Bike Aways

Our partners in Bhutan love it. They’ve run this marathon for the last 6 years  – such is the quality of partners we have. That means they are also well trained in prepping and supporting marathon runners!  

This year they’ve invited to host us, cheer us, take us up the Tigers Nest  a couple of days before the event to get our red blood cells and hemooglobyn  multiplied in the rarified air, and then whiz us over to Punakha to reccy the course – and take in some of the sites.

This is a Bhutan site seeing tour , with marathon chucked in – and a team that is  geared up to get you zen-focussed into your run.

Does that sound serious? It’s not really.   It’s about having a goal thats motivating, having fun, but most of all being able to drop into a conversation that you are going to run a marathon in Bhutan.
If you’re ding the half, just mumble the word half very very quietly , and accentuate the word marathon.

The Bhutan Olympic committee  runs this marathon each year in mid March. Its starts in the sub tropical – and  relatively low altitude winter capital of Punakha. 

Punakha is a highlight on any itinerary in Bhutan. the landscape is a   melange of mountains and monasteries, idyllic countryside, rice fields, wayside markets and pristine forests .

The course is described on the official marathon website here

We’ll organise your visa, 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 to bring you the best of the region on a  cultural sightseeing tour of  Bhutan.

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. 

Itinerary

1	4 March	Arrive in Paro, country orientation followed by a cultural sightseeing of the Paro fortress/monastery, national museum and a stroll in the market. Altitude : 2250m
2	5th March	March 2020 / Acclimatization hike to the Tigers Nest Monastery Or you may also choose to ride a horse on the ascent to rest the legs ahead of the marathon. Later in the afternoon we drive one hour to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Altitude : 2300m
3	6th March	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, we will attend the mandatory pre-race briefing and collect our race packet. Altitude : 1300m
4	7th March	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 the 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. Altitude : 1300m
5	8th March	If the flight is early enough – you can be transferred back to Paro for your flight out. BUT – you’ve come all this way – and you are travelling with a biking company – so why not join for 3 more days and cycle the Gangtey Valley, where the rare and endangered and spiritually Bhuddism Black crane birds will begin their kora of the Gangtey Monastery in preparation for their flights up to the Tibetan Plateau. Its a relaxing 3 hours through deeply forested mountains to the Lawala pass (3300m) for an exhilarating descent into the enchanting glacial Gangtey Valley. Gangtey which means Hilltop has become the shorthand name for the Phobjikha Valley. Upon arrival, we pay our respects at the exquisite 16th Century Gangtey Goemba (Monastery).  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. Have a Gangtey specialty – a hot stone bath or just relax and enjoy a beer  as you watch the sun go down on this magnificent  upland scene.
6	9th march	Gangtey / 10km 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 also 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.
7	10th 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.
8	11th march	Transfer to the Paro Int’l airport for your onward travels

Inclusions: economy class air tickets to/from Bhutan, 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, sightseeing in Bhutan and other services where possible.    Exclusions: International flight to tour starting point in Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. Visas for Nepal, India or Thailand, Travel Insurance, Bar bills, Personal items such as laundry and souvenirs, Tips.  The single room supplement will be US$220

These trip costings need to be updated to reflect a 5 day and an 8 days itinerary

Trip Cost : US$3780/Person ( Bangkok to Paro,Bhutan to Bangkok )
Trip Cost : US$3600/Person ( New Delhi to Paro,Bhutan to New Delhi )

Trip Cost : US$3300/Person ( Kathmandu to Paro,Bhutan to Kathmandu)