Yak Ru enduro 2024
welcome
Message from the YakRu founders
I am incredibly delighted to welcome you to my native village of Ghyaru, Manang. It is my honour and privilege to show you what Manang has to offer in terms of big-mountain enduro possibilities.
We explore more virgin trails every year and showcase them during our year-end Yak Ru Enduro race. Over the years, the Yak Ru has become synonymous with big adventure riding.
Chhimi U Gurung,
Co-Founder
Welcome to Yak Ru Enduro Race and mountain biking tours. Whether you are an expert athlete or a novice starter, our range of tours and races should appeal to you.
We are committed to letting you enjoy Nepal thoroughly by immersing you into the cultures and traditions while pursuing big mountain rides.
Sunil C. Sharma,
Co-Founder
experience the race
entry fees
entry fee
options
Everyone who submits an entry request form will be contacted by no later than three days from the day of their submission if they are accepted into the race. Those lucky riders that are accepted will then receive up to 2 weeks to make their full payment to secure their spot. Entries are non-transferable and non-deferrable (e.g. to the following year). They are, however, refundable in part, if we are contacted by e-mail under the following schedule:
- Entry refunds requested up to three (3) months before the event date will receive a 50% refund of their entry fee.
- Entry refunds requested up to 1 month before the event date will receive a 25% refund of their entry fee.
- Entry fees are non-refundable within one (1) month of the event date.
A NO REFUND policy will apply AFTER 1st October 2024, without exceptions.
Note: Some travel insurance companies cover and refund the registration fees as long as the rider is not able to participate. We recommend that you buy that kind of travel insurance policy.
Full Pack Early-Bird Registration
- Airport pickup/drops
- 4WD vehicle
- Accommodations/Meals
- Race day refreshments
- Medical supplies
- Medal
- Event t-shirt
- Timing chips
- Liaison transfers
- Race duffle bag
Full Pack Late Registration
- Airport pickup/drops
- 4WD vehicle
- Accommodations/Meals
- Race day refreshments
- Medical supplies
- Medal
- Event t-shirt
- Timing chips
- Liaison transfers
- Race duffle bag
participants’
reviews
I have a lot of stories to tell from this race. The mountains of Manang has a lot of potential for enduro and freestyle riders.
Nepal was always very close to my heart. Now that I have got the taste of the high altitude race, my expectations are higher. Would love to come back.
Before coming here, I had no idea what it was gonna be like. Now that I have been here, I love it. This place is nuts. I will come back.
Nepal is such an exotic place to have mountain bike race. It is different from other races around the world. Yak Ru is more than a race, it is a full-on adventure packed in 10 days.
Nepal’s mountains reminded me of New Zealand except they are only bigger. Biking here is so superb that I am glad I extended my riding trip after the race and covered more grounds.
I am glad I came to Nepal to ride and race. One tick on the bucket list. Extending the ride after the race was another level altogether. Thoroughly enjoyed the culture and hospitality of the people of Nepal.
enjoyed the fresh air in the mountains of Manang. Mind-blowing scenery while racing. Wish I had more time to enjoy the scenery and soak a bit more in the environment.
Its been a rad adventure. An extended ride holiday to Tilicho lake after Yak Ru race was rad. Many fond memories. Thank for having us.
Yak Ru 2024 race details
Please find all the details on our next race scheduled from 11 to 20 November 2024. Please feel free to contact us should you have further enquiry via our contact page.
Entry Fee and package Cost
Entry Fee and package Cost- All-Inclusive Full Package Cost for all Riders: USD$2600
- An Early Bird Discounted price US$2400 (Limited slots) – Required to pay full amount.
- A DEPOSIT of US$300 is required to secure entry in to the race at the time of signup.
Deadline: Entries close Midnight (GMT+8), 31 August 2024 unless sold out prior. All entry fees are per person.
The entry price will increase once the number of available entries in that category has sold out, or by the stated closing date – whichever comes first.
For more info visit our FAQ page
What is included in the Full package?
- 4WD vehicle ride from KTM to Manang.
- 4WD vehicle ride from Tal to Kathmandu at the end of the race.
- Professionally-marked 3-day enduro course, manned by local & foreign staff/volunteers.
- Highly accurate timing system Sportident timing system daily.
- Full medical support (including daily oximeter readings on traveling/race days) throughout the event.
- First aid on race course daily.
- Food/drink stations on race course daily.
- Full vehicular support for transport to/from race course & designated uplift sections on the race course.
