RAFTING & KAYAKING
Set in the surrounds of the mighty Himalayas, Nepal has the most scenic and diverse white-water experiences on the planet. From short trips for beginners to long trips and kayaking certification through jungles and mountain rivers: the choices are limitless.
If you are a water enthusiast, then Nepal offers you endless white rivers that descend from the highest mountains of the world, along stretches of silver sandy beaches, where adventure seekers can enjoy numerous water sports and adventures.
Among which white-water rafting and kayaking, are most popular. Try the widely popular world classic categories like the Karnali River, Sunkoshi and Tamur, which are a mix of rapids, grades and sceneries. Most people enjoy rafting for the thrill of it, while many people (mostly women) want to try it as first timers. Very few are left disappointed.
Enjoy deep river gorges, to wide river basins through some of the world famous rivers like, the Sun Koshi, Bhote Koshi, Trishuli , where rapid grades range from 1 to 6 and diverse terrain meet exotic flora and aquatic life. Rivers like the Marshyangdi and Arun, provide some of the most scenic views for rafters. Diverse wildlife and flora, along the routes, add to the essence of these trips.
Plan your rafting trips with local agents, who have well trained team of river guides , who can not only tackle the wild rapids, but help adventure seekers take thrills to the next level. Plan a short rafting trip which lasts from a day to three days, or longer trips which offer relaxing camp stops combined with short treks along the river lines into thick evergreen forests and beautiful waterfalls.
You could also sign up to be a part of the growing kayaking community in Nepal. Join the paddling community, where kayakers from around the world meet, participate in group tours and stay connected through social media, and share stories. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a bit of socializing mixed with nature and thrill.
Rivers open for rafting
1. Upper Seti River - 1/2 days trip
2. Trishuli River - 1 day trip to 2 days
3. Marshyangdi River - 2 days
4. Kali Gandhi River - 3 days
5. Karnali River - 8 to 10 days
6. Sunkoshi River - 8 to 10 days
7.Tamur River - 10 days
PARAGLIDING
Take to the sky on thermals over the snow capped mountains and pristine lakes like nowhere else in the world. With experienced pilots, choose from tandem flights to fully certified paragliding courses, solo flights or even go paragliding with hawks!
With the low lying valleys and the high cold mountains Nepal can provide some of the best paragliding experiences in the world with its natural and frequently produce rising thermals. Paragliding has been practiced in Nepal since 1995 and the sport goes from strength to strength. You can come as a beginner and leave with many flying hours under your belt. Soaring with the hawks and flying close to the Himalayan summits are experiences you will never forget whether you are an experienced pilot or a beginner undertaking your first tandem flight. You can fly with world class pilots, solo or tandem and benefit from local knowledge going cross-country or acro flying, you can even get your international license in Nepal. If you don’t have your own equipment or chose not to bring it to Nepal with you, then that is not a problem, hiring equipment in Nepal is an alternative solution.
Due to the closeness of the flying paths it is not permitted to just launch as a private pilot you may well encounter domestic flights at close quarters therefore it is important to get familiar with the Nepalese flying policies and regulations.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Hurtling down dirt roads on a mountain bike and getting a big thrill out of it is for the hardy and the fittest adventure seekers. And Nepal is just the place for such high spirited people. Beginning right here in the Kathmandu valley, there are endless possibilities for bikers.
The dirt trails up and down the valley lead to far flung settlements with great views along the way as the fields are covered in lush green and mountains appear in the distance as you climb to higher elevations. Out of the valley, there are terraced hillsides, waterfalls and better views of mountains that loom large in the background.
Or if you choose to ride in the mountains; there are serene valleys, pristine glacial lakes and you’re ever so close to the Himalaya. And the ever-smiling people who greet you along the way will warm your hearts enough to make you want to stay. It’s a great way to discover the heart and soul of Nepal.
Hard core bikers can ride all through the Himalayas all the way to northern border. There are many agencies that lead organized trips to most destinations in Nepal. Popular destinations around the valley are Bhaktapur, Sankhu, Budanilkantha, Nagarkot and the Kathmandu Valley rim. Pokhara is fascinating for bike rides with its incredible natural beauty. Each year there are mountain biking championships held in Kathmandu and Pokhara in which many tourists participate.
Ride through lush green rice fields, delightful little hamlets, up and down the hills, along river banks, around temples, past the stray cattle, over suspension bridges and along the highway. Mountain bikes can be easily rented for the day or even longer from any of the numerous bicycle rental shops in and around the city. For a better understanding of the local culture, rhythm of village life and to visit the cool spots, take a guided trip.
TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
Throughout the Kathmandu Valley centuries-old traditional artisan skills continue today. Take a course in woodcarving, stone masonry, pottery or learn delicate Thangka painting from artisans who have been practising this skills for generations.
Nepal is made of Gods and Goddesses, temples and palaces, arts and crafts, music and war history. However, there is one skill, which is common in every quarter, and that is 'hands of skilled workers'.
Nepal is the birthplace of Araniko, a famous artist, of the late 12th century, from the Kathmandu Valley who would travel miles to China, Beijing and build famous White Stupa at the Miaoying Temple. He is a key figure in Chinese culture because it's him who had introduced pagoda style architecture in China, for the first time and the rest is, merely, history.
Nepal's temples and statues of gods, and other figures are, simply, standards of the perfection of handicrafts. From the very typical households to melting iron for making the world-famous knife, Khukuri, Nepalese artists are masters of their own. Nepalese cultural craft is, especially, noble for considering the varieties of recognizable artisan inhabitants. For example, Nepal is famous for Carpets, Thanka (Painting of Gods) Newari Wood Carving, Himalayan Nepalese Paper, Tibetan Handicraft, Buddhist and Hindu statues, Mithila Wall Art, Bamboo knitted umbrella, and for its indigenously crafted household items.