Are you seeking an escape from the mundane and monotonous life indoors? Do you find solace in adventure? Then prepare to step onto a realm of the high surge of adrenaline. A world filled with an exhilarating rush that can make one’s heart explode. Join me on the quest of exploring the top-drawer adventure activities and sports to do in India. This is where your search ends and your journey begins.
India, a land blessed with innumerable fortune, mesmerizing beauty, engaging sights, and the vastness in the topographic contours of this domain is simply fascinating. From the snowy winters to the scorching summers, the broad range of climate also adds to the wonderment of this country. Bequeathed with the fading summit of mountains, high altitude cliffs, turbulent creeks and rivers, enchanting valleys and the boundless oceans which all offer endless possibilities of escapade. All these attributes make India worthy of the title ‘A haven for adventure seekers.’ There is an abundance of adventure activities in India.
Here is the list of top 20 adventure activities or sport activities to do in India.
1) HELISKIING / HELICOPTER SKIING
Getting off a ski-lift and skiing down a snowy slope with too many people isn’t exciting enough? Want to up the fear factor? Then descending from the unblemished slopes of the most remote incline, reached via a helicopter whilst relishing the sensational view of magnificent mountains will surely do the trick for you. This adventure sport is known as Heliskiing.
Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir and Manali in Himachal are renowned to provide the most exceptional slopes. Heli-skiing is among the most fun and adventurous things to do in India.
2) RIVER RAFTING / KAYAKING / WHITE WATER RAFTING
Hold on tightly for you won’t get any seat belts and get ready for the bumpiest ride of your life. River-rafting is team exercise where you can enjoy drifting through raging whitewater, battling your way against splashing water, while sitting back on your raft and paddling. Doing this will surely teach you about teamwork and adhering to loud instructions.
Take a trip to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand for the best experience of Rafting. This is no doubt one of the best adventure sports to do in India.
3) SCUBA DIVING
Curious about what it’s like to be Aquaman (minus the superpowers)? Then get your scuba gear (also proper training) and let’s dive into the deep reaches of waters and explore the vibrant aquatic life. The experience is like meditating in the quietest place on earth, with the only sound of your heart-beat.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is among the best places to visit in India to enjoy this sport.
4) SKY DIVING
Who knew that the experience of falling can be worn as a badge of Honor? Piercing through the skies, plummeting towards the earth from a height of more than 10000 feet and reaching terminal velocity; unquestionably this is going to be the most exhilarating experience of your life.
To encounter this extreme sport which tops most of the bucket-lists, try Deesa in Gujarat.
5) TREKKING
Probably trekking is the most done activity in this list, since it doesn’t involve as many risks but is a great way to break free from the city life and slip-into the lap of mother nature. Usually done with a group of friends and can prove to be a great retreat.
Numerous trekking sites can be found in the states of Himachal Pradesh (Manali), Uttarakhand (Mussoorie, Rishikesh), Ladakh (Chadar), etc. These are among the most famous places in India to give a shot at this activity.
6) WATERFALL RAPPELLING
Hanging from a rope, the blood pumping through your veins rushes as you descend, the gushing water of the cascade blurs your vision but also invigorates your senses, and when you finally touch down, the explosive release of dopamine will make you feel like a conqueror.
Chelavara Waterfalls and Kondana Caves in Maharashtra are well known for this. Unarguably this is one of the most invigorating adventure activities to do in India.
7) HOT AIR BALLOON
Gradually ascending into the sky, drifting with the floating clouds and having the most spectacular view of the unapproachable horizon can only sound like describing a dream; however, it’s the amazing experience of riding on a Hot-air balloon, which is a fairly novel initiative in India. It surely comes under one of the most soothing activities to do in India.
The best destinations for this are in Maharashtra (Lonavala), Goa, Rajasthan (Jaipur), etc.
8) FLYBOARDING
This is the newest member of the coalition of adventure sports. How do you feel about jets attached to your feet, expelling a high-speed propulsive jet of water allowing you to do a 360° flip in mid-air? For now, this is the closest feeling you can get of flying like Iron-Man. Among the best and most exhillarating water sports in India.
This new-found sport can be enjoyed in Goa.
9) PARASAILING / PARASCENDIND / PARAKITING
Have you ever wondered what it’ll be like to fly like a kite? Well stop wondering and go parasailing! You are attached to the parasail via a harness that is pulled by a boat, that lets you feel the rush of air, brushing against your entire body, while you glide through it.
The ultimate destinations for parasailing are in Goa and Maharashtra. These are the best places to visit in India for this sport.
10) CAVING / SPELUNKING / POTHOLING
If you are afraid of the dark, don’t read ahead. Caving is for those thrill-seekers who have always wondered how it feels to get lost in the mysterious darkness of the murky caves in a buzz of uncovering the unknown.
Graciously India is blessed with an extensive network of caves, among which the caves of Meghalaya appear under the top 10 Caving sites in the world.
