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Testing the zipline in Nepal – one of the world’s longest at 1.8km, fastest with speeds over 100mph and steepest with a 600m drop in Pokhara.
A zipline in Nepal? It’s the country’s very first high wire escapade. The longest in the world? It used to be, but it has since been overtaken by the new Jebel Jais Flight in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE as of February 2018.
Still, not content with pushing myself to breaking point by climbing up mountainous terrain during my Everest Base Camp trek, I decided that it was time to try an exhilarating way of travelling down through the new patch of Himalaya landscape I had found myself in. All via Zipflyer Nepal, which dubs itself as, “the world’s most extreme zipline.”
Zipflyer Nepal is, in fact, one of the world’s longest, fastest and steepest ziplines. It’s over 1.8km long, with a 600-metre vertical drop and which can travel at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. It’s one of the best and most popular attractions to spring up in the adventure sports haven of Pokhara.
Flying on the World’s Most Extreme Zipline in Nepal – Pokhara Adventures
Riding the Zipline in Nepal
The thrill-seeker in me spotted the advertisements to zipline in Pokhara as soon as I got to town, and despite the scary-looking video and £45 price tag, I was booked to go the very next day, forcing a friend to join me for the ride. Afterall, it’s one of the many adventurous activities in Pokhara and this town is known as a centre for adrenalin.
Located in Sarangkot, a 20-minute bumpy truck ride from the centre of Pokhara, the zipline stands isolated at the top of a hill where the only other sound you will hear, apart from the rustling of the trees, is the gut-churning mechanical clunk of the device in motion.
Fully briefed and split into pairs (if you have not signed up with a partner already), you are summoned two-by-two to the platform. My friend and I were, of course, the last pair to take to the stage having patiently watched others being buckled up and released into the air alongside a chorus of nervous expressions.
Luckily for this monster of a zipline in Nepal, you get to sit in a harness, not hang by a rope!
When I was strapped, fastened, clipped, clasped and secured in my seat my adrenalin was, literally, sky-high. I was so scared I wouldn’t remember the commands we had been told: tug on one rope to slow you down if the person at the end of the line waves a flag as a warning; pull both ropes to ‘release’ you should you come to a stop; always lean back; keep your legs splayed in the air at all times. Did it have to be this difficult? Would I remember any of this if anything happened while hundreds of metres up high, hanging in the air?
Before we knew it we heard “FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE, GO!” as the metal shutters flung open, swinging us out and straight down out into the great expanse of the dense forest below us.
It was breathtaking and terrifying at the same time. My heart was racing but my face was smiling as I was propelled through the air in the direction of the magnificent mountain peaks which formed a stunning wall in front of me, and soared over the beautiful Seti River. It was absolutely exhilarating.
So exhilarating that I wished the zipline was LONGER.
So exciting that I craved for it to go FASTER!
I panicked a little when my zipline slowed halfway and my friend ended up racing further ahead than me (he was heavier after all). I had felt more at ease when we were whizzing through the air side-by-side and my immediate thought was that I was going to get stuck mid-air which would turn adrenalin stores into a panic. Instead, I used all my might to lean back to gain speed and all my strength to keep the harness straight since the wind was swaying me slightly to the left and right.
I had to keep going, but before I knew it (the flight lasts only a matter of minutes) the end of the line appeared and I was relieved not to have anyone waving flags at me.
Is Ziplining in Nepal Worth it?
Ziplining in Pokhara is absolutely worth it because you get to combine two things – traversing a beautiful landscape with great adventure. I shot through the sky. I survived one of the world’s biggest ziplines. I saw a patch of the great Himalayan landscape from a completely different perspective.
It’s just a shame that you come to a very abrupt and slightly painful stop that yanks you swiftly out of your adrenaline-charged world.
Book your Zipliner Nepal experience via adrenalin specialists, Highground Adventures.
Manisha Singh says
Seeing that landscape from up top must be something though.
I hiked to Sarangkot and was wondering how it would look like from right above the valley.
Becki says
I love seeing valleys from this kind of perspective, and then using paragliding to get right up close to peaks and forest walls.
Carly says
I’m heading to Nepal in October to do Everest Base Camp, i’ve just forwarded this to the tour leader to see if we can do this…looks like so much fun!
Becki says
It depends if you are heading to Pokhara. If so, you will see the office and it’s easy to book. Your tour leader doesn’t have to grant you permission or organise for you. You will see it everywhere 🙂
Monica says
This looks like so much fun! I would love to do this. I’ve only ever been on teeny ziplines at Go Ape.
Becki says
It was scary but fun. Although scary is fun sometimes, right?
Arianwen says
Nice one! My scariest zip line was in Costa Rica. I was hanging from my bag with my arms out like superman, and to add to that, there was torrential rain, thunder and lightening! I also did one in Peru where I stopped half way along the line and had to pull myself hand over hand to the platform. That was not fun!
Bernard says
Amazing! Costa Rica had some amazing zip lining through the rain forest. Not sure if that is on your itinerary but definitely worth a comparison…
Stephan Bernier says
The reason that you craved for the zipline to go faster is because the owners are lying about the speed of their zipline. It is nowhere near as fast as they claim it is. The maximum speed it reaches is around 90-100 KM per hour, not miles per hour.
Becki says
I craved it because it was insanely fun! My friend went faster because he was much heavier… and he went a lot faster! I guess you can’t put an exact speed on anything!
Kiran says
Nice Nepal is for treks enjoyment refreshment where you will see beautiful mountains nice review.
Marysia says
Great adventure, I wouldn’t mind trying myself and of course visiting Nepal! Wow!
The Runaway Guide says
That’s nuts! I can’t believe you did that, it looks well fun. Despite the crazy antics I do, I don’t think I would dare do that especially in Nepal. I once saw some hang gliders in nepal seriously eat it and tumble down the mountain side. I’m gonna stick to motorcycles.
Ryan Brown says
My jaw literally dropped with that first picture going over the trees. WOW, you must have been jacked up and wired with adrenaline after that! I’ve done a canyon swing, but NOTHING like this. Of course you, an extreme traveler like me, would hop on that opp instantly. Live Gnarly baby!
Becki says
I was FULL of adrenalin!! But I love that feeling! Need to find my next fix 🙂
Jennifer says
I love zip lines! I’ve gone in St. Maarten and Antigua on some zip line courses, but they surely were not this extreme! I do have how they get your adrenaline pumping as you soar over tree tops. This one looks awesome!