Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is known for its stunning landscapes, legendary ancient temples and fortresses, spicy yet delicious food, colourful festivals and most of all its authenticity. Squeezed between Tibet and India, this beautifula mountain Kingdown is the high Himalaya in its natural state where some of the world's rarest sepecies, like the Royal Bengal Tiger or Golden Langur, still roam freely untroubled by human interaction. If you looking for a unique running and cultural …
Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is known for its stunning landscapes, legendary ancient temples and fortresses, spicy yet delicious food, colourful festivals and most of all its authenticity. Squeezed between Tibet and India, this beautifula mountain Kingdown is the high Himalaya in its natural state where some of the world's rarest sepecies, like the Royal Bengal Tiger or Golden Langur, still roam freely untroubled by human interaction.
If you looking for a unique running and cultural experience, Bhutan is the place for you! The charms of this isolated Himalayan Kingdom are knitted strong within its cultural realms and you'll a chance to sample much that the country has to offer on one of our Thunder Dragon Marathon trips. The race itself, which offers full and half-marathon options, is organised in conjunction with our Bhutanese partner, Blue Poppy Tours.Â
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The Thunder Dragon Marathon highlights all of the aspects of Bhutan that make it so special. Running through the beautiful Paro Valley the route takes in fantastic scenery and passes many iconic landmarks, like the Tigers Nest Monastery, Paro Dzong and many religious Chorten - a true mountain and cultural experience.
Mostly on trails and mountain paths with some road sections, the route has a number of climbs but with an altitude variation that stays between 2,200m and 2,530m, there are no tremendously difficult sections although it remains a challenging event.
The Route
From the start at Udumwara, under the cliff that the Tiger's Nest is built on, the first few kilometers are downhill on the road before crossing a metal bridge festooned in prayer flags. It then follows the Paro Chu River downstream where runners are at 2200m altitude. The route remains undulating along the Wang Chu tributary - going up one side for several kms, crossing a bridge and returning down the other side.
Arriving back on the road near Paro you will then climb steadily up the side of a valley passing above Paro Dzong, and up to Zueray Dzong at the highest point of the race (2530m) on a 4km road climb followed by 1km uphill on single track forest trails. From here you start to drop to the valley.Â
Crossing a beautiful wooden bridge by Paro Dzong at 31.5km, the route crosses the valley below Paro Town. Once across the valley the marathon route then rises up on the road for a short distance then opens onto a wide trail from 33km to 41km, where there is an amazing section through paddy fields bringing you close to rural Bhutan before a final drop with a view of the Tigers Nest to the finish at Udumwara.
The half marathon follows the marathon route to 8k before turning off and making a short climb up to Paro Dzong. From here it drops back to the river and rejoins the marathon route at the wooden bridge with the final 10km on the same route as the marathon.
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We will use two main hotels both at, or a short distance from, the start and finish line. The hotels will be allocated depending on numbers booked for each option - this way we can keep clients booked on the same option together throughout their time in Bhutan.
UDUMWARA HOTEL
The resort has 10 rooms at the main block and 5 cosy villas with 4 rooms in each villa, which are all deluxe twin bedded rooms decorated in a traditional style with modern facilities like security boxes, TV and free wireless internet connection. Pakshing Bar made wholly of bamboo which serves only local drinks and a handicraft shop with all the antiques on display just next to the bar in the main block will surely mesmerize you.
To add on to the existing natural beauty of the resort, a traditional bridge is constructed which passes over a small brook. The resort is a blend of a traditional look with a touch of modern architecture.
TIGERS NEST RESORTÂ
The Tigers nest Resort Hotel is a traditional wood-framed building that is on a slightly elevated position overlooking the Paro River valley and with views of the Tigers Nest Monastery high on the cliff face opposite. All rooms have bathrooms en suite, flat-screen TV and wifi. Rooms are either in the main hotel building or in spacious bungalows alongside the main building.
If these hotels fill we will use other hotels of a similar standard in the close vicinity of the start/finish.
In Punakha on the 6-night tour the hotel will be the Zhingkhan Hotel, a modern standard class hotel high on the valley side with fantastic views across the river to the Dzong. Rooms are in bungalows above the main reception and all have bathrooms en suite, flat-screen TV and wifi.Â
In Thimphu on the night after the trek, the hotel will be the 4-star Druk Hotel. The Druk is situated in the bustling capital city, all rooms with bathrooms en suite, flat screen tv and wifi.Â
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We offer a wide range of options that allow runners to acclimatise to the altitude with long and short trips to suit your sense of adventure or the time you have available. The treks are fantastic with magnificent views of the high Himalayas and are considered moderate in difficulty reaching altitudes of 4,000 to 4,200m. For those on a short time scale, the 4-night tour offers enough time to acclimatise and see some of the area including the walk up to the incredible Tigers Nest Monastery and a visit to the capital Thimphu.
