28th Feb — 3rd March 2024 ( or extend to the 7th with a bike ride to Gangtey Monastery)
Be an early bird. Book now by emailing bruce@bikeaways.com
Join us in Punakha for this spectacularly scenic marathon in the former winter capital of Bhutan.
Choose half or the full. All experience levels are welcome.
Non running partners are welcome to join and will catered for with bikes on both the reccy and the marathon day.
We have designed a 5 day tour for those more focussed on the marathon, and an 8 day tour, that includes a three day (easy and mostly downhill) cycling extension that goes upland into the beautiful Phobjikha valley. This valley is itself stunningly beautiful – home to yak herders and the rare and auspicious Black Neck Cranes who make their winter home by the auspicious Gangtey Gompa.
Early Bird Price
5 Days
USD 2300
Single Supplement USD 380
8 Days
USD 3200
Single Supplement USD 580
We can book your flight immediately with no upfront payment.
Prices may go up with the price of fuel and changes in exchange rates, but they will be pretty much as follows.
From Bangkok USD 980 ; From Delhi USD 620 ; From Kathmandu USD 410
Flight prices are set by the Bhutanese government. We will book for you without mark-up and service charge.
Book now by emailing bruce@bikeaways.com
Our Team
Our team in Bhutan love running, almost as much as they love cycling.
And they like a beer too.
They’ve all run this marathon for the last 6 years – such is the physical prowess and quality of partners we have.
The point is that they are fit and fun, and know how to support a marathon team.
This year they’ve offered to host us, to cheer us, take us up the Tigers Nest a couple of days before the event to get our haemoglobin primed, reccy the trail with us, and put us on a group table for the dinner and awards ceremony at the end of the night. We will have staff to ride with the non runners on reccy- day and the marathon day.
Join us for a 5 days for those who want to do it quick – or join our 8 day trip where you get to experience 3 add-on days of easy cycling into the sublime Gangtey Valley – home of the rare Black Cranes, who at this time of year will still be wintering in Phobjikha. You do get a nice relaxing driving day – immediately after the marathon – and a hot stones bath to relax the muscles.
And when I say easy cycling – I mean we drive up a 60 km pass , and cycle down the other side, sort of easy.
Don’t worry – there will be ups if you want them too.
The Marathon
The Bhutan Olympic committee has held this marathon each year in mid March for several years.
It takes place in the subtropical low-altitude winter capital, Punakha.
Punakha is a highlight on any itinerary in Bhutan, and to run through the scenic mountainsides, idyllic countryside, rice fields, monasteries, wayside markets and pristine forests before arriving at the finish line, makes for a very unique marathon.
We’ll organise your visa, help you book your air tickets into Bhutan (from Bangkok, Nepal or Delhi), register you in the marathon, put you up in nice hotels with even nicer guides and drivers who want to share the culture of Bhutan that they are so proud of. You’ll be with a team who understands your upcoming race needs; your need to maintain focus on your race preparations and who’ll help craft good memories to take home along side your Bhutan Marathon medal.
Click here for course info on the official Bhutan International Marathon website.
Itinerary
Day 1 Wed 28th February
Arrive in Paro. 2250 m.
You will be met at the airport and welcomed by our team.
Flights will be arriving at different times. Most people route through Bangkok or Kathmandu whose departure and arrival are as follows.
Druk Air departs Bangkok (BKK) at 0445 and lands in Paro at 0700. It departs Kathmandu at 0910 and lands at 10.10.
| BKK-PBH | 445 | 700 |
| CCU-PBH | 925 | 1105 |
| DEL-KTM | 625 | 830 |
| KTM-PBH | 910 | 1030 |
It’s then a short ride to the hotel where you’ll have a chance to relax before exploring the town in the afternoon/ evening with your guide team.
The Rinpung Dzong, a monastery fortress is the sight of the day.
Every town has a Dzong, which was the seat of the ruler in former times. Paro’s is known as the jewel heap. Bhutan’s founding father Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, built the Dzong in the sixteenth century, setting a pattern for the spiritual culture and architecture across the land.These citadels function as the centre of religion and government to this day.
At the Dzong we will visit a couple of temples to get an insight to the spirituality that is prevalent in Bhutan.
In the evening we will have a briefing about the trip – and do a bike fit-up for those who are non-runners, and those who are joining the Gangtey cycling extension.
