5 Adventure Sports You Must Try on Your First Visit to India
entire A trip to India would be incomplete without trying a hand in the adventure sports that the country offers. From mountain biking in Shinglila Ridge to trekking in Shepherd’s Trail, India’s diverse terrain offers much to choose from. There has been an exponential increase in interest from people who want to indulge in adventure sports as they realize how amazing it is to be fit and enjoy nature’s incredible beauty all at the same time.
1. Trekking
Photo by McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0
The Himalayas are one of the best places to go on a trekking experience. Himachal Pradesh provides many trails like the Deo Tibba Trek, Hampta Pass Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek and Shepherd’s Trail Trek among many others for both beginners and experts alike. Treks may vary from 5 days to 15 days depending on the level of expertise and experience required.
The Indrahar Pass Trek offers a beautiful view of the Pir Panjal range and the Manimahesh Kailash at an altitude of more than 14000 feet and is apt for beginner trekkers. The Shepherd’s Trail Trek is another beautiful trail starting from Manali and leading to Lamadugh at about 8200 feet. It is one of the best trails which lead the trekker through a journey of lush green forests, slippery glaciers and of course, majestic views of the mountain ranges.
For those looking for a challenging trek, Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir offers one of the toughest treks in the country. The sense of achievement that trekkers acquire after completion of this trail is unmatched and worthy of much applause. For those looking for an easier path, Dodital in Uttarakhand offers a relaxing trek for beginners and experts in need of a break from tough terrains.
Trekking requires a fit body and an urge for exploration of the striking exquisiteness of the flora and fauna that surround us. It is a skill which is acquired through hard work and practice, but the result indeed promises satisfaction.
2. Scuba Diving
SCUBA which stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus is essentially a piece of equipment that allows the divers to breathe underwater. The sport has become increasingly popular in the Lakshadweep Islands, Karnataka, and the Andaman Islands and there is an upsurge in the interest taken by visitors all over the world.
A sport hugely popular in the Andaman Islands, Scuba Diving offers a chance to the divers to explore the colorful and exotic world beneath the surface of water bodies. The Andaman Islands see an inflow of tourists from in and outside the country mainly interested in this particular sport. Havelock Island offers travelers a place to snorkel and scuba dive and is known as one of the best locations in the area for those interested in underwater sports.
Scuba Diving is especially endearing to a lot of us because it offers insight, albeit a short one, into an unknown world that we only see in animated movie and cartoons. A place inhabited by exotic creatures and colorful scenery, the world underwater offers much amazement to all those that take up the chance to dive down below.
3. Mountain Biking
Photo by Kamaljith K V, CC BY 2.0
There’s nothing else like the ecstatic feeling of the wind rushing through your hair and the scenic beauty surrounding you as you ride on the rough terrains and challenging landscapes to reach your ultimate destination. This sport not only offers a chance to the bikers to experience the fantastic view at the mountain tops but also gives them a rush of adrenaline which cannot be compared to anything else. All you need is a good quality mountain bike, and off you go on your awaiting adventure. Leh, Manali, and Uttarakhand are the most popular places within the country for the adventure junkies interested in mountain biking.
The Himalayas provide some of the best trails for mountain biking and the best place to begin these trails is from Ladakh. The cycling trips in the cold desert of India offers some of the toughest and challenging trips for even the most experienced bikers and offers chances to experience the cultures and lifestyles of the Buddhist monasteries located near the Zanskar and Indus River.
Located six hours away from Bangalore, Coorg is a hill station known for its fantastic biking trails which take you through forests and let you experience the different cultures and food as you pass by the localities and interact with the local people.
A sport not for the faint-hearted, mountain biking gives you a chance to scale to the top of the mountain and feel like the king of the world, something which may be difficult to feel otherwise on this date and time.
4. Caving
Photo by jidanchaomian, CC BY-SA 2.0
Caving essentially refers to the act of exploring and discovering the insides of caves and is known to be a quirky but adventurous activity, considering that the insides of these caves are dimly lit or in some cases, absolutely dark.
With some unexplored caves, the caves of Meghalaya offer most thrills and rushes to those that dare to explore them. The Khasi Hills of Meghalaya are especially known to be the hosts of the deepest and longest caves in all of South Asia and is a destination visited by tons of caving enthusiasts each year.
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves of Maharashtra offers great historical insight and offers a spiritual understanding of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. These caves are widely popular among tourists and are crowded almost throughout the year. The Elephanta Island Caves are also a popular tourist destination for those visiting the state.
Caving helps discover pieces of history bit by bit as the markings and contents of the inside of the caves help unravel fragments of an era gone by. It is considered to be one of the most interesting sports out there and is a particular favorite among the history lovers.
5. Sky Diving
Photo by Harsh Agrawal, CC BY 2.0
This sport is apt for the daredevils among us and the ones with strong hearts and passion for the thrill of adventure. Static line jump, Tandem jump, and Accelerated Free Fall are the three types of jumps that are available for enthusiasts to choose from according to their desire. Deesa in Gujarat, Mysore in Karnataka and Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu are three among many other places in the country known for skydiving. The Aamby Valley in Maharashtra offers a breath-taking view as the diver free falls into the scenic beauty of the valley. Skydiving is fast gaining popularity especially among the youth of the country and sees a growth in those interested each year mainly due to the promotion of this specific adventure sport in recent film and media.
Diving into the sky carries a feeling that cannot be put into words, and one must experience it to truly appreciate the rush and popularity associated with it. Experience the feeling of soaring like a bird and gather an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
The diverse landscape of India offers so much of potential that it is no surprise that there has been a huge increase in the popularity of various adventure sports within the country. The combination of admiring the gorgeous landscapes and getting an adrenaline rush is enough to get anyone high and the joy felt on completing the target goal is indescribable!
