Just a slide away…

There are times when you simply want a change in scenery, and here I was in need of an adventure from my mundane life. What I needed from my life was hair raising, adrenaline pumping, keep you on your toes type of action. I was looking for a place to not only chill but have a good adventure, I found ‘The Last Resort’.

From bungee to canyoning, I happened upon Last Resort almost accidentally and simply fell in love with the dream it was pushing unto me. So, that is when I decided to head to Bhotekoshi the very next morning. While I had no idea what I was signing up for, I was excited.

Bhotekoshi, the beautiful municipality in Sindhupalchowk is well-known for the river that flows from the Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet. Surrounded by lush forest, beautiful waterfalls, and friendly people, BhoteKoshi is the perfect way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After almost a five-hour drive, I finally reached my to-be-nirvana spot. To reach the resort, one would have to cross a 166 mt-long suspension bridge that hangs right above the beautiful fast flowing river. Trust me I have never been so excited yet so fearful at the same time.

After crossing the bridge, I was welcomed by friendly staff at the reception who patiently described the thrilling possibilities for me. I was having a hard time deciding between bungee and canyoning but in those fleeting moments something about abseiling through the pristine waterfalls intrigued me more. Commonly known as canyoning, the act of abseiling is to jump or slide down steep canyon walls and even waterfalls.

While I was doing my own research, before I was instructed on the dos and the don'ts, I got to know that there were eight waterfalls. One after the other, each at least 15 to 45 mt-long, to my delight they were all just a 20-minute walk away from the resort.

As we geared up for the trip, I decided to learn more about how it all began for the pioneers of canyoning in Nepal. Bhola Shrestha, who started his journey as a guide in 2008 says, “the sport has always been very popular with international tourists, these days we see quite a bit of local footfall as well.” While it is not so dangerous to be out abseiling in all seasons, the monsoons could bring stronger water flow.

And so it began,

After changing into wetsuits, gearing up with helmets and harnesses, the instructor and I made our way to the destination, the first waterfall that was 15 mt-long. He mentioned how it usually takes two to three hours for one to abseil all eight of the waterfalls.

The louder the waterfall got, the more excited I became. I had never imagined myself sliding down or abseiling through these rapid waters. But it was happening right before my very eyes and conscience. I could feel the adrenaline rush but when the time came for me to follow the guides, I was slightly nervous. It was not the fear of going down the waterfall that held me back, it was the morbid reminder that any moment I could slip and fall on my back.

But the guides were extremely patient and understanding, they helped me get through and reassured me all the way.While the anchors were pre-drilled, the ropes were put through it only when we reached. After getting the instructions on how to handle the rope to go down, it was put through the quickdraws in carabineers, I was more than ready to go.

The first few steps were daunting, but as I held on to the rope for dear life, I slowly got the hang of the system. The first few waterfalls were a breeze but by the sixth waterfall the abseiler would have to slide while positioning themselves carefully on the side of the hill. But even after losing grip, the ropes and the harness kept me safe. With each waterfall, I became fiercer. Feeling the water fierce flounder across my face made it all worth it.

When I was told that it would take up to three hours, I was a little hesitant, but as I slid down these waterfalls one after the other, I was on the last 45 mt-long waterfall in no time. I can definitely say that canyoning for the first time was an eye opener. It is an enthralling experience for both novice and experienced adventurers, and one that will make your buddies wish they could go with you too.

Contact Details:

Facebook: The Last Resort
Mandala Street, Thamel (city office)
9801258672, 9801830998
Website: [email protected]