Why not make it a tour of a lifetime by combing our 6-night Great Wall Marathon and the 6-night Himalayan Kingdom Marathon tours and compare two great cultures, from the bustle of China to the quiet tranquillity of Bhutan. We throw in a free night in Bangkok between the two tours for those booking both together.
FLIGHTS: All flights into Bhutan arrive in Paro airport. Flights from Kathmandu to Paro are included in the package prices, flights from Bangkok or Delhi are avavilable with a supplement. International flights into these gateway cities from your home country are not included in the package and need to be booked separately.
We suggest if travelling from Europe, that Etihad offers the best flights into Kathmandu for the onward flight to Paro. In most cases you will need to overnight in Kathmandu on the outward journey as the flights to Paro are early in the morning. On the return, the Paro flight arrives in Kathmandu in the early afternoon giving plenty of connection time for the departing Etihad flight from Kathmandu.
Flights from Bangkok also depart early in the morning and we recommend staying at the Novotel at BKK International Airport, which is attached to the airport terminal, the night before travelling to Bhutan. Return flights from Paro land in Bangkok in the late afternoon and you will need to book a late evening onward fight if connecting on the same day.
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TOUR OPTION 1 – 4-NIGHT RACE WEEKEND PACKAGE
Get a taste of the beautiful and mystical country of Bhutan. This long weekend option takes you to the famous Tigers Nest Monastery and a day visit to the capital city Thimphu.
THURSDAY 21 MAY: Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok are also available at a supplement. Overnight Paro.
FRIDAY 22 MAY: Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang. Overnight Paro.
SATURDAYÂ 23 MAY: Excursion to the Capital City Thimphu (90-minute journey by coach each way). Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Buddha Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. Return to Paro for pre-race briefing and number collection.Overnight Paro.
SUNDAYÂ 24 MAY: FULL & HALF MARATHONS. Celebration dinner and Cultural show. Overnight Paro.
MONDAYÂ 25 MAY:Â Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok.
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TOUR OPTION 2- 6-NIGHTS PUNAKHA & PARO
A tour that captures the wide variety and rich culture of Bhutan. The Paro Valley with its surrounding pine clad mountainsides, Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan and the Punakha Valley, a lower-lying valley with a semi-tropical climate. This tour can be combined with the Great Wall Marathon by adding flights from Beijing to Bangkok with an overnight stay in Bangkok.
TUESDAY 19 MAY: Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok are also available at a supplement. Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (approx 2.5 hours). Afternoon sightseeing in Punakha; visit the Devine Mad Monks Temple (Temple of Fertility) and the remarkable Punakha Dzong, past home to the King of Bhutan. Overnight Punakha.Â
WEDNESDAY 20 MAY: Today we start our acclimatization activity with a hike to Soela Gompa via Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. This hike is approximately 15km with a moderate level of difficulty but for some, about 5km of the initial climb will be on the difficult side. The hike will take around 8hrs. Options to return after visiting the Chorten for a shorter hike can be arranged.
THURSDAY 21 MAY: Drive to the Capital City Thimphu (2.5 hours). Hike up to Buddha Point and the giant seated Buddha, the Takin Reserve (National animal), Thimphu Dzong and craft workshops. After lunch drive on to Paro (1hr) visiting the National Museum with the chance to hike part of the marathon route before visiting Paro Dzong.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight Paro.
FRIDAY 22 MAY:Â Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang Monastery. Overnight Paro. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
SATURDAYÂ 23 MAY:Â Free time for shopping in Paro. Pre-race briefing and number collection. Overnight in Paro.
SUNDAYÂ 24 MAY: FULL & HALF MARATHONS. Early breakfast before the 8am start of both races. Celebration dinner and Cultural show. Overnight Paro.
MONDAYÂ 25 MAY: Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok.Â
Or make this a double Adventure with the Himalayan Kingdom Marathon - double up on a Great Wall Marathon package - fly from Beijing to Bangkok (flight not included) then stay for 1 night in a 4-star hotel ay Bangkok Airport (included) before going on to Bhutan for the 6-Night Himalayan Kingdom Marathon package.
