Wheelchair accessible tours and trekking in Nepal: Opportunities and challenges

Nepal is a heaven for adventure lovers. Trekking has become an inalienable identity and has established itself as one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal. Similarly, with its cultural abundance, the country is enticing cultural explorers around the globe.

While the combination of nature and culture is forming this beautiful country as a dynamic masterpiece in the tourism of Nepal, the question arises about the accessibility for differently-abled travelers.

Can we promote Nepal as a suitable destination for wheelchair accessible tours and trekking? Yes, we can promote Nepal for wheelchair tours and trekking in Nepal, but before that, we need to work on the infrastructure, facilities, and policies.

Wheelchair trekking in Nepal

There is a wheelchair trekking trail in Kaski, Nepal, that offers a short trekking experience in a wheelchair. Except that, Spinal Injury Sangh Nepal has introduced a wheelchair friendly trail near Banepa. The question is, are they enough? Absolutely not.

Although wheelchair trekking is almost not possible in the famous trekking trails of Nepal, including Everest and Annapurna, there are some short routes around the Kathmandu valley. But, for this, we need to take the vehicles stand by because it is not totally wheelchair friendly.

A 2-3 hour wheelchair hike to Nagarkot can be organized, offering support to the wheelchair users. Nepal Kameleon Holidays has been organizing some wheelchair friendly trips, but with a lot of difficulties. It is the concerned authorities, who should really be aware about inclusive travel and accessible travel in Nepal.

Wheelchair friendly tours in Nepal

If we compare the wheelchair trekking to the wheelchair tours in Nepal, the second one is much more accessible. Tours are soft activities and include paved roads, too. For example, wheelchair tours can be organized in Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Chitwan, and some parts of Mustang. However, the challenge is all about the trail suitable for wheelchairs. 

In our experience for the last five years, even wheelchair tours in UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites are not accessible, unfortunately. Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath Stupa, which are really close to the tourist town- Thamel, really do not welcome wheelchair users.

This is a matter of shame that such world-renowned sites do not provide wheelchair friendly trails. Some other sites, like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square offer access for wheelchair traveling. A bit surprising, the Changu Narayan Temple has access with wheelchair with a bit of difficulty.

If we see some private properties, they are wonderfully accessible for the wheelchair tour. The Chandragiri Hills and Gokarna Forest Resort are some exceptional example that how do they treat wheelchair users.

In our last trip to Chandragiri hill, the representative offered wheelchair at the station, assisted to get in the cable car, offered shuttle transportation to their resort and back. Similarly, a wonderful destination Gokarna Forest Resort has a wheelchair accessible trail with golf course and accessible restaurants in the premises. 

What can be done

In our experience, tourism should be for all, including wheelchair users, as far as possible. There are some easy ways about how can government build accessible routes.

– Constructing a wheelchair friendly trail in every UNESCO-listed world heritage site (especially in Pashupatinath temple and Swayambhunath).

– Standby wheelchairs (the users should bring them back to the same point after using them).

– Offering some short wheelchair friendly trails on the hillsides (to be built by the local government).

– Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) should take the initiative on promoting differently-abled trips by sanctioning a budget.

– Like the electric Sajha Bus, there should be some small vehicles that could be used easily by wheelchair users (local municipality can take initiative for this with clear information).

– Organizing wheelchair friendly sports like golf, race, and other competitions (by NTB).

Some countries in the world have already built advanced infrastructures for wheelchair users. We may not reach their point, but still, we can build some infrastructure, offer services, and think about inclusive travel in Nepal.

It is very important to take initiative by the federal government, municipalities, and local government bodies in association with the Nepal Tourism Board. It has become an urgent requirement in Nepal and should not be delayed to become an example in the world.

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