Himachal Pradesh Adventure

Rivers, mountains, lakes, thick forest, snow capped mountain peaks, green alpine meadows and cold deserts of the Trans Himalaya, all form a part of Himachal landscape. The possibilities for a wide range of adventure activities is also very large. There are day-hikes, and some trekking routes that last couple of days or even extend over few weeks. These vary from gentle walks over easy terrain, to high expeditions. There is skiing, heli-skiing and ice-skating, paragliding, camping, mountain-cycling, fishing, golf, safari by car, jeep or on motorcycle, mountaineering and rock climbing. No special training is required for most things, age is no consideration and all you need is reasonable level of fitness. Equipment, training and instructors are available. Sedentary or strenuous, for the experts or beginners, Himachal has a niche of adventure for everyone.

Adventure Sports in Himachal Pradesh

managed by the army and there is another at the exquisite glade of Khajjiar, 22 km from Dalhousie. Putting greens are available at several resorts and hotels. Golf courses are also coming up in other places in the state.

Trekking
The main trekking areas in Himachal are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, over the passes between the Shimla region and the Kullu valley, in the Kullu region and Trans-Himalyan regions of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti. Most trekking areas are between 1500 metres and 6000 metres. With about 270 trails, the variation in terrain is also there. Low scrub-land and paths through paddy fields, give way to trails strewn with pine forests, forest of deodars and spruce, oak and flowering rhododendron. On most trails, small pastoral hamlets dot the way. Some of the passes were once known only to migrant shepherds and traders. A host of combinations and variations take the trails through changing countryside. The duration of the treks can also be changed to suit your requirements. For example, the same trek can be changed from a week to two or, the two ends of a trek can be the same, but the trails can be heavy or gentle. There are several agencies that conduct treks. Guides, equipment, porters, pack animals and maps are available at major starting points. The old Forest 'dak bungalows' that are strategically placed along many trek routes, add a considerable measure of nostalgic charm and convenience for trekkers. Most of these are marked out on trekking maps and advance booking is possible. Training facilities, with basic and intermediate courses are available at Manali's Mountaineering Institute and at its Regional centres at Dharamsala and Bharmour. Excellent camping facilities exists at these points. One should have various equipments during trekking like comfortable walking boots with good grip on ankles, Waterproof warm jacket. Woolen/tennis socks and stockings, personal toiletries and clothes, Sunglasses, Headgear, Rucksack, Water bottle, Swiss army knife, Sleeping bag and foam ground sheet, Gloves, Umbrella, Rope, Medical and first aid equipment.

Heli-Skiing
For high mountain thrills perhaps nothing can surpass the magic of heli-skiing. Under a deep blue sky, you are carried by a helicopter to a snow-draped peak. And after that there is nothing except the sky and the snow. It is a thrilling experience as you rapidly zoom down the slopes. The icy winds slaps your face and the swiftly slithering hiss of skies reminds you that you are racing away on your own steam. The sport is available in the area bound by Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near the resort town of Manali. A major feature is the compactness of heli skiing area. A sortie of ten minutes can carry the skiers to the top of a 14000 feet high slope.

Ice - Skating
The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. The Ice Skating Club has already celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. Ice-skating normally begins in early December and continues till February. Clear skies and low temperatures provide series of uninterrupted sessions. There are two sessions every day, in the morning and in the evening. Membership is available for the season as well as for shorter terms and even for single sessions. Skates are available at the rink. Fancy dress carnivals, 'gymkhanas' ice-hockey and dances enliven every season.

Para-Gliding
Riding the warm thermal currents of the air is perhaps the closest man has ever come to sailing the skies as free as a bird. Almost at will, you dip and wheel high over the hills and valleys. The bald peak of Billing, above the Buddhist monastery of Bir in Kangra, has been the venue for five national and three international hang-gliding rallies since 1984. The site is perfect for para-gliding too. And this sport is a mix of sky-diving and hang-gliding. Para-gliding is a fairly recent sport that is steadily gaining popularity, and is popular at various places in the state. Para-gliding is done at Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur, in the Kullu valley and at Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Rohru in Shimla district. Training programmes and events at various times of the year, are organized in different places.