11) ZORBING / ORBING /GLOBE RIDING / SPHEREING
Zorbing offers you the real-life experience of how it feels to be in a washing machine. So, if you have a weak stomach, turn away now. First, you are sealed inside an inflated translucent ball. Then you are rolled off the hilly slope. You come tumbling down the hill, swirling inside the ball. And finally, you hatch from the giant orb feeling a bit dizzy. Sounds fun? Well, it is!
Slopes of Manali’s Solang Valley and Lonavala near Mumbai are quite renowned for their distinctive and challenging tracks for zorbing. These are the most famous places in India for Zorbing.
12) ZIPLINING
Does it excite you watching the hero of a movie, escaping impending danger zip-lining himself across a burning building? Well, get ready to escape impending boredom in style across the dangerously beautiful trees sweeping past you. It is as invigorating and exhilarating as it sounds, if not more.
Rishikesh and Mussoorie in Uttarakhand are the places where you can enjoy this sport with some heart-throbbing views. A fun-filled adventure activity to do in India.
13) BUNGEE JUMPING
You are standing at the edge of the pad more than 80 feet above the river. You look down and the chills take over you. Your heart is throbbing with a single thought in mind, “should I jump?” Every muscle in your body screams not to, but the voice of adrenaline is louder that says “just do it”. Your scream of joy resonates with the eco of nature as you fall. Gravity calls you to your doom but at last moment, you are pulled back. This is the excitement of bungee jumping. Undeniably this is among the best things to do in India.
You can enjoy this sport at its prime in Rishikesh as it has the highest jumping spot in India.
14) SNORKELING
If you strongly desire to explore the underwater ecosystem but the depth of oceans scares you, then snorkeling is just the thing for you. Unlike scuba diving, you swim near the surface of the water. You’ll be spellbound by the radiant corals, incredible tectonic plates, and the marvelous marine life, as you sway through the translucent blue water. A soothing experience for the jaded traveler. One of the most vitalizing activities to do in India.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have some of the best spots for snorkeling.
15) HANG GLIDING
It’s time to fulfill your lifelong dream of flying like a bird. Spread out your glider and fly through the endless sky, while having the view of your life. Hang gliding is a sport for those daredevils who desire the freedom of the sky and thrill of gliding through the air. In this, the pilot flies a lightweight unpowered aircraft. You takeoff by launching yourself into the air from a hilltop or a cliff.
Bir in Himachal Pradesh and Ooty in Tamil Nadu has some of the most stunning spots for this sport.
16) SURFING
Are you one of the people who challenge the monster instead of fleeing from it? If yes, then you are fully eligible to try this sport. The sight of monstrous waves big enough to block out the sun might be overwhelming for most. But some daredevils are brave enough to ride this sea-monster. The buzz of surfing over the tide is unparalleled. This is undoubtedly one of the best water sports to try in India.
Kovalam and Varkala beaches in Kerela are some of the most visited beaches for surfing and swimming.
17) ROCK CLIMBING
India is the proud owner of some of the most quintessential topography for rock climbing. This sport is not meant for everyone as it’s physically and mentally demanding. It often tests the climber’s resistance, dexterity, endurance, stability as well as mental strength. It requires an unbelievable amount of tolerance and courage. So, if you are willing to assess all these attributes and try a serious extreme sport, rock climbing is the way to go. A challenging and invigorating thing to do in India.
Shey rock, close to Leh and Parvati Valley is blessed with some of the choicest rocky terrains ideal for rock climbing.
18) MOUNTAIN BIKING
Cycling is good for your health, but mountain biking is good for your health as well as the dormant beast inside you. Brace yourself to tear through the woods and smell the dirt. Don’t make the mistake of comparing this extreme sport with cycling. It won’t end well for you or your cycle. Mountain bikes are specially made for off-road trails, and riding over extremely rough terrain. Gear up for unleashing that jolt of energy in you.
Munnar has some of India’s optimal cycling trails. You can enjoy the incredible view of Bison Valley and Lockhart Gap.
19) GLACIER CLIMBING / GLACIER HIKING
Do you want to test the limits of your will, and at the end of your journey get a real sense of accomplishment? You can achieve all this through Glacier climbing. In addition to this, you truly relish the beauty of the endless expanse of snow, diamond-like crystals of ice and the incredible glaciers. Though it’s not a sport for the amateur. It requires proper training before hiking but all the endeavor is worth it.
Gomukh Glacier which is the genesis of Ganga brings great hiking opportunities for passionate travelers.
20) PARAGLIDING
If heights don’t scare you, then be assured you won’t regret your decision of attempting this. Psych up to feel the embracing wind gradually flowing past you. Get revitalized by the breathtaking view of nature while you slowly descend from the heavenly skies. Brimming with adventure, this sure is among the best adventure sports to try in India.
Bir Billing, a small village in Himachal Pradesh blessed with a lush green forest draped in cloudy fog, is one of the optimal places to try paragliding.
