NEWS & EVENTS

Canyoning demonstration in Bhotekoshi

Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) on February 2, 2008, organized 'Canyoning Demonstration and Workshop' program at Jumbo Canyons in the Bhotekoshi Valley. A total of 13 participants, five instructors and eight trainees, demonstrated their canyoning skills amidst the presence of high government officials, members of diplomatic community, travel trade entrepreneurs and media people.

Canyoning is relatively a new adventure activity in Nepal. Canyoning consists walking/trekking up to the head of canyon and abseiling down the canyon with the help of rope along the spring, torrent and stream stepping across the blocks, sliding, diving into pool, swimming and using equipment such as: harness, jummer, carabineer, figure 8 etc.

The demonstration programme was organized to showcase the skills of 8 trainees that were trained by both Nepalese and French instructors for 12 days. Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Mr. Lila Mani Poudyal, who also canyon down a small stream, said that he was thrilled by the sport. 'Nepal holds comparative advantage of canyoning over other countries as we have plenty of canyoning sites throughout the country,' Mr Poudyal said. He also said that the government was ready to render its support for the development of canyoning in Nepal.

Likewise, Ambassador of France to Nepal Mr. Jilles H Garault described canyoning as a wonderful sport. 'Nepal has great future in canyoning. Many French people are interested in canyoning and Nepal can be their destination,' says Mr. Garault. Mr. Garault also did canyoning in the small stream below the Jumbo Canyon.

Mr. Tilak Lama, president of NCA, said that the workshop and demonstration programme was organised to develop canyoning as a new adventure tourism product for Nepal. 'Though canyoning is a great adventure sport in Europe, it is still at its infant stage in Nepal. We have already explored different canyoning sites in Marshyangdi Valley, Sunkoshi Valley, Upper Kali Gandaki Valley, Bhote Koshi Valley and Pokhara Valley. Nepal can become a leading destination for canyoning in the region if we succeed in developing and promoting the sports in a right way,' says Mr. Lama.

Canyoning, which developed from caving, in 1940s started getting popularity in the European countries in the 1970s. Canyoning is possible in rivers, torrents, streams, deep valley of reasonable access with stable meteorological conditions.

Te programme was jointly organized by NCA, EFC and Nepal Tourism Board and supported by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).  « Back