Top 10 Adventurous Activities in Nepal

18 Nov 2022 Chandra Gurung

The fact that Nepal has such a wide range of altitudes has made it a refuge for adventurers. Few countries on Earth have as many diverse altitudes as Nepal, and it can accommodate them. So there are many adventurous activities in Nepal, that can be enjoyed.

The Annapurna Elevations and Mount Everest, the most renowned peak of all, are located in the upper mountains of the Himalayas. Treks in these areas are well-liked and thrilling, taking you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth while you discover places where few people have ever set foot before and enjoy the stunning views of the world’s tallest mountains.

There are many locations for different adventure sports in the foothills and lower regions, and the abundance of enormously large gorges and rushing rivers that run through terrifying rapids. The great open spaces of grasslands combine for an incredible and adrenaline-fueled experience.

Detailed Overviews of Nepal’s Top Outdoor Sports

It might be challenging to decide where to start when so many options are available. You might enhance your trip by visiting Nepal, which offers the ideal environment. In Nepal, you can indulge your passion for hiking through the wilds of the Himalayas and jungles or experience the exhilaration of bungee jumping off enormous cliffs.

1. Bungee Jumping

Earlier, only two locations in Nepal offer bungee jumping: Pokhara and The Last Resort at the Bhote Koshi River canyon close to the Tibet-Nepal border. Now many places offer bungee jumping activities. 

It is one of the most incredible activities you can engage in. The most well-known and tallest of all, Last Resort descends 160 meters to the river’s waters below. All the necessary equipment is included in the jump price; all you need are some comfortable clothing and a decent, tight pair of footwear or boots.

Any medical issues, such as epilepsy or high blood pressure, must be disclosed to the jumping crew to avoid a hazardous leap. The best seasons to visit the place are from March to May or August to November. The location is offered all year round. Jumps cost about US$ 92 for a single leap, and the Last Resort also offers combination packages.

2. Canyoning

The adventurous sport of the modern era, known as canyoning, involves traversing gorges utilizing various techniques and tactics to reach the other side. Swimming, walking, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and diving are a few examples of this, which is done in remote locations on harsh terrain. There are numerous canyoning locations in Nepal, including Bhukuthe Khola, Kanglang Khola, Kahule Khola, and Panglang Khola.

You must wear decent rubber shoes and lightweight, comfortable clothing because you will likely become very wet during this activity. The organizers will typically give you specialized equipment for you to use. 

The activity is available year-round because it occurs in Nepal’s lower-altitude regions. However, it would be best if you skipped the monsoon season from June to August and the dead of winter in January and the beginning of February because it can still get quite cold at those times. The starting price for a one-day excursion is about US$ 95.

3. Paragliding

Paragliding is the best option for seeing Nepal’s beautiful landscape from the air. You will just be floating hundreds of meters above Nepal’s mountains or forests, so this fantastic activity is not for the faint-hearted. 

The ideal months for flying in Nepal are November and December, while the season lasts until the end of February. There are 22 locations in Nepal where experienced paragliding pilots may take you up, with Pokhara and Kathmandu being the most well-known.

Warm, comfy clothing and shoes are a requirement, and the facilities will supply all of the necessary equipment for you. Flights last about 20 to 30 minutes, and safety is of the utmost importance. A short trip of about 30 minutes starts at about USD 100.

4. Trekking

The most well-liked activity is trekking, which draws thousands of tourists to this little Himalayan nation to walk one of the many paths in the area. There are many well-known treks, such as the Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, Lower Manaslu Trekking, and many more. 

But trekking can be done anyplace, from the lowland Terai and rainforests to the heights of the mighty Himalayas. If you’ve done high-altitude trekking before, you can go on your own, but if this is your first time, it’s best to go with a tour group. 

Tours start at about US$ 1,300 per person and typically include transportation from Kathmandu to Lukla, housing, entrance fees to the Everest National Park, meals, and accommodations along the trek. They also frequently come with a guide.

You will require a lot of gear you will need to purchase on your own for the hikes. You can find all this gear in Kathmandu’s trekking shops for a fair price, including backpacks, warm clothing, hiking boots, waterproofs, and so on. 

You should be ready to experience some mild altitude sickness symptoms, as most people do, and to get a bit cold, especially at night. The ideal months for hiking in Nepal’s mountains are March through May and late September through December.

5. Mount Bike Riding

For thrill-seekers and explorers, hurtling down slopes on a bicycle in Nepal is quickly gaining popularity. There is no better location to begin than at the Kathmandu Valley Rim. The valley is covered in dirt paths that ascend, descend hills and valley sides, and climb to greater altitudes than the valley level. 

The most well-known destinations are Bhaktapur, Sankhu, Budanilkantha, and Nagarkot, and the vistas while riding are breathtaking. You’ll need a mountain bike and cycling gear, which can be purchased at most mountain bike shops worldwide and are appropriate in warm and cold climates. 

