Summer is here and everyone is looking to break away on a vacation. Clubbing the need to get away with a desire for an adrenaline rush, Sean Sequeira lists the best places to visit for adventure sport enthusiasts
Dirt Biking
WHAT IT IS: Dirt biking is an extreme motor sport with many international championships. It can be described simply as biking on a dirt track but is actually quite difficult since it requires excellent biking skills. Proper safety measures must be taken since the sport can be dangerous in the event of crashes. Few places offer the sport in India.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO:Chennai
WHO ORGANISES IT: Chennai Off Road
Phone: +91 9840 530 676
Email: jithuraj161@gmail.com
Website: http://www.chennaioffroad.com/index.html
TIME OF YEAR: All year round
Rock Climbing
WHAT IT IS: Scaling up and down steep rock formations is the prime goal of rock climbing. The extreme forms of the sport are performed without any safety harnesses. It can be a dangerous activity which is why proper care is taken whenever it is practiced.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO:Vashist, Uttarakhand
WHO ORGANISES IT:
Himalayan Extreme Center
Phone: +91 9816 174 164
Email: hecindia2005@yahoo.frWebsite: http://www.himalayanextreme-center.com/en/index.php?dir=&page=start&lang=en
TIME OF YEAR: March to December
Waterfall Rappelling
WHAT IT IS: Rappelling is an activity which helps rock climbers descend down hills and mountains quickly. Add a waterfall to the equation and it becomes a fun activity that India has been taking to in the last few years. It is conducted in the Indian monsoons when waterfalls flow in all their glory.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Vihi Waterfall, Kasara
WHO ORGANISES IT: Trek Mates India
Phone: +91 8655 588 508
Email: trekmates@gmail.com
Website: http://www.trekmatesindia.com/
TIME OF YEAR: July to October
Skiing
WHAT IT IS:
Having originated in the European mountains, skiing has come a long way as a leisure activity for mountainous regions. India does not fall too far behind since Auli is rated among the top ski destinations in the world. An exhilarating variation called heli-skiing involves jumping out of a helicopter and skiing down otherwise inaccessible hills.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Auli, Uttarakhand
WHO ORGANISES IT: GMVN
Phone: +91 135 274 08 96
Email: gmvn@gmvnl.com
Website: http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/index.aspx
TIME OF YEAR: December to March
Mountain Biking
WHAT IT IS: One of the most explorative sports, mountain biking requires a sturdy bicycle that is made especially for the sport and a desire to go off-road into the wild countryside. There are few companies in India that organise the sport in group sessions.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Ladakh
WHO ORGANISES IT: Yasmin Trek and Tours
Phone: +91 9622 966 292
Email: yasminladakh@gmail.com
Website: http://www.yasminladakh.com/default.htm
TIME OF YEAR: May to October
Scuba Diving
WHAT IT IS: Scuba diving requires levels of training before it can be attempted. You can apply for and attain the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) licensing to be a certified scuba diver. The Lakshadweep islands are an exotic location but have certain government restrictions.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
WHO ORGANISES IT: Lacadives Phone: +91 22 651 77 381
Email: info@lacadives.com
Website: http://lacadives.com/
TIME OF YEAR: October to May
Waterskiing
WHAT IT IS: It is a very popular water sport and recreational activity in coastal areas around the world.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Cavelossim, Goa
WHO ORGANISES IT: Prince of Sal
Phone: +91 9921 144 420
Email: lester@
princeofsal.com
Website: http://princeofsal.com/
TIME OF YEAR: Throughout the year
Kiteboarding
WHAT IT IS: Combining the sports of surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing gives you the sport of kiteboarding (aka kitesurfing). The sport requires a wakeboard and a kite but takes quite a bit of skill and training to perfect. The coastal areas in India’s southern states are suitable since they have calmer waters and plenty of wind.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Tamil Nadu
WHO ORGANISES IT: Quest Expeditions
Phone: +91 8879 995 551
Email: booking@quest-asia.com
Website: http://quest-asia.com/
TIME OF YEAR: Throughout the year
White Water Rafting
WHAT IT IS: White water rafting is about going up against the forces of nature and all its fury.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Brahmaputra River, Arunachal Pradesh
WHO ORGANISES IT: Aquaterra Adventures
Phone: +91 11 2921 26 41
Email: vaibhav@aquaterra.in
Website: http://www.aquaterra.in/
TIME OF YEAR: November to March
Stand up Paddle Boarding
WHAT IT IS: Give a surfer a paddle and you invent a new sport called stand up paddle boarding
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Mulki, Karnataka
WHO ORGANISES IT: Mantra Surf Club
Phone: +91 9880 659 130
Email: gauranataraj@gmail.com
Website: http://surfingindia.net/mantra-surf-club
TIME OF YEAR: November to April
Bungee Jumping
WHAT IT IS: Nothing compares to the thrill of the freefall that is enjoyed in bungee jumping.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Rishikesh
WHO ORGANISES IT: Jumping Heights
Phone: +91 9711 401 244
Email: contact@jumpingheights.com
Website: http://www.jumpingheights.com/
TIME OF YEAR: October to May
Skydiving
WHAT IT IS: Exhilarating and terrifying are the best words to describe skydiving. Imagine jumping out of an airplane from 10,000 feet above the surface of the earth with nothing but a parachute on your back.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Mysore, Karnataka
WHO ORGANISES IT: Skyriders
Phone: +91 9958 297 097
Email: contact@
skydivinginindia.com
Website: http://www.skydivinginindia.com/
TIME OF YEAR:Throughout the year
Zip Lining
WHAT IT IS: Set up a cable from a higher point to a lower point and travel along the length of the cable using pulleys and gravity.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Mussoorie
WHO ORGANISES IT: The Real Adventure Sports
Phone: +91 9634 945 369
Email: tra.sports@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ziplinesindia.com/index.html
TIME OF YEAR: Throughout the year
Paragliding
WHAT IT IS: Paragliding is the closest you can get to flying like a bird.Using the gear, you launch yourself off a cliff and glide using wind to get you to your destination.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Billing
WHO ORGANISES IT: Billing Adventures of Himachal
Phone: +91 9418 294429
Email: billing.valley@gmail.com
Website: http://www.billingvalley.com/
TIME OF YEAR:September to November
Valley Crossing
WHAT IT IS: String a cable between two peaks and cross the line. Simple.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO: Lonavala
WHO ORGANISES IT: Exploita Traveltech
Phone: +91 9822278 133
Email: info@exploita.com
Website: http://www.exploita.com/
TIME OF YEAR: Throughout the year
Volume 3 Issue 11
