Held annually on the first Saturday of September, the Tour of the Dragon is Bhutan’s most daring cycling event—and one of the toughest one-day mountain bike races in the world. Spanning 268 kilometers from Bumthang to Thimphu, the race challenges riders to cross four high-altitude mountain passes, climb steep ridges, and descend into deep valleys—all while navigating Bhutan’s pristine Himalayan terrain.

Riders traverse landscapes dotted with ancient monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, and untouched forests. The route climbs from 1,200 meters to over 3,340 meters, offering dramatic shifts in elevation and breathtaking views of the kingdom’s natural beauty.