Birat Anupam

State One is commonly known as East Nepal, which includes a diverse topography ranging from the country’s lowest point, that is, Kechana Kalan at 60m, to the world’s highest, that is, Mt. Everest at 8848m. The geographical variety is suitable for a lot of adventure activities.
Lucrative locations and magnetic attractions make East Nepal a perfect venue for hundreds of world-class tourism activities.
This article highlights 11 adventure treasures worth the attention of visitors coming over to this part of Nepal.

Rafting
East Nepal has some of the best rafting rivers of Tamor, Arun and Sunkoshi. These rafting packages are available both in Dharan, Itahari and Phidim.
Commercially opened since 1998, the 131-kilometer-long Tamor rafting from Dobhan of Taplejung to Chatara of Sunsari does have 131 rapids with 4+ grades. Likewise, the 260-kilometer-long Sunkoshi rafting package starts from Dolalghat of Kabhrepalanchok district to Chatara. It has many rapids of class 4- and 5-. Arun is also beautiful for rafting. This 77-kilometer-long rafting starts from Tumlingtar of Sankhuwasabha and ends at Chatara. Arun river has exciting rafting rapids of class 4.

Mountaineering
Nepal is a Himalayan nation with the tallest of its peaks lying in the East. They include the world’s rooftop Mt. Everest (8848m), the third tallest peak of Kanchenjunga (8586m), fourth tallest peak of Lhotse (8516m) and fifth tallest peak of Makalu (8463m). Owing to the availability of best and tallest mountains in the planet, mountaineering in East Nepal is attractive to all mountaineers from around the world. Ever since the first Everest summit on May 29, 1953 by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary, mountaineering has been a glowing and growing adventure in East Nepal.

Trekking
East Nepal is a sort of trekking paradise with picturesque Himalayan backdrop and wow-worthy cultural and natural beauties. From Himalayan trekking of Everest Base Camp, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Makalu Base Camp to mid-hill cultural trail of Mundhum, East Nepal has a variety of trekking tracks.
Likewise, East Nepal falls in the beautiful section of 1700 kilometer long Great Himalayan Trail starting from Kanchenjunga to Everest.

Paragliding
In East Nepal, commercial paragliding package was started in Dharan since October, 2015. These days, commercial paragliding is functional both at Dharan and Belaka of Udayapur. Dharan Sky Adventure Paragliding and Budhasubba Paragliding are giving paragliding services in East Nepal.
Jet- Boating
Among many adventure touristic products of East Nepal, jet boating in Saptakoshi is a popular one. Baraha Water Transport and Tourism Private Limited has been operating jet boating in Saptakoshi river, Nepal's largest and world's second biggest sand-carrying river. Jet boating is operated within 17 kilometers of distance between Chatara of Sunsari to Simle of Bhojpur.
Saptakoshi jet boating has been a part of adventure tourism for outsiders and a mode of water transport for locals. The first jet-boat trip was made by Sir Edmond Hillary and his friend John Hamilton from Chatara to Dolalghat in 1968.

Mountain Biking
Mountain biking was just an individual passion before Krishna KC and his counterparts of Dharan initiated commercial mountain biking in East Nepal.
Having world cyclist Puskar Shah as their patron, Cycling Dharan, a group of professional mountain bikers of the town, and professional cyclists of Dharan have explored new biking routes and inspired hundreds of young biking enthusiasts from this part of Nepal.
They have developed two cycling routes in East Nepal. Eastern Circuit is the longest route that starts from Dharan and comes back to Dharan circling nine districts, namely, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari, where Dharan lies.
This circuit takes 10 days to accomplish. Another two-day route is called Koshi Circuit starting from Dharan to Gufapokhari including Bhedetar, Hile and Basantapur. Likewise, cyclist groups of East Nepal are exploring more virgin routes.

Jungle Safari
Jungle safari in East Nepal was commercially introduced in December, 2016 at Kosi Tappu Wildlife. The jungle safari was introduced by Sechha Travelling Dharan. However, it came to an end after the terror by wild elephants at Koshi Tappu.
According to Basudev Baral, the pioneer of this package, jungle safari can be revived. “If proper security is ensured from wild elephants and proper coordination is made by Wildlife Reserve,” says Baral, “Jungle safari can be revived in 2020.”

Mountain Flight and Helicopter Ride
Mountain flight package in East Nepal was first launched on November 24, 2018. Tourism entrepreneurs of Biratnagar led this drive. Besides, seasonal mountain flights of November and December, helicopter ride is also run in East Nepal. Helicopter ride from Bhedetar, Itahari and Biratnagar were introduced in 2018 for Pathibhara visit and city tour. This year also, these services are being run from Dharan, Bhedetar and even from Phidim of Panchthar.

Camping
Camping is growing in East Nepal. It is not run commercially. Nonetheless, it is done individually. Camping is very famous during Nepali new year at Tinjure MIlke and Jaljale (TMJ) areas of rhododendron forests. Likewise, various pilgrimages like Sabhapokhari, Timbung Pokhari and other religious travelling also include camping.

Kanyoing
Kanyoing is commercially run at Namaste falls of Sanghurigadhi, Dhankuta. It was initiated since 2016. Along with this 80-meter-tall falls, kanyoing is possible in other taller falls of Hyatrung (365m) of Tehrathum, Fungfunge (300m) of Taplejung, Ghorle (191m) of Sankhuwasabha, Pokali (130m) of Okhaldhunga and others.

Caving
Caving is the new adventure tourism package in East Nepal. It is performed at Changlung cave of Tehrathum. Located at Chhathar Rural Municipallity-6, Sudap of Terhathum district, the 145-meter-long cave is named after Limbu indigenous language. Along with Changlung, there are dozens of caves for adventurous caving in East Nepal.

The Author a freelance writer based in Itahari.