An international rafting and kayaking festival aimed at promoting Nepal’s Himalayan river–based adventure tourism in the global market began on the Trishuli River on Tuesday. The event brings together athletes, tourism stakeholders, and adventure enthusiasts to celebrate Nepal’s growing reputation as a hub for whitewater adventure.
A Celebration of Adventure Tourism
The three-day event combines the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge 2026 with the 50th International Himalayan Rafting and Kayaking Festival, highlighting the powerful connection between Nepal’s rivers, adventure sports, and tourism. Organizers expect the festival to further position Nepal’s rivers as top destinations for global adventure travelers.
The competition is jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA). The festival will continue until Thursday along the fast-flowing Trishuli River, where participants from Nepal and abroad are showcasing their skills and endurance against the river’s strong currents and waves.
Strong Participation in Opening Events
The first day of the festival featured a 300-meter kayak sprint competition, with a total of 51 paddlers taking part. In addition, 10 teams competed in the 300-meter raft sprint event, making for an energetic start to the competition.
According to Shukra Lama, Vice President of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies and coordinator of the festival, the second day will host a 300-meter kayak cross race and a 10-kilometer mandatory raft race. From the preliminary rounds, 32 paddlers have qualified to compete in the next stage.
Final Day to Feature Long-Distance Raft Race
The festival will conclude on Thursday with a 10-kilometer raft race, where 13 teams will compete. Each team will consist of four paddlers, testing their teamwork and technical ability on one of Nepal’s most popular rafting rivers.
International Teams Join the Competition
The event has drawn participation from international teams as well. Two teams from India and two teams from Israel are competing alongside Nepali athletes, adding an international dimension to the festival. To ensure fair and transparent results, organizers have introduced a time-chip system for accurately measuring the athletes’ race times.
A Historic ‘Silver Jubilee’ Celebration
NARA President Kamal Bahadur Thakuri described this year’s festival as a special milestone. According to him, the event is being celebrated as a Silver Jubilee edition, marking an important chapter in Nepal’s adventure sports history.
“This is not just a sporting competition,” he said. “It is a proud celebration connected to Nepal’s river tourism, adventure culture, and the identity of those involved in the sport. Events like this help strengthen Nepal’s position on the global adventure tourism map.”
Promoting Nepal’s Rivers to the World
Senior Manager at the Nepal Tourism Board, Udaya Bhattarai, expressed confidence that the festival would help showcase Nepal’s rivers to the international adventure tourism market. He noted that river-based adventure tourism has grown rapidly in recent decades. Rivers such as the Trishuli River, Bhote Koshi River, Karnali River, and Seti River have become popular among adventure travelers from around the world for rafting and kayaking.
Prize and Closing Ceremony
According to the organizers, winners of different categories will receive cash prizes ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 100,000, along with trophies and certificates. The closing ceremony will also include a special tribute to Himalayan River Exploration, the pioneering group credited with introducing rafting culture in Nepal, recognizing its significant contribution to the country’s adventure tourism industry.
