October 6-12, 2025
Bhutan Ride & Hike
Exploring the Himalayan Kingdom
About the Ride
Bike and Hike in Bhutan!
October 6-12, 2025
Departs from Bangkok, Thailand
Welcome to the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan. It is a country of vertiginous mountains steeped in traditional Buddhist culture that has made a tremendous effort to become one of the world’s only carbon-negative countries. You have a chance to bike, hike, and experience the culture of this unique and unforgettable kingdom.
This special event only runs every two years. Can’t make it this year?
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
Our Bhutan multisport event is back. We are looking forward to introducing you to Tshering Djori and his team of leaders who make this trip an incredible, educational, spiritual, and active adventure. Bhutan is a small and remote kingdom, nestled in the Himalayas between its powerful neighbors, India and China. It is a country steeped in traditional Buddhist culture. Tourism is tightly controlled and visitors to the remote kingdom encounter ancient monasteries, colorful prayer flags, and unsurpassed natural beauty.
In the 1970s, Bhutan suffered from poverty, lack of education, and high infant mortality rates. Its government looked for ways to engage with the outside world without exploiting its people and natural resources like many neighboring countries. It championed a new approach to development where prosperity is measured not by GDP, but by Gross National Happiness. Its success is measured by sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Day 1
Arrival Day
Our group arrives in Paro, Bhutan, then we’ll meet our guides and shuttle to Thimphu. We’ll get settled in for the beginning of our adventure.
**Please see information on pre-trip arrival in Bangkok, Thailand below.
Day 2
Bike 10 miles, elevation gained 1,100 ft
Today is a warm up day of cycling around Thimphu (visits to the Zorig Chusum, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library, and the Buddha Point). Buddha Point, also known as the Buddha Dordenma Statue, is a massive statue of the Buddha located on a hilltop in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The statue is made of bronze and stands at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters), making it one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
Day 3
Bike 42 miles, elevation gained 4,700 ft
Cycling from Thimpu to Punakha via Dochula Pass. Visit Royal Botanical Park and Chimmi Ihakang Temple. Dochula Pass is a mountain pass located on the way from Thimphu to Punakha in Bhutan. The pass is marked by 108 chortens, or Buddhist stupas, which were built in honor of Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in a military operation against Indian rebels in 2003. The chortens are decorated with prayer flags, and visitors are encouraged to walk around them in a clockwise direction, as is customary in Buddhism.
In addition to the chortens, the Dochula Pass also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks on a clear day. Visitors can see peaks like Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan, as well as other peaks in the Eastern Himalayas.
Day 4
Bike 12 miles
Cycling around Punakha. Visit the Castle of Great Happiness, the longest suspension bridge in the country, Khamsum Yulay Namgyel Temple, and bike through paddy fields and villages. This evening we’ll meet conservation experts. You have the option to take a raft trip down the Punakha River (extra cost).
Day 5
Bike 25 miles, elevation gained 1,200 ft
Cycling Punakha to Paro. Visit temples, including the spectacular Paro Rimpung Dzong, a historic fortress and Buddhist monastery. The dzong, which means “fortress-monastery” in the local language, is one of the most impressive and well-preserved examples of Bhutanese architecture. Built in the 17th century, the Rinpung Dzong served as a defensive fortress against invading Tibetan forces. Later, it was converted into a monastery and has been a center for religious and administrative activities in Paro Valley ever since.
Day 6
Hiking
Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, is perched on a cliff, 900 meters above the Paro Valley, and can only be accessed by a steep hike. It is one of the most extraordinary sites in the world. The trail to the monastery is well-maintained and offers stunning views of the valley below. The hike takes around 2-3 hours each way, depending on your fitness level. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, flew to this site on the back of a tiger in the 8th century. He meditated in a cave on the site for three months and subdued local demons before returning to Tibet.
Day 7
Departure
Leisurely morning at the Hotel with option to enjoy local shopping before lunch. Afternoon transfer from Paro to Bangkok.
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
Arriving in Bangkok, Thailand. PLEASE READ.
We will have a pre-event gathering on the evening before the trip at our recommended hotel (near the Suvarnabhumi Airpport) in Bangkok. The next morning, we will have an early morning flight to Bangkok.
OFFICIAL MEETING TIME & PLACE – BANGKOK AIRPORT (BKK)
We will meet up to begin our adventure at the Bangkok Airport (BKK) at the DrukAir Check-In Counter in Row W of the Main Terminal Ticketing Area. The time to meet there is 3:00AM. Important: Please arrive early so we can check in on time for our flight to Bhutan. Do not be late! We will all board the Druk Air flight together. Your travel information and tickets will be purchased by our tour operator, so DO NOT book your own travel from Bangkok to Bhutan. Druk Air is the official and only airline of Bhutan and trips must be chartered. If you miss this flight, you will miss the trip. The flight from BKK-Paro is not included. We will invoice you for your ticket.
