Exclusive Thunder Dragon Marathon Travel Packages
Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is mystical, enchanting and like nowhere you have ever been. Voted one of the world’s top travel destinations, Bhutan remains accessible only to the privileged few.
Nestled between Tibet and India it is a country of raw natural beauty; from stunning mountain scenery to tropical plains. This pristine scenery is home to exotic wildlife and is one of the last refuges of species like the Black-Necked Crane, the Golden Langur and even the Royal Bengal tiger. The Bhutanese people with their Buddhist beliefs have a strong sense of identity and of the interdependence between man and nature. This is expressed in the national policy of Gross National Happiness and concern for the environment.
Travelling Fit are offering a choice of 2 packages:
7 Day / 6 Night – Culture Tour, staying in Punakha, Thimpu and Paro
A tour that captures the wide variety and rich culture of Bhutan. The Paro Valley with its surrounding pine clad mountainsides; Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan; and the Punakha Valley, a lower lying valley with a semi-tropical climate. This tour can be combined with the Great Wall Marathon by clicking here.
9 Day / 8 Night – Paro, Thimphu and Druk (Thunder Dragon) Trail Trek
Bhutan has some of the best trekking in the world and as part of this 9-day package it offers a fully supported 4-day trek on the famous Druk (or Thunder Dragon) Trail. With much of the hike up and around 4,000m it also helps you acclimatize for the race (which has an average altitude of 2,300m). The 9-day itinerary also takes in a visit to the famous Tigers Nest and an overnight stopover in the capital Thimphu.
- Packages Include
- BOTH PACKAGES INCLUDE:
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Return flights from Kathmandu to Paro (flights from Delhi, Bangkok or Singapore is possible at an additional cost)
- All Meals included
- Guided hike to Taktsand Monastery (Tigers Nest)
- Celebration Dinner & Cultural Show post Marathon Event
- Transportation in Bhutan as indicated on the itinerary
- Entry into all sites and attractions visited
- Visa for Bhutan
- Tipping for the guide and the driver
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Thunder Dragon Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
- PACKAGE 1 – ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS:
- 6 Nights Accommodation – Check in: Tue 20 May | Check out: Mon 26 May 2025
- Half Day sightseeing in Punakha
- Guided Hike to Soela Gompa
- Drive to the Capital City Thimphu & hike up to Buddha Point
- PACKAGE 2 – ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS:
- 8 Nights Accommodation – Check in: Sun 18 May | Check out: Mon 26 May 2025
- Guided 4 Day Druk Path Trek including 3 nights camping
- Guided tour of the Capital City Thimphu including a hike up to Buddha Point
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Thunder Dragon Marathon Course
The race route starts at Udumwara, underneath the cliff that the Tiger’s Nest is built into. The route is approx. half road surface and half farm trails, and on the full marathon there is a 4km section of single track.
The first 8km are on road surfaces and slightly downhill alongside the Paro Chu (river). At 8km the half marathon splits off to the right and makes its way up and behind Paro Dzong (Fort). The full marathon carries straight on with a long and gradual climb alongside the Wang Chu (river) on farm tracks above rice fields.
At 18km the marathon route crosses the river and returns towards Paro on the other side on a gentle downhill gradient to 25km. Here, the route has the toughest climb, for about 4km on road, rising above the Paro National Museum, then on single track for 1km to the highest point of the race at 2,560m.
Dropping back down to the Paro Chu the marathon and half marathon re-join beneath Paro Dzong to cross the famous wooden bridge. The last 10km for both distances are on a gradual but long uphill climb on a mix of road and wide farm track, rising above Paro Chu, with views of the river and rice fields, before dropping into the finish back at Udumwara.
The total height gain on the marathon is 995m and for the half 450m. The altitude at the start is 2400m and the lowest point, in Paro Town, is 2200m.
Testimonials
Thunder Dragon Marathon Race Info
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Thunder Dragon Marathon Bhutan is included in the price of the Marathon package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for the Thunder Dragon Marathon
Start Time
The Thunder Dragon Marathon starts at around 8.30am. Note that the exact time will be confirmed during the tour.
Cut-Off Times
The cut off time for the Thunder Dragon Marathon is 8 hours but has some flexibility depending upon the weather conditions.
All Runners who do not achieve the cut off will be picked up and driven to the finish line.
Race Timing
Final details about the timing will be announced in your participant guide.
The Thunder Dragon Marathon and Half Marathon will be manually timed.
Race Packets
Your race pack will be given to you upon your arrival
Pace Setters
There are no official pace setters for this event
Aid Stations
There will be water stations at approximately every 5km along the routes. Water will be served in bottles.
Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
There are no provisions for runners to leave personal refreshments along the course
TRANSPORT
Transfers to and from the race is included in the price of your package.
Expo
Not Applicable
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All race competitors receive the Thunder Dragon Race T-shirt, Thunder Dragon head scarf and an excellent medal.
There are wooden race trophies for the first three international men and women in the marathon and half marathon as well as the first M40, W40, M50, W50, M60 and W60, which are awarded at a prize-giving dinner on Sunday night.
A competitor can only win one trophy.
Weather Conditions
The expected temperature on race day is 23 degrees Celsius
