After a very busy week, I as looking forward to c aping from Kathmandu. I had heard so much about the Borderland Adventure Centre, a new resort near the Tibetan border and heard a lot of talks about canyoning being featured there for the first time in Nepal. As such, I was eager to check it out.
The centre is located approximately 92km from Kathmandu and takes a mere three hours to get there, making it the perfect weekend getaway from the smog and pollution of Kathmandu. The drive out of the valley is a glorious one. It makes you forget the craziness of it all. I passed beautifully terraced rice fields, drove alongside rivers and past picturesque villages. As I began to make my final descent down the private drive into Borderland, an all pervading calm sets in.
The Borderland is situated on the banks of the river Bhote Koshi, one of Nepal’s premiere whitewater rafting rivers. The site is idyllic in the sense that it is built on terraces and is surrounded by steep mountains and countless waterfalls. No matter where you wander within the camp, you can always hear the rushing sound of the powerful river.
In respect to trekking, tourism and travel, there has been very little development in the area. Owned by Megh Ale, one of the leading pioneers of rafting in Nepal, founder and President of the Nepal River Conservation Trust, and Wade Campbell, formally Chief Staff Instructor for Canadian Outward Bound, together they bring a unique vision to this exclusive riverside centre.
Megh and Wade feel both privileged as well as a deep sense of responsibility to the area and its people. It is their hope that this introduction to the region will be a positive one, yet one that will develop slowly. The result is employment of local staff and an environment that is built to emphasize the charm of the local village, without compromising on the comfort of its guests.
The center consists of thatched safari-style tents, some with bamboo double
beds and others with four single beds, making it just right for a small family.
There are showers, flush toilets, hand-washing facilities and iodized water
taps placed strategically throughout the camp.
The Arniko Lodge, the main meeting/dining hall is thatched and complete with
books, games and a very well stocked bar. It is a great place to sit back, relax
and enjoy the stunning view. Each area has been carefully planned, connected
by small footpaths that are flanked on both sides by beautiful gardens.
Living in such conditions appealed to a prestigious Kathmandu chef, and he was easily lured away to the Borderland. The menu varies and the food is prepared fresh with most of it grown in their own organic gardens. The food is simple-yet tantalizing. With an emphasis on hygiene, all of the fruits and vegetables are safe to eat.
If you are feeling a bit adventurous, Borderland offers several activities to choose from. Options include rafting the might Bhote Kosi river, trekking to a hidden fort and monastery, mountain biking up to the Tibetan border, or for the ultimate sports-enthusiast, canyoning. I opted for the latter.
On the day of canyoning I woke up early, had a large breakfast then hiked to the nearby training site. Paul and Anders, the two international instructors, provided the technical training. I was very nervous about making my first descent, but after several hours of instruction, I felt like I was ready to conquer the canyon.
The canyoning site is about one hour up the road, across a suspension bridge and through a few small villages. I was provided with a wet suit, climbing harness and helmet. While Paul and Anders were busy setting up the ropes, I stood at the edge staring down into the steep canyon. Fear swept through me as I cautiously stepped back away from the edge. The thought of abseiling so close to the waterfall was beyond comprehension. Anders went first and provided last minute instruction along with words of encouragement, making it easy to take the plunge. After the first few seconds, my anxiety subsided as an intense adrenaline rush came over me. I abseiled past wild, slippery rock formations, through powerful blasts of water and climbed down through a series of waterfalls. After the first 45m abseil I knew there would be another 25m descent before reaching the deep pool that lay in the depths below me. At the end of the downward excursion, I made my last jump and submerged myself into a pool. Once on the ground, I rested on a beach within the canyon walls. I gazed up to the blue sky above me, not believing how I got to where I was. While waiting for the others to join, I had an opportunity to explore the pools below. I found myself swimming into precarious alleys and pathways that led to places unknown. After the others safely arrived on the canyon bottom, I swam out between narrow boulders.
I found canyoning to be extremely challenging and the ultimate experience. It gave me the chance to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world. I would recommend this adventure sport to the bold and courageous. From sheer cliffs and slides to pounding waterfalls, you will experience all the joys of canyoning. Apart from all the fun and games, this sport requires the guidance of an expert. The instructors are experienced canyoneers and believe that the practice of safe canyoning necessitates proper gear, continual vigilance and a good knowledge of the aquatic environment.
Aside from all the adventure, the atmosphere at the Borderland is very relaxed and even the most ambitious adventurers have been enticed into gathering a few pillows and then sitting alongside the river. By far, one of the most popular activities is relaxing and taking in the remarkable surroundings. And. remarkable they are.