- Free airport transfer within Kathmandu (from Tribhuvan International Airport) on the event start date – 11 Nov 2024.
- Free airport transfer within Kathmandu (to Tribhuvan International Airport) on event completion date – 20 Nov 2024.
- 09 nights accommodation*(As per Package) (the night before the prep/briefing day in Kathmandu, through to the departure Day).
- Full breakfasts each day (08 total) and full dinner each night (8 total).
- Lunch each traveling/race day (7 total).
- Complementary Yak Ru Enduro race duffel bag.
- Complementary Yak Ru Enduro ¾-sleeve event jersey.
- An unforgettable mountain biking experience!
For more info visit our FAQ page
What is NOT included in the package?
- Travel Insurance – Mandatory. The insurance must be able to cover all event related medical emergencies, including ground and air evacuation and repatriation, accidental deaths, damage or loss of equipment.
- International Air Ticket.
- Visa Fees.
- Beverages
- Laundry
- Tips
For more info visit our FAQ page
3-day enduro race: mainly flat and climbing sections are untimed and mostly descending sections are timed. 3 to 6 hours of riding per day, with 2-3 timed sections throughout each day. Times will be added together over the span of the 3 days to get your overall result at the end of the event.
Non-competitive riding before and after the 3 race days
A short, non-competitive acclimatization ride precedes the first day of racing; and a longer, non-competitive celebration rides follows after the last day racing to give a total of 5 days of riding. This event is structured as such with the health and well-being of all participants and staff in mind: to allow riders ample time to get accustomed to the high altitude via the acclimatization ride; as well as ensuring safety (and plenty of great photo-taking opportunities!) during the scenic and very rugged/exposed descending route during the return journey.
For more info visit our FAQ page
Riding vs Walking with Bike
Each race day, riders can expect a starting transfer stage of around 2-2.5 hours of uphill riding as well as walking with their bikes (hike-a-bike) to reach the first timed stage. Depending on the fitness level and technical ability of riders, this opening transfer stage will be between 40-60% rideable.
Uplifts by Vehicles
4-wheel drive trucks will provide limited vehicular uplifts will be used to get riders through other sections of the race, and will be provided as such:
- Before the start of racing on 2nd Day: 40-minute early-morning uplift between Manang town to Khangsar town
For more info visit our FAQ page
Overall, the timed stages comprise of over 90% downhill/descending features, and less than 10% flat and climbing/uphill features. Some stages will feature more descending and brake control on high speed or technical sections, while others will require riders to do more pedalling to remain competitive.
Features on timed stages include (but are not limited to):
- Narrow singletrack with exposure on ridgelines, traverses, and corners.
- Flowy, high-speed singletrack and double track.
- Alpine forest soil and vegetation (loam, roots, pine cones, fallen leaves)..
- Loose rocks, pebbles, and scree.
- Steep, tight, descending switchbacks.
- Rock gardens, including steps (natural or human-made), rock slabs, and rollable drops.
- Occasional wet stream/creek crossings and bridges (rock, wood).
- Mud, snow, ice (if wet/cold weather is encountered).
Due to the remote nature of this event, all timed stages will be contested without prior practice, or blind. Each race stage is officiated over by a start-official and a finish-official (at the start and finish line respectively); are marked with course tape & arrows, and are manned at critical junctions and safety points by route marshals and medical staff.
Regular pre-stage inspections will take place throughout the event to ensure that riders possess and wear proper protective equipment, that their bikes are in good working order, and that they comply with the regulations and the spirit of the event.
For more info visit our FAQ page
The night before each day of riding, a riders briefing will be held to give essential details on what to expect and the latest updates on trail conditions. Stage and cumulative times will also be posted daily during the riders briefings.
For more info visit our FAQ page
| Categories | Age Limit |
| Open | Age 21 to 39 Both Male and Female* |
| Veteran | Age 40 and above Both Male and Female* |
| * Category awarded prizes for 10 or more participants in respective category only |
Male Open and Female Open Categories will be put up, with podium prizes and trophies on offer.
Veteran (40 years and above) categories for both genders including podium prizes and trophies – will be introduced if there are 5 or more participants entered that qualify age-wise & gender-wise for each respective category.
| Position | Cash Prize Money |
| 1-ST | US$ 500 equivalent in Nepalese rupees |
| 2-ND | US$ 300 equivalent in Nepalese rupees |
| 3-RD | US$ 200 equivalent in Nepalese rupees |