Blog & Photos Contributed by Gunter Kast
Günter Kast is a Munich-based freelance travel writer whose thirst for the outdoors keeps him on the road for six months of the year. Having explored 105 countries and published over 1,350 articles in top outlets like Spiegel and FAZ, he covers everything from backcountry skiing to wildlife conservation. These days, his favorite way to uncover the hidden gems of North Rhine-Westphalia is from the saddle of his mountain bike.
We were thrilled to have hosted Günter on one of our Bhutan tours in 2025, which resulted in his new feature article for Elektrorad magazine, the sister magazine of Radfahren magazine, both German cycling magazines focused on everyday riding, touring, travel inspiration, and everything in between.
Beyond the Checklists
I'm not someone who keeps lists and ticks off all countries I’ve been to. But when you’re a travel journalist like me, people tend to ask how many countries you've visited. If I had to guess, I’ve probably visited more than a hundred. At least 60 of them I explored by mountain bike but one country among them had been at the very top of my list for a very long time; Bhutan.
The only problem was – for many years there weren’t any bookable tours, particularly ones combining a physical challenge like cycling together with cultural and historical sightseeing. I’d heard of the many hardcore mountain bikers who cycled many of Bhutan’s trekking routes. But for the average person, this was far too technical and physically demanding.
So, I was all the more thrilled after discovering Bhutan Heritage By Bicycle with SpiceRoads Cycling, which combines a 7-day guided exploration of Bhutan’s Buddhist heritage and history together with easier cycling. Although "easy" is relative, since the passes can reach a lofty 3,000 meters in elevation and more at times.
But, if your back or calves aren't physically up for the challenge, you can simply rent an e-bike and you're good to go.
Connecting With People
In many other Asian countries, you're often curiously observed and enthusiastically approached but the Bhutanese people are very reserved. However, if you ask them something, even elementary school children will gladly offer up friendly answers in unexpectedly near perfect English. I’m told that the King of Bhutan places great value on the education of his subjects.
For me as a journalist, this makes my work easy, because it's through real conversations that we really learn so much about a country and its people. My partner Nicole, who accompanied me on this tour, also found it easy to take photos – everyone is very happy to pose for a picture when politely asked.
Bhutan Is Amazing
Autumn was really a perfect time to visit Bhutan. The skies were incredibly clear and as brilliantly blue as the Himalayan Blue Poppy, which also happens to be the national flower. Over a meal of chicken curry, red rice and beans, our guide Pasang explained to us that Bhutan is a fairly expensive destination and most visitors are usually wealthy, older tourists. Only one in ten come for hiking and trekking, let alone cycling – which makes our two-wheeled trip an even more unique experience. Most are drawn to Bhutan’s unique culture, visit its amazing fortress monasteries, its incredible landscapes, and learn about the King’s concept of Gross National Happiness which prioritises sustainability over unconditional growth.
When I asked Pasang about his thoughts on happiness, he told us that many travellers often ask this question of him to which he answers with the wise words of Guru Rinpoche: “There is no path to happiness. Being happy is the path.”
There’s probably no other country on the planet portrayed so stereotypically in the media; reduced to imagery of the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery or the Bhutanese national sport of archery, and the somewhat adventurous plane landings into this mountainous country that only a few qualified pilots are licensed to do. But Bhutan is so much more than that, it’s a truly amazing place that Nicole and I hope everyone gets a chance to experience at least once in their lives.
How Was The Trip?
I’d venture to say that it’s an illusion to think one can understand a country and its people in such a short period of time. While we were there, the days flew by and the biking was amazing but somewhere along the countless mountain passes and winding roads, Nicole and I realised that we were only scratching the surface of this incredible destination and its people and culture. A single trip just wasn’t enough to truly experience as much of Bhutan as we would have wanted to.
Needless to say, coming back to Bhutan soon is definitely on our minds.
