HIMALAYAN KINGDOM MOUNTAIN MARATHON BHUTAN 31 MAY, 2015

Transcription

1 HIMALAYAN KINGDOM MOUNTAIN MARATHON BHUTAN 31 MAY, 2015 DATE OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 OPTION 4 OPTION 5 4 NIGHT TOUR 5 NIGHT TOUR 9 NIGHT TOUR 10 NIGHT TOUR 12 NIGHT TOUR RACE WEEKEND & CULTURE TOUR 2 DAY BUMDRA TREK & RACE WEEKEND 4 DAY DRUK & TRAIL TREK WITH RACE WEEKEND RACE WEEKEND & 4 DAY DRUK TRAIL TREK AFTER THE RACE RACE WEEKEND WITH BHUTAN EAST TO WEST TOUR AFTER THE RACE SATURDAY 23 MAY SUNDAY 24 MAY Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. MONDAY 25 MAY This morning we have a little low key warm up race on part of the Marathon/Half Marathon route. Time to visit Paro Town, National Museum and Paro Dzong.

2 TUESDAY 26 MAY DRUK PATH trek Day 1. Climb gradually upwards from the Paro Valley to the camp at 3650m. Most of the altitude gain is done today through Forest. 20km Moderate difficulty. WEDNESDAY 27 MAY Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. DRUK PATH trek Day 2. Leaving the camp climb fairly steeply for 1hr the follow a ridge with views of Mt Jomolhari. A steep descent takes you to the campsite next to a beautiful lake. 15km.. THURSDAY 28 MAY Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. After breakfast start the BUMDRA trek. Hike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College in the Paro valley (2,800 m) to a Yak pasture where we camp below Bumdra Monastery (3,800 m). 4hrs Moderate difficulty. DRUK PATH trek Day 3. Today is a tough day of ascents and descents up to 4150m. 11km. Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. Arrival from Kathmandu. Arrivals from Delhi and Bangkok also available at a supplement. Overnight Paro

3 FRIDAY 29 MAY SATURDAY 30 MAY SUNDAY 31 MAY MONDAY 1 JUNE Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. Excursion to the Capital City (1 hr journey by coach). Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Budda Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. FULL & HALF MARATHONS Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. BUMDRA trek: Return hike from Bumdra Monastery camp via Zangto Pelri Monastery to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest) then back to the Paro Valley. Excursion to the Capital City (1 hr journey by coach). Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Budda Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. FULL & HALF MARATHONS Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. DRUK PATH trek Day 4. The day begins with a gradual climb with views of Mt Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan highest mountain before dropping into Thimphu. Overnight Thimphu. In Thimphu. Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Budda Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. FULL & HALF MARATHONS Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. Excursion to the Capital City (1 hr journey by coach). Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Budda Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. FULL & HALF MARATHONS Day at leisure. TUESDAY 2 JUNE DRUK PATH trek Day 1. Climb gradually upwards from the Paro Valley to the camp at 3650m. Most of the altitude gain is done today through Forest. 20km Moderate difficulty. Overnight camping. Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. Excursion to the Capital City (1 hr journey by coach). Visit the painting school, folk heritage museum, textile museum, Budda Point, Takin Reserve. Afternoon visit to craft bazaar and weekend market. FULL & HALF MARATHONS Drive from Paro to Punakha (4hrs). Visit Dochu La, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhankhang. Overnight in Punakha. Drive from Punakha to Bumthang (5 hrs). Visit Trongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong Museum, stop in Zungney. Overnight in Bumthang.

