In the past decade, Nepal has introduced various adventure-related, “adrenaline rush” activities that cater to enthusiasts of different preferences. We outline some for you to sample and choose what best fits your tastes and requirements.
Bungee Jumping
Jump from a bridge over the Bhote Koshi River into a gorge considered the deepest, so this is not for the faint-hearted. However, the jumps have seen people from all ages and walks of life participate. It is conducted by a team of professional individuals rated as world-class in this field. So far, nothing untoward has been reported; only people are returning for more and more.
Bhote Koshi is easily accessible by road from Kathmandu, and one can make it back to the city in a day. However, staying at one of the popular riverside resorts is recommended as it is a very pleasurable experience – unwinding after an exciting plunge over a glass of wine or chilled beer and barbecues – a calming effect after a dose of adrenaline.
Paragliding
The famous tourist town Pokhara with its tranquil lake surrounded by lush forests, and imposing snow-clad peaks that rise suddenly in the background, provides the backdrop for this aerial adventure. It gives you exhilarating aerial views of this gorgeous Annapurna region that is speckled with glacial lakes, rivers, alpine forests, glaciers, and the main township of Pokhara on the edges of Phewa Taal (Phewa Lake).
The jump or take-off starts at Sarangkot Hill ( 1500 meters / 4970 feet ) and rises 500 meters from the hill on thermal air – taking you up to soaring heights. The view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges combined with the plunging valleys is a feast for the eyes, and the motorless flight is an eagle-eye experience. The sense of freedom one feels swirling down is incomparable to any other occasion. You will descend unto the banks of the Phewa Lake to make your way to your hotel. Or, if you so desire, a hike along the banks or a boat ride.
Pokhara is easily accessible by flight ( approx. 22 minutes ) and by road ( 7 hours approx. ). A two- to three-night stay is recommended if you engage in other adventure activities. People who have onward journeys, especially treks to the Everest or Annapurna Regions, can proceed by flight or road. Likewise, for rafting and wildlife enthusiasts.
Zip Line
A relatively new activity that also commences in Sarangkot Hill; this is a sheer vertical drop of 2000 feet and 1895 meters long on a cable where you are suspended ( securely strapped ). You then ride down at speeds of 100 mph. The distance is covered in 2 minutes. Considering the incline and the space, this is the world’s longest and most exciting zip line ride. There are weight restrictions ( not more than 125 kgs ), and people with neck complications or problems cannot take this ride.
Ultra Light Flying
Another feature in adventure-filled Pokhara is ultra-light flights conducted over and around the valley. Though you fly in a micro-light, single-engine craft, it is just you and the pilot seated in an open lightweight aircraft with a chance to pass alongside eagles and other birds. With an opportunity to get a 360-degree view, you are treated to spectacular aerial adventure and the sights down below Pokhara with its surrounding valleys, lakes, and glaciers. The mountains are seen from a different perspective—a slightly different experience from paragliding.
The pilots and operators are seasoned professionals with internationally accredited licenses and have a fair number of years of experience. The flight takes off from Pokhara airport and concludes there.
Mountain Biking
Over the decades, mountain biking has gained immense popularity among foreigners and locals. There are many options to approach this activity. You can choose the moderately easy foothill-low-level trails in and around the valley of Kathmandu or even other townships like Pokhara or go for the steep and challenging downhill rides with natural barriers and obstacles that may require a certain degree of experience. Depending on your needs and level of endurance and skill, one can even ride cross country length and breadth of the country – west to east or North to south.
Depending on your budget, numerous bicycles are available for hire at various outlets or even with your travel or trekking agents. From top-of-the-line professional to average family-requirement bikes, they are readily available for a reasonable fee.
Elephant Polo
There are few countries in the world where elephant polo is featured, and Nepal is one of them; in fact, Nepal even plays host to various international competitions which see the participation of professional international teams.
Elephant Polo is similar to horse polo and comprises four players in each team and plays in a field restricted to 140 m x 70 m, using a standard-sized polo ball. The game consists of 10-minute chukkers of playing time with an interval of 15 minutes.
