Now you can enjoy 'skywalk' in Kathmandu. The 78.5-meter high skywalk in Kamaladi will be opened for the public from June 30.
Nepali investors have taken land in Kamaladi on lease and constructed this skywalk at a cost of 2 billion rupees.
"The main attraction here is the skywalk," said the company's chairman, Akarshan Pokharel, "In the first phase, people will get to experience walking in the sky on glass in the center of the city. In the second phase, we will add bungee, swing, and other products."
This structure has four floors. One is the lobby and two will have restaurants. On the top floor, there will be a 'skywalk' -- an observation center that offers the 360 degree panaromic view of the Kathmandu Valley.
Pokharel said, "When it gets high, the entire city of Kathmandu can be seen."It's a skywalk we built, not a view tower. The height is made to look down by leaning on the glass."
From the skywalk, one can see the major parts of the valley such as Dharahara, Basantapur, Swayambhu, and Rani Pokhari. Kathmandu's tall apartments and open Tundikhel can also be seen from there.
Sohan Shrestha, managing director of the company, said that when the weather clears, even the Himalayan range can be easily seen.
"This is the tallest structure in the Kathmandu Valley, from where a 360-degree view of the valley can be observed," added Shrestha.
"The experience of climbing the skywalk cannot be described in words. You get experience while climbing," he said, "We believe that we will be able to welcome thousands more as tourists every single day."
The chairman of Wonder Nepal Pvt. Ltd. is Akarshan Pokharel. He has played a key role in the construction of the skywalk from concept to completion. The founder investors of the company are Loknath Adhikari, Bishnu Kapri, Tej Bahadur Singh, and Khemraj Neupane.
"Thrill Experience" from a height of 78.5 meters for Rs 1000
Even though the construction of the skywalk was started with approval before the covid pandemic, it was delayed by two years due to the pandemic. Managing Director Sohan Shrestha said that investment has also increased over time due to Covid-19. Although it will be operational from June 30, more products will be added in the second phase.
The portion above the Skywalk Tower is 5,000 square feet. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people at a time. But the company plans to take up to 500 people at a time as they have to go by elevator.
"Up to 900 people can easily sit at the skywalk restaurant," said Shrestha, "the capacity is more than 2,000 people."
People from 3-4 years old to 80-90 years old can experience skywalk. He said that since it is a new product in Kathmandu, it has been opened to everyone.
"Although there are adventure tourism activities, it's completely safe so everyone can come for observation," he said. The fee including local tax and VAT is 1,000 rupees. It is free for those above 80 years and children up to 3 feet. People aged 70 to 80 will get a 50 percent discount, i.e., 500 rupees.
"Surf the internet, our skywalk fee is the lowest," he said, "Pre-booking online is very convenient."
Skywalk can is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
Restaurant with amphitheater inside skywalk
There will be restaurants with various dishes inside the skywalk premises which is connected to the main road of Kamaladi. Dishes like burgers, pizzas, momo, and chowmein (noodles) will be available.
"All types of foods you choose and look for can be found inside the compound," Chairman Pokharel said, "Initially, only restaurants on the premises can be used. Later, the restaurant will be prepared at the top of the tower."
The company has claimed that it will provide Kathmandu's 'best food for a reasonable price' in the restaurant. There is no charge to enter the restaurants, or amphitheater inside the skywalk. Garden and parking facilities are available. There is parking space for 75 to 80 four-wheelers and about 300 two-wheelers.
How is the security system?
The chairman of the company, Pokharel, boasted that an unsafe structure is beyond imagination after investing billions of rupees.
About 2,000 square feet of glass have been used on the outside of the top of the tower, which is built on a steel structure. Pokharel said that five layers of glass are placed together. The company has used DG41 glass.
"Bottom 10 mm lead, then 1.5 on top of 10 mm again 1.5 mm and 10 mm five-layer," he said, "There is nothing above and below when there is a major accident. Only the middle breaks."
Wonder Nepal has also launched skywalk at Kanyam in Ilam, and Bhetedar in Dhankuta. There are straight-high skywalks in Kathmandu, horizontal skywalks in Bhedetar, and slanted skywalks in Ilam. Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Department of Tourism has tested the skywalk and labeled it 'Safety Certified'.
There are two elevators, with an accommodation capacity of 24 people each, to go up from the ground floor to the skywalk. Besides, there are two big staircases. But in the beginning, it is arranged to use only the elevator.
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