India – Ladakh Marathon

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  • Duration: 8 Days
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Ace Adventure Expeditions – Exclusive Singapore Partner of Ladkah Marathon

The Ladakh Marathon is the highest and amongst the toughest marathons. Ace adventure Expeditions is honored to be the exclusive Singapore partner of the Ladkah Marathon for the 4th year !

The 9th Edition’s race day is on 12 September 2020.

The Importance of Acclimatization – Ladakh Marathon

Unlike other marathons, the Ladakh Marathon requires you to arrive in Leh at least a week in advance to acclimatize for race day. You are running at 3500m above sea level so it is imperative that you’re acclimatized to the high altitude.

One of the best approaches to acclimatization is to keep active, as well as “go high, sleep low. We have packaged with the race, an acclimatization itinerary, including visiting Khardung La (5359m) and Warila Pass (5312m) and staying overnight at above 4000m, before race day. Khardung La is the world’s highest motorable pass and the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valley in Ladakh. Warila Pass is the highest pass in the Nubra Valley of the Ladakh and the 4th highest pass in the world. The team will also be meeting the Khardung La Challenge (72 km) team for dinner in Leh, a day before race day.

Collaboration with Running Coach, Ben Swee

We are very excited to be able to collaborate with running coach, Ben Swee, from Running Guild. Ben Swee will be leading the Khardung La Challenge (72 km) team to run the race and meeting the rest of the race participants in Leh, a day before race day.

Before the race, Ben Swee will be training with the participants. The training will cover an hour of strength & conditioning training twice a month, starting in May or June 2020.

Stand A Chance to WIN A Pair of Salomon Sense Running Shoes !

A BIG thank you to Liv Activ for sponsoring 2 pairs of Salomon Sense road running shoes ! All our 2020 running participants will stand a chance to win a pair! The lucky winners will be notified via email, after the lucky draw at the end of 2020!

About Ladakh

Ladakh, also known as ‘Little Tibet’, is the highest plateau region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.  Primarily Buddhist, the region is famous for its dramatic vistas of high mountain deserts, ancient monasteries and stark landscape populated by explosions of greenery made possible through ingenious irrigation channels. With almost all of its landscape situated at above 3000m and incorporating parts of the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges along the upper Indus River valley, Ladakh is enveloped in  beautiful snow capped peaks and lush valleys. It is no wonder that it is a popular adventure destination for mountain climbing & trekking, mountain biking and river rafting. In 2012, the first eco-friendly “green” marathon took place in Ladakh, adding on to the galore of adventure activities in this high mountain desert region.

About Ladakh Marathon

The various races take place in and around Leh, the historic capital of Ladakh. It offers runners the unique opportunity to run with local Ladakhis through the most beautiful landscape offering stunning vistas of mountains, rivers and valleys and will leave you with lifelong memories and a chance to say you ran the Ladakh Marathon !

The first Ladakh Marathon took place in 2012; two years after the devastating flash floods that tore through the region, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The marathon was a way to say that “Ladakh is back and running”. The 2012 event saw almost 1500 runners who took part to show their social concern for Ladakh. The subsequent editions attracted bigger and bigger responses, with the 4th edition in 2015 having more than 4000 participants from Ladakh, India and around the world.

Ladakh Marathon became a full member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) in 2015 and has been profiled in various International Sports magazines and listed as being amongst the most beautiful breathtaking and awe-inspiring marathons in the world.

Participants have the options to join these races:

  • 1km Full Marathon
  • 1km Half Marathon
  • 5km

Pre-Requiste

  • Full Marathon – Participant must be 18 years old or above on race day and have run EITHER one full marathon OR two half marathons in 20 months prior to the race day.
  • Half Marathon – Participant must be 16 years old or above on race day and have run EITHER one half marathon under 3 hrs OR two 10 km run under 1 hour 25 minutes, in 20 months prior to the race day.
  • 5km – Participant must be 14 years old or above on race day and have run one 10 km run under 1 hrs 30 mins in one year prior to race day.

Cut Off Time

  • Full Marathon – 6 hours 45 mintues
  • Half Marathon – 3 hours 45 mintues
  • 5km – 1 hour 50 mintues
DAY DESCRIPTION MEALS
1

Arrive in Leh.

Overnight: Leh guesthouse (3500m)

-/-/-
2

Half day sightseeing walk around Leh. Visit places like Old Town, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa, etc.

Overnight: Leh guesthouse (3500m)

B/-/-
3

A day of hiking to visit some villages – Horzey and Gompa – and have a home made lunch at one of the village homes.

