It is winter season and who minds a thrilling, adventurous trip that too within the budget? Travellers are flocking destinations with smaller crowds, cheaper rates and unique thrilling activities such as snowshoeing, sky touring and dogsledding that the winter seasons offer.Expedia lists 10 most interesting adventure travel activities for this season.
Skiing in Gulmarg:
Gulmarg is known to be the best ski resorts in India and houses Asia’s famous heli-skiing resort. This is the best time to visit Gulmarg as it is covered with thick snow, famous for Gandola Cable Car Lift. In totality, three ski lifts and a single chair lift gives an excellent opening for novice and amateur skiers.
Trekking in Zanskar:
Trekking in the Zanskar ranges could be quiet adventurous with a sharp zig-zag mountainous path. The deep gorge and high-rise mountains that surround Zanskar River are stunning and beautiful. Camping in the gorge besides a rushing stream, among aromatic shrubs and wild roses, is deeply relaxing.
Mountain Biking in Ladakh:
Traveling by bike provides an amazing experience of this region, unmatched with any other mode of travel. Trails can be matched to everyone’s riding ability. This adventurous mountain biking journey to Ladakh is full of surprises and takes you to the world’s greatest motor biking roads. The riding experience is extremely blissful with the clouds hanging out, and a complete up close view of the valley.
Scuba Diving at Havelock Island:
Scuba Diving at Havelock Island is a memorable experience. Andaman waters offer a fascinating world of underwater marine life with one of the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world. The fact that these islands are still faintly inhabited, has protected them from commercialization and preserved the natural beauty.
Trekking in Sikkim:
Sikkim, the undisclosed land of the Himalayas, is a fabulous ground for trekking. One can sense the fresh and crisp air while passing through the valleys and admiring the magnificence of the mountains. Trekking to Kangcendzonga is extremely challenging and captivating, but a worthy one for it provides an opportunity to see nature at its vibrant best.
Forest Trail at Jim Corbett National Park:
Jim Corbett is one of the interesting places that are back on the radar this winter. Covering an area of 520 sq. km. the park is also a part of Project Tiger with a considerable population of black bears of Himalayan origin, Tiger, dhole jackal and sloth bear. Travelers can also experience the nearby areas of Nainital, Bhuwankhal village, Patli Dun valley, Pauri Garhwal etc.
Hand gliding and parachuting, when combined, is called paragliding. A paraglider has to run down the hill at 40 degree slope, the running results in air filling in the columns of the keel, this allow the glider to take off. The Solang valley slopes are perfect for paragliding.
Hot Air Ballooning over Jaipur:
Hot Air Ballooning over the pink city and experiencing the breathtaking view of the Amber Fort as you drift slowly over the area. Capturing the various traditional villages of Jaipur which provides an exhilarating journey.
Camping at Kabini River Lodge Camps:
Located in the Nagarhole National Forest, the lodge offers a getaway that beats all. Once upon a time this was a retreat of the erstwhile Maharajas; it has now been converted into a tasteful lodge for the discerning few. It offers you quiet luxury and the chance to see the striped king of the jungle. This sanctuary lies on the banks of River Kabini amidst the forests of Karapur in the southern part of Nagerhole.
Camel Safari in Bikaner:
It would be a pity to leave Rajasthan without enjoying a ride on the ship of the desert. Camel rides are notoriously bumpy affairs, but it’s more than likely that by the end of the ride you’ll have become accustomed to that high perch and rhythmic sway. Bikaner is a good place to enjoy a camel safari amidst the vast expanse of the desert. Combine this with a sojourn at a desert camp, where you can stay in tastefully furnished tents and dine al fresco under the starry canopy.
(The article has been authored by Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India)