Adventure Sporting Events to Attend in Nepal.
Don’t go after Nepal’s size. It is tiny, but what it lacks in size, it makes up with its adventurous offerings. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Nepal is nature’s best playground for adventure sports. It’s not just a tongue-in-cheek expression I’m saying on a whim. To give you an idea, out of the 2400km stretch of the Himalayans, two-thirds (800km) lies in Nepal.
Alongside countless snow-capped peaks, Nepal is home to tremendous high hills, lush jungles, tranquil lakes, and choppy rivers. With affluence of such adventurous settings, the country boasts of several adventurous locations to test your thrill limits. Adventure junkies from all over the world visit Nepal for an exhilarating and thrilling experience.
If you are planning to come to Nepal for a sporty adventure, here we present a list of adventure sporting events in Nepal that can make your heart jump with joy. A bonus: many of these events have shorter distance options. Thus, you can participate even if you are just a beginner.
Himalayan Outdoor Festival.
A brainchild of a passionate group of climbers, mountain bikers, and trail runners, Himalayan Outdoor Festival, is Nepal’s pioneering three-day long adventure festival. It takes place in the month of February every year.
The festival takes place in a nice, outdoorsy resort not very far from Kathmandu. Seasoned and amateur outdoor athletes from all over the globe gather to take part in three main sports: mountain biking, rock climbing, and trail running. Participants can also indulge in other adventurous activities like slackline competition, ice-axe pull up, zip lines, mud run, dyno competition, acrobatic paragliding show, and rappelling.
Himalayan Rush Triathlon.
Himalayan Rush is an exclusive off-road triathlon for recreational athletes. It generally takes place in the month of March in the beautiful lake city of Pokhara. Over the years, it has evolved as a perfect sporting event for both first-time triathletes and off-road pros.
Commenced from the banks of serene Begnas lake, the triathlon experience encompasses the thrill of trail running, fresh water swimming, and cycling. The trail running category includes Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlon, Team Relay, Duathlon, and a 5k run. Also, let’s not forget the breathtaking views of the Himalayans surround Pokhara that will keep you company throughout the event.
Kathmandu Kora.
Currently, in its 8th edition, Kathmandu Kora is undoubtedly the country’s most famous cycling event. Held in the month of July every year, this festival combines adventure sport with a noble social cause. the charitable assistance raised by the cyclists and supporters every year is put to good use that brings huge benefits to local communities.
The cycling event is categorised into three categories: 50k, 75k, and 100k. While the 50k challenge is for everyone from novice to experts, the 75k challenge is meant for more serious and seasoned riders. The 75k challenge is self-service and has at least a 1600m ascend in total. Finally, the 100k challenge is for the ultimate pros of cycling game. It has an average of almost 3000m ascend, and a pro-rider will check your pre-challenge riding stats beforehand to make sure you are fit for the ultimate.
Marathon.
Marathon running in Nepal is not for everyone. Please bear in mind that marathons in Nepal can be very much challenging than the ones you have completed in your home country. It’s because you will also be covering significant vertical kilometres. A good amount of exercise is required beforehand to train your ankle and knees. Two popular marathons that take place in Nepal are Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon and Lumbini Peace Marathon.
Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon takes place in the high Sherpa trails of the Khumbu Valley in the month of May every year. Runners from all over the world pour in to take part in their desired categories – 21km Half Marathon, 42km Full Marathon, and 60km Extreme Ultra Marathon. Currently, in its 16th edition, Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is a truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Lumbini Peace Marathon is of a rare kind. It encompasses adventure and spirituality into one fun festival. It is organised in the month of March every year, on the Fagu Purnima day, to mark the homecoming of Buddha following his enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. There are three different categories: Full Marathon (42kms), Half Marathon (21kms), and General Participation (5kms). The marathon trail passes through historical places and end at the Maya Devi Temple in the premises of Lumbini Sacred Garden.
