Adventure in Uttaranchal

From the foothills of the Garhwal-Kumaon Himalayas to its snow-clad upper reaches, the picturesque land of Uttaranchal is a treasure-trove of adventure sports. Over 90 % of the 50,000 sq.kms area of Uttaranchal is rugged and mountainous, very ideal for popular adventure sports such as trekking, rafting, kayaking, gliding, mountaineering, skiing and safaris.

So, when you visit the state don't forget to undertake the variety of adventure sports, because you might miss some wonderful lifetime experiences. You need not to worry about carrying equipments or essential gears, as the state has no shortage of facilities for those wanting to ride the waves of the wonderful slopes. In Uttaranchal, adventure season extends from early September to late June, so next plan your visit to the state during this period.

Mountaineering in Garhwal-Kumaon : With its variable and challenging altitudes, Garhwal-Kumaon region provides you a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the adventurous sport of Mountaineering. Situated almost at the centre of the Great Indian Himalayan chain, the Garhwal-Kumaon regions have more than 250 peaks soaring up to a height of around 5,500 metre. The Garhwal Himalayas comprises a series of steep mountain ridges divided from each other by deep, narrow glens.

Start your mountaineering expedition from Kumaon region, which is well connected by buses, railways and airways to rest of the state as well as country. As you enter Garhwal region from Kumaon, you will be certainly struck by the more rugged feature of the unparalleled scenery that is in wonderful contrast to the milder Kumaon Hills. Besides, the devotionally adorned temples, picturesque hill stations, blue- emerald lakes, meandering rivers, marvelous waterfalls, undulating meadows, rich-thick forest and interesting villagers en-route will add more to your mountaineering experience.

Para Gliding in Uttaranchal : A very convenient and affordable aero-sport, para gliding is a major attraction for tourists visiting the state of Uttaranchal. Kumaon's easternmost district, Pittorgarh makes Uttaranchal one of the most striking regions for para gliding, not only in India but also all over the world. Pittorgarh is wedged in between Nepal and Tibet, in the Soar valley of the lower Himalayas. The Soar valley is flanked by four hills namely - Chandak, Dhwaj, Thal Kedar and Kundar - where you can try the adventure sport of para gliding.

With the Himalayas in North and the Terai region plains in South, the unique topography of Garhwal makes it an ideal destination for both professional as well as beginner gliders. In Garhwal, joy rides as well as training courses in para gliding are available. Joy rides are tandem flights accompanied by an experienced flier, training facilities are available for those who are new to the sport.

Some of the popular para gliding sites in Uttaranchal are Naukutchiyatal in Nainital, Dayara Bugyal (Garhwal), Dhanolti Ridge (Garhwal) and Bedni Bugyal in Kumaon.

Jeep Safari in Uttaranchal : Situated in the heart of the majestic Himalayas, Uttaranchal is bestowed with a luxurious expanse of forest. From its snow-capped peaks to the Sivalik foothills, the alpine and deciduous forests run house a variety of wildlife.

Uttaranchal's numerous wildlife sanctuaries and parks offer the nature enthusiasts as well as tourists an abundance of animal and plant life and breathtakingly pristine landscapes. Jeep Safari is one of the most convenient and fast medium to explore the wildlife sanctuaries of the Uttaranchal.

You can explore Uttaranchal's famous sanctuaries - the Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park and Binsar Wildlife Sanctuaries on Jeep Safari. Jeeps are available on rent at various places of the state or you can hire the jeeps from the tourism department of Uttaranchal, it will cost you around Rs. 500-600 per trip. During your Jeep Safari trip, a forest department trained guide will always accompany you.

Early morning and the evening are the best time for Jeep Safaris, as during this period there are maximum chances of wildlife viewing. Explore the wildlife sanctuaries of Uttaranchal and see a variety of animals from the open-roof jeep. Don't forget to take the prior permission from the headquarters because it's necessary for Jeep Safaris.