Overnight: Leh guesthouse (3500m)

B/L/-
4

Drive to Nubra (3 ½ – 4 hrs) crossing Khardung La (5370m). Visit Yarab Tso Lake and Samstaling Monastery.

Overnight: Kyagar guesthouse (4705m)

B/L/D
5

Visit Deskit Monastery and sand dunes at Hundar.

Overnight: Kyagar guesthouse (4705m)

B/L/D
6

Drive back to Leh via Warila Pass (5312m). Meet Khardung La Challenge team for dinner.

Overnight: Leh guesthouse (3500m)

B/L/D
7

Race day.

Overnight: Leh guesthouse (3500m)

B/L/D
8 Depart Leh B/-/-
DATES PRICE
6-13 Sep 2020 $1,450.00 (SGD)  / person

Inclusions

  • Return airport transfer in Leh
  • All land transfer as indicated in itinerary
  • Sight-seeing tour as indicated in itinerary with English-speaking guide, except places of interest entry fee.
  • Twin/Trip sharing accommodation in guesthouse in Leh
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary
  • Full marathon race fee
  • Training sessions with Ben Swee

Exclusions

  • International and domestic air tickets, airline taxes and fuel surcharge
  • Visa Fee
  • Single Supplement
  • Entrance fees to sight-seeing places like monasteries etc
  • All beverages except boiled drinking water during trek
  • Meals not indicated in itinerary
  • All tipping
  • Personal porters
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory to cover agent insolvency and the race )
  • Personal expenses like shopping, laundry etc
  • Personal travel & trekking gear
  • Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
  • Compensation for damaged or lost of personal items (eg: personal gear and equipment, cameras and any valuable items etc)
  • Any expenses including accommodation, meals & transfer outside the stipulated itinerary – i.e. any person leaving the group for personal travel, illness/injury or any form of extension of stay

We carefully select and establish strong working relationship with our local operator to ensure safe participation by everyone. Our local operator is the organiser of the Ladakh Marathon

Visa

A visa to enter into India is required for all foreign nationals except Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan. An e-Visa can be applied online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in. The e-Visa is valid for 30-60 days depending on nationality and type.

For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit https://www.mha.gov.in/MHA1/TourVisa.html.

Money

In Leh, money changing services can be found at the banks and moneychangers in the main town area around Main Bazaar. They accept USD, EUR, GBP and most major currencies. Do not accept dirty and torn notes as they may not be accepted at the shops. Double count your money before leaving the moneychangers to make sure the accurate amount is given.

ATMs are widespread and cards operating the international network of Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro would work with most.

Credit cards are gaining useability and may be accepted in most hotels, major retail outlets and mid-range to top-end restaurants/cafes. Small local retail or food stalls are highly unlikely to take credit cards. So, it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand.

Electricity

In India the standard voltage is 230V. The standard frequency is 50Hz. The power sockets that are used are either the two narrow round pins (Type C) commonly used in Europe, or the three-pronged thick round pins (Type D).

Language

The official language of India is Hindi and English, amongst 21 other dialects of the country. Hindi is the most spoken language while English is commonly used for national, political and commercial communication. Hotel and tourist service staff would be conversant in English.

Drinking Water

It is strictly not recommended to drink water straight from the tap. Bottles of mineral water can be easily purchased in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Many hotels also provide a small bottle of complimentary mineral water upon check in.

Tipping

Tipping is common practice in India. In hotels, the bellman or porter can be given a token Rps10-20. Full service restaurants typically impose a service charge and that is usually considered to be sufficient. Tipping is not expected in taxis but good to tip if drivers are honest about the fare. Trekking guides and porters should be tipped as this is a major contribution to their income.

 

Travel Safety Advice

With evolving world situations that may occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, conflicts and unrests, it is best to read up and keep tabs on news and developments at your destination country and region before the trip. Check on the country’s official website and/or your own foreign ministry website for any travel advisory or safety precautions to be taken while abroad.

As with traveling in anywhere in the world, regardless of the local crime rate, stay vigilant and take care of personal safety. Good to read up on any possible exposure in the country prior to departure.

It is a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.

For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eRegister:
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action.

 

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance(s), upon payment of your trip, to cover adverse situations that may occur while you are overseas or even before departure. Ensure that the coverage is suitable for your destination and the activities that you are participating in. Be familiar with the terms and conditions before purchasing and travelling abroad.

 

Travel Immunization Advice

There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter India. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:

Hepatitis A

Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.

Hepatitis B

Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.

Rabies

 

Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.

Tetanus

 

Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A primary series of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine is recommended for life. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.

Typhoid Fever

Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.

Influenza

A vaccine specific for a given year to protect against the highly variable influenza virus.

For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.

For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx.