It's a frequent debate amongst well-travelled runners. What is the toughest footrace in the world? The Ultra Tour De Mont Blanc has its supporters as does the Macrathon des Sables, but not many people put their weight behind the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race ... until they have run it. This five-day challenge in the Indian Himalaya is a brute. Day one starts at an altitude of 2000m in the small Himalayan hill town of Maney Bhanjyang a short bus ride from Darjeeling. Ther next 24 miles are a r…
It's a frequent debate amongst well-travelled runners. What is the toughest footrace in the world? The Ultra Tour De Mont Blanc has its supporters as does the Macrathon des Sables, but not many people put their weight behind the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race ... until they have run it. This five-day challenge in the Indian Himalaya is a brute.
Day one starts at an altitude of 2000m in the small Himalayan hill town of Maney Bhanjyang a short bus ride from Darjeeling. Ther next 24 miles are a relentless climb up and down hills on forested single track paths, past small villages and overbarren mountain passes before you finish the day some 1500m higher in the village of Sandakphu. The sparse mountain huts of Sandakphu, which serve as the race hotel for the next two days, sit in the shadow of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain at 8,586m. Temperatues which can rise to the high 20s on some of hte forested climbs are likey to drop to sub zero overnight on the mountain top. This is just the first day of five.
Day two is an out and back 20 mile race entirely run at an altitude of 3500m. If you are lucky Everest, guarded by its equally impressive neighbours, Lhotse and Makalu - the world's fourth and fifth highest mountains - will come into view in the distance above the clouds. After those two days you have to take on the Everest Challenge Marathon, which takes back out of the mountain plateau before descending steeply to the village of Rimbick, a nature's haven surrounded by verdant hills, cascading waterfalls and meandering streams. It's 1200m lower than Sandakphu and about 15 or 20 degrees warmer. By day four you've broken the back of the race and the battle is to hold it together mentally for the last two days, which at 13 and 17 miles are much shorter distances but with 70 miles in your legs already are suprisingly tough.
Despite the remote setting, the secenery is breathtaking, in every sense of the words. With well stocked aid stations and full race support by jeeps which move up and down the route, you can run or walk at your own pace with full confidence. There are no cut offs and as daunting as the overal distance might seem, the race is suprisingly accessible to a wide range of abilities and attrracts runners of all ages from around the world. in the 34 years the race has been going, there have been very few drop outs, some of the times might be slow but most make it to the finish and are proud to have completed one of the world's toughest running challenge.
Your accommodation on the trip can be categorised into 3 seperate entities: hotels, sherpa huts and mountain lodges. The hotels in Mirik are 3-star western standard, the sherpa huts and mountain lodges are comfortable but basic and in some cases you will be using sleeping bags. It is a not a luxury trip but a run through a sparsely populated remote mountain areas.
7-NIGHT PACKAGE
(International flights to and from India, hotels in Delhi and transfers to and from the airport and Delhi hotels are not included in the cost of our package)
Friday November 7 DELHI - BAGOGRA - MIRIK
Our trip starts and finishes at Indira Gandhi Airport International Airport in Delhi. We have made a reservation for you on the domestic flight to Bagdogra Airport, the Gateway to the Indian Himalaya. Our team will meet you at the aiport and transfer you to the Mirik resort, located near Darjeeling. If you are arriving earlier you need to book your own accommodation in Delhi.
All meals, transfers and accommodation are now included until the return flight to Delhi.
Overnight at Mirik Lake Resort.
Saturday November 8 – MIRIK
Day trip to Darjeeling. Visit Himalayan museum and market. Ride famous Toy Train.
Overnight at Mirik Lake Resort.
Sunday November 9 – MANEY BHANJANG (2000m) - SANDAKPHU (3500M)
Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race starts at Maney Bhanjang which sits at 2000m above sea level. Aid station and jeep support for 24 miles until the route finishes at Sandakphu, which is at 3500m. Non-runners walk 10 miles and take the jeeps for the rest of the Himalayan trail experience distance.
Overnight in mountain huts at Sandakphu.
Monday November 10 – SANDAKPHU (3500m)
Views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, & Kanchenjunga appear above the clouds today. Today's run is a 20-mile out-and-back route to Molle. Non-runners have the option of a 5 mile walk.
Overnight in mountain huts at Sandakphu.
Tuesday November 11 – SANDAKPHU (3500m) - RIMBIK (2000m)
Everest Challenge Marathon – Views of peaks and jungle are the highlight of today as you leave the higher mountains for the more tropical surrounds of Rimbik more than 1500m below yesterday's heights. Route:Sandakphu- Phalut-Molle-Rimbik. 26.4 miles. Non-runners have the option to walk 10 miles.
Overnight at the Sherpa & Tenzing Lodge, Rimbik.
Wednesday November 12 – PALMAJUA (2000m)
Follow rural road up and down for 13 miles to Palmajua. The return back to Rimbik is by bus, non-runners can visit local monasteries and villages.
Overnight at Sherpa & Tenzing Lodge, Rimbik
Thursday November 13 – MIRIK (1800m)
Rural scenic road continues for 17 miles to the finish. Bus drive back to Mirik Resort for the awards dinner and medal presentation. Non-runners have the option to walk for 5-10 miles.
Overnight Mirik Resort
Friday November 14 – DELHI
Transfer to Bagdogra Airport and your return flight to Delhi. Our trip ends on the return to Delhi
Included in the package price for the stage race are:
Return flights between Delhi and Bagdogra and shared accommodation including 3-star hotels Mirik Lake Resort, mountain huts at Sandakphu and lodges at Rimbik on a full board basis.Single accommdation available with a supplement. Airport transfers to and from Bagdogra airrport, sightseeing tour of Darjeeling, entry into the 100 Mile Stage race with full race support including aid stations, guides, porters, race T-shirt and commemorative medal.
Early Arrival Option at Mirik Lake Resort is available at an extra cost upon request.
EXTENSION TRIP - Golden Triangle Trip
Friday November 14
Arrival Delhi from Bagdogra and overnight in Delhi.
Saturday November 15
Early morning drive from Delhi to Agra. Full day Agra sightseeing including the Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.
Sunday November 16
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight in Jaipur.
Monday November 17
After breakfast, full day sightseeing in Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur
Tuesdasy November 18
After breakfast, half day sightseeing in Jaipur then evening drive back to Dehli. Overnight in Dehli.
Wednesday November 19
After breakfast, full day sightseeing in Delhi. Evening transfer to Delhi international airport for your return flight home
PRICING
The total price of the trip is £1999 per person based on a twin share basis.
The single supplement is £360
The single supplement applies if you are travelling alone and wish to have sole use of rooms. If you want to avoid the single supplement we can try to match you with another runner of the same gender for the duration of the trip, but can't guarantee this.
Price includes:
Price does not include:
For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com
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