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 500,000 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 strictly controlled by government permits and you must be on an organised itinerary to get permission to enter Bhutan - you cannot enter and wonder around unguided.
We will be working closely with Bhutanese Travel Company Blue Poppy Tours and Treks to put on what will be the first ever mountain marathon in the Kingdom. In addition to the Mountain Marathon, this 10 day holiday includes trekking into the mountains so that you can acclimatise, and the race is followed by time to visit the historic and cultural sights of the capital Thimphu.
The Races
The Himalayan Kingdom Marathon last year was the first International trail event to be held in Bhutan - the route chosen was particularly tough and for 2008 it is being changed so that it does not go quiet so high and will also take in more cultural landmarks.
The race starts just outside and above Paro town, where Bhutan's International Airport is located, at an altitude of 2,400m and will decend to the town at 2,200m to take in the Paro Dzong (castle) before running through the valley and below the incredible Tiger's Nest Monestary which will be perched on a verticle cliff 900m above you.
The half marathon will return to the start area from here while the full marathon continues to the remains of the Drukgyel Dzong before climbing the valley sides to follow a ridge at around 3,000m linking monestaries and chortens (small temples) before descending into the finish line.
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.
The Climate
August offers mild summer temperatures and long day light hours.
For more general information on travel to Bhutan and Trekking in Bhutan please see the 2 pdf files below.
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
Itinerary
21 Aug: Depart from London Heathrow on the BA flight to Delhi at 1515.
22 Aug: Arrive at 04.55 in Delhi and transfer to the 09.00 am flight on Druk Air to Paro. The flight is via Katmandu and, cloud cover permitting, there will be sensational views of Mount Everest. 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. 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.
Flights are also available to Paro from Bangkok for those joining from the east.
23 Aug: 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.
24 Aug: 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 and return the same way. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
25 Aug: TREK DAY 2. Chele La. Today we will take the bus to the Chele La Pass stopping to see the fantastic view of Mount Jomolhari on the way. We will then take a down hill trek from the pass (3,840m) to the stunning nunnery that clings to the mountainside at 3,400m. From here we decend to a logging track and walk out to the Chele La Pass road to rejoin the bus and return to the htel for dinner.
26 Aug: 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.
27 Aug: HIMALAYAN KINGDOM MARATHON The races start in the grounds of the Olanthang Hotel at 7.30am. During the run you'll have views of landmarks like the Tigers Nest Monastry and wonderful view 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.
28 Aug: 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.
29 Aug: 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.
30 Aug: After breakfast this morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your Druk Air flight to Delhi via Katmandu (departing 1045) and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck). On arrival in Delhi at 1220 transfer and check-in to a first class hotel, the afternoon and evening are free for independent sightseeing.
31 Aug: Early morning transfer to Delhi airport for the 0655 BA flight to Heathrow, arriving at 1105.
Add-On Tours
Why not take advantage of the stop-over in Delhi or Bangkok on the return by extending and visiting some of the fascinating sights including Agra and Taj Mahal. Prices on request.
Visas
You will require a visa for India which is obtained from the Indian Embassy in London at a cost of £30 or, if you apply within 15 days of the return date you may obtain a double entry transit visa for £8.
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.
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
We will be staying at the excellent 3-star Hotel Olagthong, 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.
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
