Dipa Sunuwar
Kathmandu — Nepal is set to host its first-ever Canyoning Festival, a three-day event taking place from February 28 to March 1 at Gati, Borderlands in Sindhupalchok. The festival, organized by Borderlands Eco Resort, aims to promote canyoning as an exciting adventure sport among Nepali enthusiasts.
Nepal is globally recognized for its adventure tourism, offering a variety of adrenaline-pumping activities such as mountaineering, trekking, rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, and honey hunting. Adding to this list, canyoning is now emerging as a sport with immense potential in the country. Some of the most popular canyoning spots in Nepal include Sundarijal in Kathmandu, Old Jambo in Sindhupalchok, Pokhara, and Jalbire in Chitwan.
He further highlighted that Sindhupalchok alone has nine waterfalls suitable for canyoning, making it an ideal location for the festival. The event is expected to attract between 150 to 200 local adventure seekers.
The Growing Popularity of Canyoning in Nepal
According to Megh Ale, Nepal has witnessed a growing interest in adventure sports, and canyoning is gradually becoming a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists. With this increasing enthusiasm, he expressed hope that canyoning will soon be a fully professionalized sector in Nepal.
The history of commercial canyoning in Nepal dates back to 1996. Originally introduced in France, canyoning was brought to Nepal by Megh Ale, who received specialized training in Austria. Initially, this adventure sport was practiced under the guidance of foreign trainers, but today, Nepali athletes are taking the lead in popularizing canyoning within the country.
Canyoning: A Unique Alternative to Rafting
Madan Magar, the program director, emphasized that canyoning is an excellent alternative for those who find rafting repetitive. He explained, “For those who enjoy climbing, rope techniques, and swimming, canyoning is not only an exciting sport but also a safe one when done correctly.”
Initially dominated by foreign tourists, canyoning is now gaining attention among Nepalis as well. The Nepal Canyoning Association is actively working to structure and professionalize this adventure sport for local enthusiasts.
Lack of Domestic Tourism Participation
Despite Nepal’s growing reputation for adventure sports, industry experts have raised concerns about the lack of domestic participation in canyoning. While Nepal has a significant number of trekking and rafting guides, there are still fewer than 50 certified canyoning guides in the country. This highlights the urgent need for more trained professionals to promote and expand canyoning in Nepal.
Event Participation and Registration
To ensure the smooth execution of the event, 10—15 canyoning guides and 25 volunteers will be assigned to assist participants. Interested individuals can register for the event via the Borderlands Eco Resort’s Facebook and Instagram pages, their offices in New Bazaar and Thamel, or through phone and online platforms.
With Nepal’s first-ever Canyoning Festival, the country takes another step towards establishing itself as a hub for adventure tourism. As more Nepalese adventure seekers get involved, the sport is expected to flourish in the coming years, contributing to both tourism growth and local employment opportunities
