India provides a wide range of exhilarating adventure activities for adrenaline junkies to enable them to rejuvenate and take a break from the daily grind. The country is blessed with the splendour of high mountains, intriguing rivers, and challenging terrains when it comes to adventure holidays.
Whether you are scuba diving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, or bungee jumping and river rafting in Rishikesh, here are the top adventure sports destinations in India.
Rishikesh offers a plethora of adventure sports, from mountain biking, and abseiling to paragliding, and kayaking. It even has one of the highest bungee jumping platforms in India. The pristine waters of the Ganga are a delight to swim and raft in.
Getting There: Rishikesh railway station is connected to most major cities. Fly into Dehradun and take a taxi ride to cover the 21 km to the city. Rishikesh is 240 km from New Delhi, a bus ride or road trip from the capital will take around six hours.
Leh is a famous destination for trekking and hiking. The most popular and unusual spot is trekking on the icy Zanskar River during winter. Adventurers walk the Chadar Trek on the frozen river bed for eight days till they reach the frozen waterfall. The trek routes surrounding this region, which is located in the Himalayas, are some of the top adventure sports destinations in India.
Getting There: Leh can be reached by flight from New Delhi. Road travel is perhaps the most picturesque way of travelling to Leh, so lots of visitors travel from Manali to Leh or via the Srinagar-Leh highway to soak in the sights.
Gulmarg is one of the most beautiful adventure destinations in India. You can enjoy skiing that is appropriate for both beginners and expert skiers here. The snow-covered hills and topography of Gulmarg are spectacular, and there's even a gondola trip available. The hill station has the world's tallest cable car from where you can delight in the snow-capped peaks and take amazing photos.
Getting There: The quickest way to Gulmarg is by boarding a plane to Srinagar and taking a car ride to the hill station over 55 km away. It is connected by road to Srinagar and Pahalgam, with a plethora of buses and taxis available.
Riding a mountain bike is the ultimate way to escape into the outdoors. If you are a keen rider then Sikkim is the place for you. You can choose from a variety of biking paths according to your skill level and desired surroundings as Sikkim's highlands provide a plethora of intriguing routes to explore. Adrenaline junkies can pick more accessible paths if they are beginners.
Getting There: The capital Gangtok has neither its own railway station nor an airport. Book a flight to Bagdogra in West Bengal and take a bus or taxi to cover over 100 km to Gangtok. Alternatively, get off at Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri railway station and travel onwards by road to Sikkim. For a scenic road trip, start from Darjeeling.
Scuba diving is becoming increasingly popular in India. This water adventure sport is both restorative and adventurous, resulting in a healing impact for all voyagers. Barren Island in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands provides a tranquil and private scuba diving experience. Dive into crystal clear, pure water and take in the scenery of coral gardens that will last a lifetime.
Getting There: Take a plane ride to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. You will have to charter a boat to Barren Island from Port Blair or Havelock.
Kovalam is perhaps one of India's top extreme sports locations because of its surfing schools. Go ahead and plan a vacation to learn to surf like a pro. The waters provide exhilarating waves to ride in style for even the most experienced surfers. Furthermore, Kovalam is an excellent spot for a retreat.
Getting There: Get down at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport or the Trivandrum Central Railway Station and take a taxi or bus to Kovalam, some 12-15 km away. Buses are also available from nearby cities such as Chennai and Bengaluru.
Bir Billing has quickly become one of India's most popular adventure sports locations. The tiny village in Himachal Pradesh sits amid the highlands' luscious foliage. The possibility of paragliding at Bir Billing adds to the excitement. It is the world's second-highest paragliding location for thrill seekers to take in the amazing views from above.
Getting There: Kangra Airport is the closest airport to Bir. You can hire a taxi to cover the nearly 70 km ride to the village. Alternatively, hop onto a bus from Shimla or Dharamsala to reach Bir.
Previously only thought of as a destination for booze and beaches, Goa has been making waves on the adventure scene thanks to the efforts of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). They have supported and promoted adventure activities such as bungee jumping over Mayem Lake, scuba diving, and parasailing.
Goa is one of the best spots in India for water sports activities such as banana boat rides, water slides, water scooters, etc. It also has a dynamic nightlife and a plethora of beach-specific street shopping.
Getting There: Book a flight to Goa International Airport in Dabolim or Mopa. The South Western Railway connects Vasco da Gama city with Hubli, Belgaum, etc., and the Konkan Railway connects Margao to cities along the western coast. Buses regularly ply the route between Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh to Goa.
The Satpura mountain range in Madhya Pradesh provides a spectacular rock climbing adventure because of its hilly terrain. Along with Satpura, additional sites in Madhya Pradesh to visit for rock and mountain climbing are Pachmarhi, Jabalpur, and Chanderi.
Getting There: Take the train to Waghoda or Jalgaon stations in Maharashtra and a taxi or bus ride to the mountain range. Indore is the closest airport to Satpura.