Adventure Sports in Nepal: Rafting, Paragliding, Bungee and More
Nepal’s main adventure sports are white water rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, mountain biking and canyoning. Most are easy to add before or after a trek. Rafting starts from about USD 150 for a day on the Trishuli, and Pokhara is the hub for paragliding, microlight flights and bungee.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for most activities. Canyoning is often best in summer, when the waterfalls are flowing.
- Rafting: from USD 150 (Trishuli, 1 day) to USD 420 (Seti, 2 days)
- Bungee: Hemja near Pokhara (about 70m), The Last Resort on the Bhote Koshi (about 160m) and Kushma (228m)
- Paragliding: tandem flights from Sarangkot in Pokhara, no experience needed
- Scenic flights: Pokhara microlight from USD 130, Everest mountain flight from USD 260
- Mountain biking: Kathmandu day rides from USD 120, up to 16 day Himalayan routes
- Best season: October to November and March to May for most activities
Nepal is best known for trekking. But the same mountains that make the trails also make fast rivers, deep gorges and some great places to fly. If you have a few spare days before or after a trek, or you want a trip built around something other than walking, these are the activities worth knowing about.
In this guide
White Water Rafting in Nepal
Nepal’s rivers drop fast out of the Himalayas, so you can choose anything from a relaxed day trip to serious white water.
Trishuli is the easiest place to start. It runs beside the main road from Kathmandu toward Pokhara and Chitwan, so it fits neatly into a travel day. Rapids are generally around Grade 3, which suits first timers. See our one day Trishuli rafting from USD 150, or the two day Trishuli trip from USD 200.
Bhote Koshi is steeper and faster, with rapids around Grade 4 to 5 when water levels are high. It’s about 3 hours from Kathmandu and suits people who want a harder day on the river. See our Bhote Koshi rafting day from USD 290.
Seti is a two day river trip that works well with time in Pokhara. See our Seti River rafting from USD 420.
River grades change with water levels, so the same river can feel very different in October than it does in May.
- Best season: October to early December and March to May
- Duration: 1 to 2 days
- Experience: none needed for the Trishuli, some helpful for the Bhote Koshi
Paragliding in Pokhara
You launch from Sarangkot above Pokhara and fly out over Phewa Lake, with the Annapurna range in front of you on a clear day. All commercial flights are tandem, so you fly with a pilot and need no experience. A standard flight usually lasts around 25 to 30 minutes.
Flights run in the morning and again in the afternoon when conditions are right. They’re often moved or cancelled for weather, so it’s worth leaving a spare morning in Pokhara. Book with a licensed operator and ask about pilot certification.
- Best season: October to May
- Flight time: usually 25 to 30 minutes
- Experience: none needed
See our Pokhara paragliding and bungee combo.
Bungee Jumping in Nepal
Nepal has three main bungee sites, and they’re quite different.
| Site | Height | Where | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemja | About 70m | 20 to 30 minutes from Pokhara Lakeside | An easy add on to a Pokhara stay |
| The Last Resort | About 160m | Bhote Koshi gorge, about 3 hours from Kathmandu | Combining with Bhote Koshi rafting |
| Kushma | 228m | Kali Gandaki gorge, a full day trip from Pokhara | The biggest jump in Nepal |
Weight limits and age rules vary by site, so check them before you book. Our Pokhara paragliding and bungee combo uses the Hemja jump.
Mountain Biking in Nepal
Biking in Nepal ranges from easy village trails near Kathmandu to high altitude routes that only suit experienced riders.
| Ride | Days | From | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu day biking | 1 | USD 120 | Easy to moderate |
| Nepal cross-country biking | 13 | USD 1,465 | Moderate |
| Muktinath to Pokhara downhill | 12 | USD 1,600 | Moderate to hard |
| Annapurna Circuit mountain biking | 16 | USD 1,525 | Hard, experienced riders |
| Upper Mustang biking | 16 | Ask us | Hard, experienced riders |
Kathmandu Valley rides follow dirt roads and ridge trails past old Newari villages. It’s a good way to use a spare day before a trek.