Elephant polo in Nepal is conducted under the auspices of the World Elephant Polo Association.
Everest Skydive
This extreme form of aerial adventure is fast emerging in Nepal and has gained much popularity and demand. You jump from a plane or a helicopter into the world’s highest drop zone at Gorak Shep, Kala Pattar plateau. This skydiving adventure is carried out right before the mighty Mt. Everest and some of the world’s tallest peaks. Highly experienced pilots with skydiving rating man the aircraft, and safety is guaranteed.
You can either opt for a solo skydive or in tandem.
Rock Climbing
Easily accessible from the central city of Kathmandu, the Nagrajun Forest and Shivapuri National Park offers some of the best and most exciting rock climbing experiences. The cliff face in Nagarjun is about 12-15 meters high and is suited for both beginners and the experienced. Shivapuri is only 9 km from Kathmandu. An artificial climbing wall named after the French alpinist Maurice Herzog was opened at the Mountaineering Museum in Pokhara and is 23 meters high.
MOUNTAIN FLIGHTS
To say the grandeur, beauty, and scale of the Himalayas are awe-inspiring would be an understatement; travelers coming to Nepal cannot be satisfied by the picture-perfect scenery of this country. Most want to get up close and personal with the mighty Everest, towering at 8848 meters ( 29,028 feet ). One of the most popular attractions is the Everest Mountain flight which is operated by practically every domestic airline. Many people need more time or the will to trek through the vast Himalayas but genuinely want to savor this panorama fully.
From the comforts of a pressurized turbo or jet-prop aircraft, which leaves early in the morning, you will get stunning views of the Himalayan giants, including eight of the 14 tallest peaks in the world.; some of these, apart from Everest, include Lhotse ( 8516 m ), Nuptse ( 7855 m ), Ama Dablam ( 6812 m ), Chamlang ( 7319 m ), Makalu ( 8463 m ), Gauri Shanker ( 7134 m ), Langtang Lirung ( 7234 m ), Annapurna ( 8091 m ), Manaslu ( 8136 m ), Ganesh ( 77429 m ), Kanchenjunga ( 8586 m ), and many more.
The flight guarantees viewing of these mountains as the flight only leaves if the weather is favorable and visibility is ensured. The aircraft are usually Jetstream 41 or Beechcraft 1900 series, providing every passenger gets a window seat. On leaving Kathmandu, the aircraft cruises at an altitude of 25,000 feet (usually, domestic flights operate at 12-13,000 feet ); the flight lasts approximately 1 hour. If the mountains are off your side of your aircraft when you fly out, you can catch them on the return leg. One can also view the Tibetan plateau on the other side of the border.
HELICOPTER TOURS
Once again, these tours are designed for people who cannot endure the rigorous treks for various reasons or do not have the time. These tours have become increasingly popular, and even if you have been on hikes in these regions, you will be offered a different perspective of some of the most stunning aerial views.
Despite Nepal’s average width of 30 kilometers, it has a diverse landscape from mountain, hill, and terai ( plains ) regions. And this promises spectacular views of fourteen 8000-meter peaks, countless 7000 and 6000-meter-plus peaks, gorges, glaciers, glacial lakes, winding rivers, and lush sub-tropical forests.
This helicopter tour offers views of diverse delights of terrain and eco-system. Spectacular jagged mountain views lead to plateaus and deep, lushly forested areas infested with exotic wildlife.
The helicopters that operate these tours are Eurocopter with five seats and MI 17 with 22 seats. The helicopters. The helicopters cruise at altitudes of 16,000 feet. The regions served are the Everest ( also Khumbu ) region, Langtang Region and Annapurna Region.
RAFTING IN NEPAL
Introduction
The glacial-fuelled rivers of Nepal provide some of the best rapids for adrenaline junkies who want to test the Himalayan waters. Nepal is for the average adventure seeker to seasoned professional climbers. The rivers are also graded at various levels depending on whether. A few hours of instruction is required or if professionalism is called for. Because of Nepal’s mountainous terrain, snowy mountains, lush forests, and ample rainfall during the monsoon season provide ideal grounds for the rafter and kayaking enthusiast.
