The much-awaited ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ cycling event is all set to begin on February 6, 2025, marking the seventh edition of the Nepalgunj Cycling Festival. This grand event aims to promote tourism in the Banke and Bardiya districts of Nepal by bringing together 196 enthusiastic cyclists from all corners of Nepal, India, Japan, and Korea.
The participants, hailing from cities such as Kathmandu, Chitwan, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Dang, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Palpa, Biratnagar, and even various cities in India and Asia, will ride through some of the most scenic and culturally rich areas of Banke and Bardiya.
Organized by the Nepalgunj Cycling Club, this event seeks to provide an opportunity to explore and promote the tourism potential of these two districts. The cycling tour will cover some of the most important tourism destinations in the region, offering participants and viewers a chance to experience the area’s natural beauty, rich wildlife, and historic sites.
Banke National Park, Sikta Barrage, and other important cultural landmarks such as Govardhan Dham, Baba Bararfani Temple, and Santaneshwar Temple will be featured throughout the event, showcasing the area’s diverse tourism offerings.
The primary objective of the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ is not only to promote cycling and sports tourism but also to raise awareness about the potential for eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism in Banke and Bardiya.
The participants will have the chance to visit key attractions in the region, including Banke National Park, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and Sikta Barrage, an important irrigation and water conservation project that has significant economic and ecological importance. These locations are ideal for adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and cultural travelers alike.
The event will undoubtedly contribute to boosting the local economy and attracting more international tourists in the future. Pradip Sapkota, the President of the Nepalgunj Cycling Club, expressed great enthusiasm about the event and its potential to boost tourism in the region. In a recent interview, Sapkota confirmed that all arrangements for food, accommodation, and transportation for the participants have been made.
He assured that the event would serve as a platform for local businesses to showcase their products and services to a wider audience, thereby increasing the region’s economic activities and overall prosperity. However, while the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ is a significant step forward in promoting Banke and Bardiya as prime tourist destinations, Sapkota acknowledged that plans to organize the ‘Tour de Banke National Park’ were delayed due to logistical challenges.
He explained that the lack of sufficient accommodation around the park area for the expected number of participants approximately 300 made it unfeasible to hold the event at this time. Nonetheless, Sapkota emphasized the need for the development of infrastructure and tourism-related facilities in the area to accommodate the growing number of tourists and support such large-scale events in the future.
One of the key aspects of the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ is its integration with the cultural and religious heritage of Nepalgunj. Sapkota highlighted the importance of developing a religious tourism circuit in the region, which would include the promotion of temples such as Baba Bararfani, Santaneshwar Temple, and Govardhan Dham. By connecting these religious shrines with natural attractions like Banke National Park and Sikta Barrage, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive tourism experience that will attract both domestic and international tourists.
Sapkota also shared his vision of the region becoming a hub for cycling tourism. As cycling gains popularity globally, Nepal has seen an increasing number of cyclists coming to explore its breathtaking landscapes. With its diverse terrain, ranging from the plains of Banke and Bardiya to the mountainous regions of the Mid-Western and Far-Western regions, Nepal offers an unparalleled cycling experience. Sapkota believes that with the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’, Nepalgunj can become a central location for cycling enthusiasts, positioning itself as a major stop on the global cycling tourism map.
In the coming years, the Nepalgunj Cycling Club plans to expand its efforts by organizing more cycling events in Nepal, promoting cycling as an eco-friendly and adventure-based tourism activity. These events aim to support Nepal’s tourism industry, encourage eco-friendly transportation methods, and provide sustainable economic growth for local communities.
As the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ approaches, Nepalgunj Cycling Club and its partners are working tirelessly to ensure that the event will not only be a success in terms of participant experience but also terms of long-term tourism development.
By showcasing the beauty, adventure, and culture of Banke and Bardiya, this cycling event hopes to bring the world closer to Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings. It also aims to lay the foundation for more comprehensive tourism development projects in the region, ensuring that Nepalgunj becomes a leading destination for adventure tourists and cycling enthusiasts in the years to come.
With a combination of sports, adventure, cultural heritage, and eco-tourism, the ‘Tour de Thakurdwara’ promises to be a memorable event that highlights the many faces of Nepal’s tourism industry and paves the way for future growth in Banke and Bardiya.
