Rafting: An Arm Wrestling with Water Waves (Photo Feature)

Saroj Basnet

Sindhupalchowk: In recent times, rafting has become popular among urban people to play hide and seek with the hot weather.

Trishuli and Bhotekoshi are considered the main rafting destinations for the residents of Kathmandu Valley. The way one indulges in rafting is no less than playing arm wrestling with the water waves of the river.

To make people enjoy the thrill of the water current, around one and a half dozen rafting-centric resorts are operating in the Sukute area.

Rafting Star Resort Operator Deepak Kumar Rai said every week, 12 to 15 hundred people from the valley come to the resort. He said in recent years, the arrival of domestic tourists has increased in the Sukute.

‘Compared to previous years, the arrival of domestic tourists has increased. But the number of foreign tourists has declined,’ said Operator Rai. Rai said the reason behind the increase in domestic tourists is social media.

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According to him, the people who return home after rafting post their pictures on social media platforms, which automatically promotes the sport. He said the increasing crowd and noise might have been the reason behind the decline in foreign tourists.

Likewise, Rai said, ‘Foreigners used to come here to enjoy a quiet place after being bored with urban lifestyle. But now the environment has changed. And for today, their number is declining every year.’

Similarly, understanding the problem, except for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Rafting Star and other travel agencies have been taking foreign tourists for the thrill on other days.