If you have been waiting for winter to test your guts, wait no more. If you believe in pushing the envelope, then don’t stop yourself from exploring the adventure through the heart of India. As winter sets in, weather becomes pleasantly comfortable and stable in several parts of North India, conducive for adventure sports. Within a friendly India, you can now visit 'adventure-friendly' cities that have fuelled the growth of adventure sports in India.
The idea of conquering your fears by pushing your limits is proving out to be more addictive than previously perceived. With the temperatures dropping, adventure sports come to the forefront of escapade seeking souls. After all, life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.
Here, we gift you some lesser-known Indian cities suitable for adventure sports and lesser-known adventure sports which will quench your thirst for adventure and provide an outlet for all that adrenaline rush.
Kite Surfing
Kite Surfing is relatively new to India but it is fast gaining popularity. Goa is home to several professional kite surfers who offer training and preparation courses for kite surfing. Kite surfing involves a huge synthetic kite which uses wind energy to create power to pull the surfer. The surfer has full control over the set-up and can steer himself around. Kite surfing in Goa is best experienced between the months of October and March when the weather is extremely pleasant.
Wakeboarding
If you've played enough of 'Subway Surfer' on your smart phone, then wakeboarding will come to you quite easily. Wakeboarding involves riding a wakeboard on the surface of a body of water. It is an amalgamation of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. The thrill of the ride is further enriched if the weather is cool, calm, and caressing. Hence wakeboarding in winters is a popular choice among adventure-enthusiasts. Goa is a hotspot for wakeboarding in India where open beaches and far wide waters provide enough ground for marine adventure sports. The best time to visit would be between the months of October and March.
Horse Polo
Adventure aficionados today are always on the lookout for thrilling opportunities. So jump on the saddle to satiate that feeling!
Horse Polo in Ladakh may sound unnatural but it is an extremely popular choice in the region. The scenic location of Ladakh is fit for various adventure activities like para-gliding, trekking, mountaineering, and biking. However, Horse Polo is the most loved sport of the region. Horse Polo in Ladakh can be best described as a pacy contest with hooves of well-manicured horses clacking under the theatrical scenery of the peaceful abode. The best time to visit is between the months of March and September when sunny afternoons and cool winds act as pre-requisites for fun & adventure.
Camel Polo
Yes you read it right, Camel Polo and not Horse Polo, is another adventure sport which will give you the kicks. Rajasthan is home to some of the most unique adventure sports. Camel Polo grabs the first spot whereas other options like dune bashing & trekking are also available. You can also retire to a sublime desert safari amidst a golden sun set clearly visible in the far wide desert. The best time to plan a trip to Rajasthan is during the winter season when the scorching desert sun steps back allowing a calm & pleasant weather to settle in.
Skydiving
When in Deesa, fly like a bird! A quaint town in Gujarat, Deesa offers a self-indulging, raw experience of thrill and adventure. The idea of a free fall from thousands of feet above is truly frightening as well as invigorating at the same time. You fly like a bird and you land pertly like one. Winters are ideal for skydiving as you can cheat the sun and feel the chills, quite literally so. The temperature is moderate and clear skies & cool winds further enrich the experience.
Ultralight Flying
Ultralight Flying is a fun-filled adventure sport which involves flying in a 1 or 2 seat fixed-wing aircraft. Ultralight flying in India can be experienced in Coorg which is nestled in the Western Ghats, close to God's own country Kerala. It is renowned as the 'Scotland of India' mainly due to its scenic splendor. The region is famous for stirring adventure sports like ultralight flying, quad biking, river rafting, and trekking. The picturesque surroundings and the pleasant weather act as stimulants which supercharge the adventure freak within you. The best time to visit Coorg is between October and March when the beauty of Coorg is enhanced and adventure sports take place widely.
Paragliding
Very few experiences come close to the weightless feeling of being separated from the earth. And what if the surface for take-off was a little sandy? Well, paragliding attains a new definition on the beautiful beach of Tajpur. A small and easy going city, Tajpur is located about 170 km away from Kolkata in West Bengal. Adventure brews on an unspoiled beach dotted with a dense forest cover on its sides. You can choose from various adventure sports like rock climbing, paragliding, and river rafting. Tajpur attracts tons of adventure enthusiasts during winter when the weather is most suited for adventurous undertakings. The cool winds, the clear skies, and the crimson beach (thanks to an army of red crabs shoveling the sand) better the experience altogether.
Bungee Jumping
An adrenaline-fuelled plunge for daredevils and thrill seekers, bungee jumping summons every bit of courage within you. The idea of free-falling from a high platform is perhaps the best way of conquering your fears. India is host to several bungee jumping locations like Rishikesh, Bangalore, Goa, and Lonavla. However, Rishikesh and Lonavala are the more popular ones. The best time to take that 'leap of faith' would be during the winters. Nothing can prepare you for such an extreme sport but a cool and calm weather will surely be helpful in executing the jump.
So pack your gear and set off for the experience of a lifetime. The heat of adventure is just a few miles away. Incredible India becomes adventurous India. Are you in?
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