surfaces in various conditions depending on weather. Water damage to roads is very common. Dual purpose (on-off road) motorcycles are most suitable for this environment and having prior off road riding experience is suggested. No single track.

Road Tour

Adventure

Adventure Plus

Days

14 nights

13 Dates

Oct 8 - Oct 21. 2027

Price

Rider on Royal Enfield Himalayan $11,280

MILES

800

About this tour

Embark on the Bhutan Thunder Dragon Motorcycle Tour, an adventurous journey through the majestic heights of the Eastern Himalayas. This unique adventure takes you to a land steeped in history and culture, where the modern world only began to peek in around the 1970s. Bhutan, often referred to as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” offers a rare blend of natural beauty, spiritual heritage, and untouched charm that promises to captivate and inspire.

Our carefully planned tour begins and concludes in the enchanting town of Paro, ensuring you make the most of your time in this extraordinary country. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a landscape of towering peaks, lush valleys, and winding roads that seem custom-made for motorcycle enthusiasts. Riding through Bhutan’s scenic routes, you’ll not only conquer thrilling terrains but also experience the country’s deep-rooted traditions and warm hospitality.

Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning monasteries clinging to cliff walls, fluttering prayer flags sending blessings into the wind, and locals whose genuine smiles could melt even the frostiest Himalayan snowcaps. Whether it’s the exhilarating curves of the mountain roads or the serene pace of life in this remote kingdom, Bhutan has a way of creating memories that stay with you long after the journey ends.

So, gear up, breathe in the crisp Himalayan air, and prepare to ride through a nation where Gross National Happiness is more than a philosophy—it’s a way of life. A word of caution, though: Bhutan’s charm might just make you want to trade your motorcycle helmet for a monk’s robe. But don’t worry—we’ll make sure you still have your ride back to Paro!

This exclusive tour offers an elevated experience, building on the success of our renowned India Ladakh tour. Designed for discerning travelers who seek both adventure and refinement, it takes the core elements of exhilarating motorcycle exploration and enhances them with a touch of luxury and sophistication.

While the rugged beauty and raw excitement of the Ladakh tour remain a hallmark, this journey goes a step further, incorporating premium accommodations, carefully crafted routes, and added comforts to ensure a seamless blend of adventure and indulgence. You’ll ride through breathtaking landscapes and thrilling mountain passes, but now with an added layer of exclusivity that takes the experience to new heights—both literally and figuratively.

From the moment you start your journey, every detail is curated to exceed expectations. Whether it’s enjoying upgraded lodging that combines local charm with modern comforts or dining on regional delicacies in carefully selected venues, this tour is all about savoring the finer aspects of travel while still embracing the freedom of the open road.

Think of it as the Ladakh tours’ more sophisticated sibling—still adventurous, but with a polished edge. It’s for those who love the call of the wild but wouldn’t mind answering it with a cup of expertly brewed coffee in hand and a stunning view outside their window.

Welcome on our Bhutan Epic Thunder Dragon Motorcycle Adventure Tour 2026

This exclusive Bhutan motorcycle tour is for the adventurous traveler and can be acceptable for an equally spirited riding passenger. Roads are somewhat paved however expect sections to be unpaved in varying conditions. For this reason, we classify the Thunder Dragon Tour as ADVENTURE. This unique travel experience launches out of Paro Bhutan, riding in the heights of the Eastern Himalayas, experiencing a special culture, largely removed from the modern world until around the 1970’s. The population is extremely welcoming however foreign visitation from the is limited and controlled in an effort to preserve their peaceful and unmolested Buddhist lifestyle. Things are changing in the kingdom; however, you will still find Bhutan one of the most fascinating little countries in the world. The tour style is relaxed and focused on adventurous riding and taking in the cultural fascination of the kingdom. We stay in the best of each location Bhutan has to offer. Bring your camera. We will have a professional commercial photographer with the group so you can either brush up on your skill, learn new tricks with your own camera or just focus on the delights knowing that most angles of the tour will be photographed and made available to you. Please call us and ask questions about equipment and gear before the tour.

As one of our valued guests, Jim, so kindly wrote after our last tour:

– Daily mountainous road riding, often technically challenging even in the absence of rain/mudslides, not for the inexperienced. Sparsely populated roads in general.

– Hospitable, warm, and kind Bhutanese people (and drivers)

– Breathtaking scenery; one rider describes some sections like “something out of the movie Avatar”

– Wide range of vegetation and scenery, covering elevations of 500 – 12,500′

– Frequent apathetic and somewhat charming road hazards (cows, goats, horses, dogs)

– Frequent wildlife sightings each day on the road.

– Exposure to Bhutan’s unique Buddhist history and culture.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a destination known to but a privileged few. Only in the 1970’s was the country opened to outsiders with modern influences such as television and telephones virtually unheard of. It is exactly for this reason that this devout Tibetan Buddhist little nation is so attractive and intriguing.
Bhutan is nestled beneath the mighty Himalayas, a geographical fortress separating it from Tibetan China. The views are magnificent. The people you will find to be extremely welcoming to outsiders, timid and deeply spiritual.
Peace and tranquility are so revered here that the government has created a barometer for measuring what is referred to as GNH…Gross National Happiness.
When not riding and interacting with the locals, there are visits to such highlights as the 17th-century Drukgyel Dzong (Monastery fortress), only one of many such religious edifices you’ll encounter in your travels.
The renowned Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Hermitage on the face of a sheer 3,000 ft. cliff will be forever etched in your mind … an incredible photo opportunity.
The service. It is the best and you will be accompanied by the most knowledgeable and experienced teams in Bhutan.
Budget tour operators are proliferating. If you prefer better style, service, and the best maintained motorcycles in Bhutan, there is only MotoDiscovery. Call us anytime for consultation.
The unspoilt forests, valleys and mountains.
Abundant wildlife including rare Himalayan species
Kingdom of Happiness with one of the highest happiness indexes in the world
Living Buddhist Culture
Magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks
Nikka Shu road, carved out of the side of a cliff overlooking the Mangde Chu River.
Local culture – the gracious Bhutanese have kept their identity over the centuries.
This tour is the ideal platform for a customized private tour just for you and your friends. Interested? Fill out this easy Custom Motorcycle Tour Questionnaire, and let’s get started.

NOTE: Sign up early. We will obtain your Bhutan visa and the necessary permissions to enter the country but the process is involved and requires lead time.

What’s included

Rental of 450cc Royal Enfield Himalayan
Motorcycle fuel
13 nights accommodations (double occupancy)
All dinners
All Breakfasts
All Lunches
Purified water and snacks during the ride
Multilingual riding guide
Support/luggage van with driver and crew
Bhutan visa, permits and Bhutan travel guide
Greeting at airport in Paro and transport to and from the airport
Cultural and historical tours of interest
Pre-tour preparation materials
Gallery with professional photos of your tour
MotoDiscovery apparel gift

What’s not included

International airfare to Paro Bhutan
Alcoholic beverages
Staff tips
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (highly recommended)
Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance (mandatory)
Any inclusion not specified

FULL PRICE LIST

Rider on Royal Enfield Himalayan 450cc

$11,580

Rider on Royal Enfield Bullet 500

$11,580

Passenger

$10,440

Single occupancy supplement

$1,590

Deposit per person

1,000 USD

All rooms are shared, double occupancy. If you request to not share a room the single occupancy supplement applies. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the single supplement will apply.

No exception.

DAY 1: ARRIVE PARO

DAY 2: THIMPHU

Day 3: WANGDI

DAY 4: GELEPHU

DAY 5: PANBANG

DAY 6: TRONGSA

DAY 7: BUMTHANG

DAY 8: PHOBJIKHA VALLEY

DAY 9: PUNAKHA

DAY 10: GASA

DAY 11: THIMPHU

DAY 12: PARO

DAY 13: PARO

DAY 14: DEPART PARO

FAQ

It would be hard to imagine anywhere safer in the world. This tiny kingdom zealously wishes to retain its deeply rooted Buddhist culture and traditions. It is so important that they have developed a metric to determine what is called Gross National Happiness to measure the contentment of its population.

You will get a little of everything thrown at you. Rains tend to deteriorate surfaces and certain mountain passes seem to be eternally under some state of repair and maintenance. Traffic is not a big issue but you may encounter an yak, elephant or two along with wandering pedestrians and automobile traffic.

We are thrilled with the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450cc motorcycle. It is perfect for this part of the world. A Royal Enfield Bullet 500, that classic styled motorcycle with its British heritage, can also be made available on request.

Yes. We have had many over the years. The small bike may be a stretch for two large people. The support van easily accommodates any non riding participants or family members who you may wish to have join you. It is an experience that you will definitely want to share. Contact us for further consultation.

Yes. We obtain that for you. This will not require you to send your passport anywhere but we will need a clean color scan of your passport along with other information to perform this process. This makes it even more urgent for you to book your tour early.

No, not beyond our usual recommendations to get inoculations for hepatitis and to keep your tetanus current.

You are riding in the shadows of the Himalayas and there are a few mountain passes that approach 10,000 feet however we do not spend the night at those higher altitudes. If you are sensitive to higher elevations we will provide you with further consultation and urge you to speak with your physician.

We typically run our tours in the spring and fall. Global warming is having an impact, shifting rain seasons so we are adjusting accordingly.

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan and has air services to many Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati and Mumbai. The flight from Delhi to Paro will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

To keep the personal touch and attention to detail we cap our Bhutan tours at 10 motorcycles. On this tour we have taken as few as five guests. Why not network with your friends and have them join you. We can, with advance planning, also arrange a custom private tour just for your group.

Now. Please. Early sign ups are essential in order that we can secure the best of high demand accommodations during this holiday period. Organize a group. Start your planning today.

How to book flights to Bhutan from USA?

Don’t take our word for it

“The combination of 2 days of instruction followed by 3 days of cross country riding was invaluable. Instruction only wouldn’t have had the same impact. Yesterday I rode 37 miles of dirt, every inch of it standing up. Prior to this experience, I hadn’t ridden 100 ft standing up. Those 5 days of training and riding made all the difference.”

- Jim S., Northfield, IL

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

By requesting a booking, you’ll be able to reserve your spot on this tour. Closer to the tour date you will receive an email with payment information and you will be able to make a deposit or pay the entire balance. Your tour’s go/no-go decision depends on reaching the minimum number of riders. We’ll let you know once confirmed. Minimums vary by destination. In the event a tour is cancelled due to not meeting minimums, a refund will be provided. Alternatively, riders may opt to transfer their deposit to another available tour, if applicable.

To avoid potential changes and rebooking complications, we kindly request you hold off on booking flights and other non-refundable tour arrangements until we finalize the tour’s go/no-go decision.

Domestic tour go/no-go decisions are made no later than 30 days prior to departure date. International tours: 45 days prior.

CUSTOM TOUR

If you would like to customize this itinerary and create a Tailor Made Journey just for you and your companions, we will be happy to help. Click here to inquire, or call us to speak to our travel professionals.