A Bhutan motorcycle trip, planned and ridden as a group
Bhutan rewards a group that plans: permits for every rider and every bike, short riding days on narrow mountain roads, and passes where the cloud comes down fast. Qafilaa keeps the plan, the papers and the group in one place.
Getting in
Most groups riding from India enter at Phuentsholing, across the border from Jaigaon in West Bengal. Indian riders need an entry permit, each motorcycle needs its own permit, and a per-night Sustainable Development Fee applies to Indian visitors. These rules and fees have changed in recent years, so check them with Bhutan's immigration and tourism authorities close to your dates.
Log every rider's permit and every bike's permit in the trip as errands. The plan then shows who still needs what before the group reaches the border, and the documents are on each phone when you are asked for them.
Where groups ride
- Phuentsholing to Thimphu, the climb from the plains into the capital.
- Thimphu to Punakha over Dochu La.
- Paro and Haa, linked by the road over Chele La.
- East to Bumthang, over Pele La and on through central Bhutan.
Ride shorter days
Bhutan's roads are narrow, winding and slow, and the speed limits are low. A day that looks short on the map takes most of the daylight. Lay each day out in Qafilaa with its legs, distances and elevation, so the group plans for the road as it is.
Money
The Bhutanese Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee at par. Qafilaa supports both, plus Nepalese Rupee and US Dollar, and keeps every rider's balance exact through the trip. See shared expenses.
On the road
Cloud on a pass can split a group in minutes. With everyone on one live map, rally points agreed in advance and offline maps downloaded, the group regroups without needing a signal. Crash detection alerts the riders nearest a fall first, because on these roads they are usually the first who can reach you.
Entry rules, permits and fees for Bhutan are set by its government and change. Check them close to your dates. Qafilaa alerts your crew and your emergency contacts; it does not contact emergency services.
Questions riders ask
Can Indians ride their own motorcycles into Bhutan?
Yes, with permits. Indian riders need an entry permit, the motorcycle needs its own permit, and a per-night Sustainable Development Fee applies to Indian visitors. These rules and fees have changed in recent years, so check them with Bhutan’s immigration and tourism authorities before you ride.
Which currency should we use for trip expenses in Bhutan?
The Bhutanese Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee at par. Qafilaa supports both, plus Nepalese Rupee and US Dollar, and converts a spend in another currency to your home currency at the day’s rate.
Does Qafilaa work in Bhutan?
Yes. It is built for rides across India, Nepal and Bhutan, and it works offline, so the map, the plan and the safety screens keep working on roads without coverage.
Is crash detection useful on Bhutan’s roads?
Bhutan’s mountain roads are narrow and winding, and help can be a long way off. Crash detection alerts the riders nearest you first, with your position and blood group, because they are usually the first people who can reach you.
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