Bungee Jumping in Nepal

Adventure Tourism, Nepal offers you the excitement of bungee jumping from what is probably the highest bungee jumping site in the world. Nepal's first bungee jumping site is situated 160m over the wild Bhote Kosi River not far from the Nepal-Tibet border. The thrill of bungee jumping surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world is truly an opportunity not to be missed by the lovers of adventure tourism, Nepal provides.

The trip to the only bungee jumping site in Nepal so far is itself an experience. It is a three hour bus ride from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu along the Arniko (Kathmandu to Lhasa) Highway. It is within twelve 12km of the Tibet Border and the famous Friendship Bridge. There are facilities to stay here at the Last Resort, a tented safari style accommodation with a restaurant.

Ultimate Bungy Nepal can be booked through many adventure tourism agents in Nepal and the facilities offered here are as good as anywhere else in the world. It takes place from a 166m wide steel suspension bridge over the Bhoti Kosi River. This Swiss designed bridge has been built specially for bungee jumping with a 4x safety factor. Built with over 6000 meters of steel wire it is the longest suspension bridge in Nepal, joining two sides of a great valley. Before its construction, locals had to walk for five hours to cross this river gorge.

The beautiful valley is home to the dense forests surrounding the cliff top gorge. The tedious trip is well worth it just for the spectacular view, which many consider to be one of the most beautiful in the world. One can stay here overnight and go rafting and rock climbing too. The opportunities for adventure in the world’s most spectacular mountains are not to be missed.

Bungee jumping brings a rush of adrenalin and is considered by many to be the most exciting, extreme adventure sport. However it is important to be in good health to attempt it. It is not for people who suffer from Heart disease, Epilepsy, High blood pressure, addiction to alcohol or drugs, orthopedic, psychological or neurological problems.

Adventure Travel in Nepal Ready for Ecotourism

Nepal has traditionally been a popular destination for adventure travel with young and not so young back packers. The mix of ancient religions and tradition with the mountains and the freedom they bring to the way of life has been the main attraction. Adventure travel tourists have always been welcomed in Nepal as the economy has been largely dependent on tourism.

Unfortunately the recent political crisis and violence that accompanied it had kept the tourists away for a couple of years. It had meant a great loss to the locals whose livelihood depends on foreigners and the dollars they spend. It naturally followed that the economy has suffered greatly. In most developing countries fragile political stability has bred violence and the main fallout has been that the common man suffers a loss of income. There is a strong link between tourism and peace: peace and stability brings in the tourists and the tourism industry brings about peace.

Fortunately peace has returned to the country and so have the tourists. Nepal offers trekking, river rafting, hang gliding and even bungee jumping at incredibly low costs and in stunningly beautiful surroundings. The remote mountainsides are dotted with villages where ancient tribes live, still very much in the way their ancestors did centuries ago. Buddhism and Hinduism have their deep roots here and one visit can hook you forever. The troubles, like the development rarely reach remote areas and the peace of the mighty Himalayas surrounds and absorbs you here.

The time is ripe for the government to focus on ecotourism in a responsible way. The fragile eco-systems of the trans-Himalayan region can easily be destroyed forever in this country of great contrasts. The economy that is so dependent on tourism has to invest in infrastructure and see to the security of its visitors. Efforts should be made to take advantage of the two big neighbors; India and China are the two fastest growing economies of the world. Creation of tax advantages and an atmosphere ripe for investment by them can turn the economy of Nepal around.

The combination of responsible, non-exploitative development of tourist attractions, safety of visitors and secure environment for investment can bring about a sea change in the lives of these charming people and a country that has so much to offer.

Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal

This has made Bhutan one of the highest per capita refugee generators in the world due to the implementation of the “Driglam Namzha” (Cultural Code of the Ruling Elite) with a "One Nation, One People" policy which imposed the language, dress code, and customs of the northern Bhutanese on the entire population. The crackdown on the southern Bhutanese continued as the government began closing schools and hospitals in an attempt to force out those of Nepali origin.

