Himalayan White water Challenge 2009 : Nepal Rafting

Introduction:

Nepal, with its bountiful water flowing from the peaks of the Himalayas and the high passes from the Tibetan plateau, possesses some of the finest whitewater rivers in the world. Additionally, Nepal is also home to one of the strongest and largest river tourism communities in the global industry. Comprised of approximately 61 companies, Nepal's river tourism industry employs thousands of native Nepalese and is entirely Nepali owned, operated and supplied, a fact which makes it unique among other forms of tourism development in the Himalayan kingdom (and indeed, in the world!). However, whitewater rafting in Nepal, while well known among several specialist river running communities across the world, has had relatively little publicity and as such is an extremely valuable yet little appreciated and publicized form of sustainable development for the country of Nepal. 
 

The Event:
With this in mind, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents has developed a proposal for the introduction of a river running event that has the potential to stimulate interest in Nepal as a tourist destination in general and Nepal's rivers in particular as one of the world's premier river running tourism destinations. Himalayan Whitewater Challenge in Nepal is a multi discipline one boat event that combines extreme slalom / river running skills with down river speed and freestyle action to find an overall whitewater champion. This event, which will combine state of the art forms of extreme whitewater slalom, head to head down river racing and amazing displays of freestyle rodeo maneuvers into one world class competitive event. Additionally, this event will also allow for a competitive display of Nepal's rafting history as there will be a down river raft race in which Nepal's original Nepali raft guides, the current company owners, will guide rafts filled with their companies' best guides in a head to head race down the Bhotekoshi river to claim the honor of 'Top OG' (Original Guide). As such, this event promises to be not only a world class competitive affair, but also an opportunity for Nepal to demonstrate its long standing tradition of whitewater rafting expertise among its citizens. 

Event Size and Expected Economic Benefits to Nepal's Tourism Industry

 

The event's organizer expected to attract to approximately 100-150 foreign competitors and approximately 100 Nepali participants, in addition to nearly 200-250 spectators, all of whom will help spread the world of Nepal's awesome whitewater tourism potential to those that they know aboard. Additionally, the foreign participants will all ply into Katmandu's Tribhuban International Airport, many of Nepalese air couriers Royal Nepal Airline and then stay in Katmandu's hotels and guesthouse. Where they will shop for good and eat and local restaurants, helping to bolster the country's critical tourism industry that has taken such hard blows in 2001 due to both national and international crises. Additionally, experience has shown that these participants will travel throughout Nepal after the events to paddle many of Nepal's world class rivers and as such will help to benefit other areas throughout the country economically. Further, as a by-product of the is event, publicity about Nepal as a safe and secure tourism destination will be disseminated helping to stimulate other non whitewater bases sectors of Nepal's tourism industry as well.

Himalayan White Water Challenge-2008 concluded:

Himalayan White water Challenge-2008 organized by Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) in partnership with Peak UK Kayaking, promoted by Nepal Tourism Board & supported by Nationally and Internationally water sports private company successfully concluded in Trisuli, one of the world class river located in Chitwan district of Nepal on November 2008 with the theme "Lets save Trisuli River". The objective of this challenge was to promote adventurous sports tourism activities in Nepal. About 80 participants from USA, UK, Iran, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, France and 30 participants from Nepal enthusiastically took part in three days long challenge from 17 to 19 November 2007. The challenge was divided into different events like Nepalese Junior Kayak (Men), Senior Kayak (Men) and Rafting Competition. At the Same time the prize was also distributed to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position sponsored by verities of the water sports company their produced that hold 1st, 2nd and 3rd position on this event respectively.

Source: raftingassociation.org.np

Mount Choyu Expedition Nepal

The name Mount Cho Oyu is called 'Goddess of Turquoise'. As goddess is 'chomo' in Tibetan language and turquoise is 'yu'. Hence, 'Chomo Yu' has changed into Cho Oyu in course of changing civilization generation after generation. It is also reported that Cho Oyu is also called 'Mighty Head' meaning 'god's head'. On a clear weather, the view from the summit plateau of Cho Oyu is breathtaking. One can view the entire panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang, Ama Dablam and other peaks of the Khumbu.
Cho Oyu stands high above the Tibetan plains on the boarder of Nepal with its mighty height 8,201m above the sea level. The expedition is an ideal choice for mountaineers ready to test themselves on the eight thousanders. 

Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain at 8,201m, is located just west of Everest and Lhotse along the Nepal-Tibet border. Cho Oyu is a straightforward climb and not technically demanding, from the Tibetan Side. This is an excellent mountain for climbers wanting to scale their first 8,000m peak.

Our expedition group makes a spectacular flight into Lhasa, from Kathmandu, over the great Himalayan mountain chain. On arrival to Lhasa we will make a sightseeing tour of "Lhasa" in Tibetan means "the land of Gods" including winter and summer residence of Dalai Lama, Jokhang monastery, Sera monastery and Barkhor square. After a 3 days tour in Lhasa we will begin our expedition toward Mount Cho-Oyu thorough Tibet's scenic landscapes crossing several passes and visiting the fortresses of Gyantse and Xigatse, the second largest city of Tibet

The Expedition continues toward Cho-Oyu base through Tingri, which is an old Tibetan settlement with typical clustered Tibetan styled housing at the foot of small hillock. A short exploration in the settlement can expose you a typical remote Tibetan lifestyle. Right from the roadside of Tingri, you can see the Mt. Everest, Makalu, Gyan Kung and Mount Cho-Oyu.

Final expedition preparation including, rope management, final checking of technical equipment, group discussion, rest, acclimatization etc will done in Chines Base camp, before making our accent to advanced base camp at 5700m. After all the preparation advanced base camp will be set and the expedition begins with our climbing Sherpas, most of the rope fixing will be done by our climbing Sherpas. The C3, the base to the summit, will be set at 7500m. on the north-east face. During the period of the setting of the Camp Three, all climbing member will have done up and down several times for a proper acclimatization. Date of the summit will be fixed depending on the condition of physical fitness and weather condition.

Bungy Nepal The Last resort

Bungy Nepal is operated at The Last Resort and located 12 km from the Tibetan Border in Nepal. Bungy Nepal was set up by Kiwi David Allerdice and Nepali Bishnu Neopanae. Together they scouted the area for a long time to find the perfect location for the 166 meter long and 160 meter high suspension bridge. The bridge was finally built in three months and the first jump took place in 1999.

Two new partners have since joined the company, Australian Pat o’Keeffe and Dutch Sam Voolstra. The company has 50 staff members, the majority from the local area. They were trained by international experts and together run two offices, one resort, the bungy and swing operation, canyoning and hiking. We work together with Ultimate Rivers and HMB for rafting and mountain biking.

Before the construction the local villagers had to walk five hours to cross the river gorge. The building of the bridge has a positive impact on the development of the local economy and infrastructure.

Details
http://www.bungynepal.com/index.htm

Sky Diving adventure gallery

Sky diving Everest 2009

This October, your adventure begins in Nepal.

Extreme sky diving over Everest.

Accompanied by a team of expert skydivers and mountain climbers assembled by our friends at High and Wild, you'll tandem jump from an altitude of over 29,000 feet. You'll freefall in front of Everest and land on the highest drop zone on the planet.

Highlights:

• The most fabulous skydiving adventure in the world
• First ever tandem skydiving program in front of Mt Everest (29,035ft.)
• First ever Himalayan skydiving program
• Freefall past some of the world's highest mountains
• Land on the highest drop zone in the world
• Experience the Himalayas from above and below
• Visit Kathmandu and the Sherpa lands of the Everest region
• Experience the Himalayan environment
• Experience a High Altitude jump, with supplementary oxygen
• Air to air video and photography on each jump
• Be part of an elite group of international skydivers
• Jump aircraft: Turbine Pilatus Porter for Altitude, Russian MI17 helicopter and Polish M-28 Skytruck for familiarization jumps
• DZ vehicles: Equirrel B3 helicopter and local yaks
• One of the adventure world's utterly unique experiences

More Info

Sky Diving Over Everest

SKY diving


The first Everest Skydiving 2008, where Forty-two daring adventure seekers, including two Nepalese, enjoyed skydiving over the world's highest peak in the Everest Region from October 3-11. A total of 33 divers from 14 countries took part and the participants hailed it as one of the biggest tourism and adventure event since the first ascent of the Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1953.