Angling
An anglers paradise, Himachal has several spots for trout and mahaseer fishing as well as other fishing. Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both Brown and Rainbow Trout are found in Himachal's streams. There are several spots ideal for fishing in the upstreams of Rohru in the Pabbar valley (Shimla). Chirgaon has a trout hatchery and other sites are Seema, Mandil, Sandsu, Tikri and Dhamvari in Shimla. Kinnaur's Baspa river in the Sangla valley also holds trout. Fish also abounds in Uhl river near Barot. Good spots are Luhandi, Puran hatchery, Tikkar and Kamand. The upper reaches of the river Beas in the Kullu valley and its side streams like the Sarvari, Parbati, Sainj, Hurla and Tirthan, especially the areas around Aut, Patlikuhl, Katrain, Raison and Largi are excellent for the sport. The picturesque Kangra valley has several spots that offer mahaseer river carp. The reservoir of the Maharana Pratap sagar right up to the town of Dehradun has good spots. Nadaun along the river Beas has some good beats, besides Chamba Pattan near Garli (accessible from Nadaun or Jwalamukhi), Amtar (2 km from Nadaun), Harsi Pattan (30 km from Tira Sujanpur) and Lambagaon (15 km from Tira Sujanpur). On the river Giri, Gaura (30 km from Solan on the Rajgarh road) and Dadahu (5 km from Renuka lake) and the river Yamuna, downstream of Paonta Sahib (Sirmour) are good spots for mahaseer. The waters of the Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur also have a variety of fish. Fishing fee are nominal. The trout fishing season is from 31 March to 31 October. Generally best months for mahaseer fishing are January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December.

rafting or white-water rafting is very popular in Himachal. The river rafting is also held on the Sutlej near Shimla, on the Beas near Kullu, the Ravi near Chamba and Chandra in Lahaul. Possibilities are also being explored on the river Spiti. This sport takes a break during winter and during the monsons.

Mountain Cycling
Gear yourself for high adventure with an expedition on cycles. You can pedal your way past high passes or simply make a day-adventure. The tour can be coupled with camping and can be carried on for several weeks over diverse terrain. The lower regions of the State - Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur offer gentle routes. Or you can stretch your mind, muscle and stamina to reach out to the Trans Himalayan tract of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur. Milder but no less interesting excursions can be done out at any holiday station. For the higher regions the summer and autumn months are suggested.

Vehicle Safaris
By jeep, car or on motorcycle you can explore the Himachal. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tract steadily unfold their natural and man made wonders. Along one of the world's highest highways, you can drive out of Manali, cross the Rohtang Pass (3980 m) and move through Lahaul, Spiti and over the Kunzum pass (4551 m), enter Lahaul. Himachal has an extensive network of roads and treks. By car, driving over the more demanding routes may not be possible, but in no way does this curtail the range of experience. And motorcycles may impose some limitations, but are again a wonderful way of sharing the wonders of Himachal.

Mountaineering and Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is the basic stage for mountain climbing. It can also be treated as an independent sport, since it is basically climbing a rock face, using only hands and feet with a safety rope. The area around Manali, presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba, the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of river Beas and Deo Tibba in Kullu area are suggested for beginners with some experience. The Chandra Bhaga ranges, the Pir Panjal and Dhalaudhar ranges are existing. The State also has several other areas where Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali and its branch at Dharamsala (Kangra) offer this activity. Courses are also available with the Indian Mountaineering Institute.

Other Activities
Himachal also hosts a Winter Festival and Snow Carnival. Tobogganing is possible in winter. Various water sports competitions are also hosted. Especially during the monsoons at Naldera, several golf tournaments are held. Angling and para-gliding competitions are also hosted in the state.

Camping
Camping is perhaps the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature given to Himachal and sharing the warmth of its people. You can carry your own gear along or opt for any one of the several camps that are pitched in various parts of the State. These camps offer accommodation, catering and variety of activities like hiking, fishing, nature-tours and rafting. Most of these offer quality facilities and services. These camps are held at Sarchu in Lahaul besides built accommodation, and tents are available at Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur and Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti district. The Youth Hostel association of India, runs camps at Dalhousie and at Kullu-Manali. Some other camps are available at Barog in Solan district, Baspa (Sangla) valley and Kalpa in Kinnaur, Tabo in Spiti, and Dharamsala, at Shoja near Kullu and Mashobra and Baldian near Shimla. Adventure camps are likely to be available soon in the Pabbar valley in the Jubbal - Hatkoti - Rohru area in Shimla district. Boparais organisation is running a camping site at Barog in district Solan. It is situated on Chandigarh - Shimla highway.