Aamby Valley is a beautiful township about 24 kilometres from Lonavala, in the district of Pune in Maharashtra, India. It has been developed by Sahara India Parivar. The 10,000-acre hilly terrain that the township now occupies has been converted into a splendid landscape through designs that are best suited for the environment and have an urban infrastructure compatible with international standards. The township is frequented for a day-long picnic or a weekend getaway by many. The luxurious urban infrastructure, the tranquil ambience and exclusive privileges at this exotic location attract tourists from all over the world for various activities including skydiving!
Known For : Paragliding in Bir Billing Chokling Monastery Gunehar Waterfall
Bir-Billing is considered as one of the top three paragliding sites in the world. Known as the Paragliding capital of India, Bir attracts adventure-seekers from throughout the country and the world. Hence, some of the best time that you might spend here might be with your feet in the air. As exciting and thrilling as it is, the activity of paragliding is set amid the lush green meadows with starting point at Billing (2400 m) and landing takes place in the fields at Western Edge of Tibetan Colony in Chowgan (Bir, towards 14 km south). While the experienced get to do a solo show, a novice gets an adventure full ride in a two-seater glider with a skilled instructor. Bir-Billing is undoubtedly one of the most adventurous places in India.
Best Time: March - May; September - November
Known For : Triveni Ghat Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga River, Rishikesh (also called as Hrishikesh) is known for its adventure activities, ancient temples, popular cafes and as the "Yoga Capital of the World". Rishikesh is a brilliant spot for white water rafting. Other adventure activities include mountain biking, canyoning and even bungee jumping.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Solang Valley Hadimba Devi Temple Manali Mall Road
Manali is the hub of adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh. From white river rafting to trekking opportunities to zorbing to horse-riding to skiing to paragliding, Manali has everything to offer. Paragliding in Manali is a memorable experience. Starting with a basic training course, the operators are well organized, competent and trustworthy. The surrounding valley is breathtaking and the view you will get during your flying session of 5-45 minutes, depending upon the package you opt for, is simply beautiful. Manali is regularly featured as one of the most adventurous places in India.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Kaas Plateau Table Land Mahabaleshwar
Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a popular hill station near Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani makes a great destination for paragliding because of its scenic view. Various reliable paragliding clubs are there in the city. You could go on a joyride or take courses across levels, starting from elementary to advanced level.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Diveagar Beach Harihareshwar Beach Bagmandala
Gleaming white sand, pristine blue water, swaying coconut palms and betel nut trees and gentle breeze producing a serene and calming effect, this is not a dream but the enchanting place called Diveagar. Jeep-towed parasailing is a major attraction in the small beach town of Diveagar. It is affordable and interesting, making for a great adventurous place in India.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Skiing in Auli Trishul Peak Auli Ropeway
Dotted with the apple orchards, old oaks and pine trees there is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-draped mountains. Auli is a popular hill resort in the Himalayan range dating back to 8th Century AD.
Best Time: December - February
Known For : Mussoorie Mall Road Lal Tibba Kempty Falls
A quiet and lovely hill station from the outside, there is a different side to Mussoorie which will set your heart racing at a 100 miles an hour. Head on over to the 'Snow Adventure Zone' to experience the famous skywalk and other thrills such as zip-lining and zip swinging. If you seek more rugged adventurous activities, then you can opt for rock climbing, rappelling, caving or river rafting. Last but definitely not the least, taste some free flight over the picturesque views surrounding Mussoorie by indulging in some paragliding.
Best Time: September to June
Known For : Khajjiar lake Homestay Experience in Khajjiar Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Visitors can enjoy activities like horse-riding, Paragliding and Zorbing here. Zorbing is a more upcoming sport in the area the huge meadows and valleys here provide an ideal place for the sport. However, one can enjoy zorbing here, only during the summer months. Also while horse rides may cost a little less, zorbing costs around INR 200-300.