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Day 2 Thursday, 29th February
Hike to the Tigers Nest Monastery. 3120 m
Today we trek up to the Tiger’s Nest aka Taktsang Monastery, which is perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley
This is where Guru Rinpoche meditated in order to subdue the evil demons that were residing within it.
Guru Rinpoche is famous amongst all gods and deities in Tibet for founding the. Monastery system – setting up the first one at Samye in Central Tibet, from where he flew on the back of his consort Yeshe Tsogyal – a revealer of portals into sacred Bhuddist knowledge whom he transformed into a flying tigress for the purpose of the trip.
It’s a 1-2 hour hike to the monastery, which at almost 3000 metres altitude will have a few people puffed out.
You may also choose to ride a horse on the ascent to rest the legs ahead of the marathon.
Lunch in the Tigers nest restaurant comes with impressive views of this cultural landmark perched on the sheer cliff-face
Later in the afternoon we drive one hour to Thimphu, city of no traffic lights and capital of Bhutan.
Thimphu boasts that it is the only capital city in the world not to have traffic lights. Thimpu’s impressive Dzong houses the Secretariat and the throne room of the King.
Day 3 , Friday, 1st March
Punakha marathon reccy / non runners cycle to the Divine Madman Monastery. 1200m.
We enjoy a morning drive via the panoramic Dochula pass and then descend into the sub-tropical Punakha valley before noon.
In Punakha, we will visit the imposing Punakha Dzong (the castle of happiness) and explore both the full and half marathon routes. The drive will give you a sense of the place and prep you well for the challenge tomorrow. Later in the afternoon, runners will attend the mandatory pre-race briefing and collect our race packets.
Non running partners will ride to The Divine Madman’s Monastery, to be joined later by runners after their briefing.
It is from Drukpa Kuenly, the Divine Madman that the cult of the penis originates – gigantic representations now painted on temples and houses as fertility symbols. His poem to his teacher best captures his attitude to life and religion:
I, the madman from Kyishodruk,
Wander around from place to place;
I believe in lamas when it suits me,
I practise the Dharma in my own way.
I choose any qualities, they are all illusions,
Any gods, they are all the Emptiness of the Mind.
I use fair and foul words for Mantras; it’s all the same,
My meditation practice is girls and wine;
I do whatever I feel like, strolling around in the Void,
Last time, I saw you with the Bumthang trulku;
With my great karmic background, I could approach
Indeed it was auspicious, to meet you on my pilgrim’s round.
It is from the Divine Madman that the cult of the penis originates – gigantic representations now painted on temples and houses as fertility symbols. These are most prominent around Punakha.
Day 4, Saturday 2nd March
Punakha (1200m) –Marathon Day / Non runners cycle and hike.
Runners
Today is the Bhutan International marathon day. The program for the full marathon flags off at 8 AM from the starting point on the foothills of Gasa and descends into the sub tropical Punakha valley. The half marathon also begins from north Punakha at 8 AM. Aid stations will be located every 5K’s ( 3.1 miles). Both events finish at the grand Punakha Dzong. The cutoff time for both the events is 7 hours. In the evening, we attend the awards presentation ceremony and the celebratory dinner hosted by the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
Non runners
We begin the day with a short drive to the Talo village which sits on the western ridge of Punakha, from Talo we enjoy a scenic 18km ride to the valley and ride 15Kms of flat on an unsealed dirt road, this stretch offers spectacular views of the river valley, life along the riverside and the imposing castle of happiness.
There’s an exhilarating suspension bridge; the longest and highest foot bridge in the country; stretching over 200m above the Pho River,
On the return we will be walking through the villages located close by the temple.
After a picnic lunch by the Punakha River its a short ride and hike to the Khamsum yuley namgay chorten through the idylic countryside north of Punakha.
Built on a ridge with views to the south and the northern frontiers, this temple is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture and iconography.
The walk out takes half an hour – or a longer optional walk along the riverside follows a more interesting and ancient trail through farmlands, countryside homes, Sonagasa village and back to the Punakha Dzong.
This walk takes two hours, but is worth it if you have the energy.
Day 5, Sunday 3rd March
Departure day for some / Punakha to Gangtey (3000m) for others.
For those departing to Bangkok or Katmandu you will drive from Punakha after breakfast to Paro airport directly. This is a 3.5 hour drive.
