Rakchham Climbing Festival Brings Global Climbers, Local Youth and Conservation Together
Kinnaur, October 11: The five-day Rakchham Climbing Festival 2026, being held from October 10 to 14 in the scenic Sangla Valley of Kinnaur, is bringing together adventure sports, environmental awareness and local culture, with climbers from India and several countries participating.
Around 15–20 Indian climbing enthusiasts and a similar number of experienced mountaineers from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, the US, Australia, Scotland and England are taking part in the festival, organised by the Rakchham Mountaineering Club.
Organisers Nand Kishore, popularly known as Joni, and Narendra said the festival aims to promote adventure tourism, create livelihood opportunities for local youth and raise awareness about wildlife conservation. They noted that participation has increased compared with last year.
A key feature this year is practical climbing training for children from the local school, with teacher Gaurav playing a leading role. The festival also includes a bird walk in association with the Forest Department to introduce participants to Kinnaur’s bird diversity and Himalayan ecosystem.
Other attractions include stalls showcasing local products and handicrafts, environmental discussions, climbing workshops, film screenings, and local music and cultural programmes. The event seeks to promote tourism while preserving the region’s natural environment, cultural heritage and local livelihoods.
Samagra Sikhsha
