Three-Day International Rafting Festival wraps up on the Trishuli river
The 50th International Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Festival, along with the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge, has concluded on Thursday on the Trishuli River, highlighting Nepal’s growing potential in adventure and river-based tourism.
The three-day international competition was organized with the objective of promoting Nepal’s river tourism sector while encouraging river conservation. Athletes competing in various events showcased remarkable performances and secured top positions in different categories.
In the Kayak Mandatory Run category, Rabindra Chepang secured first place and received a cash prize of NPR 100,000. Dammar Bahadur Purachhane finished second, while Jason Gurung and Rabin Gurung secured third and fourth places respectively.
In the Kayak Sprint event, Jason Gurung claimed first position, followed by Rabindra Chepang in second place. Keshav Gharti Magar finished third, while Krishna Khadka secured fourth position.
Similarly, Dammar Bahadur Purachhane won the Kayak Cross competition. Rabindra Chepang placed second, while Surendra Chepang and Mohan Rana secured third and fourth positions respectively.
In the 10-kilometer raft race, Paddle Nepal emerged as the winner and received a cash prize of NPR 50,000. Jaldevi Adventure secured second place, Nepal Kayak Club finished third, and Rafting Adventure Nepal came fourth. A total of 11 teams participated in the raft race.
During the event, Himalayan Explorations, the organization credited with introducing river tourism in Nepal for the first time, was also honored with a special recognition.
The closing ceremony was attended by Ram Prasad Sapkota, Vice Chairperson of the Nepal Tourism Board, along with Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, Uday Bhattarai, Senior Manager, Pradeep Basnet, Senior Officer, Kamal Thakuri, President of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), former president Ganga Prasad Nepal, Chandra Bahadur Dahal, and other representatives from the tourism sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chandra Bahadur Dahal, former president of NARA, said the festival, which carries a history of five decades, has become an important platform for promoting river-based tourism in Nepal. He emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive river tourism policy while conserving the stretch of the Trishuli River from Baireni to Narayangadh.
Similarly, Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, stressed the importance of increasing international participation in such events in the coming years. He said joint efforts are required to establish Nepal as a global destination for whitewater rafting and adventure tourism. He also expressed commitment to organizing international events every three months along the Trishuli Corridor to further promote river tourism connected to Kathmandu.
Ram Prasad Sapkota, Vice Chairperson of the Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted that tourism remains a major pillar of employment and national economic development, noting that Nepal has strong potential to become a global hub for adventure tourism. He stressed the need for strengthening legal frameworks, safety standards, and river conservation measures for the sustainable development of rafting activities.
Meanwhile, Kamal Thakuri, President of NARA, congratulated the winners and emphasized the importance of protecting Nepal’s rivers. He warned that uncontrolled river exploitation could threaten the country’s natural heritage, adding that river tourism is closely linked to the livelihood and employment of thousands of people.
The competition was judged by Bharat Gurung, Dipesh Gurung, Jeevan Gurung, Tapan Gurung, Mahendra Saru Magar, Dol Bahadur Gurung, Bhishma Raj Thapaliya, Mim Bahadur Magar, Bikash Gurung, Mitra Gurung, Karan Thapaliya, Suk Bahadur Lama, Churamuni Aryal, and Raju Shrestha, while Anna Mathe participated as an international judge.
According to Chunamani Aryal, General Secretary of NARA, the international competition held on the Trishuli River has contributed significantly to promoting Nepal’s adventure sports tourism while also highlighting the importance of river conservation.
