The mystical Kingdom of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas bordering India and Tibet. The local name of Druk Yul means ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon', which, perhaps, frames the way we think of this magical Buddhist country.
The size of Switzerland but with a population of only 700,000 living in mostly rural communities farming rice on the lower levels and herding yak as the altitude climbs, Bhutan remains a Kingdom steeped in history, mysticism and tradition.
The comparison with Switzerland is not just in it's size. Unlike many Himalayan areas the Kingdom has protected the mountains from deforestation and tourist exploitation with resulting polution from climbing. The result is a cleanlyness and the pristine look of the Alps, just a bit higher.
Tourism is controlled and you must be on an organised itinerary booked with a local travel agent to get permission to enter Bhutan - you cannot enter and wonder around unguided or back pack through the country.
We will be working closely with Bhutanese Travel Company Blue Poppy Tours and Treks to put on what will be the second International Mountain Marathon in the Kingdom. In addition to the Mountain Marathon, this 12 day holiday includes trekking into the mountains so that you can acclimatise, and time to visit the historic and cultural sights of the capital Thimphu.
The Races
The first edition Himalayan Kingdom Marathon was the first International trail event to be held in Bhutan - taking in the Paro Valley and Chelela Pass. The route has been much refined for the 2014 edition to be a river valley route with wider and more impressive views of the surrounding mountains and fantastic views down the Paro Valley, but without any extreme climbs keeping within an altitude range of 2200m and 2535m.
The race starts just outside and above Paro town, where Bhutan's International Airport is located, in the grounds of the Olagthan Hotel (at an altitude of 2,400m) and descends to the town at 2,200m to take in the Paro Dzong (castle) before running through the valley alongside the river from where the half marathon will return to Olathang for the finish before the marathon continues to pass below the incredible Tiger's Nest Monestary which will be perched on a verticle cliff 900m above you.
The marathon route then crosses the river and passes the Zhiwa Ling Hotel and climbs up the other valley side to a series of Chorten festooned in prayer flags along the valley side at approx 2400m that leads back to the finish at Olathang.
The event will be fully supported by local guides and horses, water stations plus medical back up from doctors and local first aiders (there is a modern hospital 500m from the start/finish line in case of emergency). There are evacuation points on the mountain in case of emergency accessed by 4-wheel drive to nearby roads and mobile phones have connectivity on the full route making communication easy.
Drink stations will have water every 5km in the valley and water and bananas at approx 5km distances on the mountain.
The second Himalayan Kingdom Marathon will, simply, be one of the most sensational experiences of your life.
As part of the acclimatisation and to encourage participation in running to local Bhutanese we will be holding a warm up 5km and 10km race at the beginning of the trip before we embark on the acclimatisation trek. This will take place from the Zhiwa Ling Hotel and will take in the valley bottom and cross the Paro River to Paro Dzong and back.
The Climate
May is the end of the festival season and marks the change from Spring to Summer.
There are two main seasons for visiting Bhutan. The first is in the Spring (March to May). This is the season for wonderful flowers and birds, the days are warm and the mountain peaks are still visible for much of the time. Daytime temperatures in the main centres you are likely to be visiting are around 17 to 22 degrees Celsius, increasing through the season and by May evening temperatures are very pleasantly warm as well.
For more general information on travel to Bhutan and Trekking in Bhutan please see the 2 pdf files below.
VISAS
If you do not have the relevant travel documents for Bhutan you will not even be allowed on the plane. Visas are issued by the incoming tour company, Blue Poppy Bhutan, and we will handle the process for you.
All nationalities require a visa to enter India (except SAARC members).
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
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OPTION 1: 12-day Tour DELHI-PARO-DRUK TREK
May 18: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi on an International flight (not included) and transfer to our 5-star Hotel, The Pullman Gurgaon, for over night. There will be a group get together over dinner included tonight.
May 19: Transfer to airport and flight to Paro, Bhutan passing Mt Everest. Sightseeing, dinner.
After breakfast we will transfer to Delhi Airport for the flight to Paro Airport, Bhutan, via Kathmandu where you pass the impressive Mount Everest soon after take off from Kathmandu. On arrival in Paro we will be met by the guides of Blue Poppy Tours and transfer to your choice of hotel, the 3-star Hotel Olathang or the 5-star Zhiwa Ling Hotel.
