Are you an Adrenaline Junkie? Or are you craving for an escapade? Whether you want to dive in the depths of the ocean or hike through enchanting forests. Climb up a mountain for picturesque views or fly over those hills for an epic adrenaline rush- We’ve got you covered.
Adventure sports makes you feel your every breath, has a positive impact on the way you see life and helps you get out of your comfort zone.
Due to its vast geographical features, India is home to several adventure sports. India is renowned for its scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity and astounding views. Here is a comprehensive list to help you decide your kind of adventure and where you can try it!
Adventure Sports in India
1. Scuba Diving
Life under the water is captivating with the multifariousness of fishes and several beautiful seaweeds and coral reefs. It’s a whole new world altogether, and to get to the depths and explore it all is a life-changing experience.
In India, there are several places where you can go scuba diving – Havelock Islands and Neil Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Grande Island (Goa), Malvan (Maharashtra), Kovalam (Kerala) and Netrani Island (Karnataka).
2. Underwater Walk
We all must have heard many quotes about walks with nature, but walking underwater sounds way more appealing, isn’t it? So, we found out a rare adventure sport, underwater walk, where you can walk on the surface of the water and witness marine life at its best.
North Bay island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the first one to bring underwater walking in India. Other places include Elephant Beach, Havelock Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and Baina Beach (Goa).
3. Water Abseiling
Water abseiling means climbing down a rock surface with the use of thick ropes and other protective gears and the surface will be in between heavy falling water. It is also called water rappelling. This seems like a majorly daunting activity, but it will surely make you feel that adrenaline rush in your body.
The places where you can try water abseiling include- Vihigaon Waterfalls (Maharashtra), Jogini Waterfalls (Manali, Himachal Pradesh), Chelavara Waterfalls (Coorg, Karnataka), Neer Gaddu Waterfalls (Rishikesh, Uttarakhand) etc.
4. Caving
Caving is an activity that is booming in India. The experience can range from smooth walks through fascinating routes to action-packed climbing and hiking through dark groovy caves. Meghalaya is said to be the home to dark, deep and long caves (maximum is approximately 20kms long).
The Krem Puri Caves in Meghalaya is the longest sandstone cave in the world. Other places for Caving or Spelunking in India include Belum Caves and Bora caves in Andhra Pradesh, Kailash Caves and Kotumsar Caves in Chhattisgarh, Bagh Cave in Madhya Pradesh etc.
5. Dune Bashing
Dune Bashing is an off-road driving activity done on the dunes using mainly SUV cars. It is perfect for an adventure junkie who loves speed. Apart from the sumptuous food and vibrant colours in Jaisalmer, Dune Bashing is a chart-topping adventure sport there. The best dunes are in Jaisalmer which makes the experience all the more fascinating.
6. Paragliding
Paragliding is the closest a human being can get to flying like a bird. It is a fun and safe way to experience flight effortlessly and experience the bird’s view of the scenic mountains. There are so many places in India where you can go paragliding.
Some of the popular ones include- Bir Billing (Himachal Pradesh), which is also called the Paragliding Capital of India, Gangtok (Sikkim), Nainital (Uttarakhand) and Manali (Himachal Pradesh).
7. Trekking
Trekking is one of the most talked-about activities of our generation. After watching Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, we all wish to go to a trekking trip to Manali with our friends and how can we not after seeing such breathtakingly beautiful views of the Indian Himalayas! The Himalayas embellish India like a majestic crown.
The best places to go for treks in India includes Hampta Pass (Himachal Pradesh), Stok Kangri Summit (Jammu & Kashmir), Roopkund (Uttarakhand), Chadar Trek (Jammu & Kashmir), Kodachadri Trek (Karnataka) and Kudremukh Trek (Karnataka). There are also many websites and applications which organizes trekking trips for solo or group travellers.
8. River Rafting
River Rafting is another one of the most talked-about activities in India, among the present generation and is on its way to becoming the most popular adventure sport in the country. White River Rafting, you will be in inflatable boats and go downstream with the current flow of the river water, passing through the riverine flora and fauna amidst the captivating mountains. The splashing water will drench you and your mind will be free from other concerns of life, I can assure you of that.
Top places to go river rafting and enjoying the water madness includes Rishikesh (Uttarakhand), Subansiri River (Arunachal Pradesh), Beas River (Manali, Himachal Pradesh), River Kundalika (Maharashtra) and Teesta River (Sikkim).
9. Mountain biking
It is an adventure sport for all the biking lovers out there. Riding through the hilly roads amidst the breath-taking views of the mountains will become a new addiction for the thrill-seekers. The rocky roads on such a high altitude and the cold climate of the Ladakh region of the Indian Himalayas, are best known for Mountain Biking. Other places Include Munnar (Kerala), Kumaon Region (Uttarakhand) and Coorg (Karnataka).
10. Sky Diving
Do you keep watching Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and keep thinking that someday you will go to Spain with your friends and do Sky Diving and live the movie life? Worry not, because this activity is in India as well. Yes, you read it right. You can now live your Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara moment within the boundaries of your country. So get ready to dive from a helicopter and unchain the heavy baggage of life when you unchain your parachute and “just let it go!”.
Best places to go Sky Diving in India includes Aamby Valley (Maharashtra), Deesa (Gujarat), Mysore (Karnataka) and Bir Billing (Himachal Pradesh).