4 WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE DRUK PATH trek Day 2. Leaving the camp climb fairly steeply for 1hr the follow a ridge with views of Mt Jomolhari. A steep descent takes you to the campsite next to a beautiful lake. 15km. THURSDAY 4 JUNE DRUK PATH trek Day 3. Today is a tough day of ascents and descents up to 4150m. 11km. In Bumthang walk to Jamba Lhakhang, visit Kurjey Lhakhang and walk back to town. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Swiss cheese factory and dairy farm. Overnight Bumthang. Drive to Mongar (5hrs) Overnight in Mongar. FRIDAY 5 JUNE DRUK PATH trek Day 4. The day begins with a gradual climb with views of Mt Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan highest mountain before dropping into Thimphu. Drive to Tashi Yangtse (5 hrs). Overnight in Tashi Yangtse. SATURDAY 6 JUNE Overnight Thimphu. Walk around Thimphu Town, visit Tashichho Dzong. Afternoon drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro. Sightseeing in Tashi Yangtse, walk around the small yangtse town and visit the Institute of Thirteen Arts and Crafts and Chorten Kora. Overnight in Tashi Yangtse.

5 SUNDAY 7 JUNE MONDAY 8 JUNE TUESDAY 9 JUNE Fly out to Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. Drive to Tashigang (3 hrs). On the way visit Gom Kora. In the afternoon visit Tashigang Dzong and town. Overnight in Tashigang. Drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. Visit the Khaling weaving centre and Kanglung College en route. Overnight in Samdrup Jongkhar. Drive to Guwahati (India) for flights to Dehli. PRICES in s Per Person Per Person Per Person Per Person Per Person 3-STAR TWIN 1675 TWIN 1795 TWIN 2495 TWIN 2695 TWIN 2995 SINGLE 1775 SINGLE 1975 SINGLE 2755 SINGLE 2895 SINGLE STAR TWIN 2075 TWIN 2255 TWIN 2995 TWIN 3295 TWIN 3395 SINGLE 2495 SINGLE 2695 SINGLE 3775 SINGLE 4295 SINGLE STAR TWIN 2275 TWIN 2355 TWIN 3655 TWIN 3695 TWIN 3595 SINGLE 2795 SINGLE 2895 SINGLE 4695 SINGLE 4695 SINGLE 4395 Note: 5-star hotels are only in Paro on this option standard hotels are used as you travel east as the areas become less developed and remote. DEPOSIT PER PERSON Runner 200+entry fee Runner 200+entry fee Runner 200+entry fee Runner 200+entry fee Runner 200+entry fee RACE ENTRY FEE FLIGHT SUPPLEMENTS DELHI 175 DELHI 175 DELHI 175 DELHI 175 BANGKOK 190 BANGKOK 190 BANGKOK 190 BANGKOK 190 DELHI 175 BANGKOK 190

6 THE TOUR PRICES INCLUDE: Flights from Kathmandu to Paro or Delhi and Bangkok for a supplement. Accommodation in choice of 3, 4 or 5-star hotels. Breakfast and dinner in hotels each day (except on trekking days), lunch in local restaurants as determined by the days itinerary. Guides for each tour option throughout the tour from arrival to departure. All sightseeing and entrance fees. All ground transportation in Bhutan from arrival to departure in 22 seater Toyota Coaster buses or 8 seater Toyota Hiace bus. On treks all facilities and staff required on trek including, guide, cook, helpers, and horses to carry luggage and tents (sleeping bags are not provided) Visa for Bhutan NOT INCLUDED: International flight to tour starting point in Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. Visas for Nepal, India or Thailand. Travel Insurance. Drinks (except water on the bus). Personal tiems such as laundry and souvenirs. Tips.

7 TOUR HOTELS IN PARO All visitors to Bhutan pay a fee of $250 per person per day which covers all normal transportation costs from arrival, the local Tour Operator guiding service plus food and accommodation in standard hotels. The standard hotels are of 3-star standard in the main towns such as Paro and Thimphu but it is possible to upgrade to 4-star and 5-star accommodation. We have chosen the beautiful location of the 5-star Zhiwa Ling Hotel near Paro as the start and finish location of the Marathon and the start location for the Half Marathon (which finishes near to Paro Dzong from where finishers will be shuttled by bus back to the Zhiwa Ling Hotel. Our 4-star hotel option is the Naksel Hotel and the 3-star (standard) hotel option is the Udumwara hotel. The Naksel and Udumwara and hotels are located in the proximity of the Zhiwa Ling hotel so that pick-ups and drop-off times for sightseeing, excursions and race day are kept to a minimum. UDUMWARA HOTEL (standard 3-star): The resort has10 rooms at the main block and 5 cozy 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 traditional look with a touch of modern architecture.

