The Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) on Tuesday launched two new destinations for canyoning.

Phung Phungye (85m) and Sisneri Jharana (55m) located at Kakani, Nuwakot were found to be commercially viable destinations for Nepali canyoneers, said NCA president Tilak Lama.

"Canyoning holds tremendous potential as a new and adventure tourism product in Nepal," said Lama. "Exploration is part of the promotion of canyoning in the country and at the international level."

There are over 20 canyons in the Marsyangdi, Bhote Koshi and Sunkoshi valleys open to the sport of exploring canyons.

He said that world class canyoning events have been planned for 2010 and 2011. Rendezvous International Canyon in April 2011 is scheduled to be held in the Marsyangdi Valley focusing on Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Canyoning involves going down steep waterfalls, swimming in narrow gorges and jumping down as many as 10m or more in deep waterways.