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.”

In rock climbing, a climber climbs up the rock with the support of a rope and harness tied to his waist. Another technician then guides him with the help of the rope sitting at the base of the cliff.

Inexperienced climbers are tutored with extra precautions.

The climbers need to be disciplined for safe climbing, said the technicians.

According to Kamala Basnet, deputy mayor of Bhimeshwor Municipality, a rock climbing competition will be organised in Shokla to promote adventure tourism in the area.

“Adventure tourism is our main priority,” said Basnet. “In addition to rock climbing, we have also proposed rafting in the Tamakoshi River and Kalinchowk-Nagdaha cycling route.”

Deputy Mayor Basnet has a plan to develop Shokla as the largest rock-climbing site in South-Asia.

Sanjeev Gurung, chairman of the MoGAN, who provided technical assistance in the development of rock climbing in Shokla, also agrees with Basnet’s plan.

“If we prepare it for 400 metres, it can be the largest in the South Asian region,” said Gurung. “We can also attract a lot of foreigners in that case.”

Gurung also suggested the locals operate homestays in the village to further increase the revenue from tourism.

Locals are also committed to opening the rest of the portion of the cliff for climbers as well.

“We will work to allow climbing up to 75 metres in the next year,” said Pakhrin. “We will also train the youth about rock climbing and employ them.”