Often the countries most overburdened with refugees are already among the poorest in the world. Nepal continues to be ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world in terms of human development yet hosts more than 100,000 Bhutanese and 20,000 Tibetan refugees. Nepals inadequate social and physical infrastructural services are overstrained by such an influx of refugees.

There are seven camps with a population of 101,000 refugees, about half of whom are located in Beldangi camp. The camps are situated on the plains of east Nepal, spanning two districts (Jhapa and Morang) which are the most heavily populated in Nepal.

To get to the refugee camps, one has to drive on winding dirt roads through fields or forested land for at least half an hour. The forest clears out all of sudden and distinct rows of huts appear in the clearing. It seems as if you have come upon a civilization long hidden from the rest of the world.

In the seven camps there are 45 schools, 40,000 pupils and 956 teachers. Thestudent/teacher ratio is an average 40:1 but in reality the classes are much bigger than this as the number of teachers includes headmasters and teacher trainers which are given very few periods, if any at all.

A school environment provides more than just basic needs to read and write, but also provides an outlet for children to experience a sense of normality, safety and routine after many years upheaval.

Most of the classrooms are temporary structures (often made of a mixture of brick, bamboo and grass) due to the limited life-span of the camps. Many of the lower classes do not have desks and the children are sitting on jute mats which have been manufactured in the camps during the income generating activities initiated by Oxfam. However, all classrooms are provided with a table and chair for the teacher. The blackboards are portable with an easel.Each school has a large open space where assemblies can take place. On structural appearances the schools are identical to many seen in the rural areas of Pokhara and Kathmandu Valley.

No land is available to refugees for cultivation yet the vast majority of the refugees come from rural backgrounds. Artificial life in the camps for more than ten years is therefore not preparing the younger generation for a farming life back home in Bhutan. Most of them have not been involved in farming for the past decade and there is a fear that they are losing their knowledge and experience in the area where they will have to make their future livelihoods. Although vocational training programmes and income-generating projects have been initiated, they are not a substitute for the agricultural work to which most of the refugees will return. In contrast, access to medical care, food rations, education and training has resulted in improved conditions for many of the refugees.

Introduction to the Mt. Everest

Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) is the World's Highest Mountain. Sagarmatha rises to 8848 Meters (29,028 Feet) above the sea level. Originally Mount Everest was called Peak XV. As it turned out, Peak XV already had two other names: one name came from South side of the Mountain, from the Nepalese who referred to it as Sagarmatha or "Goddess of the Sky". The other name came from North side of the mountain from the Tibetans, who had named it as Jhomoloungma, or "Goddess, Mother of the world". Later the mountain has been renamed in honor of Sir George Everest. Although today it is rarely called Jhomoloungma or Sagarmatha, it is clear from the names of the mountain that the Nepalese and Tibetan people worshiped this special place on the earth. Refer to these Books for more details.

Jon Krakauer, into thin air (New York Villard Books, 1997), p.10.

Roberta Reynolds, The vanishing Cultures of the Himalayas (san Diego, Harcourt, 1991), p.23, 24.

Since the late 19th century, adventurous spirits have been fascinated with the ascent of the highest mountain in the world. Tenzing Sherpa of Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand became the first people to stand on the top of the world on may 29, 1953 through south Col via Khumbu Glacier and continued their ascent to the Summit via the Southeast Ridge.

Adventure Travel in Nepal

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m. all within a distance of 150 km with climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys. Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 70 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs. We are glad to extend our warm hospitality and hope your stay in Nepal is a memorable one. Tourists are advised to use the services of registered travel/trekking companies and hotels only. By using the services of government registered service providers, you will be ensuring the most comfortable and reliable holiday possible.

International Adventure Travel

International adventure travel: Safaris, balloon tours, swimming with dolphins, bicycling down volcanos, trekking in the Himalayas, Walmart on Christmas Eve - the list is almost endless. This will not be a comprehensive listing of all the adventure opportunities out there. Instead, here is just enough to whet your appetite.

