Nepal is synonymous with mountains. Every year thousands of travelers come to Nepal to embark on an adventure to the Himalayas. 

But there are myriad adventures, other than trekking- that Nepal offers to travelers. From canyoning to rafting and paragliding, that are a plethora of opportunities for travelers who love to feel the thrill of adventure. That said, here are 10 adventure sports you must try when you are in Nepal.

1. Trekking in Nepal

As I said earlier, every year thousands of international tourists visit Nepal to navigate the mountain trails and admire the breathtaking views of some of the highest peaks in the world. Nepal boasts 8 of 14 8-thousandar and hosts some of the world’s best treks, like the Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Langtang Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek are some of the popular and best treks in Nepal. There is a trek for everyone, be it a novice trekker or a seasoned trekker. 

2. Peak Climbing in Nepal

Did you know there are more than 1000 peaks in Nepal? With 8 of 14 Eight-thousandar and thousands of towering peaks, Nepal is heaven for mountaineering. Every year thousands of elite and novice mountaineers visit Nepal for peak climbing. There are Trekking Peaks and Expedition peaks for mountaineering expeditions. If you are new to mountaineering and want to gain skills, you can opt for Mera Peak Climbing or Island Peak Climbing. However, if you are a seasoned climber, you can go for Annapurna or Everest itself. Many tour operators in Nepal can organize the expedition for you. 

3. White-water Rafting and Kayaking

Nepal is prominently known for Everest. But adventure sports like white-water rafting in Nepal are equally popular among adventurers. In Nepal, you can go rafting or kayaking on the rushing river, backdropped by hills, towering peaks and stunning landscapes. 

Most rivers feature white sandy beaches that are perfect for camping, allowing day-trip, mostly in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Trisuli, Seti Khola, Bhote Koshi, and Kali Gandaki rivers are some of the most popular rivers for white-water rafting in Nepal. There are several tour operators that offer single-day trips or multi-day trips for rafting.  

4. Paragliding in Nepal

Paragliding in Nepal is yet another adventure activity that attracts tourists who love to soar in the sky as free birds. The towering peaks, pristine rivers and waterfalls, green valleys and dramatic landscapes make paragliding a worthy experience to try at least once in a lifetime. Sarankot hill in Pokhara is the best paragliding spot in Nepal. 

The topography and mountains in Nepal make it a perfect sport for adventure-seekers. Chapakharka, near Godavari is the best spot for paragliding in Kathmandu. On a clear day, you can see even see Everest. Kot Danda, Phulchowki, and Bandipur are other places to experience paragliding in Nepal. 

5. Bungee jumping in Nepal

Bungee Jumping is quite a famous adventure in Nepal among Nepali youths and international travelers as well. Imagine jumping from a steel bridge 166 m high above the wild gushing river. The Last Resort in Sindhupalchowk, High Grounds Adventure in Pokhara, and the one in Kushma are the top places to do nerve-wracking bungee jumping in Nepal. 

All these spots are a few hour’s drives away from Kathmandu, and you need nothing but a gut to jump from a high-suspension bridge. You can do bungee jumping all year round, but March-May and September-November are considered the best time of the year for bungee jumping in Nepal. 

6. Rock Climbing

For those who are short on time but want to take full-onadventure, rock climbing is arguably one of the best adventures to opt for. If you’re in Kathmandu, there’s Astrek Climbing Wall in Thamel. This is an artificial climbing wall, great for practicing climbing skills. If you’re in Pokhara, you can visit West Indoor Sport Hub. That said, there are many natural walls in and around Kathmandu and in Pokhara for rock climbing. Pharping and Nagarjuna are two popular places for rock climbing in Kathmandu. 

7. Ice Climbing 

Last but not least, we have Ice Climbing. Ice Climbing is nothing like wall climbing and is done in winter only in the Himalayan region of Nepal. It is done by climbing the surface of frozen waterfalls. Unlike other adventure sports, it is a challenging sport and demands technical maneuvers. You need to climb the ice ranging from 20m to several hundred meters. 

There are many climbing routes in the Everest, Annapurna and Langtang regions of Nepal. You need to do pre-climb and pre trekking training before actually doing the ice climbing. If you are new to this adventure, make sure to opt for the easy climbing route and seek assistance from an experienced guide.

8. Canyoning in Nepal

Canyoning has been gaining popularity in Nepal in recentyears, with youths and international adventurers enjoying the wild rushing waterfalls in Nepal. Canyoning is a wonderful full-body exercise and experience through abseiling, jumping, and sliding down steep canyon walls and waterfalls. Canyoning includes techniques like hiking, abseiling, jumping, climbing, swimming, and sliding. If you’re in Kathmandu, Sundarijal is the best spot for canyoning. Jalbire in Sindhupalchowk district is considered one of the best places for canyoning near Kathmandu. It is advisable to do canyoning under the supervision of an experienced guide and team. You can find many tour operators who can manage everything for you.  

9. Mountain biking in Nepal

Mountain biking in Nepal is exciting and adventurous for many reasons. Imagine cycling through a rugged trail backdropped by majestic mountains. In recent years, mountain biking in Nepal has been gaining popularity. From the trails on the outskirts of Kathmandu to the remote trail of the Everest region, Nepal is a hotspot for mountain biking. 

Biking trips in Kathmandu valley lets you explore the hidden and less-frequented trails and routes. Nagarkot and Kakani are two popular places for mountain biking in Kathmandu valley, while Mustang, Pokhara, and Lower Everest region are some other trips to look for outside of Kathmandu. 

10. Sky Diving

Sky Diving is considered the most extreme action-packed adventure in Nepal. Sky Diving is an undeniable opportunity to embrace a 360-degree view of the Himalayas and green valleys from the sky. There is no doubt that this is a unique experience not just in Nepal but the world. This sport is done from a chopper, and the free fall lets you fly parallel to the mighty Himalayas. Experienced pilots will accompany you; safety is guaranteed. If you’re interested in Sky Diving, you can do it from Pokhara or Everest.