An increase in the flow of visitors to enjoy rafting at Sunkoshi River, even in winter, has elated tourism entrepreneurs in Sindhuli district.

Mulkot in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality became a popular destination for rafting after the BP Highway, the shortest route connecting Kathmandu and eastern Tarai, opened to traffic in 2015.

The area usually sees more people during mid-February to mid-June.

Manoj Shrestha, manager at Taj Resort in Mulkot, who started the rafting service four years ago, said that a campaign has been launched to capitalise on rafting’s potential for attracting more domestic and foreign visitors.

“People, from Kathmandu as well as Terai districts, visit the area in droves in summer,” said Shreatha. “The numbers reach as much as 1,500 during weekends.”

The number of visitors in recent days have already reached that level.

Though the season considered best for rafting is yet to start, the flow of people has been encouraging, Shrestha added. “Business is good.”

Visitors can buy a Rs3,500 package to enjoy the service, which also covers the cost of breakfast, two meals a day and a room, according to Shrestha.

The regular route for rafting begins from Kusheswar Mahadev temple and ends at Mulkot. Currently there are 10 boats available for rafting.

Deepa Bohora Dahal, the chairman of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality said the current route is appropriate for rafting and permission was given accordingly.

“There was a misconception earlier that only foreigners enjoyed rafting,” said Bohora. “The facility has succeeded in attracting a large number of domestic visitors as well.”

The hotel entrepreneurs plan to expand the rafting services.

“We frequently carry out training programmes for rafting guides,” said Min Shrestha, a hotelier at Mulkot. “A number of hotels and homestays to accommodate the visitors are under construction.”

Several hotels and resorts have come into operation at Mulkot, Khalte, Ramtar and several other places in the rural municipality. The local government has said it would provide all the help required to promote tourism in the area.