Offhorizon Adventures
Paro Taktsang monastery on the cliffs above the Paro valley in Bhutan
Bhutan

Bhutan motorcycle tours

Paro to Punakha over Dochu La, then east into valleys most visitors never reach. Bhutan is small, green and steep, and its roads were built to follow the rivers rather than to save time.

The eastern Himalaya, at a slower pace.

Bhutan sits at the wet end of the range. Instead of the bare high desert of Ladakh you get pine and rhododendron forest covering most of the country, cloud sitting in the valleys until mid morning, and passes strung with prayer flags above 3,000 metres. The riding is not extreme, but it is nearly all corners, and every foreign rider crosses the kingdom on a licensed, guided tour.

Our Bhutan motorcycle tour crosses the whole kingdom from west to east: in from India at Phuentsholing, Paro and the climb to Tiger's Nest, Thimphu, Dochu La and Punakha Dzong, the Phobjikha valley and Bumthang, then over Thrumshing La into the eastern districts and out at Samdrup Jongkhar. The visa, the permits and Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee are part of the trip rather than an afterthought.

Tours

Motorcycle and 4x4 tours in Bhutan

Why us

Why ride Bhutan with Offhorizon

  • 01

    Himalayan since 2014

    More than a decade of running groups and motorcycles at altitude, across four countries in the same range.

  • 02

    Permits handled

    Bhutan requires a licensed operator, a visa and a daily fee. We arrange all of it before you land.

  • 03

    Local guides

    A Bhutanese guide rides the whole way, gets you into the dzongs at the right hour and tells you what you are looking at.

  • 04

    Full support

    A road captain, a mechanic riding with the group and a backup vehicle carrying spares and luggage.

  • Small groups. We would rather run one good departure than three crowded ones.

Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in Bhutan

Start your Bhutan motorcycle tour

Pick a departure from the calendar, or tell us the dates you have and we will build the route around them.

Before you go

Riding in Bhutan

Can I ride in Bhutan without a guide?

No. Bhutan does not allow independent foreign riders, so every motorcycle tour in the country travels with a licensed operator and a Bhutanese guide.

That rule is also why the roads are so empty. On our tour the guide, the road captain and the mechanic ride with the group from the border to the last night.

Is Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee included?

Yes. The fee, the visa and the permits are included in the price of our Bhutan motorcycle tour, along with the motorcycle, fuel, eight nights of rooms and all meals. The tour page lists everything in the price and everything that is not.

When is the riding season in Bhutan?

Our Bhutan departures run from June to September, the green season.

The passes are clear of snow and the forests are at their fullest, and it rains on some days, which is why the riding days are short enough to absorb a wet morning. Spring, from March to May, and autumn, in October and November, can be arranged as a custom expedition.

Can I ride my own motorcycle in Bhutan?

Foreign visitors ride with a licensed operator, and most of our riders take one of our Royal Enfield Himalayan 450s.

If you want to bring your own, expect to arrange:

  • A temporary import permit for the motorcycle, applied for in advance
  • A route permit covering every district you pass through
  • Third party insurance valid inside Bhutan

Tell us early if this is what you want. It is possible, but it changes the timeline and the paperwork.

Hear it from our riders

The clearest account of what we do is not written by us

Riders share their journeys on Google and Tripadvisor. Read what they say about the routes, the landscapes and the crew who kept them moving.

Google · Tripadvisor · Trustindex5.0(53 Reviews)
  • Google
    Had a fantastic 15-day Ladakh tour which was extended down to Dharmashala, the extra days were a great addition. Going into this with no prior experience of Off Horizon or my fellow adventurers I can only say that it exceeded all my expectations. Bikes were great, lodging and food was as good as could be expected in the locations we visited, and the team was tirelessly friendly and helpful, with a genuine passion for sharing their country and culture.
    Hugh KennedyOctober 2026
  • Google
    I have just completed the 11 day Ladakh tour with Offhorizon Adventures. Right from the initial contact the team there were extremely helpful and nothing was to much trouble for them to help with, from flight advise from Ireland, transportation, extra accommodation and even possible medical issues like altitude sickness that might arise. If I thought they were good at this stage ? I was blown away by their level of professionalism and hospitality during my trip. Everyone on the Off Horizon Team made this a trip of a lifetime for me. The bikes were well maintained and in excellent condition, any little tweaks, personal preferences or changes to their set were undertaken to suit all riders. Once on the road and starting our adventure, you always felt safe, their advise and attention to detail made the trip truly unforgettable. My exsperience of off road was “0” but with their help, I got through it and enjoyed every minute. We travelled through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable with every day bringing something new. The accomadation throughout was just perfect with a mix of first class hotels to small family units in the more isolated locations- considering the Irish pallet and diet the food was great and again the team explained every offering. I’m not going to single out any particular Off Horizon team member because each one of them gave 100% of their professionalism, time, hospitality and kindness to every one on this trip- they limit their numbers, which is great because you get that extra attention and help- I could write pages on what I saw and did during the trip but this is something you are going to have to exsperience yourself. Huge thank you to all the other guys on the trip too and a pleasure to meet you all- I would have no hesitation in recommending Off Horizon if you are planning this trip- thank you so much for a truly fantastic adventure 🇮🇪🇮🇳
    Austin O CallaghanSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Very well organised tour with expert riders, support and backup vehicle. The Offhorizon team new all the routes. Very committed team who took very good care of all of us riding team members, with personal attention. The team left no stone unturned to ensure our entire ride across 2150 kms was exciting, very safe without a single incident. Well paced rides with key halts, refueling stops, zero breakdowns and planned to perfection. I wish this team great succes in the future.
    Ranjit KoppikarSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Don't watch or think just pick the phone and book your tour this will be the best place you can have. .. Best Guides, Best Service, Best Bikes.
    Ujjwal SinghSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Great experience! Caring and skilled team, quality bikes, engaging itinerary, good selection of accommodations, endless supply of food and drinks, cultural experiences and a dedicated video/photographer to capture all that. Highly recommended. PS: Surya created an extended 15 day Ladakh and Himachal tour (the original was 11 days) in response to our request. It turned out be much more enjoyable.
    Chetan ShahSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Huge thanks to the entire Offhorizon Adventures team for the amazing organization of our tour! We rode an incredible route from Manali through the Zanskar Valley and Kargil all the way to Leh—it was the adventure of a lifetime. I’d like to specifically highlight the team's professional approach: * Bikes and support: The motorcycles were in excellent mechanical condition, fully prepped for high-altitude riding and off-road terrain. You feel safe throughout the entire journey. * Route and logistics: Everything was well-planned, from the initial briefing to stops, accommodation, and meals. The guides know the area perfectly, maintain a comfortable riding pace, and allow time to soak in the fantastic Himalayan views. * Atmosphere: The team is incredibly warm, responsive, and open. They are ready to help, offer advice, and handle any logistical issue at a moment's notice. If you are planning a high-altitude motorcycle tour in Ladakh or Zanskar, I definitely recommend Offhorizon Adventures.
    Игорь ШвецовSeptember 2026

To everyone who has ridden with us: thank you. Your stories are the reason we keep planning the next one.