It's a frequent debate amongst well-travelled runners. What is the toughest footrace in the world? The Ultra Tour De Mont Blanc say some, others debate the gruelling merits of the Marathon des Sables, but not many people put their weight behind the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race ... until they have run it. This five-day challenge in the Indian Himalaya is a brute. A great adventure, a life affirming experience, but still a brute. The challenge of the distance is obvious, the altitude, the hills…
It's a frequent debate amongst well-travelled runners. What is the toughest footrace in the world? The Ultra Tour De Mont Blanc say some, others debate the gruelling merits of the Marathon des Sables, but not many people put their weight behind the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race ... until they have run it. This five-day challenge in the Indian Himalaya is a brute. A great adventure, a life affirming experience, but still a brute.
The challenge of the distance is obvious, the altitude, the hills, the temperature changes and mix of terrain are less obvious but just as challenging, If you make to the end of this - and nearly everyone who has started it over the years, has made it to the finish - you have certainly earned your running stripes.
The setting is remote and the secenery breathtaking, in every sense of the words. With well stocked aid stations and full race support by jeeps which move up and down the route, you can run or walk at your own pace with full confidence. There are no cut offs and as daunting as the overal distance might seem, the race is suprisingly accessible to a wide range of abilities and attrracts runners of all ages from around the world. In the 34 years the race has been going, there have been very few drop outs, some of the times might be slow but most make it to the finish and are rightly proud to have completed one of the world's toughest running challenge.
Your accommodation on the trip can be categorised into 3 seperate entities: hotels, sherpa huts and mountain lodges. The hotels in Mirik are 3-star western standard, the sherpa huts and mountain lodges are comfortable but basic and in some cases you will be using sleeping bags at night. It is a not a luxury trip. You are running through a sparsely populated remote mountain area with very limited accommodation options.
7-NIGHT PACKAGE
(International flights to and from India, hotels in Delhi and transfers to and from the airport and Delhi hotels are not included in the cost of our package)
Tuesday 27 October DELHI - BAGOGRA - MIRIK
Our trip starts and finishes at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. We have made a reservation for you on the domestic flight to Bagdogra Airport, the Gateway to the Indian Himalaya. Our team will meet you at Bagdogra aiport and transfer you to the Mirik resort, located near Darjeeling. If you are arriving earlier you need to book your own accommodation in Delhi.
All meals, transfers and accommodation are now included until the return flight to Delhi.
Overnight at Mirik Lake Resort.
Wednesday 28 October – MIRIK
Start to acclimatise to the foothills of the Himalaya. Day trip to Darjeeling. Visit Himalayan museum and market. Ride famous Toy Train.
Overnight at Mirik Lake Resort.
Thursday 29 October – MANEY BHANJANG (2000m) - SANDAKPHU (3500M)
The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race starts today at Maney Bhanjang which sits at 2000m above sea level. Aid station and jeep support throughout the 24 miles until today's route finishes at Sandakphu, which is at 3500m. The prevailing direction of the route today is up hill but there are plenty of ups and downs along the way as move from sealed roads to off-road trails that snake their way through the mountains. This is probably the toughest day of the challenge Non-runners or supporters can walk 10 miles and take the jeeps for the rest of the Himalayan trail experience distance.
Overnight in mountain huts at Sandakphu. Soup, bread and snacks on arrival, full evening meal is served at the huts.
Friday 30 October – SANDAKPHU (3500m)
If the weather is celar you will wake up breakfast and early morning views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, & Kanchenjunga siting above the clouds today. Today's run is a 20-mile out-and-back route to Molle. Non-runners have the option of a 5-mile walk.
Overnight in mountain huts at Sandakphu. Breakfast, lunch and dinners is served in the mountain huts.
Saturday 31 October – SANDAKPHU (3500m) - RIMBIK (2000m)
It's mostly downhill from now with today's Everest Challenge Marathon – Views of high Himalayan peaks and jungle are the highlight of today as you leave the higher mountains for the more tropical surrounds of Rimbik more than 1500m below yesterday's heights. Route:Sandakphu- Phalut-Molle-Rimbik. 26.4 miles. Non-runners have the option to walk 10 miles.
Overnight at the Sherpa & Tenzing Lodge, Rimbik. Breakfast at Sandakphu, snacks on arrival and dinner at Rimbik
Sunday 1 November – PALMAJUA (2000m)
Today you leave the trails behind for a road section that follows a rural road up and down for 13 miles to Palmajua. The return back to Rimbik is by bus, non-runners can visit local monasteries and villages.
Overnight at Sherpa & Tenzing Lodge, Rimbik where all meals are served.
Monday 2 November – MIRIK
The end is in sight but it's still 17 miles away with a to finish at Maneybhanjang. It'll be a bus out to the start point and another mostly road based run today with off-road sections in parts. Non-runners can walk 5-10 miles. From the finish there will be another bus drive to Mirik Resort. Tonight is the race awards and celebration dinner.
Overnight Mirik Resort
Tuseday 3 November - Trips Ends
Transfer to Bagdogra Airport and your return flight to Delhi. Our trip ends on the return to Delhi Airport.
Included in the package price are:
Early arrival at Mirik Lake Resort is available at an extra cost upon request.
EXTENSION TRIP - Golden Triangle Trip
Tuesday November 3
Arrival Delhi from Bagdogra and overnight in Delhi.
Wednesday November 4
Early morning drive from Delhi to Agra. Full day Agra sightseeing including the Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.
Thursday November 5
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight in Jaipur.
Friday November 6
After breakfast, full day sightseeing in Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur
Saturday November 7
After breakfast, half day sightseeing in Jaipur then evening drive back to Dehli. Overnight in Dehli.
Sunday November 8
After breakfast, full day sightseeing in Delhi. Evening transfer to Delhi international airport for your return flight home
PRICING
The total price of the trip is £1999 per person based on a twin share basis.
The single supplement is £360
The single supplement applies if you are travelling alone and wish to have sole use of rooms. If you want to avoid the single supplement we can try to match you with another runner of the same gender for the duration of the trip, but can't guarantee this.
Price includes:
Price does not include:
For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com
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