Canyoning: A thrilling adventure

• Sushant Lama

Canyoning is the process of traveling down the watery canyons using various techniques which may include walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and swimming. It is also referred to as canyon hiking or canyoneering.

It is one of the most popular adventures in the world and is gaining more popularity in Nepal in recent times. Canyoning is performed in remote and rugged settings in waterfalls or around steep hills. It requires many travel skills like navigational skills, route findings, etc.

Sam from Canada says, “Absolutely loved Canyoning!!! It was something I was looking forward to during my trip and Paddle Nepal did not disappoint! I will definitely be booking with Paddle Nepal next time.”

Canyons are the perfect place for canyoning due to the presence of naturally formed bedrock stones, narrow gorges, beautifully sculpted walls, and exotic waterfalls. Though its difficulty depends on canyons, it is an extremely fun adventure and is enjoyed by people of various age groups and skill levels.

Canyoning requires climbing hardware, static or semi-static ropes, helmets, wetsuits, specially designed shoes, and rope bags. It can be performed in all seasons in Nepal.

One of the Adventurer Karuna says, “I would highly recommend canyoning to anyone who likes adventure. Although I cannot swim, nor do I like heights, the staff maintained such a high level of communication and safety procedures that I felt very safe. To sum it up, despite the limitations that could have stopped me from this experience, it is the best adventure I have had thus far.”

Nepal has lots of spectacular waterfalls formed between the gorges which are the perfect place for Canyoning experience. Canyoning in these gorges has been a thrilling adventure among adrenaline junkies in Nepal. Discovering new routes, cold water from waterfalls, natural swimming pools formed by waterfalls will certainly give you immense pleasure. There is the presence of many Canyoning places in Nepal. Some of them are:

Jalbire Canyoning

Jalbire Canyon is the most popular canyoning destinations in Nepal due to its immense beauty and great canyoning aspects. Hiking up the canyon and abseiling down the waterfall usually takes around 3-4 hours depending on the group size. View of a giant waterfall, standing in its falling water, playing in its natural pool, rock slides, and its heart-stopping view while abseiling down are some of its key features. It is suitable for people of all age groups.

Jalbire Canyoning is located halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, on the way to Chitwan. It can also be combined with white water rafting or kayaking in Trishuli and jungle safari in Chitwan National Park

The cost of Canyoning trip in Jalbire is around the US 85$

Georgia B from Canada says. “We’ve found in the past that some tourist “adventure” activities are a little bit lame but we had such a great time on this canyoning trip. The river they take you to has the most perfect waterfalls- you can abseil, slide headfirst, walk forwards down 25 meters waterfalls etc-definitely wasn’t lame! It’s like a natural hydro slide. 3+ hours of fun water times.”

 Sundarijal Canyoning

Located 15km northeast of Kathmandu on the lap of Shivapuri National Park, Sundarijal offers the spectacular place for Canyoning.  Canyoning place is situated 30 minutes uphill from the Sundarijal village. Green vegetation around the area, clean water, Beautiful waterfalls, etc makes it one of the best places for canyoning in Nepal. Sundarijal Canyoning lasts for 2-3 hours. It is can be reached in 1 hour from Thamel, Kathmandu by vehicle.

It costs around US 90$

Kakani Canyoning

Just 35km away from the heart of Kathmandu, the stunning place is located in Kakani which provides thrilling Canyoning in Kathmandu. Two canyons Phung Phunye(185m) in Dhansar and Chhahare(135m) in Jurethum in Kakani offers the heart-rendering adventure of Canyoning for thrill-seekers. Swift-water flow, the beauty of Nagarjun forest, spectacular view of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Langtang regions seen during abseiling down makes your canyoning experience unforgettable. Canyoning in Kakani lasts for 2-3 hours. It is about an hour drive from Kathmandu

It costs around US 90$

Canyoning in Marshyangdi valley

Marsyangdi valley, located in the Lamjung districts of Nepal, is one of the popular canyoning places in Nepal which offers lots of thrills and excitement for adventure seekers. This place is full of challenging and thrilling but wonderful areas for canyoning.

It comprises many areas where canyoning can be performed like Bulbule, Syange, Chipla, Gopte, Tal, Raindu and Chamche Khole. Thus People can enjoy canyoning in different areas and experience a variety of landscapes. These spots offer spectacular waterfalls and sculpted walls which will certainly give you the unique experience of canyoning and beautiful natural sceneries all around will just melt your heart.

Canyoning in Marshyangdi is usually completed in around 10 days and the cost is according to the package you choose. It is a 6-hour drive from Pokhara and an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.