Motorcycle Tours Bhutan
Page updated – 20 August 2024
James & Nicola, of Bhutan & Beyond, took a group of 10 personal friends motorcycling through Bhutan a few years ago. We can personally attest to this mode of travel as being just so much fun and so rewarding that we will be doing it again as often as we can.
Ask us about a private tour for you and your friends.
OR CALL THE BHUTAN TRAVEL EXPERTS:
James – 0412 416 111, Nicola – 0413 598 669
A Paradise For Bikers
The experience of riding a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle on a tour through Bhutan is indeed a privilege. Bhutan is a paradise for bikers with its pristine environment boasting breathtaking landscapes, majestic mountains, delightful friendly locals and with just enough road challenges to add a dash of spice!The best times to ride are March-June and October-November.
Both riders and pillions are rewarded with a fascinating journey on two wheels with your own professional motorcycle guide, mechanic and support vehicle. Traffic is light outside of western Bhutan and the Royal Enfields are a very forgiving and steady bike which makes for easier riding.
Bhutan is very fortunate to still have its culture and traditions largely intact and the combination of motorbiking through such a remarkable environment with such wonderful cultural opportunities is a rare opportunity.
Road Conditions
Riding is quite slow compared to many destinations, due to the windy road through the Kingdom, and you’ll often be sitting on around 35-45 KPH with the odd stretch of road allowing for travel 50-65 KPH.
Road widening has been completed and the general road conditions in western/central Bhutan are much improved on past years.
Royal Enfield Motorcycles
Royal Enfield initially started out as an English engineering company manufacturing bicycles, stationary engines and rifle parts. Royal Enfield manufactured it’s first motorcycle in 1901 and it was essentially a 150cc bicycle with a 1.5 bhp engine mounted over the front wheel.
Royal Enfield merged with Alldays & Onions in 1907 and made cars called Enfield Alldays till 1925. Royal Enfield first started production of the 500cc Bullet motorcycle in 1932. Royal Enfield also made various models like the WD/C 350cc side valve, WD/C 350cc OH, WD/G 350cc OHV, WD/L 570cc SV and, the famous 125cc “flying flea” during world war II in an effort to help in the war.
Royal Enfields have been made and sold in India since 1949. Royal Enfields were painted red and marketed in the U.S.A as ‘Indian motorcycles’ by the Brock House corporation in between 1955 – 1960.
Royal Enfield produced their last motorcycles in England during the late 1960s and closed down all British factories by 1970 due to fierce competition from the Japanese. Enfield of India bought the rights to the name ‘Royal Enfield’ in 1995 and continues to make and sell motorcycles under the same name till date. Royal Enfield is the only motorcycle brand to have survived through three centuries of wars, natural calamities and financial upheavals’.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
- Manufacturer – Royal Enfield
- Class – Adventure Tourer
- Engine – LS410, oil-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke, SOHC, Fuel Injection, 411 cc
- Compression ratio – 9.5:1
- Ignition type – electronic ignition
- Transmission – 5 speed, manual
- Suspension – Front – telescopic, Rear – monoshock
- Brakes – Front – 300 mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper, Back – 240 mm disc with single piston caliper With ABS as standard
- Fuel capacity ~15L
The Package Price Is Inclusive Of:
- Motorcycle hire Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 cc motorcycle hire (or Classic 500cc bike if pillion involved)
- Services of trained mechanic/ motorcycle Road Captain.
- Rental charges of service vehicle/truck
- Comprehensive insurance on motorcycle
- Spare parts for normal wear & tear
- Bhutanese 3* hotel accom with private facilities
- Breakfast & dinner and two bottles of water daily
- Sightseeing & entrance fees as per your itinerary.
- Airport Transfers
- Private English speaking cultural guide and back-up vehicle
- Our comprehensive Bhutan Visitor Information planning guide.
- Bhutan & Beyond bank transfers for payments to Bhutan suppliers.
Important Notes:
- Fuel is additional please budget approximately USD $16 per day.
- Lunch is at own expense please budget USD $12-14 per person per day.
- We do recommend you bring your own helmet where possible.
Important Note Re Our Pricing Policy
Our Bhutan packages costs are quoted in US dollars. On the final date of payment your Bhutan travel costs are converted into Australian dollars using the current telegraphic transfer rate of exchange of the day.
Conditions of Hire
1. Security deposit of US $500 (this is the passengers maximum liability) is to be paid directly before commencement of the tour in case of damages which will be refunded on completion of the tour. (USD cash or USD travellers cheques & some credit cards can be used as security deposit.)
2. A personal liability form is required to be filled in before commencement of the tour in case of injury, disability or death.
3. International drivers permit with a motorcycle endorsement, is essential. This is available from your local state motoring authority & should be prearranged at least two weeks before departure.
4. You must hold comprehensive travel insurance for your entire journey in Bhutan that also covers you for riding a motorcycle of 500CC.
Tipping Guide.
With the exception of your guide & driver, hotel porters, and mechanic, please avoid tipping as it is generally discouraged.
- 3 or less persons travelling:
US$8-10 pp per day for your guide & US$5-7 pp per day for your driver.
Mechanic group payment US$250.00 - 3-8 persons travelling:
US$6-8 pp per day for your guide & US$3-5 pp per day for your driver.
Mechanic group payment US$300.00
For travellers visiting Bhutan for more than 8 nights we recommend a slightly lower daily rate is paid for your guide and drivers tips, again at your discretion.
