2023 Himalayan Adventure Challenge
Tons Edition - 15 to 18 Jun
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During a 3-day period in the summer of 2023, a brand new adventure challenge will unfold in the little known Tons valley, bordering Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Nestled within the steep slopes and a densely forested hillsides of the valley lies the course in which 80 elite adventurers will test the limits of endurance in teams of 4 as they battle the natural environment, themselves and each other within this cradle of some of India’s most impressive scenery and intriguing cultures, a contest will unfold unlike any other of its kind.
The 2023 HAC Tons edition takes place from June 15 to 18 (Thurs-Sun) in the summer holidays and it beckons you to combine your skills, teamwork and your abilities to the fore, making it our second multi-discipline adventure challenge after six editions on the Ganga River in Rishikesh.
The Tons edition offers three formats - a 30 km Open Challenge perfect for those just starting out in the outdoors, a 10 km Open or Family Challenge for parents and children plus a 48 km Zealot Challenge involving Biking, Hiking and River Rafting which is a true test of your endurance.
HAC caters to the novice, the weekend athlete, the hardcore adventurer, the endurance champions and even the family; making it India's premier team racing event.
Our Associations so far
Giving back to the Community
We started as a fundraiser to bring people to travel back to Uttarakhand. The Himalayan Adventure Challenge (previously known as The Aqua Terra Challenge) was set up to remember the June-2013 flood victims of Uttarakhand, and sought to bring people back to this beautiful part of India. Aquaterra Adventures along with Atali Ganga supported the event to help bring back opportunities, choices, resources, essential services into the lives of many in Uttarakhand. The event was spread over 45 miles, and 2 days of challenge, involving a time based gruelling walk followed by a 16 mile cycling leg to the third and very exciting leg of the event – a 15 mile raft / inflatable kayak race down the mighty Ganges.
The event has since then taken place each December on the Ganga River at our base Atali Ganga, 30 Kms upstream from Rishikesh. Now, we sponsor team members (free of cost) which are made up of budding youngsters from the villages in the region and from Rishikesh. Quite a few of them have gone on to win multiple race events along with many prizes.
With HAC's fifth edition successfully taking place in December 2021, a new challenge is born and the first edition on the Tons river takes place this Summer at our picturesque beach front property; Camp Bagi, only 410 kms from Delhi. We also continue the tradition of encouraging the youth of Uttarakhand and will sponsor more children (boys & girls) to take part in this challenge with the rest of the participants.
How It Works?
We use a points system where times get adjusted for age and gender. This is based on age/gender adjustments for qualifying times used by international marathons of Boston, London and New York. The time to complete HAC of every individual team member is taken and adjusted. The individual adjusted times are then totalled to give the final adjusted team time. This is then used to decide HAC winners and runners-up. It means people of any age or gender have just as much chance as anyone else.
How To Reach Us?
By Road: Dehradun Airport to Camp Bagi (Race Venue)
Driving Time and Distance: 191 kms | 6.5 hrs (with a short-breakfast break)
Delhi to Camp Bagi
Driving Time and Distance: 410 kms | 10 hrs (with a short-breakfast break)
410 kms from Delhi via Meerut Bypass - Muzaffarnagar bypass – Roorkee – Dehradun – Kalsi/ Mussoorie - Nowgaon - Purola - Mori.
Note:
- We are 145 kms from Mussoorie/Shimla and your trip can be combined with an overnight stay at either place.
- Camp Bagi lies 2 kms from Mori village on the road leading to Tiuni. Look out for the bridge across Tons river shortly after Mori village, cross the river and follow the board (Click for Google Maps Location)
- Try and leave Delhi between 4-5 a.m as driving time increases beyond 6 hours due to morning congestion in towns like Modinagar and Roorkee.
By Air: Delhi to Dehradun - Jolly Grant Airport
This is the fastest and most convenient way of getting here. Three airlines – Indigo, Spicejet & Air India have direct flights to Dehradun from Delhi (25 min) apart from other metros. There are also connecting flights via Delhi and reaching us has never been easier. We are 6.5 hrs from the airport by road. Take the morning flights which reach Dehradun latest by 9.30 am so you can reach Camp Bagi for Lunch.
By Train: Dehradun Railway Station
We are 5.5 hrs from the closest railhead at Dehradun. The morning Dehradun Shatabdi from Delhi or the overnight Mussoorie Express are both convenient ways of getting here. The Mussoorie Express gets you here on time to enjoy a full day after a good night’s sleep on the train.
48 km Zealot Challenge (Teams of 4)
17 km Bike + 18 km Hike + 13 km White Water Rafting
The Xtra element to test your limits of endurance, complete 48 kms in 3 different disciplines in a single day! Race fees: ₹ 22,500/- per person with accommodation in deluxe tents ₹ 16,500/- per person with accommodation in alpine trek floor tents Accommodation on double occupancy | 5% GST applicable Teams of 4 | Children eligibility: 15 yrs and above
30 km Open Challenge (Teams of 4)
16 km Hike + 14 km White Water Rafting
This is the open category where you race in teams of 4. Bring your team and race against the clock.