Best Time: Throughout the year
The Chadar Trek or The Frozen River Expedition is one of the most unique and challenging treks in India. The 6-day chadar trek across the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh takes place during the latter part of January till the end of February or sometimes even in the first week of March, depending on the weather.
Known For : Paragliding Shinde Wadi hills Pawna Lake
Kamshet is a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghats, renowned for paragliding and flying schools. With much-experienced gliding schools and trainers, Kamshet is that hub for parasailing and paragliding where you can safely indulge in the sport and make it one of the most redefining experiences of your life. Get your adrenaline pumping at this adventurous place in India.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Gulmarg Gondola Alpather Lake Apharwat Peak
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination located in Pir Panjal Range of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. During blizzards, beautifully characterised open spaces in the forest terrain can be skied.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Key Monastery Chandratal Lake Pin Valley National Park
Long winding roads and picturesque valleys presenting glimpses of cold deserts and snow-crowned mountains, with intermittent greenery and picture-perfect villages welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. Bordered on all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, and gets around 250 days of sunshine in the year, making it one of the coldest places in the country. Scantily populated, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise, with the famed Spiti trek attracting thousands of adventure enthusiasts every year. There are many trekking trails in Spiti that tourists can choose from making it one of the most adventurous places in India.
Best Time: Mid May to Mid Oct
Known For : Paragliding Wilderness Adventure Camps(WAC) Naag Mandir
One of the lesser known hill stations in Jammu-Kashmir region, Sanasar is an adventure enthusiasts' haven offering various activities such as paragliding, rock climbing, abseiling and trekking. This is perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds and get their adrenaline pumping.
Best Time: April to June
Rajasthan, popularly known to many as the Land of the Kings, is a beautiful example of India’s age-old opulence and grandeur, traces of which still linger in the air of this state. However, this is not all that Rajasthan has to offer. The hot air ballooning is gaining popularity in Rajasthan which offers a great bird's eye view. Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are three such destinations.
Known For : Vantawng Falls Chhingpuii Thlan Thenzawl
Most famous for being the district with the highest literacy rate in India, Serchhip in Mizoram is a place that can provide you a unique and vibrant experience. During peak seasons, you can also get a chance to enjoy Paragliding here in Serchhip. Do ensure that the local vendor is following all security practices
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Punganur Lake Nature Park Jalagamparai Falls
Yelagiri adventure camp has recently been started by the Tamil Nadu government in order to promote adventure activities at the hill station. The endeavour to make Yelagiri an attractive tourist spot include, mountain climbing, trekking, hiking and even paragliding. The security and safety measures are state-of-the-art and adventure sports at Yelagiri are gaining huge recognition making it a top adventurous place in India.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Nathatop Skiing in Patnitop Naag Mandir
With endless meadows and panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, Patnitop is a perfect place to experience nature at its picturesque best and widest. Winter months in Patnitop are marked by a number of skiing courses and setups coming up in the area. Given the modest and gentle slopes in Patnitop, it tends to be an ideal destination for skiing for people with no prior experience. Madha Top (5-6 kms from Patnitop on the Sanasar Road) has good possibilities for all levels of skiing.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Varkala Cliff Sivagiri Mutt Water Sports in Varkala
Varkala is a beautiful coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram district. It is the only place in Kerala where the hills come close to the sea. The uniqueness of the place is the merging of cliffs with the Arabian Sea. Varkala Beach is a popular beach where you can enjoy various water sports activities such as parasailing, paragliding and surfing. Several water sports operators are to be found along the beaches, and travellers can easily do a lot of water activities with good fun.
Best Time: October to February
Known For : The Borra Hills and Caves Araku Tribal Museum Musi River
Set amid the Eastern Ghats, Ananthagiri is a beautiful retreat where majestic hills in the backdrop flirt with clouds all the time. Given its terrain and sceneries, Ananthagiri is known for its trekking trails. With rivers cutting through its forest and a wide number of options available for adventure seekers, one can also enjoy camping in Ananthagiri.
Best Time: October to March
Which of these adventure sports places in India set your adrenaline racing?