Flights depart as follows:
| PBH-CCU | 745 | 835 |
| PBH-BKK | 1140 | 1550 |
| PBH-KTM | 1130 | 1230 |
| KTM-DEL | 1310 | 1455 |
For those staying on, its a beautiful drive through a rich forested landscape. Its a bit of a car day which should be fine seeing as you’ve just run a Marathon— but we will be carrying bikes with us which you can choose to ride in the afternoon from the Lawala Pass at (3300m) for an exhilarating descent into the enchanting glacial Gangtey Valley.
Upon arrival, we pay our respects at the exquisite 16th Century Gangtey Goemba (Monastery).
Gangtey which means Hilltop has become the shorthand name for the Phobjikha Valley.
You will be welcomed by the lama to sit in on a Buddhist ceremony and receive a blessing if you wish.
The Phobjikha Valley Crane Information Center a little further on, offers a good introduction to the ecology and behaviour of the Black neck cranes – a rare and endangered species that migrates between Bhutan and the Tibetan Plateau. March is the month when they migrate, and you may see them cycling the monastery before they fly off for the upcoming summer.
Enjoy the glacial bowl that spreads out below the Goemba, from our beautifully located hotel.
Relax and enjoy a beer as you watch the sun go down on this magnificent upland scene.
Day 6, Monday 4th March
Gangtey Valley, nesting grounds of Black Neck Crane and 10km valley ride
Today we sleep in a little, and enjoy an easy going mix of walking and cycling around Phobjikha Valley.
We take a walk along the beautiful nature trail which runs across the roosting area of the highly endangered black-necked crane that flock here each November until April.
We have the opportunity for a meditation led by a monk, in a small monastery just off the roosting area.
We take advantage of todays rest day to have a picnic lunch in the picturesque meadows of the Phobjikha valley. For those who’s legs have recovered from the marathon – take a ride on the ten km circuit into the villages on the southern side.
Day 7, Tuesday 5th March
Gangtey (3000m) to Paro (2200m) 70km downhill on the Dochu.
We spend the morning in Gangtey then ride to Wangdi Phodrang down the long passes that we drove up the day before. We will drive up Dochu Pass, where we have a second chance to view the panorama out along the eastern Himalaya – and ride the downhill to the Paro Highway.
Depending on what time we arrive in Paro – there is an opportunity to check out a new craft brewery for a tour and tasting session of the assorted beer, cider and apple juice or spend an evening at leisure recharging at the hotel.
Day 8 Wednesday, 6th March
Paro to Onward destination
Enjoy breakfast at our palace hotel – it really is an old palace and it faces the Paro Dzong across the valley. There are stunning gardens, a few friendly animals, and you can also see flights arriving down the vary – doing their little flip o the way in. Its a short transfer to the airport.
Currently departures are as follows:
Flights depart as follows:
| PBH-BKK | 1230 | 1640 |
| PBH-KTM | 740 | 840 |
| KTM-DEL | 920 | 1055 |
| PBH-GAU | 1120 | 1140 |
| GAU-SIN | 1220 | 1920 |
| PBH-IXB | 900 | 930 |
| PBH-CCU | 1220 | 1320 |
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Or Jump on a bus for 4 hours with us to Phuntsholing in India . This is an uncommon exit route for foreigners – but since we are doing a little bit of tea drinking in Darjeeling after Bhutan – this route might appeal to some others to jump on.
Book now by emailing bruce@bikeaways.com
Included
US$390 per person government mandated sustainable development contribution.
Marathon( full or half marathon) registration and registration fees
Bhutan visa processing, visa fees, permits.
3 & 3.5 star hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis
all meals, packaged drinking water
services of an experienced english speaking tour guide throughout the stay in Bhutan
chauffeured private transport
private airport transfer
Entry to sights, Dzongs and monasteries.
Sightseeing in Bhutan and other services where possible.
Full Marathon Route Description
Route info from the Bhutan International Marathon website.
The marathon route is mostly rural and approximately 50% on hard pack dirt and 50% on pavement.
The marathon will start at 8:00 AM. The elevation at the start line is 6700 feet / 2042 metres. We recommend you wear warm clothing over your running clothing and bring any other personal items you might need. These will be transported for you back to the finish line. Do not bring any valuables to the start line.
From the start line runners will descend into a few shallow rollers before the course mostly flattens out while proceeding toward Punakha. The route follows the Mo Chhu (river) through rural Punakha Valley. After leaving the rain forest area the valley will open up and you will have stunning views of the Khamsum Yulley Temple, monasteries, rice paddies, rain forest, villages and Chortens. Route is mostly rural and approximately 50% on hard pack dirt with some rocky and uneven surfaces and 50% on pavement.. The terrain is flat to rolling with many gradual down hill sections and with an overall elevation loss of over 1000 feet.