Race fees:
₹ 17,500/- per person with accommodation in deluxe tents
₹ 12,500/- per person with accommodation in alpine trek floor tents
Accommodation on double occupancy | 5% GST applicable
Teams of 4 | Children eligibility: 14 yrs and above
10 km Open Challenge (Min of 4 or Max of 6)
5 km White Water Rafting + 5 km Hike
Race with the family and friends. Get the youngsters (9+ yrs) to get into the outdoors, and experience the rush
Race fees:
₹ 16,500/- per person with accommodation in deluxe tents
₹ 11,500/- per person with accommodation in alpine trek floor tents
Accommodation on double occupancy | 5% GST applicable
Min of 4 or Max of 6 | Children eligibility: 9yrs to 15 yrs old
HAC can help you build a Team
Don't have any friends or family as team members just yet? Don't worry, you can still take part and we'll help you build a good team with other similar participants. Just choose the option while registering and you are in! You can also register in one of the team categories without having to fill up the details for the rest of the team and we will match you with other individuals to form the team
Accommodation
You have decided to HAC it!!!?? Welcome aboard and now that you are signing up, here is some information that will help you plan your stay. You should reach Camp Bagi by lunch on Thursday, 15th June 2023 for the briefing in the afternoon/evening. Connect with us if you need help with travel. Camp Bagi is located 3500 ft above sea level, this area is rich in every type of western Himalayan flora and fauna, densely forested with deodar, pine, alpine oak, birch, chestnut, rhododendron and jamun. The Tons river (the biggest tributary of the Yamuna with its source in the snowfields of the 20,720 ft high mountain, Bandarpunch) is a small volume, Class 4 river which offers an excellent adrenaline rush and adds to the excitement of being in the outdoors.
Camp Bagi is the default accommodation option where we provide Deluxe tents (beds, mattresses and quilts are provided) on twin share. Each tent is furnished with 2 single beds, a table and two cane chairs. We have separate, proper common WC units for men & women as well as shower stalls. You can also choose to stay in alpine trek floor tents which are slightly smaller than the deluxe versions and also priced slightly lower.
Race Outline
Outline Plan
Thursday, 15th June 2023 - Arrival & Briefing
14:30/15:00 - Arrival at Camp Bagi
15:00 - 17:00 - Check-in to tents and rest
17:30 - 18:30 - Race Briefing with Snacks and Tea
19:00 - 20:30 - Dinner & Lights out
Friday, 16th June 2023 - Orientation Day
07:00 - Wake-up call
07:15 - 08:30 - Tea/Coffee and Breakfast
09:15 - 12:35 - River Safety Briefing & Orientation- practice run on the Tons River for all participants
13:00 - 14:00 - Lunch
14:15 - 1730 - Hiking & Biking Orientation and run through the course sections
19:00 - 20:30 - Dinner & Lights out
Saturday, 17th June 2023 - Race Day - 48 Km Zealot & 30 Km Open Challenge
05:30 - Wake-up call for Zealot & 30 km Challenge participants
06:00 - 07:00 - Breakfast
07:30 - 48 Km Zealot & 30 km Open Challenge race starts from Camp Bagi with Hiking Leg
10:00 - 13:00 - Zealot Biking leg starts
10:00 - 13:00 - 30 Km Open Challenge Rafting leg starts
13:00 - 14:30 - Lunch & 30 Km Open Challenge Finish
14:30 - 16:30 - Zealot Rafting Leg
16:30 - 17:30 - Transfer to Camp Bagi for Zealot participants
Note: Hard stop for all Zealot and Open teams at 14:00 if they have not started the river leg.
Saturday, 17th June 2023 - 10 km Open Challenge
13:00 - 10 km Open Challenge teams transfer for Lunch
14:00 - 15:00 - Lunch for 10 km Open Challenge teams.
15:00 - 10 km Open Challenge race starts at with Rafting
16:00 - 17:00 - Hike Finish
17:00 - Transfer to Camp Bagi
Open challenge team should ideally be independent of Zealot/Open challenge members as some may miss the 15:30 cut off start for this leg.
18:00 - Awards and Gala Dinner with live music for all teams at Camp Bagi. Time to celebrate!
Sunday, 18th June 2023
Relax, soak in the venue and depart after breakfast to Dehradun for an evening flight/train.
Videos from Aquaterra Expeditions
Why
Himalayan
Adventure
Challenge
1Only team multi-adventure challenge held entirely in the natural outdoors in India
2Offers choice of 2 adventure activities in the Open format, or 3 adventure activities in the Zealot format on Saturday, 17th June 2023
3Offers a Family format in the 10 km Open Challenge to encourage youngsters to participate with adults on Saturday, 17th June 2023
4Being a destination race, makes for a great healthy weekend
5Age and gender based time adjustments for all participants based on the Boston Marathon model
6Safety & support tracking of contestants
7The challenge has been tested thoroughly with participant inputs over 7 years
8Highly accessible – options from ages 9 and above
96.5 hours by road from Dehradun with a 25 min flight from Delhi to Dehradun