Himalayan Guides Second Pathibhara Marathon

Description

Himalayan Guides Pathibhara Marathon: A High Altitude Adventure Sport (February 12 to 14, 2010)

The third highest peak of the world, Mt Kanchenjungha (8586 m.) lies in Taplejung district of Nepal. This district is located in the north-eastern corner of the country. It is considered as a land of diversity. It’s an open museum of cultural and natural heritage. Various indigenous people including Bhotiya nomads, Kiraties(Limbus), Rais, Gurungs, Sherpas, Newars and many others make Taplejung their home. These people are widely known as historic Gurkha warriors by the western world even today. One can observe the real multi ethnic, linguistic and cultural social harmony in this part of Nepal that is bordered with two Asian giants China to the North and India to the East.

Taplejung is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nepal that is connected by road and air to and from Kathmandu and other places of the country. It is also known as one of the largest farmland of natural herbs. Other various attractions of this place include wide varieties of wildlife. This is the area that is all set to be declared as the capital of Red Rhododendron. WWF recognised Kanchenjungha Conservation Area is in the heartland of Taplejung.

Himalayan Guides Pathibhara Marathon, being organised at the doorsteps of Kanchenjungha every year on the month of February, has emerged as a golden opportunity to witness and experience the nature, culture and adventure of Nepal at its extreme level. One can listen to the live Chyabrung(Kirati) music, join steps together with a group performing Dhan Nach(Dance), taste mouth watering sukuti along with home made Tongba and shake hands with World War II and other military campaign veterans decorated with Victoria Cross and Military cross at one place and time on the eve of Marathon race.

Himalayan Guides Pathibhara Marathon, one of the Toughest Marathon, is open for all High Altitude Running enthusiasts above 18 years of age with sound mind and body. The competition starts from Phunlin Bazaar (1824 m.) and the race route follows the Limbu cultural trail up to Pathibhara (3794 m.) and turns back to the start point covering 49 Kms distance. It’s undoubtedly tough and challenging that is the reason that attracted 397 male and female participants on the inaugurating year within the short notice of a couple of months.

Himalayan Guides Pathibhara Marathon is considered by many High Altitude Running lovers as the ultimate race or the ultimate challenge of this form of extreme sport. These runners endure the harsh weather and even digest altitude sickness to participate in this Racing. Widely covered by National and International media, this marathon race competition has become one of the major sporting festivals. The first Himalayan Guides Pathibhara marathon recorded the best timing of 4 hrs and 05 minutes by the Nepali participant Rajendra Bhandari, who is the South Asian marathon record holder and an Olympian from Nepal. Himalayan Guides Pathibhara Marathon also includes half Marathon for the female participants who want to run only the half distance.

Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expeditions and Himalayan Guides Travels and Tours are the main Sponsors of this annual event jointly organised by Pathibhara Devi Temple Area Conservation and Promotion committee and the local Nepalese Army Field Unit. It is recognised by Nepal Tourism Board, A Government of Nepal enterprises, that is also the promoter of this event. Approximately a dozen agencies and organisations working in the field of tourism are the co-sponsors and supporters of this race that include the local Journalists’ Association and Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Option 01

February 04 Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
February 05 Day 02: Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5hrs.
February 06 Day 03: Kathmandu – Biratnagar by flight then drive to Basantapur.
February 07 Day 04: Basantapur – Chowki.
February 08 Day 05: Chowki – Gupha Pokhari.
February 09 Day 06: Gupha Pokhari – Dovan.
February 10 Day 07: Taplejung
February 11 Day 08: Rest Day
February 12 Day 09: Event
February 13 Day 10: Event
February 14 Day 11: Marathoon Day
February 15 Day 12: Taplejung rest day
February 16 Day 13: Drive to Birtamod Via Ilam beautiful tea state and overnight at Hotel
February 17 Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu
February 18 Day 15: Kathmandu shopping
February 19 Day 16: Final Depatue

Cost: per person US$ 1350 per person.

Cost includes:
All domestic airfare as per the itinerary, all local transportation, all necessary permits, 04 nights hotel in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotel with bed and breakfast, 04 nights camping trek with all food and all necessary tents and kitchen equipment with one cook and trekking guide, hotels in Taplejung and all necessary arrangements for Marathon.

Cost does not include:
International airfare and airport tax, major meals during Kathmandu stay, personal equipment and insurance, helicopter evacuation if needed, and expenses of purely personal nature i.e. alcohol, laundry, telephone. tips…

Option 02

February 07 Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
February 08 Day 02: Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 hrs.
February 09 Day 03: Fly Bhadrapur and drive to Ilam,
February 10 Day 04: Drive to Taplejung,
February 11 Day 05: Rest Day
February 12 Day 06: Event
February 13 Day 07: Event
February 14 Day 08: Marathon Day
February 15 Day 09: Rest Day in Taplejung.
February 16 Day 10: Fly back from Taplejung -Biratnagar-Kathmandu
February 17 Day 11: Kathmandu
February 18 Day 12: Final Depature

Cost: US$ 1210 per person

Note: The flight from Biratnagar to Taplejung or VV is only on Sunday & Wednesday.

Option 03

February 07 Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
February 08 Day 02 : Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide.
February 09 Day 03: Kathmandu – Biratnagar and over night at Hotel.
February 10 Day 04: Fly Taplejung,
February 11 Day 05: Rest
February 12 Day 06: Event
February 13 Day 07: Event
February 14 Day 08: Marathon Day
February 15 Day 09: Rest
February 16 Day 10: Fly back Biratnagar and same day Kathmandu.
February 17 Day 11: Fly home

Cost: US$ 1170 per person

Option 04

4 Charter flight to Taplejung, 3 days event, charter flight to Kathmandu 15 pax sharing basis by twin otter aircraft.

February 08 Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
February 09 Day 02 : Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 hrs.
February 10 Day 03: Kathmandu – Charter flight to Taplejung by twin otter aircraft. Charter
February 11 Day 04: Rest
February 12 Day 05: Event
February 13 Day 06: Event
February 14 Day 07: Marathon Day
February 15 Day 08: Rest
February 16 Day 09: Fly back Kathmandu by charter flight
February 17 Day 10: Fly home

Cost: US$ 880 per person

Option 5:

Charter helicopter small 5 seater.

February 08 Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
February 09 Day 02 : Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 hrs.
February 10 Day 03: Helicopter flight to Taplejung
February 11 Day 04: Rest
February 12 Day 05: Event
February 13 Day 06: Event
February 14 Day 07: Marathon Day
February 15 Day 08: Rest
February 16 Day 09: Fly back Kathmandu by Helicopter
February 17 Day 10: Fly home

Cost: Based on 5 pax US$ 2770 per person.
Cost: Based on 9 pax US$ 2310 per person

Cost includes:
Direct helicopter flight to and from Taplejung, all local transportation, all necessary permits, 04 nights hotel in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotel with bed and breakfast, hotels in Taplejung and all necessary arrangements for Marathon.