The skydivers boarded a Pilatus Porter from Tenzing-Hillary airstrip in Lukla and launched themselves from above the height of Mt. Everest and descended down to Syangboche through parachutes following a free fall of a few minutes. Nima Tamang and Maya Gurung became the first Nepalese to enjoy skydiving. Maya Gurung is facilitated as the first Nepali woman to climb and skydive from Mt Everest and called her a brave woman.

World Champion Skydiver from New Zealand Wendy Smith, who also took part in the diving, lauded the scenic beauty that the skydiving from the Everest provided.
Smith, an independent aerial photographer who has already skydived 17,700 times said, "The technology and safety measures were praiseworthy, but the visual beauty was extraordinary, as it was the most exciting experience of my life and I look forward to come back."

Rafting in Nepal : Destination Rivers

BHOTE KOSHI( Grade 5)

The steepest river in Nepal - 3 days
Emerging from Tibet and further branching from Sun Kosi, Bhote Kosi River remains a favourite for its fast-paced adventure and thrills of river rafting. Bhote Kosi river trip is an ideal trip for those looking for short whitewater voyage. On drifting along the call of the wild white waters, the rafting gets steeper arousing class IV- V rapids and later mellows into continuous streams creating class III rapid. Unparalleled in its scenic beauty, Bhote Kosi offers numerous photographic moments and opportunities to visit unexplored archaeological sites and abandoned areas. After thorough safety and paddle briefings, Bhote Kosi whitewater rafting trip begins. Best time for rafting along this river is from October to December and From February to April.

KALI GANDAKI RIVER (4 days)

Kali Gandaki is a sacred river named after Kali, a Hindu goddess. Starting from Mustang glacier, this beckoning river flows down to Muktinath between Dhaulagiri & Annapurna Mountains. It has Nepal’s most challenging river runs making it the largest untapped whitewater potential in the world. There are many cremation sites and burial mounds on its river bank.

Kali Gandaki Expedition is a sheer delightful invitation to all rafters from novice to the most intrepid of adventurers. This rafting trip begins from put-in site at Nayapul and concludes at Ramdighat with a drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu or a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The river trip takes us to steep canyon overhung with verdant foliage and punctuated by small waterfalls and sidestreams in counterpoint to rapids providing class III to IV+ runs. As we descend through verdant rainforests, we witness unique wildlife, amazing ethno-cultural heritages, fascinating village settlements and picturesque landscape. In a nutshell, this river trip not only quenches our thirst for adventure but also bonds us with nature and equally makes us culture-sensitive.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 4 Days
Grade: Class III - IV+
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel & Camping


SUN KOSI RIVER (10 days)

One of the top ten best rivers in the world-10 days
Sun Kosi River is an ideal destination for pursuing a classic white water rafting trip in Nepal. Also popularly known as “Golden River", Sun Kosi is the longest river cascading 270 km through Mahabharat Lekh Mountains to the Himalaya. Journeying through this torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat with life-jackets on, we have nature accompany us all along the river trip bestowing ample opportunity to witness exotic wildlife in its natural habitat. Besides this sheer awe-inspiring whitewater rafting against roaring rapids from put-in point below the Village of Lamosangu to the put-out point at Chatara, we can have cultural encounters as we approach pristine hamlets on terraced hillsides. En route, we may sightsee exotic animals like Languor monkeys, spotted deer, otter anteater etc and many unique bird species. Several Hindu temples come on the way which very well worth a visit. We conclude the trip with a flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 10 Days
Grade: Class III - IV+
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Biratnagar

TRISHULI RIVER RAFTING
1, 2 or 3 days trip on II+ to IV class River


Trishuli River originates from Gandaki river system and mixes with other rivers like Bheri River, Marsyangdi River and Seti River as it flows ahead. It is widely acknowledged for its most culturally stimulating and exciting river trips in the world. Rafting along the challenging rapids of Trisuli River like Twin Rock, Ladies Delight and Scout Upset can be extremely mind-blowing experience. During this meticulously organized river trip, you journey through the most scenic and secluded miles featuring incredibly blue water, breath-taking alpine scenery and amazing rapids cutting through some of the most varied geology. You also get to enjoy luxurious camps and wonderful off-river activities. Monsoon river rafting is the major attraction of Trisuli River.