Referred to as the bravest of the brave, Gurkha soldiers have a fearsome reputation as some of the toughest fighters in the British Army.

Now, two Gurkhas based in Folkestone will put that reputation on the line as they embark on a record-breaking 1,500-mile endurance challenge in the Arctic Circle.

Captain Jon Armstrong, a British Gurkha officer, and Corporal Arjun Limbu, from Taplajung in Nepal, are aiming to become the fastest people to circumnavigate around the Canadian island of Ellesmere unpowered.

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Equivalent to a distance slightly less than the coast of Britain, the duo will be climbing, kayaking and ski-ing their way across the daunting terrain in sub-zero temperatures.

Capt Armstrong said: “The record was set in 2011 and we want to complete in under 100 days.

“We’re starting at the beginning of May which is the start of the summer and is very short indeed. We expect it to be between minus 10 and 15 and it goes up to plus 10 and 15 which is a nice sunny day in Folkestone.

“We’ll carry 120kg, the kayak is 30kg without anything in. We’ll be aiming to cover around 15 to 20 miles a day and hope to get up to 6mph in the kayak, if there’s not too much ice.”

It won’t be gourmet dinners though as Capt Armstrong joked the rations “taste good” but said they would be happy for anything after a day’s hike.

He added: “Normal rations are hydrated so will just freeze when we get there. The more food we take the heavier the kit is so have to plan to take the amount we need and the weight.”

The current record holders have been giving Capt Armstrong and Cpl Limbu advice in the preparation and one, Jon Turk, is part of the support team.

Capt Armstrong added: “They’ve given us a lot of help in planning this and hope we’re in a better position. They were the first.

“It’s to mark the 200th anniversary and this is a unique endeavour to mark G200.”

They also aim to raise £30,000 for clean drinking water and sanitation in Cpl Limbu’s home district in Nepal, highlighting the work of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Cpl Limbu added: “My forebears have fought in countless wars, including both world wars and the Falklands, and I myself have been in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“So, while the Arctic is challenging, it is something we can prepare for and face with complete determination.

“This year is the 200th of Gurkhas serving in the British Army and working alongside a British officer on a challenge of this scale is symbolic of the close relationship that we Gurkhas have had with the British Army.”

Events for G200, the official title of the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the alliance between Britain and Nepal, are set to be held throughout the year.

Gurkhas based in Folkestone will be playing a key role in the parades which are planned to take place in London with training marches also pencilled in to happen in the town.

Keep up with their progress and sponsor the boys via www.facebook.com/exarcticgurkha