[unk9ja]

From today morning, a Whatsapp message is doing rounds about the entry of bikes to Bhutan. It states that no bike will be allowed without an escort vehicle. Can someone confirm if this is true? I am unable to see any such notification on the tourism website or any other other official sites of Bhutan.

[bevivek]

Recently it was reported that some bikers wishing to travel through Bhutan on the bike have been refused permits to ride. A noted vlogger Toll Free Traveller even has a vlog on the experience.

Since a bunch of us were planning a Bhutan ride, we made some enquiries about this and one of the travel agencies sent us this message:

For your kind information, it is Bhutan tourism policy, bikers have to take back up car and guide, the reason behind that it is all for safety,because Bhutan mountain terrain Country, few accident cases had been reported before, immediate help must be on the spot by first aid knowledge guides

This could explain people being turned away. However, if it was official tourism policy, why were people not informed at Phuentsoling that if they fulfil this car + first aid guide criteria, they can get permits?

Checking if this is mere spiel by the operator or others have also got the same information.

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the Route Queries section!

[bevivek]

An update on our forthcoming Bhutan ride

a) We have had to hire an accident car, a Bolero with guide and replacement driver (i.e. to replace a bike rider who is unwell or whatever). Cost 80K for a 10 day ride

b) Our plan had been to enter through Phuentsoling and exit via Sandrup Jonkhar. However I learnt today from my ride colleague who was coordinating the arrangements and permits that we have been refused permits beyond Gangtey. On our original ride plan we would have passed Gangtey (Probjikha valley) on day 5 on our way to Trongsa.

c) So we have to either come up with an alternate ride plan with perhaps an exit via Gelephu rather than Sandrup J or perhaps revisit the idea of visiting Bhutan itself (difficult as money paid, bookings done at Phuent, Thimphu etc).

So anyway want to warn all Indian Bhutan bike rider wannabes that there *does* seem to be problems and restrictions on riding through Bhutan (at least for now). The no permit beyond Gangtey is *after* we have shelled out 80,000/- for an accident car with drivers.

I am tempted to use all the emojis on the edit panel but have already used the permitted two so will stop here

[am1m]

Originally Posted by bevivek

or perhaps revisit the idea of visiting Bhutan itself

I guess this is the idea behind the new regulations, most people will re-think their plans now. Ties in with what was being discussed here: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post4598985 (Bhutan to tighten tourist inflow)

While I do feel sorry for people whose individual plans have been inconvenienced, must say I am also impressed by Bhutan for actually doing this. There will always be debates about the move, but it's undeniable that fewer people going can only be good for preserving the way the place is now.

(just look at Ladakh these days)

[bevivek]

Yes it is a brave move when your economy is largely driven by tourism and one can understand too the need to reduce traffic.

But as one at the receiving end of this policy a few thoughts:

What is lacking right now is clarity on what the policy is, so that people planning their trips are clear about ride possibilities, costs, etc so they can plan their trip.

Nobody just lands in Bhutan, it is almost always a considered decision and if it is a group ride, involves matching of leave, ticketing, itinerary planning, plans and arrangements for either riding to Bhutan or ferrying the bike there through Gati or Indian Railways, booking hotels since these are needed even to get permits for every tourist etc.

If there is no clarity then one can imagine tourists or riders landing up and being turned away at the border as has already happened with some folk (see my first post on this above).

Whatever the policy is, it should be published. For example, if it is that one has to go with a Bhutan based ride company, then one is clear that this is the only way to go and can plan accordingly or make alternate plans.

The current situation with lack of information and seemingly ad-hoc decisions is maddening.

[bevivek]

Final update: we have cancelled our Bhutan trip and will instead do a Sikkim ride.

Apart from our disappointment i would note that this has meant a loss of business around 3 L to a Bhutan tour company so there are real costs to this policy to Bhutan.

[shyamg28]

Does anyone know if taking ones own vehicle (mainly motorcycle) to Bhutan is permitted? I have gone back in 2019 on a rented Thunderbird 350. But I hear things have changed.
Even if not own vehicle, is renting and riding a bike there permitted? Any leads would be much appreciated.

[Nissan1180]

This move may have geopolitical reasons. This country recently sided with China at Dokhlam. They want to get rid of middle class Indian tourists and focus on wealthier individuals.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Does anyone know if taking ones own vehicle (mainly motorcycle) to Bhutan is permitted? I have gone back in 2019 on a rented Thunderbird 350. But I hear things have changed.
Even if not own vehicle, is renting and riding a bike there permitted? Any leads would be much appreciated.

UPDATE - Motorcycles are permitted.
Bhutan now mandates the following -
- per day SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) per person - Nu/INR 1200
- per day Green Tax for the vehicle (be it a motorcycle or a car) - Nu/INR 4500
- a guide is mandatory. So if you go there on a motorcycle, the guide fee + a car for the guide to tag along is additional cost to be borne by you. If you take your own car and there is space for the guide to tag along, then you only pay the guide fee (in addition to the Green Tax called out above of course).

See here for a fantastic log by BHPian genesmotorides - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...n-country.html (Cochin-Bhutan-Cochin | My wife and me on a BMW GSA 1200 | A 6700 km ride to Dragon Country)