Sukute thrives with adventure tourism on Sunkoshi

BY CHITRA MIJAR,Sindhupalchok, June 3: To beat the rising summer heat, tourists have begun flocking to Sukute, located at the base of Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality and Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, to enjoy rafting on the Sunkoshi River.

Globally, around 6,000 rivers and streams are considered suitable for rafting. Among the top 10 rafting destinations in the world, Nepal’s Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi rivers rank seventh.  According to Anjan Khadka, Vice President of the Sindhu-Sukute Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, this international recognition has made both rivers highly popular among domestic and international tourists. He said that the number of tourists has significantly increased compared to previous years.

Besides rafting, the Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi regions are popular for other adventure activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping, canyoning, rock climbing, jungle safari and beach stays. Every day, hundreds of tourists can be seen rafting on both rivers, with about 75 per cent being domestic visitors. In the Sukute area alone, about half a dozen resorts offer rafting services. Altogether, there are over two dozen resorts along the Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi rivers that provide various adventure activities, including rafting.

The recreational activities have transformed the Sukute area into thriving adventure tourism hub. Resorts such as Sukute Resort, Sukute Beach, Sunkoshi Beach Resort, Sukute River Fun, Maya Beach, Rock River, River Way, Thrill Valley Hammock, Sandy Beach and many others offer such adventure experiences.

Adventure tourism in Sukute has significantly contributed to the development of Sindhupalchok's tourism sector. Resorts are required to pay Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality Rs. 100 per tourist per month. This generates approximately Rs. 10 million in annual revenue for the municipality. Of this amount, 45 per cent is invested in the development of the Sukute Corridor, while the rest is used for broader municipal development. The municipality has actively been working to establish Sukute as a major tourist hub.

However, challenges remain. Khadka expressed concern about the road's poor condition from Suryabinayak to Khawa via Dhulikhel, under the Araniko Highway, making it difficult for tourists to reach the area for adventure sports. He stated that if the road is upgraded, there could be a significant increase in tourist numbers. With improved road conditions, tourists could easily reach Sukute, just 67 kilometres from the capital, in about an hour and a half.