Muktinath to Pokhara is a long descent down the Kali Gandaki valley, from the dry Mustang landscape to the green middle hills.
The Annapurna Circuit is a serious ride. It crosses Thorong La at 5,416m, and around the pass you’ll push or carry the bike for long stretches. Treat it as a high altitude expedition, not a cycling holiday.
Upper Mustang is remote high desert riding inside a restricted area, with a permit and licensed guide required. It suits riders who are already comfortable on long, rough days.
Best season for most routes is October to November and March to May. See all our Nepal biking trips.
Canyoning in Nepal
Canyoning means working your way down a river gorge by walking, sliding, jumping into pools and abseiling down waterfalls. The main areas are around the Bhote Koshi and near Pokhara. Most trips take half a day to a full day, and beginner routes generally don’t need any experience.
Unlike most activities here, canyoning is often at its best in summer, when the waterfalls are flowing. Water levels can change quickly, so the guide should decide on the day whether a canyon is safe. Ask us about canyoning through our adventure sports trips.
More Adventure Options
Microlight flights in Pokhara. You fly in a small open aircraft with a pilot, low over Phewa Lake and toward the Annapurnas. It’s a good choice if you want the views without paragliding. See our Pokhara microlight flight from USD 130.
Everest mountain flight. A one hour flight from Kathmandu along the Himalaya, past Everest and the high peaks of the Khumbu. It’s the easiest way to see Everest if you’re not trekking there. See our Everest mountain flight from USD 260.
Ziplining. Pokhara also has zipline rides near Sarangkot, if you want something quick and high without a full flight.
Jungle safari. Not an adrenaline sport, but a Chitwan National Park safari pairs well with Trishuli rafting since the river runs toward the park.
How to Combine Adventure Sports with a Trek
Put activities before or after your trek, not in the middle of it. A few combinations that work well:
- Annapurna trek and Pokhara. Finish your trek, spend two nights in Pokhara, and paraglide, bungee at Hemja or take a microlight flight. See our Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
- Kathmandu arrival and a bike ride. If you land a day or two before your trek, a valley ride is a better use of time than waiting in Thamel.
- Bhote Koshi rafting and The Last Resort bungee. Both are in the same gorge, so they fit into one trip from Kathmandu.
- Trishuli rafting and Chitwan. Raft on the way, then continue to the park for a few days of wildlife after the mountains.
- Everest Base Camp and a mountain flight. Not needed if you’re trekking there, but a good option for a partner or friend who isn’t trekking. See our Everest Base Camp Trek.
We can add any of these to your trek or build a full trip around them. Tell us your dates through our custom trip page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best adventure sport in Nepal for beginners?
Tandem paragliding in Pokhara, Trishuli rafting and a Kathmandu Valley bike ride all suit beginners. None of them need experience, and a guide or pilot handles the technical side.
How much does rafting cost in Nepal?
Our trips start from USD 150 for a day on the Trishuli and USD 290 for a day on the Bhote Koshi. Two day trips start from USD 200 on the Trishuli and USD 420 on the Seti.
What is the highest bungee jump in Nepal?
Kushma, at 228m over the Kali Gandaki gorge. The Last Resort on the Bhote Koshi is about 160m, and the Hemja jump near Pokhara is about 70m.
When is the best time for adventure sports in Nepal?
October to November and March to May for most activities, including rafting, paragliding and biking. Canyoning is often better in summer, when the waterfalls are flowing.
Do I need experience for paragliding in Pokhara?
No. Commercial flights are tandem, so a pilot flies the glider and you just sit in the harness. Flights can be moved or cancelled for weather, so leave a spare morning.
Can I combine adventure sports with a trek?
Yes. Most people add them before or after a trek. Pokhara works especially well after an Annapurna trek, since paragliding, bungee and microlight flights are all close by.
Is it safe to do adventure sports in Nepal?
Every adventure sport carries some risk. Weather, water levels and the operator all matter. Book with licensed operators, follow your guide or pilot, and check that your travel insurance covers the activity.