Once you have settled in enjoy a facinating look around Paro, Paro Dzong and Museum. Dinner at your hotel this evening.
May 20: Local Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery. B,L, D.
After breakfast we will make our way up the Paro Valley where you will glimpse the amazing Dragons Nest Monestary clinging to a sheer rock face. Once we have arrived at the base of the rock we will undertaking the climbing of the many steps up to the Monestary and enjoy the views back down the valley and the surrounding mountains. Dinner at your hotel.
May 21: 10km Race around streets of Paro, Paro Museum and Dzong. B,L,D.
After breakfast today assemble at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel, the start and finish location for the Paro River Valley 5 and 10km. The route will be around the town and along the river crossing dramatic bridges to Paro Dzong and Museum.
May 22: Druk Path Trek to Thimphu - 20km, camp at 3760m. B, L, D.
Today we set off for a 4-day acclimatisation trek across high mountain passes between Paro and the capital city Thimphu on the Druk (Dragon) Path. You will be camping each night with the Blue Poppy guides going ahead with tents to set up camp and preparing food in some magnificent locations for your arrival.
The first day of the trek is a long climb; the trek follows the gravel road passing through the village. The wide trail climbs through blue pine and fir forest to a mani wall. It is then a long, but not steep, climb through forests to a camping place in a large pasture just below Jili La, marked by a cairn at 3560m. We will walk on to a second campsite, around 3 hours away from Jili Dzong. Jangchulakha is a pasture for yaks and you will camp here at 3760m. (20 km)
May 23: Druk Path Trek - 15km, camp at 3870m alongside lake. B, L, D
Today you climb gradually upwards through juniper forest for around an hour and then you will follow the ridge, making many ascents and descents, from where you can also catch a magnificent view of Mount Jomolhari. Eventually you will make a last steep ascent through large rocks and dwarf rhododendrons to Jimilang Tsho, an isolated lake at 3870m. There is a pleasant camping place here at the far end of the lake. (15 km)
May 24: Druk Path Trek - 11km along ridge to 4150m, camp at lake 3834m. B, L, D.
Today is a tough day of ascents and descents, but you will be rewarded with several mountain views if the day is clear. Climbing from the lower end of the lake to a ridge at 4010m, you descend again and then climb to crest at 4050m overlooking Janye Tsho. You drop down to the lake, then climb to a ridge at 4150m and descend to some stone ruins overlooking Semkotha Tsho, Camp by the Semkotha Lake at an altitude of around 3834 m. (11 km)
May 25: Druk Path Trek - 15km Descending into Thimpu. Overnight Thimpu.
The day begins with a gradual climb. If weather permits there will be a beautiful view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan's highest mountain, as well as of further peaks from the Doupchu La Pass. The path gradually descends to Phajoding Gompa, where a monastery and retreat centres for meditation are located. From there you continue your final descent for a couple more hours through blue pine forest, emerging just above Thimphu town where you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. (15 km)
May 26: Thimphu sightseeing, drive back to Paro. Overnight Paro. B, L, D.
After breakfast today there will be a chance to explore Thimphu, visit the Post Office museum which houses a facinating collection of stamps, an art and craft school where you can see young Bhutanese learning the traditional crafts of weaving, painting and carving and the colourful market with its bright displays of chilli's, spices and vegetables.
In the afternoon drive back to Paro where you can relax and start to build up your energy for the marathon.
May 27: Marathon & Half Marathon along Paro Valley between 2200m and 3200m. B,L. Presentation and dinner.
This morning the marathon will be blessed in a Bhudist Ceremony at the start infront of the Zhiwa Ling Hotel before you set off down hill and along the river on a gravel track. Following the Paro River down stream you cross a bridge at 2200m altitude and then climb steadily up the side of a valley through Uma Resort (2413m) and behind Paro Dzong to Zueray Dzong at the highest point of the race (2530m).
Dropping back to the river the half marathon will return to the finish while the marathon continues across the river valley, and up to the Olangtan Hotel, climbing up to a line of Chorten, festooned in prayer flags at approx 2400m bringing you back to Zhiwa Ling with fine views of the Tigers Nest Monestary.
There will be a prizegiving ceremony this evening at Olathan when you can relax and enjoy a few local beers.
May 28: Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.
