Adventure sports in India is fast picking pace, more so given the country's myriad topographical blessings, from the high Himalayas to the waters of its mighty oceans. An adventure inadvertently frees the soul, freeing the clutter from you mind, taking you into a world of unbridled joy. This August, as the weather eases, and monsoon breeze begins to blow, take a trip to some of the most fascinating Indian destinations that are well-equipped for unique adventure sports.
Hundreds of people are attracted to these destinations every year, returning with nothing but a hangover of pure adventure. From the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, to the southern state of Tamil Nadu, embark on a journey of a lifetime and soak in nature's beauty.
Pin Parvati Trek, Spiti Valley
Located high up in the Himalayas, the Spiti Valley treks are an absolute delight. Forget human existence, you would feel like the first man on earth, with so much natural beauty around you. Surrounded by high mountains, it is the land that lies majorly between India and Tibet. The stunning Pin Parvati Trek is what you should embark on when in Spiti, simply because it is majestic to say the least. The almost 100 km trek is definitely for adventure seekers, and you would be crossing some stunning locations, such as the Great Himalayan National Park and the pristine Parvati river. It is a high altitude trekking route and one should be fully equipped for it. Adventure at its finest!
Mountain Biking, Sikkim
The rugged terrain of this north-eastern state is just apt for adventurous biking experiences. The beauty of Sikkim's countryside absolutely deserves an audience, to marvel and be awe-struck. Perhaps, the best way to experience it all would be to take a bike a ride along with nature. There are a number of bike routes throughout the state of Sikkim, some famous ones being, Gangtok-Rumtek- Sang-Sirwani-Temi-Damthang-Rabong-Kewzing-Tashiding-Yusum-Pelling-Dentam-Rinchenpong-Soreng-Sombaria-Jorthang-Namchi-Rangpo; Gangtok-Phodong-Rangrang-Dikchu; Makha-Sirwani-Temi; Gangtok-Rumtek-Sangh-Sirwani-Temi-Namchi-Jorethang-Melli; and Gangtok-Rumtek-Sang-Sirwani-Temi-Namchi-Namthang-Rangpo.
Scuba Diving, Andaman Islands
You wouldn't have imagined to be possible in India, but this is the beauty of this vast country. You need to head to the islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to experience marine life that will leave you mesmerised for life. Here in Andaman, the best time to dive is February and March, while the peak season is usually from November until mid-April. The water here has just the right temperature, and diving here is comfortable, with the help of professionals. You will be taken to the dive sites via boats; these are anything between 30 minutes to 2 hours away from the mainland. Enjoy getting close to devil rays, manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, groupers, turtles, octopus and many more aquatic animals.
Stok Kangri Trek, Ladakh
The stunning landscape of Leh makes for an experience of a lifetime. Trekkers should definitely visit Ladakh to experience the Stok Kangri Trek, which could be covered in eight days time, walking through the Ladakh Mountains. Stok Kangri is located at about 20,128 ft above the sea level, and is the highest peak in the Ladakhi Himalayas. There are numerous base camps on the way to the peak, where trekkers can set up camp. These base camps present trekkers with outstanding locales and beautiful natural environs, starkly different from a lot other trekking locations. It is advisable that this trek be embarked on by those, who are habitual trekkers and have a fairly good idea about such an adventure sport.
Snorkelling in Elephant Beach, Andaman Islands
When in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, do what everybody does! Snorkelling! It is one of the best ways to explore the depth of the water here. Elephant beach offers the perfect experience for snorkelling here in the calm blue waters. The scenic beach only adds to the experience; with swaying trees and sand, it may as well be paradise. The reef starts close to shore at a depth of 1 m, and is made up of hard coral and marine life. The location, owing to its gentle slopes, is particularly famous with beginners. But nonetheless, one can find hoards of marine lives here, which includes, butterfly fish, moorish idols, clams, lionfish, squid, angelfish and many more.
Paragliding, Uttarakhand
A bird-like experience, paragliding is a flying sport that is quite popular all across the world. The beautiful state of Uttarakhand is just the right setting for enthusiasts to fly through paragliding. Locations where paragliding is possible are Ranikhet, Mukteshwar, and Naukuchiayatal in the Kumaon region. You can also try this adventure at places including Davara and Bedini Bugyal on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri road, Pratap Nagarand the Dhanaulti Range. Uttarakhand, from a bird's eye view is inexplicable, and is sure to move your soul. It is however very important to check the weather on the given day, as any form of turbulence could affect the paragliding experience.
