9 adventure vacations in the Indian Himalayas

Indian Himalayas with their rugged terrains, dramatic landscapes, rocky cliffs, lofty peaks, pristine beauty and a bustling wildlife; prove to be a perfect host to adventure lovers who come here to satisfy their inner zeal of doing something real daring and adventurous. Whether it’s trekking...

Skydiving. Photo: Shutterstock

Skydiving in the Indian Himalayas.

The Indian Himalayas, with their rugged terrain, dramatic landscapes, rocky cliffs, lofty peaks, pristine beauty and extraordinary wildlife, prove to be a perfect locale for adventure lovers. From trekking to mountain biking to river rafting, here's a list of adventure activities for your next trip to the Himalayas.

1. Indulge in some trekking fun

The Indian Himalayan Region is known for its challenging peaks, rugged trails, dense alpine forests, frozen glaciers, and mesmerizing scenic beauty. Hundreds of trekkers from every corner of the world are drawn here each year. For those yearning to satiate their adrenaline kicks, a trek on the magical trails of the Indian Himalayas is a must. Be it the sub-zero temperature of the wild Chadar Trek, a thrilling climb to the enigmatic skeleton lake of Roopkund, the unsurpassed beauty of the Kedarkantha Trek, or the wilderness of the rhododendron forests on the Chopta Chandrashila Trek – each trekking experience in the Indian Himalayas is an eye-opening one.

2. Try your hand at skydiving

For serious adventure junkies, the ultimate thrill of skydiving is hard to beat. The Indian Himalayan region is still very new to this extreme sport. (Let's just say a free-fall from 4,000 feet or more, while rushing toward the spectacular Himalayan landscapes beneath, is something not for the faint-hearted.) Between the static-line jump, tandem jump, or the extreme, accelerated free fall – each skydiving experience takes lots of guts. This adventure sport is sure to get your pulse racing.

3. Go river rafting

The high rapids of the Himalayan rivers provide an unparalleled high indeed. Crashing against rocky banks and breaking into crevices as you swirl across thunderous waters with strong rapids; the fun and ecstasy of river rafting is difficult to describe in words. The racing waters of Ganga, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda in the Garhwal region are true standouts. The icy chill of the Zanskar River in Ladakh and the turbulent waters of River Teesta in Sikkim are also definitely worth mentioning.

Ready to experience the trip of a lifetime in the Himalayas? Our local experts are waiting to plan your private getaway from start to finish. What are you waiting for?

Boating on Ganga river. Photo: Shutterstock Rafting on the Ganga river. Photo: Shutterstock

4. Bungee jump in the lap of the Himalayas

If the thought of diving into the jaw-dropping, deep valleys of the Himalayas sounds appealing, bungee jumping is the adventure sport for you. The Mohan Chatti Village in Rishikesh is one place in the Indian Himalayas where you can live out this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Warning: be prepared for goosebumps and a thrilling adrenaline rush.

5. Encounter rare Himalayan wildlife

The Indian Himalayan Region is known for its rare birds and indigenous flora and fauna. For adventure buffs, nothing beats the excitement of spotting some unique species while marvelling at the captivating views of snow-clad peaks and gushing waterfalls. Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh protects local animals like Himalayan musk deer, snow leopards and the endangered western tragopan. Meanwhile, the alpine beauty of Pin Valley National Park and the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve provide the unique opportunity of getting up close and personal with animals like the red panda and Himalayan griffon vulture.

6. Jump on a mountain bike

Exploring the stunning scenery of the Indian Himalayas on a mountain biking tour is a dream come true for most adventure junkies. From traversing the lush green valleys of Himachal to criss-crossing the untouched natural trails of Kumaon to navigating the deserted mountain roads of Ladakh, the Indian Himalayas offer a wide range of biking experiences.

Biking in Himalaya. Photo: Shutterstock Biking in the Himalayas. Photo: Shutterstock

7. Go paragliding and fly like a free bird

The Indian Himalayas offer astounding landscapes and breathtaking vistas that are absolutely ideal for paragliding. Himachal Pradesh is one of the most-visited destinations for enthusiasts. Bir Billing has even received international fame for its paragliding tours. Solang Valley in Manali, along with Naukuchiya Taal and Bhim Taal near Nainital, represent other popular spots for this epic adventure sport.

8. Go skiing

Skiing is becoming increasingly popular in the Indian Himalayas, probably because of the region's incredible slopes. Be it an unforgettable adventure of heli skiing on the powder-laden slopes of Gulmarg, the thrill of speeding downhill on the glittering slopes of Auli, or the fun of gliding amidst the picturesque valley of Solang - the thrill of skiing is certainly alive and well here.

9. Climb some peaks

The Indian Himalayas are blessed with lofty peaks where avid climbers can put their skills to the test. Among the most popular peaks are Kedarnath and Kedardome, along with the remote Mount Kamet and the rugged landscape of Nun and Kun peaks in the Zanskar valley. Mount Thingchinkhang in Sikkim is also worth mentioning.

The Himalayas: A hiker's paradise. Photo: Shutterstock

Ready to get your adventure on in the Indian Himalayas?

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