BHUTANFor runners and their companions
Choose the full or half marathon, with a flexible cultural programme for guests who are not racing. Shared meals and village experiences give everyone a journey of their own.
Private running & cultural journey · 8 days
Bhutan International Marathon & Village Life 2027
2–9 March 2027. Run the full or half marathon in Punakha, share village life and finish gently in Paro, with time to settle in before the race and stay in the valley afterwards.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Route
- Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
- Style
- Private & handcrafted
- Travel dates
- 2–9 March 2027
The journey in one thought
A race to remember. Time to know Bhutan.
The Bhutan International Marathon gives this journey its date. The days around it bring you closer to the country: a forest path above Thimphu, an afternoon in Aum Leki’s village, seasonal food prepared together and time to pause beside Punakha’s rivers.
Arrive four days before the race and spend two nights in Thimphu before crossing Dochula to Punakha. Keep the day before your run deliberately light, and remain in Punakha on race night. Finish with two nights in Paro, where Tiger’s Nest is an option if you feel ready for the climb.
Three valleys, seven nights
Two nights in Thimphu, three in Punakha and two in Paro. The route leaves race night free of a long onward drive.
Living traditions, gently explored
Local archery when a match is taking place, an introduction to gho or kira, traditional darts and unhurried village walks. Encounters follow local availability and the welcome of your hosts.
The story of the journey
Five experiences beyond the finishing line
The race anchors the journey; village hospitality, local traditions and quieter cultural days give it depth.
Bhutan International Marathon 2027
Choose your distance. Leave room around the race.
The Bhutan International Marathon is scheduled for Saturday 6 March 2027 in Punakha, with full-marathon and half-marathon options. Race registration is separate from the journey unless expressly included in your proposal, and entry remains subject to the organiser’s requirements and availability.
Day by day
Eight days, with room around race day.
Travel from 2–9 March 2027 through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. The programme balances cultural encounters with light pre-race days and a Punakha overnight after your run. Local visits and walking lengths remain flexible.
Day01
2 March 2027 · Paro → Thimphu
A quiet arrival in Bhutan.
Meet your Raven guide and chauffeur at Paro Airport and travel to your Thimphu stay. Settle in over tea, then choose a short neighbourhood stroll or simply rest after your flight. Arrival visits and meals follow your flight time, with a relaxed first evening to discuss the days ahead.
- Pace
- Easy arrival · optional short stroll
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day02
3 March · Thimphu
Forest paths, living arts and local games.
Begin with Buddha Dordenma and choose a comfortable section of the forest trail towards Changangkha. Spend time with traditional artisans or browse the local market, keeping the afternoon open rather than fitting in every sight. If a local archery match is taking place, watch with your guide and learn about the game’s place in Bhutanese life. An introduction to wearing gho or kira can be arranged, while an astrology consultation is an optional appointment for interested guests.
- Pace
- Flexible cultural day · optional shortened forest walk
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day03
4 March · Thimphu → Dochula → Punakha
Across the pass, into a family kitchen.
Drive to Dochula for its chortens and mountain views when skies are clear, then descend into Punakha. A short, vehicle-supported trail section is possible if you wish. Spend the afternoon around Aum Leki’s homestay, walking village lanes and field paths at an easy pace. With your hosts, pick seasonal vegetables when available and help prepare dinner. Khuru, traditional darts, can be introduced in a suitable space with local guidance. Punakha Dzong or the suspension bridge can be fitted in when timing feels comfortable.
- Pace
- Scenic transfer · gentle village walking
- Overnight
- Punakha homestay or countryside stay, as confirmed
Day04
5 March · Punakha
A light day before the starting line.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and, if you wish, gentle stretching or a brief village stroll. The day remains open for the organiser’s bib collection, briefing and race preparations. A short shake-out is optional; there is no demanding hike in the planned programme. Settle into your confirmed race base, check tomorrow’s arrangements with your guide and leave the evening for a familiar meal and rest.
- Pace
- Easy preparation day · organiser schedule takes priority
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day05
6 March · Punakha
Your Bhutan race day.
Have an early breakfast timed around the final race schedule, then travel to the designated reporting point using the permitted arrangements. Run your chosen full or half marathon through Punakha. Afterwards, return to your valley accommodation for food, a shower and a quiet evening. Your journey stays in Punakha tonight, with no long drive to Paro. Companions who are not racing can enjoy a gentle local day, planned around event access restrictions.
- Pace
- Strenuous race day · rest afterwards
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day06
7 March · Punakha → Paro
An unhurried road to Paro.
Leave after breakfast for Paro, with comfortable breaks and lunch along the way. Keep the day focused on the journey rather than adding a series of visits. Settle into your boutique stay and choose a short town stroll only if you feel like it. Full-marathon runners and anyone wanting more time to rest can add another Punakha night and make this transfer tomorrow.
- Pace
- Travel day · approximately 4–5 hours driving, plus breaks
- Overnight
- Paro
Day07
8 March · Paro
Tiger’s Nest, or a gentler Paro day.
If you feel ready, walk with your guide to Tiger’s Nest, taking generous pauses along the forest trail and steep final steps. Allow around five to seven hours for the walk and visit. Alternatively, explore temples, artisans and rural Paro at an easier pace. A traditional hot-stone bath at a farmhouse can form part of your confirmed arrangements. End with a relaxed farewell dinner and time to reflect on the journey.
- Pace
- Optional substantial hike · gentle alternative available
- Overnight
- Paro
Day08
9 March · Paro → Departure
Until Bhutan calls again.
