Over two dozen celebrities to participate in Spark Adventure

KATHMANDU: Over two dozen celebrities, including legendary actor Rajesh Hamal, actress Manisha Koirala, and actor/pilot Bijay Lama, will participate in the third edition of Spark Adventure, organized by Spark Car to promote tourism in Pattale and Gauritap of Solukhumbu, and Rumjatar and surrounding areas of Okhaldhunga.

The event will also feature singer Ani Choying Drolma, comedians Sandeep Chhetri and Raja Rajendra, BBC MasterChef Santosh Shah, film directors Rambabu Gurung and Min Bham, actor Anup Baral, poet Biplav Pratik, and director Aman Pratap Adhikari.

According to Spark Adventure coordinator Amardeep Bhattarai, a concert will be held in Rumjatar on the second day of the event (Baisakh 27).

The concert will highlight local art and culture and include musical performances by veteran singer Deep Shrestha, Prem Raja Mahat, Raju Lama, Sunita Dulal, and Astha Raut, among others.

Spark Car Director Sitaram Ghimire stated that Spark Adventure 2025 will run from Baisakh 26 to 28 under the theme “Gateway to Everest.” The first day (Baisakh 26) will include an adventurous electric vehicle journey from Kathmandu to Gauritap and Pattale, with an overnight tent stay at Gauritap, where participants will enjoy nature and taste local cuisine.

Gauritap is a lesser-known tourist destination that offers a close view of the Everest Himalayan range from the comfort of a four-wheeler. From there, one can see mountains above 8,000 meters, including Everest, Gaurishankar, Lhotse, Makalu, Kumbhakarna, and Kanchenjunga.

The area is home to over two dozen varieties of rhododendrons and has religious significance with temples dedicated to Gaurishankar-Ganesh, Gauri Cow, and Shiva Panchayan.

On the second day, after watching the golden sunrise over the Himalayas, the journey continues to Rumjatar. In the evening, a cultural music event featuring national and local artists will be held. Guests will enjoy local food and stay overnight in Rumjatar homestays, promoting rural tourism, Bhattarai explained.

The well-known Nepali phrase “Ghumiphiri Rumjatar” originates from this region.

Once a famous area for sheep rearing and woolen products (rāḍī), Rumjatar used to supply its handmade woolen items to Kathmandu via its airport.

“This Spark Adventure is being organized to promote sustainable tourism and green mobility while highlighting lesser-known destinations,” said Bhattarai. “Participants will travel both ways using BYD electric vehicles.”

Spark Adventure is held annually to promote overlooked destinations with significant tourism potential. The first edition in 2022 promoted honey hunting in Bhujung, Lamjung, while the second in 2023 focused on promoting tourism in Shailung, located on the border of Dolakha and Ramechhap, under the theme “Wild Stay with Chauri.”

Spark Car, which also operates in the field of adventure tourism, provides transportation for travelers, offering services ranging from self-drive rentals to driver-only options, as well as various types of vehicles with drivers throughout Nepal.