My Own International Adventure Travel

Long before hitchhiking across the country at sixteen-years-old, I had a taste for adventure. At fourteen, a friend and I bicycled 300 miles in a few days during one summer. At seventeen, I went international with my adventuring, hitchhiking from Michigan to half-way across Mexico. Over forty now, I no longer put out my thumb - not very often, anyhow - but I still love to travel.

More recently, my international adventure travel took me to Ecuador. While there I climbed to the furthest point from the center of the Earth. Everest is highest above sea level, but due to the Earth's bulge at the equator, the peak of Mount Chimborazo, at 20,600 feet, is farther from from the center of our planet. The top is all snow, ice, and glaciers.

My guide didn't speak English, and thought I was a mountaineer. I had once used an ice axe and crampons to go forty feet up a sledding hill, in Michigan. The rest of the story is on the website, but you can get information and a guide by talking to almost any hotel manager in Riobamba, Ecuador.

Go On A Jungle Book Safari

In southern Nepal, In the Royal Chitwan National Park, you can see tigers, leopards, rhinos, and sloth-bears. And where better to see them from than the back of a large elephant? The tours are lead by naturalists and park rangers. Stay in the comfortable Safari Lodge and take daily tours into the jungle.

Take A Mongolian Horseback Trek

Travel with one of the great nomadic and horse-based cultures of the world. The trips take you beyond tourist routes, and you can customize your trek to fit your schedule and budget. These tours are run from an office in Mongolia, and they provides experienced guides that are multi-lingual.

Go Rock Climbing In Rio

Want an outdoor adventure and city nightlife? Try a rock climbing tour in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You'll find routes for all skill levels in the Sugar Loaf, Urca, Corcovado and Pedra da Gavea mountains. Tours include bilingual instructors, equipment rentals, and transportation, and start at under $100 per person.

Swim With Dolphins In The Croatian Sea

Escape from the cold this winter, to the Cres-Lošinj group of islands, which is known for it's mild climate. Mali Lošinj on the island of Lošinj is known for its health resort, but recently, the area is becoming famous for the bottle-nosed dolphins that have made their homes in the clear and clean waters of the Cres-Lošinj group of islands. Mingle with them by boat or in your swimsuit.

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mt. Kinabalu (4101m) is the king of the Borneo sub-continent. It rises 3000 feet higher than other mountains in the area; far above the jungle. It attracts international climbers of all skill levels, who scramble, climb and trek in its unique jungle-alpine enviroment. Kinabalu is in a world heritage site that boasts a wide variety of plants and animals. Experienced guides will take you trekking, or take you to the top.

By: Steve Gillman

Introduction to the Adventure

An adventure is an activity that is comprised of risky or uncertain experiences that are undertaken at least in part for the sake of physical or emotional excitement. The term is more popularly used in reference to physical activities that have some potential for danger, such as orienteering, skydiving, mountain climbing, and extreme sports. The term is broad enough to refer to any enterprise that is potentially fraught with risk, such as a business venture or a major life undertaking. An adventurer is a person who bases their lifestyle or their fortunes on adventurous acts.
Adventurous experiences create psychological and physiological arousal, which can be interpreted as negative (e.g. fear) or positive (e.g. flow), and which can become a detriment as per the Yerkes-Dodson law. For some people, adventure becomes a major pursuit in and of itself.
Adventurous activities are typically undertaken for the purposes of recreation or excitement, such as multi-sport adventure racing or a traveler's adventure tourism. However, an adventurous activity can lead to gains in knowledge, such as in the case of the numerous pioneers who have explored and charted the Earth and, in recent times, traveled into space and to the Moon. As a more modern example, adventure education makes use of challenging experiences for learning.
In the context of a narrative, the adventure genre is typically applied to works in which the protagonist or other major characters are consistently placed in dangerous situations, and a character who lives by their wits and their skills is often called an adventurer. Adventure novels and adventure films are both prominent genres in their respective media, although the latter has fallen out of the spotlight with the rise of the modern-style action film. In games, the term is less consistently applied: the term "adventure game" is used in reference to computer and video games that make use of exploration, interaction, and problem solving, while role-playing games use the term "adventure" in reference to specific pre-planned segments of gameplay.