Adventure Activities in Nepal

Whether you choose to balloon, bungy jump, canyon, ice-climb, rock climb, climb trekking peaks, fly over mountains or fly an ultralight, you will find an adventure everyday in Nepal.

The Himalayas have long since held a mysterious attraction to travelers and trekkers alike. In recent years, there has been a surge of extreme sports to the small Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Now, in this part of the world, you can experience some of the most physically and mentally challenging action sports in an exotic destination.

As if trekking, rafting/kayaking, biking and jungle safari are not enough, any adventure mentioned below will entice the ultimate adrenaline junkie.

ballooning

Sail above the Kathmandu Valley and get your camera ready. These is a grand balloon with 20 person gondola. Your ballooning tour comes complete with a full course breakfast.

bungy jumping

If you've always wanted to fly, you have come to the right spot. New to Nepal, this leap of faith will jumpstart an already growing adrenaline sport industry. Balance yourself on the 500ft suspension bridge nestled within the mountains, high above the river. Raw energy begins to flow through the wooden planks, then comes your six seconds of adrenaline.

After your flight, enjoy a relaxing stay in The Last Resort, in the remote areas of Nepal's Bote Kosi river. Activities include rest, relaxation, trekking, meditation in an ancient Parvati temple, and conversations with new friends at the Instant Karma bar.

canyoning

The latest adrenaline cocktail of choice is canyoning, an activity that involves abseiling, sliding, jumping and climbing down canyon walls alongside waterfalls to deep pools below.

Swim into narrow passages, through powerful blasts of water and past, wild rock formations. This unique combination of skills gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.

ice-climbing

Out of the world's 10 highest peaks, eight are found in Nepal, thus being the ideal setting for mountaineering, peak and ice-climbing.

The Himalayas, the world's most well known mountain playground in the world, is a place that every ice-climber should visit at least once in a lifetime. Demanding skills, extreme altitudes, jagged peaks, glaciers and icefalls, heightens your senses, giving you an exhilarating and powerful experience.

rock climbing

The growing Himalayas will also tempt those that want to be tethered to them - or do you want to free climb? Whatever your pleasure, these young mountains are sure to offer enough finger-clinging holds to give a lifetime of memories. Most trekking outfitters offer all the gear you'll need for mountaineering. But for more specific climbing needs, consider coming loaded with your own gear.

mountaineering

Nepal is a country well known for its Himalaya mountains. Among the 10 highest peaks in the world, eight, including the highest peak Mt. Everest, crown this country. Nothing on earth can beat the exhilaration of scaling them. No wonder Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers and every year more than 500 expeditions trudge up the Himalaya.

seasons
There are four seasons for mountaineering in Nepal: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February). A total of 153 Himalayan peaks are open to mountaineers. Climbing permits are issued by the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation (MoTCA) for 135 peaks known as mountaineering peaks, and by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) for 18 smaller peaks, known as trekking peaks, which range from 5,587 to 6,654 m in altitude.

permission
The following documents have to be sent to MoTCA, Mountaineering Division when applying for a climbing permit: completed application, endorsement of the National Alpine Club, short biographies of all the members of the expedition (with photograph and signature), map and/or photograph of the mountain indicating climbing route and approach route map. Enlistment of the expedition’s name does not require any fee and it should not be paid before receiving the permit from the Ministry of Tourism.

Permits to climb the 18 trekking peaks are issued by NMA on ‘‘first come first served" basis. It is necessary to appoint a government recognized trekking agency of Nepal as a local liaison for the expedition in Kathmandu. The trekking agency will look after all the requirements during the expedition.

fee
A royalty (climbing fee) ranging from US$ 1,500 to US$ 10,000 (according to the altitude of the peak) and US$ 70,000 for Everest is charged by MoTCA for a group of seven persons. An additional US$ 200 to US$ 1,500 per person (US$ 10,000 per person for Everest) will be charged if the group exceeds seven persons.

The full amount of the royalty has to be paid within two months of the date of issue of the permit, otherwise it may be canceled. The royalty must be paid directly to MoTCA either by bank draft or bank transfer payable in convertible foreign currency only.

For trekking peaks, a royalty of US$ 300 or US$ 150 is charged by NMA. The permit is valid for a period of one month for a group of up to 10 persons. An additional amount of US$ 7.50 per person is charged if the group exceeds 10 persons.

A rebate of up to 40% on the royalty may be given during the summer and winter seasons. Full or partial rebate for a fixed period may be given for new peaks or for unclimbed open peaks, on ‘‘first come first served" basis. On the occasion of Visit Nepal Year ’98, MoTCA has exempted royalty for 28 peaks for the year 1998-99.

restrictions
Food and equipment imported for expeditions require an import license and should be custom cleared. Walkie-talkies, transceiver sets and other communication equipment are controlled items in Nepal and have to be declared at the customs office at the entry point.

For further information, contact Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Division, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu; Tel: 4241909 (direct), 4225556 extension: 381, 382 or Nepal Mountaineering Association, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 4411525; Fax: 977-1-4416278.

See VisitNepal.com's Trekking Peaks for current challenges available. For complete details about Mountaineering and Expeditions, visit our sponsor Adventure Thirdpole Treks and Expeditions.

expeditions

Mt. Everest and other numerous peaks have been climbed many times now. Tenzing Norge Sherpa (pictured in banner above) and Edmund Hillary reached the top of the world in 1953. Hillary stated "Nepal is one of the world's great paradises and one of the nicest countries in the world for trekking."

The Nepal Government is also taking interest to open new and restricted trekking areas and virgin peaks for the summit attempts. Many trekkers and climbers are excited to visit Nepal and test their endurance behind the other great climbers in history. Peaks for the mountaineering are categorized by height, area and royalty.

See VisitNepal.com's Trekking Peaks for current challenges available. For complete details about Mountaineering and Expeditions, visit our sponsor Adventure Thirdpole Treks and Expeditions.

mountain flight

airplane
For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going trekking, there are mountain flights that offer a panoramic encounter with the highest peaks on earth. The plane departs from Kathmandu and flies alongside the Himalaya to give you eye-level views of the snow peaks and then brings you back in one hour. Cruising close to the awesome massifs of rock and ice, the flight presents a mind-boggling sight.

helicopter
In Nepal, going to remote corners of the Himalaya by helicopter is guaranteed to be an exciting activity. Since the whirlybird needs only a small landing space, it can be hired to take tourists to whichever destination and at whatever time they want to go. Of course, amazing mountain views are just one part of the ticket.

ultra-light flying

A new era of recreational aviation has landed in Nepal. Discover the magic of this simple, elemental, pure flight. Feel the wind in your face, observe clear, unobstructed views and explore the stunning landscapes, surrounded by a backdrop of lofty mountain peaks.

related topics

Adventure Activities Jungle Safari Rafting Biking

other topics viewed by visitors

Traveler's Guide Trekking in Nepal Nepal Information Tours in Nepal