The rivers in Nepal stretch from its western to eastern borders. They can vary from the more family-friendly wide and gently flowing rivers that you can glide down to rivers with steeper gradients that are narrower, faster, and more attention-seeking. The more gentle and wider rivers allow you to take in the scenery of the lushly forested hillsides and slopes with their diverse flora and fauna, river bank settlements, and cultures. So there is more interaction with Nepal’s landscape and rural culture. In contrast, the higher-up-the-hills rapids require a great deal of focused professionalism and are recommended for people with prior experience and expertise in rafting or kayaking.
Some of these rafting adventures can take you through wildlife sanctuaries and parks, and this will be the trip’s objective; a more scenic adventure, while others are purely centered on the adrenaline-kicking aspect of taking on some of the world’s most challenging rapids.
River Guides, Safety & Equipment
Our river guides are highly trained and experienced, most of whom have undergone training in the United States, Canada, or elsewhere. They are fully knowledgeable regarding safety and other emergencies, including river rescue techniques. Before your trip, our experts will explain the do’s and don’ts and what to expect in case of incidents like; the overturning of rafts, an implausible scenario in moderately graded rivers.
The equipment we use is always frequently checked and upgraded and is like any other used by most reputed rafting companies/agencies. We do not make any concessions concerning safety features, equipment, and staff.
Our river adventures range from day trips to longer excursions. During more extended tours, you will be kept in tented accommodation and will be supported by cooks; your dinner will be served under the stars in front of a campfire if the nights are chilly !!
Accessibility
Depending on what kind of rafting adventure you want, the drop-off and pick-up points may vary. Sometimes, the starting point may be a few hour’s drive from Kathmandu or any central town in Nepal. In others, you may be required to fly to a particular destination from where you may be required to trek some distance before reaching your put-in point. However, your vehicle will pick you up at your take-out point, from where you may head straight back to your city/town of origin or be transferred to a domestic airport/airfield for your onward journey.
Clothing & Gear
T-shirts, shorts or leotards, and rubber sandals are recommended for the rafting trip; your extra dry clothes will be kept in a waterproof container in the raft if you so choose to change into drier clothing at the end of the trip. Please be advised that nights can be chilly on the banks of the rivers for most of the rafting season.
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Nepal is home to a diverse variety of exotic flora and fauna. It is a botanist, zoologist, and an ornithologist’s dream come true. This wildlife package takes you to the hub of such activity to witness wildlife in all its splendor. Some major wildlife destinations in Nepal are the Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and Bardia National Park.
These sanctuaries are home to mammals and migratory birds such as one-horned rhinoceros, various species of deer, wild boar, wild bison, sloth bear, leopards, the infamous Royal Bengal Tiger, gharials or Magurs (crocodiles), wild buffaloes, freshwater dolphins, storks, ibises, water fowls. Etc. The riverside sceneries, traditional Tharu people and their villages and culture, the grasslands and thick sal forests.
Activities
Activities may include village walks, jungle walks, jeep rides, elephant rides, canoeing in dug-out canoes, and visiting elephant breeding centers or incubators that have been established to breed the local crocodiles ( gharials or Magurs ). Your activities will be catered to what you choose to view in these parks and reserves. These areas are a haven for birdwatchers and animal spotters.
Accommodation
Accommodation may vary from traditional Tharu huts to tents or even luxury lodges with all amenities. Once again total is determined based on your needs and requirements; remember, guests to these reserves have included numerous royalty, world dignitaries, and Hollywood celebrities.
Accessibility
20-40 minute flights easily connect these parks and reserves from Kathmandu and are a short drive; however, itineraries can be modified to add adventure by rafting on moderate-grade rivers till you finally reach your destination. One can also choose to drive several hours overland on 4wd’s.