- Small-group trip timed to the Bhutan International Marathon
- 7 days
- Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Taktsang
Bhutan Marathon Group Trip
A week on the western route built around the Bhutan International Marathon, held in the Punakha valley on 6 March 2027. Two nights in Thimphu help you adjust to the altitude before you drop down to Punakha for race day, and Tiger's Nest waits until your legs have had a day to recover.
About this trip
Partners and friends who aren't running follow the same plan and can cheer from the course. Race entry is booked directly with the organisers, so you choose the full or half marathon yourself.
Good for: Runners entering the full or half marathon, and the people travelling with them.
- Race
- Bhutan International Marathon, Punakha, 6 March 2027
- Rhythm
- 2 nights in Thimphu, 2 in Punakha, 2 in Paro
- Walking
- Tiger's Nest two days after the race: 4–6 hours, moderate
- Group
- Runners and non-runners on the same plan
Highlights
- Full or half marathon through the Punakha valley
- Two nights in Thimphu to acclimatise before the race
- Dochula pass and Punakha Dzong
- Tiger's Nest hike once your legs have recovered
Dates and seats
Prices are per adult sharing a room and include the SDF and visa.
- 3–9 Mar 20277 days12 places remaining$1,490per adult, sharing
Your route
Thimphu Days 1–22 nights
Drive about 2.5 hours
Punakha Days 3–42 nights
Drive about 4 hours
Paro Days 5–72 nights
Fly home on day 7
Itinerary
Day1ThimphuArrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu
Meet your guide and the group at Paro airport, then drive around 2 hours to Thimphu. Keep the evening easy after the flight.
Day2ThimphuThimphu and a shakeout run
An easy early run or walk to get used to the altitude, then a gentle day at the National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma.
Day3PunakhaOver Dochula to Punakha
Cross the Dochula pass, stopping for the Himalayan view if the sky is clear, and drop down to the warmer Punakha valley. Collect your race number and keep the afternoon free to rest.
Day4PunakhaRace day
An early start for the Bhutan International Marathon. Your guide gets the group to the start and meets you at the finish, and non-runners can watch from along the course. The afternoon is for rest.
Day5ParoRecovery walk, then Paro
A slow walk through Punakha's rice fields to loosen your legs, then drive back over Dochula to Paro, around 4 hours, for two nights.
Day6ParoTiger's Nest
Hike to Tiger's Nest at an easy pace, usually 4–6 hours return with a tea stop. Horses can carry you part of the way up if your legs need a break.
Day7ParoDepart
Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.
In the price
- Twin-share hotels at the Comfortable tier
- All meals
- A licensed Bhutanese guide with the group throughout
- Group vehicle and driver
- Visa, permits and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Entry fees for every site on the itinerary
- Transfers to the race start and from the finish
Not in the price
- Marathon entry and registration, booked directly with the organisers
- International flights to Bhutan
- Travel insurance
- Single-room supplement, if you want or need a room to yourself
- Tips and personal spending
Rooms and solo travellers
Rooms
Two travellers share a twin room at the per-adult price. We don't pair travellers from different parties, so an odd number in your party means one single room, at the supplement shown on each departure.
Travelling solo
You get a room of your own, and the price we show for one adult already includes it.
Travelling solo in BhutanQuestions about this trip
When is the Bhutan International Marathon in 2027?
The 13th edition is on 6 March 2027 in the Punakha valley. Our group trip runs from 3 to 9 March 2027, so race day is day 4.
How do I enter the race?
Register directly with the race organisers using their international registration form ([email protected]). Entry isn't included in the trip price, so you choose the full marathon (42 km) or the half marathon (21 km) yourself.
Will the altitude affect my race?
The course follows the Punakha valley, well below Thimphu at about 2,300 metres. Two nights in Thimphu first give your body time to adjust, and we keep the day before the race easy.
Can someone who isn't running come too?
Yes. Non-runners follow the same plan, and on race day your guide takes them to watch from along the course.
How active is the trip?
Tiger's Nest two days after the race: 4–6 hours, moderate. The whole group follows the same plan, set before you book.
I'm travelling solo. What will I pay?
Rooms are shared in pairs, and we don't pair travellers from different parties, so a solo traveller takes a single room. The price we show for one adult already includes the single-room supplement.
What if the departure doesn't reach its minimum group size?
We offer a comparable alternative or a full refund of payments made to us, as set out in our cancellation terms.
When do I pay, and can I change my booking?
You pay the deposit shown on the departure when you book, and the balance 60 days before departure. You can move to another departure once with no Guided Bhutan Tours administration fee when you ask at least 45 days before departure, and cancel with no administration fee at least 45 days before; any price difference applies.
Can I do this route on my own dates?
Yes. Take the similar private tour, which runs on the dates you choose with a guide just for your group.
Where you'll stay
These are examples of hotels we often use on this tour. We may book a different hotel of the same standard, depending on availability.
- Thimphu · 2 nightsAriya HotelA modern hotel in the capital with a spa, restaurant and gym.4-star
Punakha · 2 nightsDhensa Boutique ResortValley views and a pool, ten minutes from the dzong.4-star
Paro · 2 nightsHotel Kaachi GrandIn Paro town, with rain showers, floor heating and balconies facing the mountains.4-star
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