Top 6 Destinations for Adventure in India
India is home to many beautiful destinations that offer both scenic beauty and thrilling adventure. From river rafting to skiing to jungle safaris to paragliding, there are plenty of adventure activities to explore in India. We have listed some of our top choices.
Does the 'spirit of adventure' drive all your travel decisions? Adventure tours always leave you with a sense of achievement at the end of trip. When you climb up a mountain, or jump down from a cliff, or dive underwater, such adventure activities give you a rush of adrenaline and immense joy.
Some of the best adventure destinations in India are:
Bir Billing
If paragliding is your dream adventure, Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh must be on the top of your wish list for adventure tours in India. Together, these two small villages are known as the paragliding capital of the country. You take off for the skies from Billing and the landing site at Bir is located at a height of 4300 feet. As you soar above the snow-clad mountains like a high-flying bird, you can witness true natural beauty. Forest-covered hills and lush green valleys make up a beautiful sight to see. The village of Bir is home to a large settlement of Tibetan refugees and you can also visit some monasteries in the region.
Gulmarg
Located in the Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is one of the most picturesque destinations in this country. While the summers boast of abundant greenery, the winters here tell a different story. Receiving plenty of snowfall, Gulmarg is one of the premium skiing destinations in India. There are several adventure tours in India organized in Gulmarg during winters. Tourists can stay at ski resorts and also attend special skiing lesions from certified instructors. Some other adventure sports include ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, heliskiing, and more.
Rishikesh
This is the adventure capital of India. Set against the serene setting of Shivalik Hills, the ferocious waters of Ganga River flow through this town. White river rafting in these rapids is said to be one of the best rafting experiences. There are plenty of adventure tours in India from where you can book rafting expeditions in Rishikesh. The highest bungee jumping platform in India at a height of 83 meters is also found here. Tourists can also experience zip lining, cliff jumping, rappelling, kayaking, trekking and more such activities.
Auli
This is again a premier skiing destination. Auli in Uttarakhand boasts of a 3 kilometer long slope and a 500 meter long ski lift. These snow-covered slopes promise you an exhilarating skiing experience. Tourists are also treated to majestic views of Himalayan peaks like Mana Parwat, Dunagiri, Mt. Nanda Devi, Mt. Kamet and Nar Parwat. Auli is one of the best places to enjoy an adventure holiday.
Zanskar Valley
The frozen river trek of Zanskar is among the top adventure tours in India. During the winter months, the Zanskar River in Ladakh gets completely frozen and is enveloped with a thick blanket of snow. Walking over this path of ice is known as the Chadar Trek. The trekking trail follows the path of the river's route. With an altitude of about 12,000 feet, this trek is all about physical endurance. On the way, tourists are rewarded by picturesque views of the Zanskar village, frozen waterfalls and ancient monasteries. To walk the complete route of Chadar Trek might take about 6-7 days. The high elevation, sub-zero temperatures and slipperiness of the path poses an added challenge. But at the end, this trek promises to be a memorable experience.
Hemis National Park
One more place in Ladakh. The Hemis National Park said to have the highest density of snow leopards in any protected area in the world. While being fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this majestic creature is an adventure in itself, the experience is made more thrilling by the Snow Leopard Trek done in Hemis National Park. With the elevation ranging between 9,000 feet to 14,500 feet, this trek crosses over high mountain passes and into the deep snow-laden trails of the national park. Starting from Zingchen, the trek leads to Rumbak Valley before you return to Leh via Hemis Monastery. The entire route is a breathtaking landscape with serene views, abundant wildlife and immense natural beauty. Hemis National Park is home to more than 200 snow leopards at this park. Other wildlife seen here are Tibetan wolf, Blue Sheep, Eurasian brown bear, Tibetan antelope, red fox, and more.