Expedition India
Expedition India to Start ARWS 2019 on a Himalayan High
Press Release / 10.12.2018
Kinetic Events India are very excited and proud to announce the second edition of Expedition India, to be held in the area of Himachal Pradesh in India from 20 to 31 March 2019.
In 2017 Kinetic Events hosted the first Expedition India in Kashmir and Jammu which was the world’s highest expedition style race, where racers reached altitudes of around 5400m+ above sea level, making it a world first for an adventure race.
2017’s race was filled with colours, sounds and a cultural experience seldom experienced by Adventure Racers and 2019 will be no different!
The second edition of Expedition India, in Himachal Pradesh will be one to not miss. The opening is held at Mountaineering School in Manali, a mountain orientated holiday town that has the reputation of being a backpackers and honeymoon town.
Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian State, just below the Himalayas. Expect scenic mountain towns and resorts. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan feel. This area is well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing. Everything you, as adventure racers would expect and more in an adventure of this nature.
With the finish in Shimla, the Woodville Hotel with its rich history dating back to the grace and grandeur of the Indian Kings and the lifestyle of the British Raj, set in the heart of the deodar pine forest, 2000m above sea level, will be a welcome sight for any adventure teams finishing. Here the media will set up home with our intrepid racers staying at the nearby Tourism Hotel, Anant Maya in Manali and Hotel Neeralaya in Raison (in the Kullu Valley). The race will have an average race altitude of 1000m with a high point of 3000m.
Expedition India 2019, is a recognised Adventure World Racing Series event is the first race on the AWRS calendar for 2019.
Craig Bycroft, Adventure Racing World Series Director, has welcomed Expedition India into the ARWS fold, “ARWS is very excited to have added India to the series and it will surely add value in choice for all the Adventure Racers in the World. Heidi and Stephan are some of the most experienced directors in the ARWS and I am looking forward to a spectacular event in India!”
The ARWS is a series of races that pushes extreme sportsmen and women to their limits by testing their navigational, paddling, climbing and cycling limits in some of the harshest terrains around the world, and we are pleased that now, Expedition India can add to this.
Stephan and Heidi Muller, race directors have been organising Expedition Africa in Southern Africa for the last eight years. The event on the Island of Rodrigues sold out within two days and Expedition India will be their second venture in 2019.
Stephan Muller is really excited about this expedition, ”Himachal Pradesh and the Shimla Valley is an amazing area to hold an adventure race of this nature, with untouched forests, valleys and mountains just waiting to be explored. I am excited to be able to set a 450 km race in another country. India has incredible, challenging and vast landscapes that will bring a truly diverse course. This beautiful area of India has so much to offer. It is such an open area and the people are so welcoming that it will make this one challenging but unique course. Expect a tough, yet scenic race! ”
“It is with huge thanks to our generous sponsors and the welcoming hospitality of the Indian Tourism Department and the Youth Services and Sports Minister of the Indian of the Government, not forgetting the people living in the area, without whom we would not be able to host the second edition of Expedition India. This area is just incredible. It is safe, it’s open, it’s free and I am just so excited to get all the partners together to bring about this incredible race. I love the sounds, colours and smells of India. I am passionate about bringing and sharing my life’s dreams and passions with a different culture. India has such a drive for adventure tourism and we believe that Expedition India and AR is right at the centre and the heart of what Adventure Tourism can be, in such a beautiful State. I am excited at being able to share the Expedition Africa love, in India.” Heidi enthused.
To finish off, Chief Minister; Jai Ram Thakur states that he is very excited about the first Adventure Racing World Series and biggest AR event to be organised in Himachal Pradesh. It will give a boost to Tourism and support his endeavour to make Himachal Pradesh the preferred Adventure Destination for local and International Tourist.
Govind Singh Thakur, the Forest, Transport, Youth Services and Sports Minister had this to say, “I am very pleased to know that Himachal Pradesh is hosting Expedition India. The state of Himachal Pradesh has so much to offer to these adventure seekers from the national treasure viz. lakes, rivers, mountains, bike trails, wildlife forests, hiking trails, paragliding, skiing, mountaineering and water sports. Expedition India will be passing through 85% of the forest area under Eco-Tourism. This will give a boost to Eco-Tourism and Adventure Tourism of the country. Our endeavour is to place Himachal Pradesh as the first choice to adventure lovers in the world. I express my best wishes to all the participants and organisers for the successful happening of this phenomenal event”
Entries open are open with an “Early Bird” Fee of 3000 USD all-inclusive event before 15 January 2019. There-after 4000 USD. Kinetic will keep to their traditional “complete event motto” and will look after teams since their arrival at Delhi airport to their departure. See the website for more information.
The winning team from Expedition India 2019 will gain free entry into the Adventure Racing World Champs, Sri Lanka in December 2019.
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