Bhutan Dragon Riders – 2026 Dates Announced


Ride Bhutan once and you’ll already be planning your return.



Bhutan motorcycling tours are at the heart of everything we do. Kesang & I have been riding in the Himalayas for over 30 years — from pedal power to engine-powered journeys — and Bhutan still stops us in our tracks every single time. There’s something about the roads, the culture, and the rhythm of life here that makes every journey feel special — and it’s exactly why we created these rides.
At Bhutan Dragon Riders, we offer a carefully timed range of Bhutan motorcycle tours designed to suit different timeframes. At one end of the spectrum is the 11-day (9 days riding) Tour of the Dragon, our ultimate motorbike expedition each November — a deep, demanding, and unforgettable journey that many riders describe as the pinnacle of motorbike travel in Bhutan. Alongside this are the 9-day (7 days riding) Dragon’s Path journeys in Spring and Autumn, slightly shorter but still richly immersive, combining high Himalayan passes, historic dzongs, and everyday Bhutanese life.
For riders with less time, we offer the 7-day (5 days riding) Dzongs & High Passes ride, a compact but powerful introduction that captures the essence of Bhutan in just a few days. For complete flexibility, we also run choose-your-own-date rides, including the 2-day Dragon’s Gateway, ideal as part of a wider trip to Bhutan, Nepal, or India and perfect for experiencing Bhutan by motorbike without committing to a longer journey.
Having just returned from our Autumn Tour of the Dragon, which finished in December, we already can’t wait to be back riding these roads again in the Spring. If you’re considering riding in Bhutan, please do get in touch — we’d be delighted to talk through the options and help you choose the ride that’s right for you.
We wish you an adventurous 2026, full of new horizons and unforgettable journeys in this truly magical kingdom.
Tashi Delek,
Glenn & Kesang
“Experience the Festivals of Bhutan” — This year’s Tour of the Dragon and Dragon’s Path spring tour coincide with two of Bhutan’s most vibrant cultural celebrations. As part of the itinerary, we immerse ourselves in their colour, ceremony, and local energy. These festivals add a rare cultural depth to the rides, offering an authentic glimpse into Bhutanese life beyond the road.
Tour of the Dragon
Duration: 11 Days (9 Days Riding)
“Experience the Festivals of Bhutan” – This year’s Tour of the Dragon coincides with one of Bhutan’s most vibrant cultural celebrations, and we’ll spend the morning visiting the Mongar Festival as part of the itinerary, immersing ourselves in its colour, ceremony, and local energy.
The Tour of the Dragon is the ultimate 1,600 km Bhutan motorcycle expedition and the pinnacle of motorbike travel in Bhutan, and arguably the world. This is far more than a route — it is a full immersion into the kingdom, covering vast distances, dramatic altitude changes, and an extraordinary range of landscapes, climates, and cultures.
Over nine unforgettable riding days, the journey traverses multiple regions of Bhutan, linking remote valleys, high passes, historic towns, and deeply traditional communities. Long, satisfying riding days are balanced with rest, support, and carefully planned cultural encounters, allowing riders to fully absorb the scale and depth of the experience.
This is a true bucket-list ride, suited to confident, experienced motorcyclists seeking the most complete and challenging Bhutan journey available.
• 15 November – 23 November 2026 (Autumn Departure Only)




The Dragon’s Path
Duration: 9 Days (7 Days Riding)
“Experience the Festivals of Bhutan” — The Spring Dragon’s Path Trail offers a different but equally special experience, with time spent at the Talo Festival, held high above Punakha, where traditional dress, mask dances, and village life come together against a stunning Himalayan backdrop.
Wildlife and conservation form a quiet but powerful backdrop to the journey. The stillness of the Phobjikha Valley, home to the endangered black-necked cranes, and the forests around Berti Eco Lodge in southern central Bhutan — one of the country’s wildest and least-visited regions — are internationally recognised for their biodiversity and as a key habitat for the critically endangered white-bellied heron. These landscapes reflect Bhutan’s deep commitment to conservation and low-impact travel.
The Dragon’s Path is a deeply immersive journey through western and central Bhutan, weaving together high Himalayan passes, remote valleys, historic dzongs, and everyday village life, with the emphasis on authentic travel and unhurried riding.
Riding days are varied and rewarding — flowing mountain roads, quiet forested climbs, dramatic descents into river valleys, and long stretches where the rhythm of Bhutanese life unfolds naturally around you, with major highlights including the great dzongs of Punakha Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, and Gasa Dzong, each offering a powerful insight into Bhutan’s history, architecture, and spiritual life.
• 21 March – 29 March 2026 — Spring Departure | Talo Festival Edition
• 27 November – 05 December 2026 — Late Autumn Departure


Dzongs & High Passes
Duration: 6 Days (5 Days Riding)
“Experience the Festivals of Bhutan”
Dzongs & High Passes is a compact, high-impact Bhutan motorcycle journey, ideal for riders with limited time who still want a rich and meaningful experience. Concentrating on the country’s most iconic dzongs and legendary mountain passes, this route follows Bhutan’s famous east–west highway as far as Trongsa, linking cultural highlights with exceptional riding.
Each riding day delivers contrast — snow-dusted passes lined with prayer flags, pine forests and open valleys, ancient fortresses perched above rivers, and quiet stretches of road where riding feels timeless and free. Despite its shorter length, the journey never feels rushed and includes meaningful stops to explore Bhutan’s history, spirituality, and landscapes.
This trip works perfectly as a stand-alone adventure or as an add-on to travel in Nepal, India, or a cultural or trekking journey in Bhutan, making it one of the most flexible ways to ride in the kingdom.
• 01 April – 07 April 2026 — Spring Departure
• 25 October – 31 October 2026 — Autumn Departure


