KATHMANDU: An international rafting and kayaking festival aimed at promoting Nepal’s Himalayan river-based adventure tourism began on the Trishuli River on Tuesday.

The three-day event features the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge 2026 and the 50th International Himalayan Rafting and Kayaking Festival, bringing together paddlers from Nepal and abroad.

Jointly organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), the competition will run until Thursday and is expected to showcase Nepal’s rivers as major destinations for adventure tourism.

On the opening day, 51 paddlers competed in the 300-metre kayak sprint, while 10 teams participated in the 3,000-metre raft sprint race on the fast-flowing waters of the Trishuli.

According to Shukra Lamsal, vice-president of NARA and coordinator of the festival, the 300-metre kayak cross race and a 10-kilometre mandatory raft race will be held on Wednesday, featuring 32 paddlers selected from the preliminary round.

The festival will conclude on Thursday with a 10-kilometre raft race involving 13 teams, each consisting of four players.

Participants from several countries are taking part in the competition, including two teams from India and two from Israel. Organisers said a time chip system is being used to ensure accurate timing and fair competition.

NARA President Kamal Bahadur Thakuri said this year’s event marks a historic milestone as the festival is being celebrated as a silver jubilee edition.

“This festival is not only a sports competition but also a celebration of Nepal’s river tourism, adventure culture and the identity of the rafting community,” he said, expressing confidence that the event will help strengthen Nepal’s position on the global adventure tourism map.

Uday Bhattarai, senior manager at the Nepal Tourism Board, said the festival highlights the growing importance of river-based adventure tourism in Nepal.

He noted that rivers such as the Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, Karnali and Seti have become popular destinations for international adventure tourists seeking rafting and kayaking experiences.