Dolakha, the district famous for religious tourism and trekking trails, has started progressing as a destination for adventure tourism. In its attempt to draw adventure-seeking youths, Shokla Rock Climbing Trail has been inaugurated in Bhimeshwor Municipality-2.

 

Nepal Tourism Board, Bhimeshwor Municipality and Shoklashwari Tourism Development Society contributed to the development of the trail.

 

“The scary cliff will now be a tourist destination,” said Arjun Pakhrin, president of the Shoklashwari Tourism Development Society. “This will give a new identity to our district and contribute to increasing the stay of the tourists.”

 

Shokla village is around eight kilometres from Charikot, the district headquarters, but it lags far behind in terms of infrastructure and human development.

 

Therefore, a feasibility study was conducted by Pakhrin’s team in association with the Mountain Guides Association of Nepal (MoGAN) to promote Shokla as a destination for adventure tourism.

 

After conducting the study for six months, the team suggested rock climbing in Shokla as the best option for the region and proposed three routes for climbing as well.

 

The total height of the cliff is 400 metres, but currently, only 25 metres is open for climbers.

 

A rock climbing festival was organised in Shokla on June 1 and 2, where around 200 youths climbed the rock for the first time.

 

Visitors, too, are excited by the opening of the Shokla Rock Climbing Trail.

 

“I thought I could easily climb the cliff when I saw it for the first time,” said Bashu Shrestha, a visitor. “However, it was tougher than I assumed.”

 

A large number of locals had gathered around the base of the Shokla cliff. Old and young alike watched 200 climbers preparing to scale the Shokla cliff with great amusement.

 

“This is my first experience of rock climbing,” said Raj Kumar Basnet, a local. “I had thought these kinds of adventurous sports were possible only in other places, but I am excited to experience it in my district.”