Up North, the Himalayan ranges that stretch across the country are the most intimidating, enthralling and beautiful mountains in the world. They offer the ultimate challenge to any adventurer whatever their pursuit - mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking or white water rafting. For any mountaineer the Himalayas are a perennial challenge. And with their ever-changing terrain, there is something new to see in every season and every region, be it the gentle slopes of the Garhwal and Kumaon region, the sharp ragged gorges of Himachal Pradesh, the pristine untouched beauty of Sikkim or the fantastic moonscapes of Jammu and Kashmir. Climbing these mountains is a spiritual experience that will make you keep coming back for more.

Trekking Rock Climbing Motor Rallies Mountaineering  Winter Sports  Desert Safaris White Water Rafting

Trekking

If mountaineering is not your scene, but you still want to savour the beauty of these mighty mountains, try trekking. Even trekkers without any prior experience can easily manage the altitudes that range from 2500 to 4000 metres above sea level in the hilly areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim.

Some of the most beautiful trekking routes are

• The Kumaon and Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal

• The Chamba-Manali area in Himachal Pradesh

• Kishtwar, Pahalgam, Zanskar and Spiti in Kashmir

• The Darjeeling-Thalut trek

• The virtually untouched routes through the Eastern Himalayas in Sikkim

In Maharashtra, you can take trekking excursions to Bhimashankar, Tungareshwar, Igatpuri, Chikaldara, Mandardevi, Varandh ,Tikona, and Gavilgad.

Ladakh and Zanskar The Himalayas, mainly Ladakh and Zanskar are some of the most spectacular and impressive mountain ranges in the world. Numerous villages and monasteries, on the mountainside look beautiful against a backdrop of unusually colored rocks, snow-covered peaks, and a deep blue cloudless sky.

Garhwal The Valley of Flowers lies in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand. A spectacular sight of gurgling streams, silver birches and shining snowy peaks greet you. Frank Smith - mountaineer, explorer and botanist camped here in the monsoon of 1937 and was bedazzled with the beauty of nature and the floral splendour of this valley. This drove him to write his book 'The Valley of Flowers'. The trek towards the Valley begins at Govind Ghat, after crossing the Alaknanda river on a hanging bridge. Since camping and overnight stay is not allowed in the Valley of Flowers, Ghanghria is the logical base camp for the trek. Beyond Ghanghria one can only traverse on foot since ponies are prohibited. The Valley becomes accessible from late April when the snow starts melting. 

Sikkim Sikkim houses the third highest summit in the world, Kanchenjunga (8586m). Nature at its most beautiful will welcome you with an incomparable show of flora and fauna. Trekkers huts along routes are available at Pemayangtse, Khechopalri, Yuksam, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang, Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang and Sikip.

Trekking to the Pindari Glacier Perhaps the best-known trekking route in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand is the trail along the Pindari river to the source of its glacier. The Pindari glacier, situated on the Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks, has a splendor of its own. It is big and steep and measures 3 kms in length and is 0.25 kms wide. The river Pinder Ganga originates from here and eventually converges into the Alaknanada. Following the river uphill takes one through the southern reaches of the Nanda Devi sanctuary which offers breathtaking views of Panwali Dhar (6683 meters) and Maiktoli (6803 meters) peaks. The trek to the Pindari Glacier is a relatively simple one and ideal for first time trekkers.

Spituk - Hemis Gompa trek Some of the world's toughest treks are in this region and are best undertaken by seasoned trekkers. Many of these can stretch from 3-14 days and require local guides and horses. Among the most popular treks in the area is the Spituk - Hemis Gompa trek. It starts at Spituk, just below Leh, and goes through the Markha Valley to reach Hemis Gompa.

Mountaineering

Up North, the Himalayan ranges are the most intimidating, enthralling and beautiful mountains in the world. For any mountaineer, the Himalayas are a perennial challenge.

The mountaineering season is normally between April and November but the winter seasons, though colder have clearer days.

