Adventure · Nepal
Adventure Sports in Nepal
Paragliding, white-water rafting, bungee, canyoning, climbing, biking and more — Nepal's best adrenaline activities.
Nepal is an adventure playground far beyond its famous trails. The same mountains and rivers that draw trekkers also serve up some of Asia's best paragliding, rafting and gorge sports. Here is what to try and where.
The short answer
Pokhara is the adrenaline capital — start with paragliding over Phewa Lake. Add white-water rafting on the Trishuli or Bhote Koshi, a bungee jump over a river gorge, and, near the capital, rock climbing. Canyoning, mountain biking, zip-lining and ultralight flights round out the menu.
The big-ticket activities
- Paragliding — tandem flights from Sarangkot above Pokhara, soaring with the Annapurna range in view. See things to do in Pokhara.
- White-water rafting — the gentle, popular Trishuli for beginners and families, the steep, powerful Bhote Koshi for thrill-seekers.
- Bungee jumping — dramatic leaps from suspension bridges over deep gorges near the Bhote Koshi and at Kushma.
- Canyoning — abseiling down waterfalls and natural water slides in the gorges around Pokhara.
- Rock climbing — natural crags and an indoor wall in and around the Kathmandu Valley.
Quieter thrills
If you want adventure at a gentler pace, try mountain biking along valley trails and old caravan routes, a zip-line ride over forested ridges, or a scenic ultralight flight from Pokhara for a low-level mountain panorama. Slot these around the trails in our best treks in Nepal and the wider best places to visit guide.
Frequently asked questions
What adventure sports can you do in Nepal?+
Beyond trekking, Nepal offers paragliding, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking, zip-lining and scenic ultralight flights, most of them centred on Pokhara and the rivers and gorges along the main highways.
Where is the best paragliding in Nepal?+
Pokhara is one of the world's premier paragliding spots. Pilots launch from Sarangkot and soar over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range as a backdrop, with tandem flights available for complete beginners.
Where can you go white-water rafting in Nepal?+
The Trishuli River is the most popular and beginner-friendly, easily reached on the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway. For bigger rapids, experienced rafters head to the Bhote Koshi, one of the steepest commercially run rivers in the country.
Is bungee jumping safe in Nepal?+
Reputable operators run to international safety standards with regular gear checks. Nepal's signature jumps drop from suspension bridges over deep river gorges, including sites near the Bhote Koshi and at the Kushma gorge in the Pokhara region.
