Youngsters attracted to rafting in Holi

Kathmandu: Rafting, a river adventure tourism activity, is becoming a center of attraction for the young generation on the occasion of holi festival which being observed across the nation in hill regions.

The Holi festival adds a special charm to it. According to Shiv Adhikari, President of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), on Monday at least 2,000 to 2,500 youths reach the river for rafting.

“Today, rafting is the most attractive,” he said, “after that, it is considered that the season of this business has started.” Young people go rafting with friends, family and even from office. He informed that the rivers like Trisuli and Bhotekoshi are more crowded with young people.

In the previous years, there was a figure of about 5,000 youth rafting in one day. This year, he informed that the booking is a little less. “Whether it is due to economic recession or other reasons, advance bookings have decreased on the day of rafting,” he said.

Currently, only domestic tourists have promoted business in rafting. Over 75 companies are operating such business across the country. More than 3000 guides have got employment.

In the past, the company was operating up to one and a half hundred, but after Corona, it is decreasing, said he. According to him, the number of foreign tourists coming for the purpose of rafting has decreased.  Companies sell packages according to the level of the room and the time taken.

Packages are sold at Trishuli and Bhotekoshi for Rs 3,000 per day and up to Rs 5,000 if a night stay is included. Throughout the winter, rafting is done in rivers including Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, Sunkoshi and Kaligandaki.