There is something new to see in every season and every region: the gentle slopes of the Garhwal and Kumaon region, the sharp ragged gorges of Kulu and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, the pristine untouched beauty of Sikkim, the almost unexplored Arunachal Pradesh, the fantastic moonscapes of the Zanskar range in Jammu and Kashmir.

The high altitude peaks of Nun-Kun Massif in Ladakh, Nanda Devi in Garhwal, and Dunagiri in Kumaon offer challenging peaks for mountaineering. In Kumaon, the popular areas are the Kalabaland glacier system, the Panch Chulhi, the Rajrambha, and Chaudhara peaks, and the peaks of the Nandakot basin.

Levels of Difficulty Most mountaineering routes are graded, according to levels of difficulty and accessibility. A moderate degree would require very basic mountaineering techniques. These can be learnt at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi and the Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering at Manali.

An advanced degree of mountaineering would require the mountaineer to be in absolute fit physical condition. Skills can be learnt either by actual experience or doing advanced courses at recognised institutes.

Winter Sports 

Winter sports in India are centred around Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Himachal Pradesh.

Skiing usually starts by the end of December and lasts till the end of March. Gulmarg and Khilanmarg in Kashmir, Auli in Uttaranchal, Gorsain in Garhwal, and Manali and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh provide good snow ski slopes.

Dayara Bugyal This is in the Uttarkashi - Gangotri Road. It is situated at an elevation of about 3048 metres. Vehicles can go up to the village of Barsu, from where one has to trek a distance of about 8 kms. to reach Dayara. The other route is via village Raithal, 10 kms. from Bhatwari, from where one has to trek about 6 kms. to Dayara Bugyal. During winter it provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq. kms. Dayara bugyal affords a panoramic view of the breathtakingly beautiful Himalayas. There is also a small lake in the area where one can camp. You can trek down through dense forests to Dodi-Tal, which is about 32 kms. away.

Auli Auli is another famous place for skiing. Courses are held here for beginners and professionals. There are 7 day and 14 day courses. Auli sees a lot of young and old people from metros and small cities in India who long for a taste of adventure and come here for a different kind of holiday.

Kufri Besides skiing, Kufri is also known for its good hiking and trekking trails. Basically, it is an adventure enthusiast's paradise. It is a tiny hill station In Himachal Pradesh, located 19-kms from Simla on the National Highway No.22. One can visit the Himalayan Nature Park and close by is the Indira Tourist Park. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has some good slopes. There is a range of slopes, including a beginner's run, an advanced slope and slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, and has equipment on hire at Kufri. Travellers can hire cabs or take buses from Simla, Narkanda or Rampur. An annual winter sports festival is organized every year in the month of February where skiing enthusiasts and adventure seekers come in large numbers.

Narkanda Narkanda, in Himachal, should be visited from December to March. What gives Narkanda its awe-inspiring view of the snowy peaks is the fact that it is located on the ridge of the last watershed before the Himalayan range. Narkanda, at 8,100 feet is 440 kms from Delhi and a two hour drive from Simla. The only peak available for skiing is Hattu Peak, which is 6-kms away from Narkanda.

Manali Also in the state of Himachal Pradesh, 40 kms away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the northern end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. It has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes.

Manali and Gulmarg provide an enormous variety of heli-ski runs and routes too.

Ice-Skating Ice Skating is a lot like skiing. Balance of your body has to be just right for you to glide smoothly. Simla is one of the best places to try out ice skating. In fact a sports festival is held there every winter. Amateurs can follow simple rules of agility, steadiness and a good sense of balance to enjoy this sport and they will master it in no time.

Heli-Skiing If you don't mind the risk of high altitude skiing and have the courage against all odds, then heli-skiing is just for you. The helicopter leaves you at the top of a snow capped peak and from there you just have to criss-cross your way downward, sometimes on completely unknown routes. Some of the best places in the Indian Himalayan region include Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Chandrakhani Pass near Manali. Auli in Himachal and Gulmarg in Kashmir also offer this sport.

