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Activities
There are plenty of activities for the adventurous and not-so-adventerous in India. The following list provides an overview of possibilities; for more information see regional chapters.
Camel Safaris
It seems just about everyone in Rajasthan is offering camel safaris these days. An old favourite is the environs of Jaisalmer, in western Rajasthan, where it's possible to take a safari lasting from one day up to a week or more. There are other operators in Pushkar, Shekhawati and Bikaner.
Cycling & Motorcycling
There are few organised tours but it's not difficult or expensive to organise things for yourself. See the Bicycle and Motorcycle sections in Getting Around Chapter.
Diving
There are dive schools in Goa, Lakswadeep and the Andaman Islands (see the Responsible Diving boxed text earlier in this chapter.)
Horse Riding & Polo
Horses are available in many tourist areas, particularly the hill stations and Himalaya. There are few specialist operators in Rajasthan who offer horse safaris. You can get polo lessons at the Dundlod Fort hotel in the tiny village of Dundlod at Shekhawati, Rajasthan.
Kayaking & River Rafting
The Mountaineering Institute & Allied Sports in Manali, Himachal Pradesh can arrange two-week kayaking trips on the Beas River in October and November.
River rafting expeditions are possible on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, on the Ganges and its tributaries in Uttarkhand (northern Uttar Pradesh), on the Indus and Zanskar rivers in Ladakh and Zanskar, and on the Teesta River in the West Bengal hills. Travel agencies in Gangtok (Sikkim) can also organise trips on the Teesta.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering expeditions interested in climbing peaks over 6000m need to obtain clearance from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF; . ( 011-671211, fax 6883412), Benito Juarez Rd, Anand Niketan, New Delhi 110021.
For information on mountaineering expeditions to less lofty heights in Uttar Pradesh, contact the Trekking & Mountaineering Division (( 01364-32648), Garhwal Mandal Vikas nigam (GMVN), Lakshman Jhula Rd, Muni ki Reti, Rishikesh. Trekking and mountaineering equipment can be hired here.
Skiing
India's premier ski resort is at Auli, near Joshimath in northern Uttar
Pradesh. UP tourism offers very competitive ski packages, which include ski hire, tows, lessons and accommodation. The Auli ski season extends from the beginning of January to the end of March.
There are also less developed resorts in Himachal Pradesh, at Solang Nullah, north of Manali, and near Shimla, at Kurfi and Narkanda.
Trekking
With some of the highest mountains in the world, it's hardly surprising that India has some spectacular trekking regions, although the trekking industry is not as developed as it is in Nepal. The main area s are Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, northern Uttar Pradesh, the Darjeeling area (West Bengal) and Sikkim.
Wildlife Safaris
Elephant-back safaris are available at the larger wildlife sanctuaries and are highly recommended. They are usually very good value and the best way to get close to other animals.
Warning
While India has some world-class adventure activities on offer - and there
are plenty of good, reputable and trustworthy operators around -
it's worth nothing that the level of experience and equipment available is not always up to scratch! When undertaking potentially dangerous sports and activities in India, whether it be paragliding in Himachal Pradesh or diving in Lakswadeep, you should always exercise good judgement (much the same as you would at home) and carefully scrutinise operators before committing yourself to their operation.
Always check safety equipment before you set out and make sure it is included in the price quoted. If you're not comfortable with the operator's standards inform them; if they refuse to replace equipment or improve their standards refuse to use them and file a report with the local tourism authorities.
Once you have found an operator you are satisfied with, ensure you have adequate insurance should something go wrong, many travel insurance policies won't cover dangerous
activities, including trekking!
The same common sense rules apply when swimming, Indian beaches can have dangerous rips and currents and many people drown on them each year. Some of the more popular beach destinations may have lifeguards or signs warning of dangers but many do not. Exercise caution and always check locally before swimming anywhere in the sea.
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