Pedal on unknown paths
Mountain biking is an ideal way to discover Nepal. More solid than a classic bike, it allows you to move on mountain roads and to go far away from the beaten track, in a maze of tracks and paths that will allow you to reach truly grandiose sites. To this pleasure will be added the pleasure of meeting smiling populations, surprised to see you ride where they are moving on foot. A few rules apply: never go alone in the mountains and bring your own tools and spare parts. On the roads, mountain bikers must give priority to cars and trucks, if only for their own safety. The law of the strongest and the biggest is also in force here. On the trails, however, pedestrians and animals must be allowed to cross. Knowing the limits of one's physical capacities, there are many routes that can be taken, and above all, they are superb.
Degrading the watercourses
With the growing success of water sports, paddling down Nepal's rivers on rubber dinghies is a very popular sport. The many torrents that gush out of the Himalayas are swollen with tributaries to become powerful rivers. By carving a passage through the world's largest mountain range, the rivers naturally become a preferred route of exploration in a country where roads are still scarce. Apart from a few rivers whose descent is aimed at top-level sportsmen, the large Nepalese rivers are accessible to amateur or beginner rafters. However, a good physical condition is recommended. For example, the mid-mountain region is particularly suitable for river rafting. If you let yourself be carried along by the current, you can descend almost 1,000 m in a few days and cross the Mahabharat Lekh mountain range, whose peaks are almost 2,500 m high. The high season for rafting is from October to November, when the monsoon is over, the landscapes are green and the rivers are still high. For obvious reasons of safety and logistics, it is imperative to use an agency. Canyoning is also being developed, this discipline consisting of walking in gorges and along waterfalls with numerous abseiling descents and having fun with a series of jumps and slides on natural toboggans.
Flying in front of Annapurna
In Nepal, the breathtaking scenery and ideal flying conditions attract paragliders from all over the world. Sarangkot is 20 minutes from Pokhara and is the most popular site in the country. An impressive viewpoint awaits paragliders above Lake Phewa. The panorama stretches from Dhaulagiri in the west to Annapurna in the east. Above all, it unveils its magic at sunrise or sunset with an impressive palette of pastel colours. The sportsmen then face the mythical Annapurna. Agencies have multiplied in recent years and some are even run by French people. Notice to the amateurs!
Bagh Chal, a typical game
Finally, between two nature outings, you can try your hand at Bagh Chal, a typically Nepalese strategy game. It sees two players confront each other: one guarding twenty goats, the other wild master of four tigers. While the tigers must hunt the goats to win, the goats must block the tigers. The Bagh Chal of Nepal often consists of an engraved slate board and gold counters. However, don't hesitate to play a "natural" game: lines in the sand, pebbles for the goats and leaves for the tigers for example, it's very good!