If you already own one, you can bring it with you; otherwise, there are many reputable bike stores in Kathmandu where you can rent or purchase one. There are also used cycles available, which you may finish using and then return to the store for a discounted price.

You may choose from the day tours to 20-day expeditions to locations like Annapurna for cyclists of all skill levels, and the price ranges from US$ 65 to US$ 120 for a day trip per person, based on your route.

6. River Rafting

Jumping onto a rubber raft and racing through boulder-filled rapids on a swiftly moving river is the perfect way to experience true adrenaline and adventure. As the rivers flow from the Himalayas’ snow-capped peaks, they offer fantastic white-water rafting opportunities throughout Nepal. 

You can choose from half-day and full-day expeditions to lengthier experiences lasting up to five days on the Tamur River, the Karnali River, the Sunkoshi River, and the Bhote Koshi River.

You must bring wet gear, such as a wetsuit or a dry suit. However, many wear t-shirts, light shorts, light rubber shoes, and a waterproof jacket. Lifejackets and helmets are typically provided as standard equipment.

A five-day excursion can cost as much as US$ 400, which covers the tents, meals, and other needs. A day trip on the rafts can cost as little as US$ 50 and as much as US$ 100, depending on the river. Longer trips can start at roughly US$ 3,000 for a 27-day journey that travels multiple rivers and includes touring Kathmandu before departing for the rivers.

7. Zip Lining

Consider flying across a wide river supported only by a short cable. You jump off a platform several hundred feet in the air while wearing a harness, and you quickly descend along a rope to the ground below at speeds that would make a racer scream. 

One of the first outdoor adventure sports, zip lining, first appeared in the 1980s and quickly rose to fame as a thrilling activity. You find the finest zip line locations in the world in Nepal.

The world’s longest, steepest, highest, and fastest zipline, which is situated above Sarangkot in Pokhara, is also found in Nepal. The Pokhara ZipFlyer is the pinnacle of zipline adventures, with a run of more than 1.8 kilometers, a vertical plunge of around 600 meters, and an average speed of almost 120 kilometers per hour.

The cost of the exhilarating trip includes all the necessary equipment; all you need to bring are some comfortable clothes and shoes. The world’s highest and longest zipline has a starting price of about US$ 82 per person, and once you’ve landed, you can get pictures and videos of your journey.

8. Skydiving from the Everest region

Do you ever have dreams about flying? Take this opportunity to be ready for a skydive in Nepal. It is the best experience to make you feel on top of the world. Comparatively speaking to other adventurous activities in Nepal, skydiving is among the most recent adventure sports.

Pokhara and Everest are the two locations where skydiving takes place. Either Gorak Shep or Kala Pathar is where skydivers at Everest take off from.

9. Ultralight Flight Pokhara

Ultralight flight Pokhara offers a singular opportunity to view the beautiful Himalayas from above and take in Pokhara’s valley. It is a breathtaking experience superior to any other ride, gorgeous, unusual, and spectacular.

A tiny, windowless aircraft with just two seats—one for the pilot and one for the passenger—is employed for this journey. These aircraft can get quite near mountain peaks because of their engines.

Only Pokhara offers ultralight flights in Nepal. The Pokhara valley is a popular choice for ultra-light aircraft because of its proximity to mountains and picturesque lakes. The first allegedly professional ultralight flights in South Asia took place in Pokhara in 1997 AD.

10. Hot Air Ballooning

An exciting new sport called hot air ballooning debuted in Pokhara on November 17, 2018. In Pokhara, it is the most recent adventure sport. There are many excellent things to do in Pokhara, Nepal. In a short time, hot air ballooning, like other hobbies, has gained popularity among tourists.

In Pokhara, hot air ballooning offers views of the impressive Himalayas. You may experience the breathtaking views of Mount Annapurna, Mount Fishtail, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, Mount Manaslu, and other peaks while flying like a bird sitting in a wicker.

One of the most excellent ways to discover the lovely Pokhara is by hot air balloon. It offers the Pokhara valley’s most breathtaking vistas. Views of lakes, verdant mountains, rivers, villages, and nearby farmland are available.

So, if you’re in Nepal or intend to go there, make sure to check out Pokhara’s hot air balloon ride. Your trip to Nepal will be far more thrilling and memorable as a reward.

FAQ About Adventurous Activities in Nepal

Q: What exactly are adventure sports?

A thrilling encounter or endeavour that is often daring and occasionally risky is referred to as an adventure. Travelling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or any other extreme sports might be considered adventures.

Q: Can you find adventurous activities in Nepal?

Nepal, surrounded by eight of the highest mountains in the world, is a haven for thrill seekers. Many beautiful places in the world are accessible via climbing up, zipping down, trekking across, and soaring over.