8 NAKSEL HOTEL (4-star Deluxe): Naksel, a community-based project that is eco friendly and Energy Saver efficient, blends the heritage of traditional Bhutanese architecture and the comfort of modern amenities. Main construction materials for Naksel are indigenous and locally purchased. Traditional windows, mudbricks, framework and even furniture were locally crafted here in Ngoba Village, connecting Naksel to the surrounding forest. Standing tall above the Paro Valley is Jumolhari, the iconic mountain of Bhutan. At 7,300 meters, Jumolhari is the source of Paro Chu (Paro s River) as well as the wall of separation between Tibet and the Paro District of Bhutan. Every room, cottage, and suite of Naksel Hotel features dramatic views of Jumolhari towering in the distance a rare sight in Paro. ZHIWA LING HOTEL (5-star Junior Suite): The 45-room Zhiwa Ling Hotel combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st Century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel's elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with today's cutting-edge technology. The spa offers all the amenities of a modern fitness centre - sauna, steam room, gym - as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. The hotel located amidst beautiful landscape and evergreen forest houses fully equipped business centre, a tea house, two fully-equipped conference rooms, a meditation house and multi cuisine restaurant. Honouring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new ten-acre cultural landmark

9 The following hotels will be used after the Druk Trail Trek on Tour Options 3 & 4. With 3 Star Paro Option: Hotel Phuntsho Perli TOUR HOTELS IN THIMPHU (ON OPTIONS 3 & 4) Hotel Phuntsho Pelri, translated as the place of great contentment, is located in the heart of the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. The hotel offers its guests an exceptional experience from the classic Bhutanese architecture to the traditionally hand crafted furniture. The rooms welcome you with the unique Bhutanese touch and warmth. Hotel Phuntsho Pelri provides a multi cuisine restaurant, a great bar, a well equipped business center, a Spa,a coffee shop, souvenir shops and a modern conference hall. With 4-star Delux Paro Option: Druk Hotel The Druk Hotel, Thimphu is situated right in the heart of the Capital s business and shopping areas, with a choice of Executive and Regular rooms and suites. The only Hotel with all modern facilities under one roof. Apart from 53 well appointed, recently upgraded and refurbished rooms, the hotel also has a health club equipped with a modern Gym, Sauna, Steam, Massage, a Beauty Parlour and a Business Centre, a multi-cuisine restaurant that is one of the finest in town, a Bar, Banqueting facilities and Room Service. With 5-star Paro Option: Taj Tashi Hotel In keeping with the enchanting surrounds, the hotel is a blend of Bhutan s Dzong architecture and modern design. Adorned with classical hand-drawn Buddhist murals, its 66 elegant guestrooms afford guests striking highlights of the region s art and colour. Besides breathtaking views of the mountains that rise above the Thimphu valley. Continuing the journey into mystical Bhutan at the Taj Tashi, guests can sample Bhutan s fiery cuisine, gaze at the mesmerising prayer wheels through its panoramic windows, make short but rewarding forays into the vibrant local markets, pleasantly while their time in one of the hotel s traditional themed café s and restaurants, or find yet more ways to relax with a special Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath at the Jiva Spa.

10 CAMPING ON TREKS Treks are fully supported with all food prepared for you by the guiding team and all bags taken ahead each day. Tents are provided with ground sheets and a bed roll you will need to bring a day rucksack (30ltrs) and a sleeping bag.