The Tour of the Dragon Mountain Bike Race in Bhutan is an exhilarating annual event that covers approximately 255 kilometres through breathtaking landscapes, crossing over four mountain passes. Cyclists from around the world come together to navigate these challenging climbs and thrilling descents, with the race ending in Thimphu town square.

The exact date changes from year to year. Please contact us for the dates for a particular year.

RACE ROUTE

The riders follow the Bumthang chhu (river in Dzongkha) for a couple of kilometres and then climb 6km through blue pine forest to Kiki La at 2870m (9420 ft). From there, it is down to Nangar. Through more blue pine forest and agricultural land, you follow a gentle road through Chumey and up to Gaytsha (2950m, 9680ft).

The road then climbs 7 km up through blue pine forest to Bong Bridge and then gets a little steeper for about 5 km through mixed conifer and rhododendron forests and pastures till you reach Yotongla at 3430m (11250 ft). From Yotongla, it is a 29 km downhill ride to Trongsa. Fir and rhododendron forest, open pastures and rock outcrops dominate the pass. As you go down to Dorji Gonpa, which is almost halfway, fir gives way to spruce and hemlock and mixed broadleaved forest dominated by birch, oaks, and rhododendrons. Below Dorji Gonpa, the road passes through broadleaved forest and agricultural fields. There are some excellent viewpoints to see Trongsa, the Dzong and the extensive forests and agricultural fields beyond. Just before reaching Trongsa (2150m, 7050ft), you pass right below the Ta Dzong (a watchtower to guard the dzong from enemies).

From Trongsa, the road descends gently for 7 km to the Bjee Zam bridge at 1900m (6230 ft) and then climbs 6 km through broadleaved forest to a viewpoint from where the Trongsa Dzong seems just a stone’s throw away. The road continues climbing for another 10km along cliffs and through broadleaved forests and agricultural settlements. At Tshangkha, it passes the headquarters of the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. After reaching Tashiling, a few km further, most of the climbing is done. For the last 20km, you will only climb some 150m (500 ft), but there are some ups and downs. As you near Chendebji, hemlock replaces broadleaved species on some of the ridges and in the valley. You pass Chendebji chorten and a little later will reach Chendebji village (2430m, 7970 ft).

The road climbs through mixed conifer forest past Nikachu bridge at Chazam and Rukubji to the small settlement of Longte. By this time, many of the trees have been replaced by pastures and agricultural fields. Through these pastures dominated by dwarf bamboo, you reach Pelela (3430m, 11250 ft). You then continue your long descent through fir, birch, rhododendron forest and many small waterfalls to Wangdue Phodrang. After passing the village of Nobding, 12 km down, there is a single restaurant a further 12 km down and then a few shops at Teki Zampa, another 15 km further. Just past here, a new Japanese bridge spans the Dang Chhu. At Chuzomsa, there is a side road to an abandoned slate mine. After a long, almost flat stretch, you reach Wangdue Phodrang.

From Wangdue Phodrang, you continue to Metshina, an altitude of 1410m (4625 ft). From Metshina, the distance to Dochula at 3150m (10,330 ft) is 38.3 km, and the race is all uphill with an average slope of 5%  and a few short sections of up to 10%. You will pass Thinleygang (11 km), Lumitsawa (15 km), Lampelri (28 km), and a memorial chorten for traffic accident victims (32 km). Thinleygang is the only place recognisable as a village, having a couple of shops and a BHU (Basic Health Unit). Racing 1700 m (5575 ft) uphill is as breathtaking as the views.

After Dochula, it is all downhill to Thimphu at 2330 m (7640 ft) with a slight climb only at the end to the Thimphu city square.