Nepal Pushes River-Based Adventure Tourism with Whitewater Challenge 2026

Kathmandu: The Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), is set to organize the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge 2026 and the 50th International Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Festival at Khatauti Khola ,Trisuli River in Dhading from Falgun 14–16, 2082 (February 26–28, 2026).

Speaking at a press conference held at the Nepal Tourism Board on Wednesday, organizers informed that the event will see participation from 30 international athletes and 140 national athletes.

“The board has long been associated with whitewater events and is working to address past shortcomings,” Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board said. He emphasized the need to establish river-based adventure activities such as rafting, kayaking, and canoeing as a strong pillar of Nepal’s tourism identity in the international market.

“Not only Mount Everest and the Himalayas, but river-based adventure sports must also be promoted globally,” Ayer said, stressing the importance of river conservation. He added that the board is committed to developing whitewater adventure as a distinct tourism product and expanding it across all seven provinces.

Similarly, NTB Vice Chairperson Ram Prasad Sapkota highlighted that hydropower projects and riverbed extraction activities have been affecting adventure sports conducted in rivers. He stated that the government should identify and allocate specific rivers for hydropower development and others exclusively for tourism and adventure activities, expressing confidence that NARA would take initiative on this matter.

NARA President Kamal Bahadur Thakuri said the event is not just a competition but a celebration of Nepal’s 50-year history of organized river expeditions. The festival will feature three competition categories — two in kayaking and one in rafting.

The event schedule includes:

• Day 1: Kayak race with over 100 kayakers

• Day 2: Knockout session

•   Day 3: Rafting session

Organizers expect a total attendance of 400 to 600 participants, including athletes, volunteers, officials, and spectators. The founders of Himalayan River Exploration, which pioneered commercial rafting in Nepal, will also be specially honored during the event.

Rafting in Nepal dates back to the 1960s. A French team navigated the Trishuli River in 1964, followed by Sir Edmund Hillary’s team on the Sunkoshi River in 1965. Commercial rafting officially began in 1975 through Himalayan River Exploration, while NARA was established in 1990 (2046 B.S.).

Photo source : Sushil Shrestha/ Sunil Sharma