Skiing

Skiing, which was slow growing adventurous sport in India, is now becoming more popular among youth in the past few years. Indian Himalayas are the best place for skiing offered at ski resorts. This sport not only fulfills your vacation with pleasure but takes you closer to nature and engages you in travel passion. Auli is a famous winter sport place in Uttarakhand state of India and best for skiing. Tourists from all over the world come here to explore the natural beauty and skiing.

Auli is situated between altitudes of 2500-3000 metres. Oak and deodar forest cover the entire slopes and view of snow becomes more attractive. Auli is the best place for both learners and trained skiers. Munsiyari, Mundali, Dayara bugyal are other known places where skiing is done

but Auli is the most famous and organised amongst all in Uttarakhand. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam GMVN provides 7 to 14 days skiing training courses at Auli by professional instructors. Slopes covered with snow are just not only to be admired but to enjoy skiing also. This adventurous activity takes you to the next level of freedom. Majestic snowbound Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Mana Devi can be seen from Auli. It is the place where First South Asian Winter Games were hosted in 2011.

Recently National Alpine Skiing contest was held on 26 February 2019 for 3 days. The slopes being situated at 11000 ft. have sharp declines and the chilled winds further accelerate the skiers movement. But the slopes being woody, as it is surrounded by oak and deodar trees, balances their velocity. This is why it makes for one of the best skiing grounds in the world. Winter Games Federation of India organizes championships in February or March every year. There is an artificial lake also and it is highest in India. This lake not only enhances beauty but also helps creating more snow if there is less snowfall. Best time to visit Auli is December to March.

Bungee Jumping

Bungee/Bungy jumping is an adventurous sport that involves jumping from a great height while tied with durable elastic rope. In Uttarakhand we can enjoy this thrilling activity at Rishikesh, the adventure capital of India. Just a little distance (15km) away from Rishikesh, situated at Mohan Chatti by the name of Jumpin Heights, this is first fixed bungee jumping platform where height has no space for fear. Fear is always there inside but this activity helps overcome the fear and in turn lets you face it in many ways and seemingly opens you up to the life.

Rishikesh has very good connectivity with major cities and towns. This place is at a distance of around 265 km from New Delhi capital region. At jumpin heights fee for bungee jumping is RS. 3550. This place is operated by qualified and experienced jump masters from NewZealand, the world’s adventure capital and birthplace of extreme sports. At a height of 83metres it is India’s highest bungee jumping platform. It follows Australia and New Zealand Standards Authority Guideline and is highly safe and trustworthy. Regular drills on site are duly exercised and platform checks with other safety norms are fully in accordance to authority. Its entrance fee is Rs.100 and fee for bungee jumping is Rs. 3550. It remains closed on Tuesday. Minimum Age requirement is 12 and body weight should be 35-120kgs. Being extreme in nature this activity should be avoided by pregnant women, people suffering from Neurological Disorders, Epilepsy, Back or Neck injuries, Recent Fractures, Asthma.

Paragliding

Paragliding is the best way to see mountains and experience the beauty by being part of it. This adventurous sport opens the gateway to life by removing fear of heights and gravitation force. In Uttarakhand this exhilarating and exciting activity can be relished at Nainital, Rishikesh, Pithoragarh, Ranikhet and Dhanaulti. To enjoy this sport we don’t need much training as experts are there who fly with us and make us at ease. The paragliding pilot is an expert and can fly for many hours.

Paragliding doesn’t need engine like beach paragliding and can be enjoyed by person of any age. With very less training paragliding provides you the opportunity to fly and explore mainland landscape from different aerial angles and spectacular views which is not possible in any other way. By detaching from Earth and getting skybound like a free flowing bird we get an unimagined never before feel and an amazing speechless experience.  At different places depending upon the packages ( medium fly time 3-6 minutes, high fly time 15-20 minutes, Long fly time 30-45 minutes) the fee of the paragliding differs. Enjoy this once in a lifetime wonderful experience with utmost safety of paragliding instructors tied to a harness.

The breathtaking bird-eye views of lofty mountain peaks and green valleys beneath you will leave an unforgettable pleasant imprint on the mind. Flight weight restrictions for this adventurous sport are 15- 85 kgs in body weight. All these places where paragliding activity is performed are very well connected with all major cities and are accessible in all weather conditions. Though monsoon season from July to mid august should be avoided.

Trekking

Trekking or hiking or foot travel is a soft adventurous activity. It not only lets you explore but also allows you to connect with nature and most importantly hidden- self of you.