Enjoy breakfast as your flight time allows, then transfer privately to Paro Airport. Your guide and chauffeur coordinate departure around the airline’s check-in requirements, bringing your week of running, village life and Bhutanese hospitality to a close.
- Pace
- Private airport transfer
- Overnight
- Departure
Time where it matters
Arrive early. Stay after the race.
Two Thimphu nights provide a gentle cultural beginning before you reach Punakha on 4 March. The following day stays light, with time for official race preparations. Three Punakha nights mean you can return to your accommodation after the run and leave the onward journey until the next day.
The extra-night version makes the pace softer still: rest in Punakha on 7 March, travel to Paro on 8 March, choose Tiger’s Nest or a gentler day on 9 March, and depart on 10 March. We particularly recommend this nine-day option for full-marathon runners. Neither version promises how quickly you will recover; your plans can be adjusted around how you feel.
Where you may stay
Boutique comfort and a family welcome.
Stay in locally rooted boutique hotels and countryside properties, with a traditional Punakha homestay included when it suits your preferences and availability. A shared family kitchen offers a different experience from a hotel stay; we discuss room, bathroom and heating arrangements before you confirm.
- Thimphu · 2 nights: a quiet base for forest paths, traditional arts and the capital’s everyday life.
- Punakha · 3 nights: village hospitality and a practical race base, including the night after your run.
- Paro · 2 nights: a comfortable finish with an optional Tiger’s Nest day.
Raven confirms every property, room category, meal plan and any hotel change in your private proposal. Race-period rooms are subject to availability. Guests preferring hotel accommodation throughout can retain a hosted village and cooking visit without an overnight homestay.
Explore Raven’s approach to staysPractical clarity
Your private arrangements, clearly set out.
Your proposal identifies the accommodation, meals, local experiences, government fees and race-related arrangements included in your journey. Race entry, optional activities and any extra nights are itemised before you confirm.
Planned inclusions, confirmed in your proposal
- Seven nights in the agreed boutique hotels, countryside properties and homestay arrangements
- A private licensed English-speaking guide and professional chauffeur
- Airport transfers and private road transport, including permitted race-related transfers
- Meals as specified, farmhouse cooking, farewell dinner and refill drinking water during road travel
- Guided cultural visits, agreed entrance fees, village walks and selected Thimphu experiences
- Traditional dress, khuru and any supervised archery introduction when confirmed and available
- The optional guided Tiger’s Nest day or agreed alternative, and a hot-stone bath when selected
- Raven’s in-country coordination and assistance with visa formalities and permits; visa fees, SDF and taxes are clearly itemised
Not included unless expressly stated
- Full-marathon or half-marathon entry fees
- International flights and services outside Bhutan
- Travel insurance, medical costs and emergency evacuation
- Purchased drinks beyond the provided refill drinking water
- Shopping, laundry, gratuities and other personal expenses
- Room upgrades, additional spa treatments and activities outside the agreed programme
- Extra nights, optional rafting, special lunches or other separately requested experiences
- Additional costs caused by changes to flights or travel arrangements, as set out in your confirmed terms
- Check that your insurance covers your planned race and hiking activities, including relevant medical and evacuation costs.
An extra day in Punakha
Give yourself a full day after the race.
Extend to nine days and eight nights, departing on 10 March. Spend 7 March resting in Punakha, with a gentle stroll or village visit only if you want one. Travel to Paro on 8 March and keep 9 March for your choice of Tiger’s Nest or a quieter cultural day. The extra night and revised arrangements are quoted separately.
Questions before you travel
Your Bhutan marathon journey, explained.
Practical answers about race day, recovery time, cultural experiences and travelling privately in Bhutan.
When is the Bhutan International Marathon in 2027?
The event is scheduled for Saturday 6 March 2027 in Punakha. This private journey runs from 2–9 March, with an optional extra night extending departure to 10 March. Final event arrangements follow the organiser’s instructions.
Can I choose the full marathon or half marathon?
Yes. The event offers full-marathon and half-marathon distances. Tell Raven which you intend to enter so the journey can be shaped around your plans. We recommend the nine-day option for full-marathon runners because it keeps the day after the race free of a long transfer. Entry is subject to organiser requirements and availability.
Is race registration included?
Race registration is separate unless your proposal explicitly includes it. Your quotation distinguishes race fees from the private journey arrangements. A journey enquiry does not reserve a race place.
What happens the day before and after the race?
The day before is kept light for rest, bib collection, briefing and other organiser requirements. You stay in Punakha on race night. In the eight-day plan, you transfer to Paro the following day; the nine-day plan adds a full extra day in Punakha first.
Will Raven provide support on the race course?
Raven coordinates accommodation, meals and permitted transfers around the race. Private support vehicles and unofficial aid are not provided on the course. Race transport, reporting points and official support follow the organiser’s final arrangements.
Is Tiger’s Nest included after the race?
A guided Tiger’s Nest day can be included in your confirmed programme, but the hike remains optional and depends on how you feel. It is a substantial uphill outing with many steps, usually taking around five to seven hours including the visit. A gentler Paro day is always possible.
Are visa fees and the Sustainable Development Fee included?
Your private quotation shows the applicable visa fees, Sustainable Development Fee and taxes clearly, according to eligibility and the confirmed journey. These should be read alongside the tour price and separate race-registration costs.
Your journey starts with a conversation
How would you like to experience Bhutan around the race?
Tell us your preferred race distance, who is travelling, your accommodation preferences and how much time you would like after the run. We will shape a private journey with practical race arrangements and room for the people, places and traditions you want to know.
Plan your private marathon journey