Nepal’s peaks have revealed themselves from their misty veils, inviting adventurers from around the globe to chart their next epic outdoor journey. With clear skies promising breathtaking valleys and towering summits, the stage is set for the year’s most anticipated event: the Nepal Adventure Expo.

“This is your gateway to exploration, connection and endless outdoor possibilities,” says Ajay Narsingh Rana, a co-organiser of the day-long annual event. The 2024 Nepal Adventure Expo takes place at the Aranya Boutique Hotel in Nagpokhari, Kathmandu, on December 14.

Building on past achievements, this year’s expo is set to be a game-changer, showcasing cutting-edge trends, products and services that will ignite countless new adventures, he claims. “The Nepal Adventure Expo is not just an event; it’s a celebration of nature, adventure and the human spirit!”

Rana and his business partner, Sonam Jangbu Sherpa, put together the show in 2021. However, years of vision and passion ignited the inspiration for this transformative event much earlier.

It was around 2005 when Rana attended a Biker’s Day Out at the Jawalakhel grounds in Lalitpur, a district adjoining Kathmandu. The event, filled with motorbikes gleaming under the sun, left a lasting impression on the avid cyclist.

In the years that followed, Rana advanced to become an elite mountain bike commissaire and national coach for Nepal. He would light up with excitement at the sight of vibrant stalls lining the race venues of international cycling competitions. Brimming with top bicycle brands, innovative apparel, precision bicycle gear, and nutritional products, those stalls created an atmosphere charged with energy and innovation.

Turning a New Chapter

“The energy was electric,” Rana recalls. “The buzz and innovation at those events in Southeast Asia and China were truly captivating.”

It was in those moments, surrounded by the pulse of global cycling culture, that Rana envisioned a bicycle expo for Nepal—a dream that would soon ignite a new chapter in the country’s cycling scene.

The idea lingered in his mind, growing stronger over the years until the COVID-19 pandemic offered him the time and space to truly contemplate his vision. Although disruptive, the pandemic became a period of reflection and planning, allowing him to turn this vision into reality.

When the opportunity finally came in 2021, Rana was ready. He collaborated with tourism entrepreneur Sherpa to launch the Nepal Bicycle Expo at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Thamel. The event was a success thanks to a cycling community that trusted his vision and leadership.

In addition to product displays, the event featured stalls offering coaching and training on cycling techniques, as well as consultations on physiotherapy and nutritional supplements. These additions aimed at helping riders improve their technical skills and overall health, reflecting the growing trend of cycling as a means to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Supportive Ecosystem

The innovative show quickly captured the public’s imagination, and the second event, hosted at Chhaya Center, drew an even larger crowd. That inspired the organisers to broaden their vision, focusing on more than just bicycles.

Rana and Sherpa, both passionate about outdoor pursuits, realised that a bicycle alone was not enough to fully explore the possibilities of adventure sports. They recognised the need to build a supportive ecosystem to fully unlock this potential.

This led to the creation of the Nepal Adventure Expo in 2023. The event blended the Nepal Bicycle Expo with a broader showcase of outdoor and adventure-related products and services. It provides a dynamic space where enthusiasts and businesses can gather, explore, and fully immerse themselves in the world of outdoor adventure.

“To make any adventure activity truly complete, we need to build a comprehensive ecosystem,” Rana explains. “When visitors step into the exhibition, they’ll be able to see and understand this entire ecosystem in action.”

Rana, a wildlife photographer, also observed that Nepal’s outdoor adventure scene was fragmented, with information and resources scattered across various platforms. His goal was to consolidate these elements, creating a one-stop hub for adventure lovers.

“This would create a dynamic environment for networking, B2B interactions, and B2C engagements,” he adds. “The expo not only showcases the latest in adventure gear and services but also introduces new concepts for exploring Nepal and its immense tourism potential.”

(This article has been updated with the latest insights following the rescheduling of the event originally planned for September 28, 2024)

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