There are exciting holidays and then there are unforgettable, adrenaline-drenched holidays. For some, riding a shikara in Srinagar or trekking on the hill slopes of Manali may be thrilling enough, but for those of you who need to hear the noise of your pumping heart, the exhilarating rush and the kick of adrenaline in your blood, nothing compares to some of the extreme adventure sports that India has to offer. For all you daredevils out there, we bring you a list of the top adventure sports in India.
- Scuba Diving, Havelock
The world really is your oyster at Havelock in the Andaman Islands. Enroll at a scuba diving class like the Andaman Bubbles or Barefoot Scuba and get a beginner’s license, after which you are free to dive into the breathtakingly pristine, azure waters and go exploring all the beauty and marine life, which incidentally is one of the largest collection of corals and fish everywhere on the planet. Carry an underwater camera with you when you go scuba diving in India, and it’ll be an experience that you’ll never forget.
- Best Time to Visit: October to May
- Skydiving, Panchgani
Dive headfirst into the blue sky and be one with the wind as you suit up, get onto a plane and jump off it into nothingness in Panchgani. There are a few experiences that can get your heart pumping and your pulse racing; and are as breath-taking and spellbinding as jumping straight off a plane from 10,000 feet in the sky, with only a parachute attached to you for your safety. It can be a terrifying experience at first, but once you realize that you’re safe as can be with a trained professional and a very reliable parachute, you can open your eyes to the pure beauty and serenity of this planet that we’re born on, from high up in the sky. After your first jump with a trainer, we recommend you go to the diving school and try it alone the second time.
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Canyoning, Dandeli, Karnataka
Like rappelling, canyoning is also a controlled descent down a cliff or hill with a rope. The basic idea is to get down to the source of rivers and waterfalls using a combination of rock climbing, abseiling, jumping and water slides. Dandeli offers you this opportunity complete with lush green forests with a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and highly skilled trainers who ensure that you have a spellbinding experience.
- Best Time to Visit: October to May.
- Microlight flying, Mysore
Ever dreamed of flying your own aircraft? Well here’s your chance! The exhilarating sport of microlight flying that involves maneuvering your own two-seater aircraft, is just taking off in India and currently, can be engaged in only at the Mysore Airport. You have to undergo training and get licensed, after which, you are all ready to take to the sky and fly your own little aircraft. Revel in the thrill of flying an aircraft on your own while you take in the beautiful view of the city of Mysore- the sky literally is the limit!
- Best Time to Visit: All year round, except the monsoon season.
- Kayaking
Paddle small, individual boats in some of the world’s most stunning settings that India has to offer. From tranquil waterways to coastal mangroves and thundering rivers gushing from the peaks of the Himalayas, India offers an adventure-seeker plenty of gorgeous destinations to satiate his appetite. Pick your favorite destination from the misty beaches of Goa to the enchanting mountains of Arunachal Pradesh and the stormy waters of Rishikesh, and get, set kayaking!
With seven major mountain ranges, three sides surrounded by oceans and seas, half a dozen huge rivers and thousands of acres of forest area, India has a lot to offer adrenaline junkies to keep them on their toes. Take your pick out of the plethora of possibilities available to you and set out making the memories of a lifetime on your next adventure holiday.
Rohit is an adventure lover. He always try to find adventure in small things and travels a lot to get more experience. To read his interesting stories visit his blog at TransIndiaTravels.com.
