Road Less Traveled

chillibreeze writer — Lalitha Viswanathan

Need an editable PowerPoint map of India

Do you love the thrill and excitement of unknown expeditions? Do you love the strong pull of the wind as you dive with only a rope for support? Or, do you simply like to savor a bird’s eye view of the nature from atop a hot air balloon? If you’ve answered yes to even one, then pack your bags and head to any one of the innumerable adventure spots that India is home to.

Adventure tourism in India is just awakening to the calls of the millions who simply want to be a part of nature, even if only for a moment in the sands of time. From skiing in the snow-clad slopes of Auli to battling the rapids of Brahmaputra; from trekking in the forests of Nagarhole to paddling on a kayak on the Periyar River, adventure tourism in India offers mind-boggling variety. Here’s a random peek into the off beat, and best kept secrets of the adventure spots in the North, East, West and South of the great sub-continent.

Eastern paradise
Untapped, and unbridled, the east, especially the northeastern territory is still a road less traveled when it comes to tourism. However, it is a one that promises never-ending challenges to a diehard adventure fan. For a truly jungle experience, trek in the uncharted trails of the Namdapha National park in Arunachal Pradesh. A walk across the Anamika Falls in this park can give more than just goose pimples to the determined traveler. Trees are so tall and dense that there is hardly any sunlight, and the chirping of birds is your only company. That is, of course, if you don’t come across the wild cats. It is the only place in India where all four wild cats- tiger, snow leopard, leopard, and clouded leopard can be seen under one roof.

From the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, come down to the plains of Assam where you will be stopped in your tracks by the awe-inspiring Brahmaputra. From extreme rafting on the rapids to the slow ferrying across the lower Brahmaputra, tailor-made trips on this wild river can take place all in a day’s work. Still not tickled? Head to Meghalaya for a one-of-a-kind experience! Every year thousands of visitors travel to India just to marvel at the beauty of the caves of Meghalaya. Some of these caves are the longest and deepest in India and promise hours of fun, albeit a little frightening to walk in these dark, murky caves.

If you want to experience paradise on earth, come down further south and into the Bay of Bengal and behold the enchanting Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Snorkeling and scuba diving amidst the richest coral reef in the world, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands provide picture perfect adventure getaways.

Sizzling South
If you thought only the Brahmaputra offered white water rafting opportunities, think again. Kayaking in the backwaters of God’s Own Country is one of the best ways to interact and get to know the local people. If that’s too soft for your liking, don’t worry: head to Boothathankettu, 50 kms from Ernakulam in Kerala, for a spirited white water rafting. Now that you are refreshed, go across the borders into Tamil Nadu, and you would be surprised at the booming adventure tourism in this temple state. Whether it is hand gliding in the mountains of Nilgiris, or wind surfing in Muttukadu, or trekking in the scintillating trails of Ooty, the possibilities are endless.

Touted as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is not just about brains, but a lot about brawn too. Rappelling, rock climbing, river rafting, trekking are activities that are organized every weekend for the adventure buffs. Up in the Western Ghats lies the Agumbe Rainforests in Shimoga district. Called as the “Cherrapunji of the South” and home to the most poisonous snakes of India, the Agumbe Rainforests provide dream trails for the fearless. Herpetology camps are also held for the brave at heart.

Western escapades
No adventure sport is complete if you have not done it in Goa. Wind surfing, scuba diving, water skiing, angling, you name it, the beaches of Goa have hundreds of water sporting activities to quench your thirst for some thrill in the sand. From the beaches of Goa, travel further northwest till you find yourself in the middle of expansive sands on all sides. Welcome to the Thar Desert! Go on a camel safari, walk over the dunes and come face to face with the creatures of the desert, or even glide over the parched land on a balloon. Camping in the middle of the desert under the cold starry night sky is an adventure of a lifetime that you should not miss.

Roof top North
With the Himalayas for a cover, the North of India is a thriving place for wild escapades. The Himalayas is, literally, the heights of trekking. And trekking in the Himalayan ranges is not only exciting, but also truly a humbling experience. A number of trails dot the landscape stretching from the Nanga Parbat in the west to the borders of Sikkim and Bhutan in the east. Each of the trails in this vast topography will leave you asking for more and can be anything from easy to strenuous trekking. For a unique trip, you can visit the Valley of Flowers, which like a drug will calm and relax you.

A jeep safari on the rugged roads of the Himalayas is the usual fare. But, for a different experience traverse the rugged terrain of the Himalayas on a motorbike or a mountain bike for a challenging holiday. If you are still aching for more, go for a roller coaster ride on the roaring Ganges, or ski down the dizzying heights of Auli to whet your wild spirit.

India is a melting pot of different landscapes. She is forever ready to tease, challenge and take us to great heights, if only we seek her earnestly. Go beyond the tip of the iceberg and discover her in entirety. So, let go of yourself and map your adventure.

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in November, 2010. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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—About our writer: Wife, mom, writer, volunteer, an amateur artist and a foodie: these are the different faces of Lallitha. Before family life called her, she has donned on different roles of a reporter, writer, and sub-editor. She has been freelancing for magazines, newspaper, and the Internet for a long time now. She loves to write feature articles on people, travel, food, spiritualism and many more.

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