Himalayan Kingdom Mountain Marathon, Bhutan
Thu 20th Nov 2008
Event travel details
The tour starts in Delhi or Bangkok with the Druk Air flight to Paro. The tour finishes back at Delhi or Bangkok Airport. Overnight hotels and transfers can be arranged in Delhi or Bangkok on request. Stop-overs can be arranged in Kathmandu (on Delhi flight).
Itinerary
OPTION 1
Sat 15 Nov: Check-in at Delhi or Bankok for the morning flight on Druk Air to Paro. Arrive at Paro International Airport from Delhi. Paro is a small town of only 7,000 inhabitants situated in a beautiful valley and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom.
Your tour guide will meet you and take you to your hotel, the traditionally styled and very comfortable Olanthang Hotel on a hillside overlooking the Paro valley.
After lunch take a stroll around Paro town. Afternoon at leisure - we will organise a short and slow run so that you get a feel for the altitude and start acclimatising. Dinner at the hotel.
Sun 16 Nov: Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest', the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan's most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. On the way back you can visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mon 17 Nov: TREK DAY 1. Paro to Shana. Drive to the end of the road at Drukgyel Dzong where the trek begins. Known as the ‘fortress of victory', it was constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. On the way you may also have time to visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. You start your trek by following the river uphill through a cultivated valley. Return on foot to Drukgyel Dzong
Tue 18 Nov: TREK DAY 2. Chele La Pass and Nunnery. Today we drive to the Chele La Pass at an altitude of 3840mts, stopping to view Mount Jomolhari. We then walk down hill to the fantastic, cliff hugging Nunnery and make our way back out to the road on a logging trail.
Wed 19 Nov: This morning visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit Ta Dzong (‘the watch tower') now housing the National Museum. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts - costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps.
The rest of the day can be spent at leisure preparing for the following day, we will organise a short warm-up run. Race briefing and number distribution. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Thu 20 Nov: HIMALAYAN KINGDOM MARATHON The races start in the grounds of the Olanthang Hotel at 8am. During the run you'll have views of landmarks like Paro Dzong, the Tigers Nest Monastry and wonderful views of Mount Jomolhari. The finish is back at the Olanthang Hotel where you can recover and replace energy with a buffet. In the evening enjoy the celebration dinner and prize giving with a traditional bonefire and entertainment.
Fri 21 Nov: After breakfast transfer to the capital Thimphu for overnight and sightseeing. If you wish you can rest from the previous day's endeavours. If you feel like sightseeing we can visit the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. In the afternoon we can drive up to the Radio Tower (offering splendid views of the city from a hilltop festooned with prayer flags), and visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. In the evening we will visit Tashicho Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room and offices of the King. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sat 22 Nov: Today we will visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten and then the National Post Office where you can view some of the world's most innovatively designed stamps. We can also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, or browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum. In the afternoon drive back to Paro for overnight before departure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sun 23 Nov: After breakfast this morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your Druk Air flight to Delhi or Bangkok. Overnight hotels can be booked on request.
OPTION 2
Shorter tour starting in Bangkok
Sun 16 Nov: Depart from Bangkok on the Druk Air flight to Paro and join the itinerary for Option 1.
Mon 17th to Thur 20th: As Option 1.
Fri 21st Nov: Transfer to Paro Airport for the flight to Bangkok.
Visas
You will require a double entry transit visa for India if starting in Delhi.
Visa's for Bhutan form part of the travel package and will be obtained on your behalf by Blue Poppy and issued for the group as a whole.
All prices are Per Person and a non-refundable deposit of £300 (US$600) is required at the time of registering to secure all arrangements. Registrations made withing 10 weeks of the event will require full payment at the time of registering.
All payments should be made in UK£'s (sterling). All payments should be made in UK£'s (sterling). The US$ price is an indicative price based on Travelex forward rate of £1/$1.94
Prices
| PRICES PER PERSON | ||||
| TWIN | SINGLE | TWIN | SINGLE | |
| UK £ | UK £ | US $ | US $ | |
| Option 1 | £2379 | £2499 | $4615 | $4848 |
| Option 2 | £1699 | £1799 | $3296 | $3490 |
| Deposit | £300 | £300 | $600 | $600 |