08 Jan, 2025
Pokhara, Nepal: A skydiving program conducted entirely by Nepali trainers is expected to start in the picturesque tourist destination of Pokhara for the first time in Nepal’s adventure tourism sector. The fares have been offered by the organizer company of Simrik Air Limited under planning and promoting a new revolution for Nepal in adventure tourism.
The program is expected to be launched at February 10 to February 21 in the Lauruk of Pokhara which is famous for its natural beauty. Two distinct packages have been introduced for participants: The Deluxe package: NPR 95, 000 and the VIP package: NPR 115, 000. This event is expected to attract domestic and international enthusiasts of adventures with bookings being now open on the official website of Simrik Air.
It is gratifying to have a local name like Simrik Air which operates air services in the Nepalese sector and has successfully been delivering the best helicopter services since 1997. The company is known to participate in complex and dangerous operations, and it has been involved in such operations as firefighting, moving COVID-19-positive patients, searching for and rescuing international flights, and other life-rescuing flight operations. Simrik Air moving ahead in innovations and safety, is now providing what will be the first locally planned skydiving event in Nepal.
Currently, it is being operated by Elish Thapa, an experienced professional who has been a paragliding instructor for 14 years. Thapa who has been involved in normal tandem jumps only since 2017, started rigorous coaching only in 2018 with his mission being to introduce skydiving in Nepal. His previous work experience includes such positions as Safety and Training Advisor (S&TA), chief instructor, tandem instructor, and aerial photographer which he obtained during his training and job in Thailand. With this kind of experience, Thapa knows that this event will create a new record in Nepalese adventure sport & Tourism.
“That has been the vision for a long time,” Thapa said over the phone about how he felt on realizing such a program. “Now for many years, I have dreamt of making Nepal a Mecca for skydiving and other adventure activities. With the help of our partners Simrik Air and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), and the Ministry of Tourism, this vision is gradually becoming a reality. If the government can provide airspace for skydiving then it can engender so much economic impact throughout the year and employment for our young people.
The program is designed for adventurers from across the globe – taking advantage of the beauty of the Nepalese geography and its increasing popularity as an extreme sports hub. That is why the organizers of this event, which took place in Pokhara – the lake city and the center of adventure tourism in Nepal, stimulate both domestic and inbound tourism.
The initiative was described as significant for Simrik Air by its General Manager, Muralidhar Joshi. It was like this: “This will open a new chapter of adventure tourism in Nepal.” Instead of focusing on things like skydiving, they are about introducing the prospect of adventure tourism in Nepal to the international market, as Joshi said. He went on to explain that at first the organizers were ‘given the green light’ to host an event of no more than 20 people. Petro Avoid said that based on the response and demand, the company is willing to obtain further authority and continue executing the flight.
Nepal itself is at the same trying to explore the possibilities of decentralizing its focus in the tourism industry. Originally inclined towards trekking and mountaineering, the addition of skydiving falls under the new style of adventure tourism. These have contributed both positively and negatively and; according to the critics these have the potential to attract a young, vigorous tourist population in anticipation of adventurous activities against the backdrop of the; towering Nepalese Himalayas.
The tourism industry can extend in Nepal with the introduction of Skydiving as it has been popular all over the world and can bring changes in the hospitality and tourism industries. Companies that may stand to gain from the new field include local sectors like accommodation, food and beverage, and transport providers to the destination. Furthermore, the success of owned could spur other parts of the country to follow similar activities all in an effort to curb fossil fuel emissions.
The Lauruk area of Pokhara, chosen as location, provides almost perfect condition for skydiving. The weather condition as well the atmosphere in the region is excellent for such activities accompanied with clear skies and extensive view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. For the participants it exist as not a mere adrenaline pumping activity but also as an opportunity to get a view of the natural beauty of Nepal from thousands of feet high.
Through this event, Simrik Air and its partners envision setting the right example of maintaining a sustainable model of Adventure Tourism in Nepal. Apart from such fun activities as featured by skydiving, the initiative aims at challenging the Nepali youth to consider the oil sector in tourism and flying careers. According to Thapa “It is not just about one event, you have to build a future where adventure sports emerge as part of the nation’s identity.”
The coming skydiving program is not only an adventurous one, but it is also the stepping stone for new dimension of tourism in Nepal. By the concerted efforts of the professional team, bureau support and the participation fever of the passion for adventures, this initiative will create a profound influence on the development of the adventure tourism industry of the nation.