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MARCH 6: RACE REGISTRATION AT KATHMANDU GUESTHOUSE, KATHMANDU
The race HQ is situated in the front courtyard of the Kathmandu Guesthouse, in the centre of Thamel, and is surrounded by an abundance of shops and restaurants. Here we will require copies of race insurance policies, onward flight details etc and will be available to answer any queries that may arise.
MARCH 7: RIDEABLE 100%, 45KM, 983M ASCENT, 1383M DESCENT
Starting from the very heart of Kathmandu, there will be a controlled start, behind a lead vehicle until the race is on the outskirts of the city centre. From here the trail climbs a brutal 400m of sealed ascent up through Shivapuri National Park before the trail turns to a flat but very rough jeep track. After about 10km the trail drops 18km and 960m into a rural and flat area rarely frequented by tourists. The day finishes with another hot and brutal 500m of rutted trail towards the 1st days destination of Nawakot and tranquility.
MARCH 8: NAWAKOT TO DHADING BESI - RIDEABLE 100%, 50KM, 1359M ASCENT, 1739 DESCENT
A rapid "sealed road" descent starts the day from Nawakot to Trisuli Bazaar. From here the race rejoins and rural and undulating jeep trail through arable countryside. The terrain is relentless with numerous climbs and descents and riders skills will be tested with a mixture of rocky and sandy conditions. The stage finishes with a descent into Dhading Besi, the districts major town. Although this is early spring, temperatures will be into the mid 20's as the trail drops to only 500m above sea level.
MARCH 9: DHADING BESI TO GORKA - RIDEABLE 100%, 56KM - 1700M ASCENT, 1567M DESCENT
What goes down must go up and from Dhading its a climb back up into the Himalayan foothills. Another day to test the legs and mettle of the riders with more relentless but breath taking scenery. The stage finishes in Gorkha, Nepal's former capital, and for those finishing early enough this is a great opportunity to visit the ancient palace complex perched on the side of the surrounding hills.
MARCH 10: GORKHA TO BESI SAHAR - RIDEABLE 100%, 61KM, 1121M ASCENT, 1368M DESCENT
An 8km downhill section on jeep track starts the day and from then the trails in gently (in a Himalayan style) undulating until it reaches the the sealed road to Besi Sahar. A rare opportunity to use the big ring then rears its head with a 30km section of sealed road but this will be hot and again "undulating"!
MARCH 11: BESI SAHAR TO TAAL - RIDEABLE 70%, ALT: 760M - 1700M, DISTANCE: 40KM, 1635M ASCENT
 Approx 2km of sealed road starts the race along Besi Sahar main street. The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, and follows the course of the Marshyangdi river along the left side of the valley.
After approx 30 km the jeep track runs out and from then its 11km of mainly push and carry up steep rocky climbs with a final 1km descent into the flat valley surrounding Taal.
MARCH 12: TAAL TO CHAME - RIDEABLE 33%, ALT: 1700M - 2570M, DISTANCE: 23KM, 1365M ASCENT
 Leaving Taal, there is a Mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left. After going by fields of maize, barley and potatoes, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Danaqu it will involve a large % of push / carry with a very steep hard climb out of Danaqu. From here though it becomes more rideable with closer views of snow capped peaks and a wide flowing trail to the finish.After a hard days work to reach Chame, competitors can relax by the hot springs on the other side of the Marshyangdi Khola, enjoy the fares at the bakery, or even email home from the internet cafe.
MARCH 13: CHAME TO MANANG - RIDEABLE 75%, ALT: 2570M - 3540M, DISTANCE: 30KM, 1044M ASCENT
 The route today takes competitors through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses a river via two bridges, one at 2910m and then another at 3030m. The trail continues along the river to Pisang, where the altitude is enough to bring on the first symptoms of altitude sickness or AMS. From Pisang, the route follows a wide valley that opens up ahead of us. Competitors will pass through Humde (the highest commercial airport in the world) and Braga with its Gompa and roots in Tibetan religion. A cliff face obscures Manang until were practically upon it and a final steep climb brings us to its prayer wheel lined streets and stunning scenery.
MARCH 14: REST DAY IN MANANG
It is necessary to spend a resting day in Manang for acclimatisation purposes. To ascend too rapidly could have potentially fatal consequences. There are many short excursions possible from Manang and remaining active is encouraged to aid acclimatisation.
MARCH 15: MANANG TO THORONG PHEDI - RIDEABLE 68%, ALT: 3540M - 4450M, DISTANCE: 17KM, 980M ASCENT
 The race leaves Manang through narrow, medieval looking streets and then climbs steadily upto Khusang. Although the trail is more rideable above Khusang (3900m), the altitude now takes effect making turning those pedals very hard work. For the majority of the international competitors it becomes a slow hard slog upto Thorong Phedi with an added bonus of having to cross a steep scree landslide area in the final 2km.
MARCH 16: THORONG PHEDI TO MUKTINATH - RIDEABLE 66%, ALT: 4450M - 5416M - 3750M, DISTANCE: 18KM
 A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 5km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snails pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to a collection of teahouses and then on fast and flowing singletrack to Muktinath with its pilgrimage site of the temple of the eternal flame.
MARCH 17: MUKTINATH TO TATOPANI - RIDEABLE 100%, ALT: 3750M - 1190M, DISTANCE 67KM
 Today we will descend from snow capped peaks to tropical lowlands in just under 70km. Leaving Muktinath the course drops rapidly on jeep track before taking a detour onto narrow and technical single track that drops down to the river bed. From here the terrain undulates along jeep track through Jomsom, Marpha and many other small villages along the route. From Kalopani the trail again drops rapidly on a very rough but fast trail to Tatopani, where tired riders can enjoy the revitalising qualities of the village hot springs.
MARCH 18: TATOPANI TO KHANIYA GHAT - RIDEABLE 100%, 1190M - 800M, DISTANCE 35KM
 Out of the mountains and into the lowlands. This hot, dusty and undulating final 35km to rejoin the sealed road will be a test of both riders stamina and mental toughness and could decide the overall winners fate. A coach will await the finishers for a 3 hour transfer to the lakeside enclave of Pokhara and an informal prize giving ceremony and post race celebration.
MARCH 19: TRANSFER BY BUS BACK TO KATHMANDU (APPROX 6 HOURS)
After breakfast at the hotel we will return to Kathmandu by coach. The journey will take approx 6 - 8 hours and we wil stop for lunch along the way..The bus will drop you at the race HQ and from here other rides,tours or trips can be taken (for details of other rides available in Nepal or surrounding areas please click here) or we can arrange a transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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