World's longest ZIP-Flyer officially takes off

POKHARA, Oct 8: Pokhara, which has been attracting tourists with different opportunities of adventure sports, has ushered in yet another new product for adventure tourism. Three youths have brought the world longest adventure ZIP-Flyer to Pokhara.

With the joint investment of Golchha organization and Mangal Group, a Zip-flyer has been constructed to link Sarankot and Hemja VDC. [break]

The promoters claimed that the Zip-flyer, which is renowned in adventure sporting in the world, is totally new product in Nepal´s context. They further claimed that the Zip-flyer would promote adventure tourism not only in Pokhara but also in the whole country.

According to Managing Director of promoting company High Ground Adventure, Abhinab Churiwal, the journey in the Zip-flyer that starts from the 5032 ft in Sarankot and ends at 3,000 ft in Hemja plain would attract the adventure tourists to Pokhara .

Churiwal also informed that the newly installed Zip-flayer is the longest in the world. Until recently the zip-flyer in Alaska of the US was the longest at the 1,600 meters long. However, the Pokhara flyer is 1860 meters long.

“It will add a new chapter in tourism business with the introduction of renowned and the longest zip-line adventure sport in Nepal”, said Churiwal during the official inaugural on Monday. “We are planning to lure more tourists with this new product in adventure tourism,” added he.

He further claimed that the zip-flyer, popular in the European countries, is a totally new product in Nepal. “The Zip flying adds more excitement to the tourists as they can see the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre of the Himalayan Range while slipping through the Zip flyers,” said Churiwal. “The tourists feel like flying in the air,” he added. The flyer runs at the speed of 140 km/ per hour.

Sharad and Bharat Golchha of Golchha Organization and Churiwal of Mangal group have invested in the zip-flyer. Two people can slide from the top to the bottom of the flyer line at a time sitting in the two trolleys suspended in each of the cable.

“16 people can make journey in one hour. The trolleys are brought back to the top post of the flyers with the use of electricity after the tourist alights”, said Bharat.

The flyer ,which was completed in June after two years of construction work , has already provide service for over 500 adventure tourists so far. Bharat further said that the journeys through the flyers are safe as the cable used in the zip flyers last at least 25 years.

“We have not made compromises with anything to make the zip flying secure. We have installed the best technology for its authenticity, strength and durability,” said Sharad.

Domestic tourists have to spend Rs 3,890 while the rate for foreign tourists is set at Rs 5,890. And the minimum age for this adventure sport is 14 years.