TOUR OPTION 3 - 8 NIGHT PACKAGE – PARO, THIMPHU AND DRUK TRAIL TREK
Bhutan has some of the best trekking in the world and as part of our 8-day package, we offer a fully supported 4-day trek on the famous Druk (or Thunder Dragon) Trail. With much of the hike up and around 4,000m, it also helps clients acclimatize for the race (which has an average altitude of 2,300m). The 8-day itinerary also takes in a visit to the famous Tigers Nest and an overnight stopover in the capital Thimphu.
SUNDAY 17 MAY: Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. Overnight Paro.
MONDAY 18 MAY:Â Â Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang. Â Overnight Paro.
TUESDAY 19 MAY: DRUK PATH trek – Day 1. Climb gradually upwards from the Paro Valley to the camp at 3650m. Most of the altitude gain  on the four-day trek is done today along forest trails. Distance 20km. The climb is moderate to hard. Overnight camping.
WEDNESDAY 20 MAY: DRUK PATH trek – Day 2. Leaving the camp climb steeply for 1hr and follow a ridge offering views of Mt Jomolhari if the weather is clear. A steep descent takes you to the campsite next to a beautiful lake.  Distance 15km. Overnight camping.
THURSDAY 21 MAY: DRUK PATH trek – Day 3. Today is a short but tough day of ascents and descents up to 4150m. Distance 11km. Overnight camping.
FRIDAY 22 MAY: DRUK PATH trek – Day 4. The day begins with a gradual climb with possible views of Mt Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest mountain before dropping into the Thimphu valley floor on a steep descent. Visit the Takin Reserve, which is close to the finish point of the trek, if time allows before taking the coach to the overnight hotel. Distance 12km Overnight Thimphu.
SATURDAYÂ 23 MAY: In Thimphu. Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Buddha Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market before driving back to Paro (90-minutes) for the pre-race briefing and number collection. Overnight Paro.
SUNDAYÂ 24 MAY: FULL & HALF MARATHONS. Celebration dinner and Cultural show. Overnight Paro.
MONDAYÂ 25 MAY: Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok.
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NOTE: Flights from Kathmandu, Bangkok and Delhi depart early in the morning to Paro and we strongly advise that you book overnight accommodation before your flight.
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THE TOUR PRICES INCLUDE:
NOT INCLUDED:
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PRICES PER PERSON IN UK£'s
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TOUR OPTION |
DESCRIPTION |
SINGLE OCCUPANCY |
TWIN/DOUBLE OCCUPANCY |
|
OPTION 1 |
4-night Race Weekend – 4-nights Paro with a visit to Tiger’s Nest & Thimphu |
£1829 |
£1679 |
|
OPTION 2 |
6-nights Culture Tour – 2-nights Punakha,  4-nights Paro with day hikes, visits to Tiger’s Nest and Thimphu |
£2455 |
£2235 |
|
OPTION 3 |
8-night with Druk Trail Trek – 2 nights,  Paro, 3-nights camping, 1-night Thimphu, 2 nights Paro & a visit to Tiger’s Nest |
£2895 |
£2599 |
|
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 |
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|
RACE ENTRY FEE |
 |
£180 |
 |
|
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 |
 |
 |
|
 FLIGHTS |
KTM/PBH/KTM |
No supplement |
 |
|
 |
BKK/PBH/KTM or vice-versa | £250 |
 |
|
 |
DEL/PBH/KTM or vice-versa |
£95 |
 |
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BKK/PBH/BKKÂ |
£500 |
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DEL/PBH/DEL |
£190 |
 |
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Note: BKK-PBH flights are based on flights with a touch down in India en route – this takes approx. 45mins and clients do not leave the aircraft. If indirect fights sell out direct flights will be booked with a further supplement of £50 each way.
Flights into Paro are usually early in the morning so an overnight stay is recommended on the inbound journey. Flights from Paro into Kathmandu arrive around lunch-time, but a long transfer time is advised for onward flights in case of delays out of Paro. Flights from Paro to Bangkok arrive in the late afternoon and over-night in Bangkok is advisable.
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A deposit per person is required to secure this tour. This is non-refundable if the client cancels the the booking 10 weeke before departure.
Final balance is due 10 weeks before the trip departure.
The 2020 race was cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic. If those travel restrictions remain into 2021, the deposit is fully refundable. We would strongly advise taking out suitable travel insurance to cover the cancellation of any international flights.
THE TOUR PRICES INCLUDE:
NOT INCLUDED:
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For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com
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