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in India, initially began as training for mountaineering and turned into an exciting sport about 15 years ago. Rock-climbing is largely balance and not strength. Balance also determines the value of strength by how much energy you spend actually climbing

Sheer rock faces, ideal for rock climbing, can be found in many areas. The Aravali hills have good climbing faces at Dumdama, Dhauj and Nuh, all situated near Delhi. The Western Ghats have Mumbra and Dudha beyond Pune. Himachal Pradesh offers the Manali Valley, Manikaran and the Rohtang Pass. Rajasthan has Mount Abu and Sariska which have gentler rocks. In Karnataka there are the Chamundi Hills.

High-altitude climbers will enjoy the rock faces at Sonmarg in Kashmir and Gangotri in Garhwal, Uttaranchal. These trips are advisable in the summer and autumn months. Certain climbs can often prove gruelling and tough, but the magic of the beautiful landscape, the cool weather and pure air keeps the climber's spirit up.

Most climbs are graded from 1 to the 30's. The highest grade climbed is currently 32. Serious climbing starts around 10. Beginners normally do the early tens and then move upwards.

Rock-climbing can become complex because it involves the interplay of many elements: you, your gear, your skill and technique.

Desert Safaris

Traverse the lonely stretches of the Thar Desert, like the travellers of old ... on a camel. In fact, the most magical way to explore the sands of Rajasthan, especially the unending sand dunes of Jaisalmer and Bikaner, is on camel back.

Camp under the stars, listen to the haunting strains of folk music echoing across the sand dunes, stay at any of the many heritage resorts run by erstwhile royalty, marvel at the remote forts and palaces, or enjoy the gentle hospitality of villagers at an oasis ... India's camel safaris take you back in time to a more leisurely age, and make for a memorable experience.

Thar Desert & Camel Safaris One of the most popular deserts in India, the Thar region was once ruled by the Rapjuts. These strong and powerful rulers built magnificent fortress palaces, of which the ruins are still visited. The Thar is best experienced by camel safaris. These leave from Khuri village. There are also, day treks that leave in the morning and return at night, as well as overnight trips. All travelers and tourists are required to make this journey along with an experienced guide.

With a terrain that shifts from hill roads to forest tracks, desert trails to beach routes, India tests the mettle of both man and machine in motor rallies. Several championship rallies are held in India every year. Picturesque vintage car rallies are also held in some of the metros like Kolkata's Annual Statesman Vintage Car Rally. One of the most challenging Motor rallies is the Himalayan Car rally.

The Beginning Motor racing activities first started in the post independence period as many of the World War II airstrips in different parts of the country were left deserted and enthusiasts took advantage of this to pursue this sport. One such airstrip was at Sholavaram, near Chennai. Soon, racing caught on in other parts of the country too. In time, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) became the governing body of this sport. Rallying - the mission to test man & machine against Indian terrain also rose to become a popular sport. National Championships were instituted and winners became cult figures.

White Water Rafting

A small village on the banks of the Ganges, 15 kms from Rishikesh, Shivpuri is best known for its rapids. The Ganges gushing down from a great height isn't just a breathtaking sight; a journey down the river is a thrilling adventure that is difficult to match.

Shivpuri is around 280 km from Delhi and the best way to get there is to drive down. It is a 5-hour drive from the capital. Alternatively, take a train to Haridwar and then a taxi to your camp. You will have to book in advance. All camps organise accommodation, food and rafting, complete with equipment and trained guides. However, be forewarned - river rafting is not for the faint hearted. Once on the raft you are one with nature and will have to rough it out depending on the rapids. Rapids are graded according to their ''runnability'', from Grade 1 (the mildest) to Grade 6 (un-runnable). Those in Shivpuri range from Grade 1 to Grade 4. You can also take courses for white water river rafting while there.

In a single four-hour stretch you can start at Shivpuri and go down all the way till Rishikesh. From there, post-lunch, you can drive back to the camp. The best time to go is in winter - November to March.