The year-long initiative will feature a celebrity mountaineering programme, trekking route studies, cultural festivals, adventure sports, and an investment summit to promote Jugal as a tourism destination. Jugal Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok district is set to celebrate ‘Jugal Tourism Year 2083’ with a series of programmes aimed at promoting the region’s natural beauty, local culture, religious heritage and adventure tourism at national and international levels.
According to the rural municipality, the formal inauguration of the tourism year will take place on October 13, 2026 (Ashwin 27, 2083). The initiative will bring together mountaineers, tourism professionals, local communities, artists, guides, and investors to highlight Jugal’s tourism potential and strengthen its position as an emerging destination in Nepal.
The programme will include a celebrity mountaineering event, climate change training, trekking route feasibility studies, a religious and spiritual conference, advanced mountain guide training, adventure hiking and cycling, cultural celebrations, a food festival and a tourism investment summit.
Celebrity Mountaineers to Begin Programme in November
The municipality plans to launch the main activities of the tourism year with a celebrity mountaineering programme from October 27 to November 5, 2026 (Kartik 10–19). Nationally and internationally recognised mountaineers will ascend the Jugal Himal View Point as part of the initiative. Jugal Rural Municipality Chairperson Resham Syangbo said the tourism year would be formally inaugurated on Ashoj 27, while the mountaineering programme would mark the beginning of its major activities.
The initiative is intended to draw attention to the Himalayan landscape and adventure tourism opportunities in Jugal, while encouraging mountaineers, trekkers and other visitors to explore the area. The municipality expects the programme to increase the visibility of Jugal’s mountain destinations and encourage tourism-related activities that can benefit local communities.
Climate Change Training and Trekking Route Studies Planned
Climate change awareness and tourism infrastructure development will be among the early priorities of the tourism year. During the first week of Kartik, the municipality plans to provide climate and climate change training to local youths, schoolteachers, elected representatives and trekking guides. The training is intended to strengthen local understanding of climate-related challenges and their implications for mountain environments and tourism.
From October 28 to November 2, 2026 (Kartik 11–16), a feasibility and infrastructure study will be conducted along a proposed trekking route connecting Gumba, Ambakharka, Lamopokhari, Syawal Pokhari, Tapkading and Nepemshal. The study is expected to assess the route’s tourism potential and identify infrastructure requirements for developing trekking opportunities in the region. Such assessments can help determine the facilities and improvements needed to make routes more accessible and suitable for visitors.
A national-level religious and spiritual conference is also scheduled for November 2 (Kartik 16), according to Chairperson Syangbo. The conference will highlight the religious and spiritual significance of the region and explore ways to incorporate these assets into tourism promotion.
Adventure Sports and Cultural Festival in December
The municipality has planned a series of adventure and cultural activities for Mangsir, which falls mainly in November and December. From November 18 to December 1 (Mangsir 2–15), an advanced mountain guide training programme will be organised for local human resources. The programme is expected to strengthen local guiding skills and support the development of adventure tourism services.
An adventure hiking competition across high-altitude mountains, and hilly terrain is scheduled for December 2 (Mangsir 16). The municipality will also organise a cultural festival and Jugal Food Festival on December 1 and 2, alongside an adventure cycling trip. These activities are intended to showcase the region’s landscapes, local food traditions and cultural diversity while creating opportunities for local tourism entrepreneurs, guides, accommodation providers and other businesses.
According to Jugal Rural Municipality Vice-Chairperson Himal Shrestha, the programmes will combine adventure tourism with cultural promotion to attract a wider range of visitors. A religious and cultural programme will also be organised on December 6 (Mangsir 20) on the occasion of the Kumbheshwar Mela. The event will feature cultural processions representing different ethnic communities within the municipality, traditional attire, and musical performances by local and other artists. The municipality expects these activities to provide a platform for showcasing Jugal’s cultural heritage and encouraging visitors to experience local traditions alongside its natural attractions.
Tourism Investment Summit to Attract Private Sector
The tourism year will also focus on investment and long-term development. Programmes planned for Poush include activities associated with monasteries and religious sites, a Jugal Investment Summit, and discussions on climate change and tourism. The investment summit aims to attract private-sector investment in tourism infrastructure, hydropower and other water-resource projects, agriculture and industry. The municipality sees investment mobilisation as an important component of developing tourism facilities and expanding local economic opportunities.
Discussions on climate change and tourism are expected to address the relationship between environmental sustainability and destination development, particularly in a mountain region where tourism depends heavily on natural landscapes and local ecosystems. The programme schedule lists a closing ceremony, and motorcycle rally for January 9 and 10, 2027 (Poush 25–26), bringing the planned tourism-year activities towards a conclusion.
Jugal Tourism Year Targets Local Economic Benefits
Jugal Rural Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Gaurav Raj K.C. said the initiative is expected to promote the area’s mountains, trekking routes, religious and cultural heritage, local cuisine and adventure tourism while contributing to the local economy. He said the broader objective is to use tourism promotion to bring positive changes to the livelihoods and living standards of residents.
Through the planned programmes, the municipality aims to create greater awareness of Jugal as a destination, strengthen local tourism-related skills, identify opportunities for infrastructure development and attract investment. The success of the initiative will depend on how effectively the promotional activities translate into sustained visitor interest, improved tourism services and economic opportunities for local communities. Developing accessible trekking routes, strengthening local skills, preserving cultural heritage and encouraging responsible tourism will be important to building Jugal’s longer-term appeal.
With its combination of Himalayan scenery, adventure opportunities, religious sites and diverse local traditions, Jugal Tourism Year 2083 is intended to place the region more prominently on Nepal’s tourism map and encourage its development as a destination for both domestic and international visitors.