After breakfast today transfer to Paro airport for the return flight to Delhi. Stop-over at the Pullman Gurgaon Hotel in Delhi is available at a supplement.
OPTION 2: 5-DAY RACE WEEKEND
May 24: Flight with Druk Air from Delhi, Calcutta, Bangkok or Kathmandu. Paro sightseeing. Overnight. Dinner.
International flight to Paro Airport with Druk Air. Flights vary on the season and the schedule for 2014 is not yet available but there are daily flights from Kathmandu and regular flights from Bangkok, Calcutta and Delhi.
On arrival in Paro we will be met by the guides of Blue Poppy Tours and transfer to your choice of hotel, the 3-star Hotel Olathang or the 5-star Zhiwa Ling Hotel.
Once you have settled in enjoy a facinating look around Paro, Paro Dzong and Museum. Dinner at your hotel this evening.
May 25: Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery. B, L, D.
After breakfast we will make our way up the Paro Valley where you will glimpse the amazing Dragons Nest Monestary clinging to a sheer rock face. Once you have arrived at the base of the rock we will undertaking the climbing of the many steps up to the Monestary and enjoy the views back down the valley and the surrounding mountains. Dinner at your hotel.
May 26: At leisure in Paro - optional day trip to Thimphu. B, L, D.
After breakfast today there will be a chance to visit and explore Thimphu, just over an hours drive away. Visit the Post Office museum which houses a facinating collection of stamps, an art and craft school where you can see young Bhutanese learning the traditional crafts of weaving, painting and carving and the colourful market with its bright displays of chilli's, spices and vegetables.
In the afternoon drive back to Paro where you can relax and start to build up your energy for the marathon.
May 27: Marathon or Half Marathon. B, L, presentation and dinner.
This morning the marathon will be blessed in a Bhudist Ceremony at the start infront of the Zhiwa Ling Hotel before you set off down hill and along the river on a gravel track. Following the Paro River down stream you cross a bridge at 2200m altitude and then climb steadily up the side of a valley through Uma Resort (2413m) and behind Paro Dzong to Zueray Dzong at the highest point of the race (2530m).
Dropping back to the river the half marathon will return to the finish while the marathon continues across the river valley, and up to the Olangtan Hotel, climbing up to a line of Chorten, festooned in prayer flags at approx 2400m bringing you back to Zhiwa Ling with fine views of the Tigers Nest Monestary.
There will be a prizegiving ceremony this evening at Zhiwa Ling Hotel when you can relax and enjoy a few local beers.
May 28: Transfer to airport for outbound flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Bangkok or Kathmandu.
After breakfast today transfer back to Paro Airport for your International flight to Delhi, Calcutta, Bangkok or Kathmandu.
Note: Delhi Hotels and transfers are not included on the 4 night option.
| Passports and visas |
Your passport needs to have at least 6 months' validity. You will also need to make sure that you have a spare page for a visa for Bhutan, as well as space for the visas for any countries you are visiting en route. If you need to get a new passport please do so well before your planned trip so that there is no delay in applying for your Bhutanese visa. You will need to fill in a form for us with some personal information, and send us a scanned copy of the identity page of your passport, and then we will apply for your visa for you around a month before your trip. We will send you a copy of the confirmation showing that your visa has been authorised. Your actual visa will be issued on arrival at Paro. Don't forget to make enquiries about visa requirements for any countries you are passing through en route even if you are only in transit. |
The basic tour will be staying at the excellent 3-star Hotel Olagthang, situated on the valleyside above Paro town with fabulous views across the valley to Paro Dzong. All the rooms are large with bathrooms, satellite TV and heating. There is an internet room a cosy bar and the restaurant where they have a wide buffet selection each day.
The 5-star option is the superb Zhiwa Ling Hotel, which we highly recommend.
The 45-room Zhiwa Ling hotel combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st Century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel's elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.
Set on 10 acres, Zhiwa Ling has many amenities available to guests. The spa offers all the facilities guests could want; a fitness centre, sauna, steam room as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a business centre, Tea House, two fully equipped conference rooms, a Meditation House and the hotel has it's own greenhouse. The two restaurants specialise in contemporary international cuisine and classic Bhutanese dishes. Gathering at the Mad Monk Bar for a pre dinner drink or after-hours fun is a highlight for guests.
Honoring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new cultural landmark.