Approximately .5 mi (.8 km) before reaching the Punakha Dzong, runners will turn left off the main road, cross a bridge onto a paved road and then and take a hard pack dirt track through a small village bypassing the cremation site. At the cremation site you will have approximately 7 miles (11.27 kms) to go to the finish line. You will climb over a cattle barrier then up a short hill, before crossing a stunning 300 foot long suspension bridge across the Pho Chhu. Make sure you take a moment to enjoy the view! This is a very stable suspension bridge and quite runnable.
You’ll descend a short steep hill off the bridge area before continuing on hard pack dirt for about 3 miles (4.8 kms) while following the Puna Tsang Chhu south from the suspension bridge. You’ll reach your last aid station on the course just before before turning into pavement for the remainder of the event. Runners will then cross the Puna Tsang Chhu on a standard vehicle bridge and head north back toward Punakha Dzong via Khuruthang town and past the Khuruthang Monastery and Chorten. The finish is at the picturesque Punakha Dzong.
Runners must reach the Pho Chhu suspension bridge (18.6 miles/30 kms) by 1:30 PM and the finish line by 3:00 PM.
Half Marathon Route Description
The half marathon route is mostly rural and approximately 40% on hard pack dirt and 60% on pavement.
The half marathon will start at 8:00 AM. The elevation at the start line is approximately 4311 feet. We recommend you wear warm clothing over your running clothing and bring any other personal items you might need. These will be transported for you back to the finish line. Do not bring any valuables to the start line.
The half marathon route follows the Mo Chhu (river) through rural Punakha Valley with stunning views right off the bat of the Khamsum Yulley Temple, monasteries, rice paddies, rain forest, villages and Chortens. Route is mostly rural and approximately 50% on hard pack dirt with some rocky and uneven surfaces and 50% on pavement.. The terrain is flat to rolling with many gradual down hill sections.
Approximately .5 miles (.8 kms) before reaching the Punakha Dzong, runners will turn left off the main road, cross a bridge onto a paved road and then and take a hard pack dirt track through a small village bypassing the cremation site. At the cremation site you will have approximately 7 miles (11.27 kms) to go to the finish line. You will climb over a cattle barrier then up a short hill, before crossing a stunning 300 foot long suspension bridge across the Pho Chhu. Make sure you take a moment to enjoy the view! This is a very stable suspension bridge and quite runnable.
You’ll descend a short steep hill off the bridge area before continuing on hard pack dirt for about 3 miles (4.8 kms) while following the Puna Tsang Chhu south from the suspension bridge. You’ll reach your last aid station on the course just before before turning into pavement for the remainder of the event. Runners will then cross the Puna Tsang Chhu on a standard vehicle bridge and head north back toward Punakha Dzong via Khuruthang town and past the Khuruthang Monastery and Chorten. The finish is at the picturesque Punakha Dzong.
Runners must reach the Pho Chhu suspension bridge (8.7 Kms) by 1:30 PM and the finish line by 3:00 PM.
Route Map and Course Profile
For details on the route and route profile you can go to this link.
Aid Stations and Mile Markers
Aid stations are located approximately 2 – 3.5 miles (3.2 kms – 5.6 kms) apart. Aid stations will feature water, bananas and sports nutrition products. There will mile marker signs designating your current run distance, at each aid station.
All runners are encouraged to carry a water bottle and any other necessary personal food supplements between aid stations as needed. Aid stations are designed to provide aid to those within the 6.5 hours cut off time.
Traffic
Traffic will be open to vehicles, but will be monitored by local police and transportation officers. Most of this route is in rural Bhutan, so the quantity of vehicles on the road is minimal.
Toilets
Toilet facilities will be set up at each aid station along the route.
Medical
Medical personnel will be available at the finish line as well as roving on the course. There will be an ambulance on standby.
Timing
There will be intermittent and undisclosed check points along the course where you will check in with timing personnel. You will be given your finish time at the Awards Ceremony. Runners shall cross Punakha Suspension Bridge by 1:30 pm. If not, they will be picked up by the sweep team. Cut off time at the finish line is 7 hours from the start line.
Book now by emailing bruce@bikeaways.com