Departing Bangkok after the event: On the last day, October 12, our flight from Paro, Bhutan returns to Bangkok at 8:30PM. Please plan your flights for after 11PM.
What is included? Not included?
Included:
- Government-mandated sustainable development contribution, which is $200/person/night AKA US$1200/person for the 6-night trip. This goes to climate change mitigation programs, country healthcare, community projects, carbon offset programs, and environment and education efforts/projects. Healthcare and education are free of charge in Bhutan, and it is a carbon-negative country.
- Rental charges for the entire trip for either a Cannondale Hybrid CX3 or a Trek Hybrid bike. Group members will need to bring their own helmets and water bottles.
- Bhutan visa fees, visa processing, and permits.
- 3-star deluxe accommodation at government-approved and certified hotels on twin sharing basis. The hotels we use are carefully selected based on our own experience, feedback from past guests/associates, quality and cleanliness of accommodations, quality of meal options, convenience of location and beauty of area, efficiency of services, traditional ambiance/architecture, and other facilities such as wifi access.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments/replenishments on the rides, and outdoor picnics.
- Services of experienced, dedicated, and professional English-speaking Bhutanese leaders and bike guides (and our friends!)
- Transport, logistics, support vehicles, and driver
- Monument/museum entrance fees
- All sightseeing and programs as indicated in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
Once you register, we will reserve your internal flight round-trip Bangkok/Paro with our group. Flights to Bhutan are limited! This flight fills up quickly, so we must book it ASAP so that you can get into the country. You cannot arrive on your own, because we shuttle directly from the airport to our ride start. It is required that you are on our group flight. You cannot change your flight to fly from another destination. Once you register, we will book your flight to Paro and invoice you for the flight. Once the flight is full, we cannot guarantee you can join the trip. We advise registering early!
Not Included:
- Roundtrip flight between Bangkok and Paro, Bhutan (estimated at $910; booked by our outfitters)
- Optional hotel single supplement: $210 for the 6-night trip
- Travel/supplemental medical insurance (required for international trips)
- Your travel to/from Bangkok
- Your hotel in Bangkok (we have a group rate at the Riva Surya where we are offering airport transport to the Paro flight)
- Incidentals and alcohol
Can you stay for extra days in Bhutan?
It is possible to extend your time in Bhutan after the ride, but you must book and travel with a tour operator per government regulations. You cannot travel on your own in Bhutan. You must make your plans ASAP to change your flight date from Paro to Bangkok.
Please contact the Climate Ride office for more information about extending your trip ([email protected]).
Post-trip extensions have the following costs and include government royalty/sustainable tourism tax, accommodations (3- or 3.5-star), three meals, service of Bhutan Scenic Tour Guide if desired, private transport and driver within Bhutan, monument/museum entrance fees, sightseeing, airport transfers, bottled water, visa processing, and tourism development fee. Please inquire about daily rates.
What are the travel documents/passports required?
You will need a valid U.S. or E.U. passport (valid for at least 3 months or you can be denied entry). If you are a passport holder from another country, please check your country’s regulations.
U.S. citizens do not need a tourist visa.
Is my U.S. medical insurance valid while traveling outside the U.S.? Should I get travel insurance?
Travel/supplemental medical insurance on international Climate Ride trips is required. Many domestic health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside of the United States, and before leaving for the event, travelers should speak with their healthcare providers to determine if they will be covered. Several private insurance companies offer short-term travel/medical insurance. Check out Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, or other comparable companies.
Remember, travel insurance can only cover expenses you have paid for (flights, additional hotels, etc). It cannot cover your fundraising. Be sure to read the fine print on the travel insurance that you buy.
Should I extend my stay?
We think so! There is a lot to explore in Bhutan. We’ll have suggestions after you register.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work (no beneficiary selection for this event). Your fundraising will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including our community scholarships for young sustainability leaders. Funders trips also help to underwrite the Green Fondo events so that we can deliver 100% of proceeds to our grants program. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions.
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | 06/21/2025 |
| $2,475 to be raised by: | 07/28/2025 |
| $4,950 to be raised by: | 09/01/2025 |
Note: If you’d like to register after a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
Transfer Deadline: There are no transfers for this event. Donations are absolutely non-refundable. Cancellations must take place 100 days before the event start date.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
