Home Why You Should Consider Nepal for a Family Adventure Holiday (far more than trekking)

Why You Should Consider Nepal for a Family Adventure Holiday (far more than trekking)

by Sara Wells

Nepal might be best known for its Everest summits but it has tamer adventures in spades. And I’m happy to say they’re exhilarating enough to engage your teenagers (no easy task). Here’s why you should consider going on your next getaway to make those all-important family memories.

Adventures Galore in Pokhara

Pokhara could easily be Nepal’s adventure HQ. Set within a subtropical valley right by the serene Phewa Lake, with the snow-capped Annapurna range looming overhead, it’s best known as a gateway for mountain trekking. But, in actuality, there are other adrenaline-pumping activities available…

Tandem Paragliding: Take to the Skies

If you’ve ever wanted to fly, this is your chance. Along the Sarangkot ridge at 1,590m, you can catch the thermals and glide over Pokhara with an experienced tandem pilot. And when I say experienced, I mean it – they don’t get their licences easily. First, they log three years of solo flights before rigorous theory and practical exams. Once that’s done, they need to complete 150 tandem flights with friends and colleagues before they’re allowed to take paying passengers. Safe to say, you’re in good hands.

My pilot, Laax, was calm and reassuring, guiding me through the take-off and coordinating our slot among the other paragliders. We soared over tiny villages and farmland below, drinking in those epic views from a bird’s eye view. Absolutely amazing. And the landing? A gentle glide across the flat valley floor, so smooth I nearly forgot I’d just been 2,000m up in the air! Of course, I couldn’t resist ask for a bit of acrobatics on the way down – the spinning descent was thrilling.

(What’s more, the whole setup provides jobs for budding pilots, with trainees helping out by portering and packing parachutes. A win-win.)

If Paragliding isn’t Your Thing: Pick between these activities…

Riding on a cable car, zip wire or mountain bike

You can still soak up the epic scenery by taking a cable car up to Sarangkot for sweeping panoramic views and ride on the zipline down – featuring a 600m drop(!) – and flying into the Annapurna backdrop. Or you could hop on a mountain bike and tackle the off-road trails along the ridge instead.

Hopping in a boat

For a gentler pace, why not take a boat ride to Tal Barahi Temple, perched on a little island in the middle of Phewa Lake? This two-storey pagoda is a peaceful spot, with both Hindu and Buddhist devotees coming to pay their respects. In the evenings, the lakeside comes alive with the local Aarati ceremony – an atmospheric experience that’s well worth watching.

Rafting Your Way to Pokhara

Want to turn the journey to Pokhara into part of the adventure? The road between Kathmandu and Pokhara is undergoing some hefty roadworks, so why not swap four wheels for a paddle? Hop on an inflatable raft to venture down the Trishuli River for a few hours before hopping off at Moglin town and driving the rest of the way. It’s a great introduction to white water rafting as the river grade isn’t too challenging and a fantastic way to take in Nepal’s rolling countryside – far more immersive than staring out of a car window.

Credit: RMT

Go Wild in Chitwan National Park

Here’s something you might not expect: Nepal is a brilliant safari destination. Chitwan National Park is home to rare one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, crocodiles and elephants, and reaching the park feels like an adventure in itself. You’ll start by crossing the Rapti River in a dugout canoe in the buffer zone – a fitting entrance to this lush jungle paradise.

If you’d like to be even more adventurous, you can travel there by rafting down the Seti River and camp overnight on the riverside, en route! (There are also permanent camps like the Seti River Camp with some mod cons, if you prefer).

Your family holiday in Nepal can be as action-packed as you’d all like, and with its warm, welcoming people, it’s a fun and easy adventure.

Browse our ETG itineraries, which are just a starting point for your own bespoke trip:

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