With a long list of outdoor activities like trekking, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, paragliding, and rafting, Nepal is among the best destinations in the world for adventure tourism.

From tracking tigers on a jungle safari, to climbing the world’s highest peak, this small Himalayan nation boasts one heck of an outdoor playground, with activities spread across a highly varied landscape.

Whether you’re aiming to raft down the raging waters of the Himalayas, or head south to the lush jungles of Terai, here are 8 adventurous things to keep in mind!

8 Adventurous Things to do in Nepal

1. Helicopter Tour in Nepal

Taking a helicopter tour through Nepal is one of the greatest ways to explore the Himalayas without hiking. This is a thrilling adventure filled with some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll ever see in your life.

Flying above the Himalayas offers the unique chance to have a birds-eye views of the surrounding environment … and it’s breathtaking!

Think incredible views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, icefalls, quaint village settlements and panoramic landscapes as far as the eye can see. You’ll also have quick access to iconic religious places such as Muktinath, Gosaikunda, Pathivara, as well as Everest Base Camp.

You’ll be awe-struck by the tallest peaks in the world rising resplendently from the green valleys far below you.  The helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp is one of the most famous tours in the world.

2. Trekking in Nepal

Whether you’re planing on jungle trekking, or hitting the Himalayas, Nepal is one of the ultimate destinations for trekkers; routes here are some of the most famous in the world.

In terms of mountain climbing, Nepal offers some of the highest peaks in the world. There’s Mt Everest, Mt Kanchenjunga, Mt Annapurna, and Langtang Himal; among them, Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp are the most popular.

Nepal may be more well known as a mountain climbing destination, most notably those seeking to conquer Everest, but it is also home to the magical jungles of Chitwan National Park.

Once a deadly playground for wealthy big game hunters in search of tigers, sloth bears, and Indian rhinoceroses, the jungle now protects the many species that were nearly driven to extinction. Known as the Heart of the Jungle, Chitwan is hailed as one of the best wildlife-viewing parks in Asia.

Trekking in Nepal means you can visit Indigenous villages as you seek out most of the animals found in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Watch as Indian elephants bathe in rivers that contain gharials as you scan the banks for leopards, jackals, civets, and king cobras.

Image credit: Amy Blyth

3. Peak Climbing in Nepal

Peak climbing is one of the most technically and physically demanding things to do in Nepal. It is an adventurous and thrilling activity that involves conquering the summit of some of the highest mountains in the world; all above 6,000 meters.

Peak climbing in Nepal offers climbers a chance to hike up to the summit of some of the highest Himalayan ranges and explore the neighboring peaks from the top of the mountain.

Mera Peak Climbing, Island Peak Climbing, and Lobuche Peak climbing are some of the most popular choices in the Everest region. Similarly, Pisang and Chulu Peak climbing in the Annapurna region and Yulu peak climbing in the Langtang region of Nepal are also famous among trekkers.

Currently, you can find 326 peaks for climbing and mountaineering in Nepal. Each of these requires some climbing skill and physical fitness in order to conquer the peak successfully.

Peak climbing in Nepal can often involve walking through narrow and steep landscapes along the rocky and icy ridges to reach the top of the summit. Using fixed ropes, ice axe, hammers, and crampons are very common when peak climbing in Nepal.

Image credit: Masa Sakano (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr

4. Fishing in Nepal

Fishing in Nepal isn’t something that is often at the top of an adventurous traveler’s list, but is one of the most interesting sports in Nepal if you’re able to approach it with a great level of tolerance.

Nepal is rich in water resources, and there are prominent fishing areas such as Karnali (the Golden Mahseer is one of the most popular fish found in the Karnali river), Babai in Bardiya, Chitwan, Dolalghat, on Kodari Highway and in the lakes of Pokhara.

Similarly, Himalayan rivers and lakes offer a good fishing ground for beginner anglers with more than 118 species of freshwater fish. Some of the major rivers where fishing is possible are Betrawati, Indrawati, Karnali, Trisuli, and Koshi.

The best time for fishing in Nepal is from February to April and September to November.

5. Bungee Jumping in Nepal

Bungee Jumping in Nepal will give you an ultimate thrill of jumping off 160 meters from a high tropical gorge along the wildest river Bhote Koshi.

Picture yourself standing at the edge of a bridge above one of the deepest gorges of the Bhotekoshi river; the Ultimate Bungee at The Last Resort in Nepal is the most thrilling bungee jump in the planet.

Lying close to the Nepal – Tibet border, this is the longest free-fall jump in the world. Bungee Jumping in Nepal will be an adrenaline filled, a nerve-wracking adventure that you will remember for a lifetime!

6. Rafting in Nepal

Nepal is a prime destination for white water rafting, and the rivers that flow through the great Himalayas provide some of the most adventurous rafting experiences in the world.

Rafting in the fast flowing rivers of Nepal with several twists and turns can be the perfect option for you if you are seeking for an adventurous activity. The scenery is stunning too – think lush forests and majestic mountain view.

Some of the best rivers of Nepal for white river rafting are the Sunkoshi, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, and Bhotekoshi.

7. Paragliding in Nepal

Quite like a helicopter ride, paragliding is the perfect opportunity to explore the rivers, monasteries, village settlements, lakes, jungles, and mountains of Nepal from a birds eye view.

Paragliding in Nepal allows you to witness 360 views of some of the tallest mountains and peaks in the country. Flying above these mountains, lakes and rivers, you will gain an appreciation for the beautiful topography and the overall scenic beauty of Nepal.

The most popular area for paragliding in Nepal is in Pokhara Valley, meaning you can take advantage of a birds eye view of the best scenery in the Himalayan ranges, some of which are above the height of 8,000 meters.

8. Skydiving Mount Everest

Climbing Everest not for you? Why don’t you take the jump instead?!

Tick off the highest peak in the world by taking a unique skydive from a dizzying height. At 29,500 ft with the landing sites at Syangboche Airport (12340ft) and Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,000ft), this is the highest commercial aerial adventure in the world.

Though it also comes at a reasonably high cost – $35,000 for a tandem jump ($25,000 for solo skydivers). Only a very limited number of jumps are offered throughout the year, and reservations need to be made at least 6 months in advance.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.