Wildlife sanctuaries and parks apart, the rest of the hill state of Uttaranchal, too, is best explored by undertaking a jeep safari trip. Jeep safaris allow you to move into the lesser known areas of the beautiful Garhwal and Kumaon region in a way you like. Enroute, you can leisurely watch the beauty that pass by or stop to observe the flora, fauna and interact with the people to know more about them.

Jeeps are readily available in Uttaranchal, but take care that the driver accompanying you should be experienced enough to drive in the hilly areas, narrow and curved paths.
Trekking in Uttaranchal : A popular adventure sport, trekking involves climbing uphill and sometimes walking downhill. Boasting of the world famous Great Indian Himalayan range, Uttaranchal is harbouring many snow capped peaks, some soars above 6,500 m. Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas of Uttaranchal are home to some of the most famous treks of India and the world as well. Trekking amidst the Uttaranchal Himalayas is a wonderful experience and you get magnificent views of the majestic Himalayan range, alpine meadows, rare variety of flora and fauna etc.

So, every year a large number of trek enthusiasts reach Uttaranchal, to enjoy the adventure sport of trekking. In Uttaranchal the duration of trekking varies between one week to three weeks or more. Some of the popular treks of Uttaranchal are Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek, Panch Kedar Trek, Dodi Tal Trek, Gangotri-Kedarnath Trek, Gangotri-Gaumuka-Nadavan-Tapovan Trek and Bageshwar-Sunderdhunga-Pindari-Kafni Glacier Trek.

Rafting in Uttaranchal : River-rafting is one of the most exciting ways to explore the far-flung areas and also an enjoyable way to experience the natural environments of any particular region. River Rafting in Uttaranchal has become one of the favourite activities for vacationers as well as adventure seekers. Blessed with enough white-water that courses through the mountainous terrain, Uttaranchal offers wide array of river thrills available anywhere in the world.

The Ganga river flowing through the state cuts against the rocky banks, crash into rocks, crevices and breaking into white water rapids and falling in a thunderous din, making Uttaranchal an ideal place for enjoying the sport of white-water rafting.

If you are a healthy person, love to accept challenges without any fear of swirling and foaming water, then rafting in Uttaranchal can be a quite thrilling sport for you. From mild to wild, Uttaranchal has several river rafting regions, where both amateurs and professionals can undertake the sport. Popular places where you can enjoy river rafting include : Ganges River (Garhwal), Gangotri (Garhwal Himalayas), Asan Barrage, Kudiyala Rafters Club and Lake Paradise (Nanital).

Skiing and Snow-Boarding in Uttaranchal : Uttaranchal is a veritable land, full of adventure, thrills and excitement. Amongst the variety of adventure options, skiing and snow-boarding are two famous adventure sports in Uttaranchal. Every year, the slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas of Uttaranchal are covered with seasonal snow, which make a perfect base for skiing and snow-boarding.

From beginners to experienced, Uttaranchal offers exciting opportunities for skiing and snow-boarding at various places. While you are undertake these adventure sports, you get a good chance to see the verdant valleys, picturesque sky-kissing peaks and snow covered mountains, cascading rivers, lush greenery and abundant fauna en-route. All the necessary equipments for these sports are available on rent, so you need not to carry them. Some of the famous sites for skiing and snow-boarding are Auli, Mundali, Munsyari and Dayara Bugyal.

Camping in Uttaranchal : Far from the hustle and bustle of the crowded cities, camping in Uttaranchal is a wonderful adventure option. In Uttaranchal camps are available in various options such as the Fishing camps, Jungle lodges and Guest houses. Equipped with all the basic amenities, the camps in Uttaranchal provide you a comfortable as well as a memorable stay. Besides, food, trips to nearby places and facilities for adventure sports are also offered by the camps in Uttaranchal. There are several camping sites in Uttaranchal some of the famous camping sites are Chitrauli (Nainital), Rishikesh, Jharipani (Mussoorie) and Tons Valley (Garhwal).