Trekking gained popularity in 1970s in India and has grown in leaps and bounds since then. At present thousands of Indians and multitudes of foreign tourists hit the trekking trails in various places in India. But Uttarakhand  state of India offers innumerable varied trekking options for all kinds of trekkers. Here in Uttarakhand trekking in Himalayas has most enchanting, stunning and unforgettable trails with varied terrains having different grades of hiking levels at different altitudes. Trekking here not only lets you enjoy trek but also takes you a step higher in spirituality. Uttarakhand also referred to as Devbhoomi-Land of God, has an abundance of natural beauty is busiest vacation destination. Decorated with entrancing views, beautiful valleys, diverse flora – fauna, lofty mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, gushing rivers and lush green forests is paradise for tourists, nature lovers, thrill seekers, adventure demanding and trekking or mountaineering enthusiasts. Bali pass trek, Auden Col trek, Dayara bugyal-Distal trek, Distal-Bamsaru khal trek, Har Ki Dun Ruinsara Taal trek, Kalindhikhal trek, Kedartal trek, Nagtibba trek, Satopanth lake, Kuari pass trek, Pindari glacier, Milan glacier trek, Khatling trek, Kedarkantha trek, vasukital trek, Bedni Bugyal- trek, Chopta-Tungnath trek, Panch Kedar trek,  Shucking base camp, Gangotri-Gaumukh trek, Valley of flowers trek, Hemkund Sahib trek, Nanda Devi National park trek are just a few of the many trekking trails available in Uttarakhand.

Trekking at these trails are a combination of bliss and adventure, always taking you one step ahead in life. These treks can be done by first timers and experienced trekkers alike. These are of different grades ranging from easy to moderate to difficult to extreme difficult and are situated at different altitudes ranging from 3000 m to 6000 m.

To get initiated into hiking and trekking you should start with single day treks and gradually shift to multi-day treks. You can select any of the treks from Best Himalayan Treks for Beginners and start of journey towards forming interest in treks. Then depending upon your abilities, aptitude, interest and availability of time you should go for advanced extreme difficult grade rough treks situated at remote and high altitudes. Trekking opens you up and provides a  new never- before found perspective towards life as you get to know and understand different places, people, terrains, geography, culture, weather conditions and lot many other practical experiences.

To top it all off you start getting a better understanding of your true self, your weaknesses, fears and strengths. It also measures your physical strength as it is a whole body workout. Trekking helps you in improving your health, rejuvenating you and helps you get ready to face the music of life with high levels of energy, positive vibes, refreshing attitude and a whole new perspective.

River Rafting

This highly thrilling sport activity can be enjoyed at Rishikesh. Rishikesh is favourite destination for adventure seekers and River rafting these days is becoming more popular. The breathtaking adventure of river-rafting on the rapids of the Ganges is a stimulating and exhilarating experience. River rafting in Rishikesh has 4 different spreads with dissimilar lengths and different time spans.

Brahmpuri stretch: This is the basic 9 km long stretch and it mostly has grade II rapids. It remains open for longest duration from September to June end. Shivpuri Spread: It is generally recommended rafting stretch. The length of this spread is 16 kms. It mostly has grade III rapids. Rafting at this stretch is open from Mid September to early June

Marine Drive stretch: This is a very exciting and challenging stretch.This 25 km long spread with mostly grade IV rapids is not recommended for the first-timers. Its open from October-May.

Kaudiyala Rafting stretch: This is the most advanced stretch amongst the 4 spreads and is not recommended at all for less experienced and inexperienced. Since it has grade V rapids, rafting in such rapids is an extreme adventure and full of risks. It is available for shortest period of time i.e., from Mid October to Early May.

In general Best time for rafting in Rishikesh is any season except monsoon and winter as water in the Ganges is icy cold. Precautions should be taken like Never avoiding the instructions of raft guide and going against raft team members.Safety jacket, sunglasses, helmet, waterproof camera are few things to be taken while rafting. Rishikesh is well connected with the road and railways to almost all big cities and towns. For adventure junkies it is the best weekend vacation destination. Indira Gandhi International airport at new delhi is the nearest international airport and  Jolly Grant Dehradun airport is nearest domestic airport to Rishikesh. From New Delhi National Highway 58 upto Haridwar and merges to Rishikesh and through NH 72 via Panchkula, Paonta Sahib and Dehradun , it has good connectivity from Chandigarh.