Trekking in Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal is covered with under forest and comprises mainly of hilly terrain, all the three Himalayan ranges. It is also famous for its lakes, mountains, forests, national parks, and sanctuaries.

Uttaranchal has craggy terrains that are untouched and far away from the daily hustling and bustling life. Uttaranchal is a trekker's paradise, with so much of raw, natural wilderness. That's where the trekkers step in.

Trekking is mainly done in Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya region of Uttranchal.

The merriment of Trekking in this place lies in covering the land on foot, being as close

as possible to what the land offers, to move at your pace observing closely.

Trekking in the different valleys of pure wilderness , harboring different cultures offer a chance to have a close encounter with out standing views of greater Himalayan range, alpine meadows, rare high altitude flora and fauna, the lifestyle of the mountain people.

So many trekkers actually trek along the routes; they do not lost on any of their natural beauties. The reason is that there are many trek routes; each of the main trek routes is accompanied by several smaller ones!

Every trek is unique in its own way. The snow capped peaks, steep climbs, streams and lakes, all these in the trek route only make it more fascinating.

The stakes are somewhat high, which add thrill and adventure to the trekking. While trekking further, you will see the astonishing view of great Himalayas, which will provide you unique opportunity of meeting the Himalayan tribes, the mountain folk and knowing their lives.

Another place for trekking is Nainital, one of the most famous hill resorts in Kumaon. Its main treks start from Nainital (1938 m) is to Snow View (2270 m) and Naukuchiya Tal(1800 m), Uttarkashi (1158m) is one of the most beautiful places in Uttaranchal filled with panoramic views of Himalayas. Other treks also reach to Yamontri and Kedarnath and other places in the hills. Treks in Mussorie are the most popular treks for people who undertake trekking for fun.

Uttaranchal is that kind of destination where you would enjoy thrilling treks if you decide to under take them! The land holds loads of excitement and Adventure for trek-lovers.

Kanha National Park

Kanha National park is located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh and it extends over an area of over 1,940-sq-kms. The major feature of this region's interesting topography is the horseshoe shape valley and the whole park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal.

There is much folklore about how it got Kanha name. Some say it came from Kanha, the clay like soil of the river bottoms.

A series of stringent conservation programs for the protection of the park’s flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best administered national parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wild life lovers a true haven for its animal and avian population.

The ideal time to visit Kanha National Park would be the period between February and June. Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering stre

ams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor. This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book.

This national park has 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are tiger, Indian wild dogs, the stripped Palm Squirrel, Common langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotless deer, Barasingha or Swamp deer, Sambar and black Buck.

Kanha land of the tiger offers amazing diversity. Tigers rule supreme in Kanha National Park. The tigers are easily spotted due to excellent conservation efforts.

Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, striped
hyena, Jungle cut, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine.

You will have enough accommodation options in Kanha. The scene is getting better every passing day. There are a number of star category hotels catering to the needs of tourists coming to explore Kanha and the places around.

Kanha is said to be among the few most scenic and beautiful Wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey. Kanha wildlife preserve holds in its womb myriads of amazing life forms for you to experience...!

Trekking Adventure in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh is craggy with the altitude ranging from 350 meters to 7000 meters above sea level. The entire region is marked by four mountain ranges like The Himalayas and Zanskar, Dhaula Dhar, Pir Panjal.

It is said that, Himachal Pradesh is divided into three distinct regions, the Shivalik or outer Himalayas, middle Himalayas or inner Himalayas, and greater Himalayas or the alpine zone.

All the regions have a rich cultural heritage that reflec

ts in the life styles of the local villagers. Himachal has the most diverse trekking routes in the Indian Mountains.

While trekking, you would observe some of the more famous places like

the Mani Mahesh, Pin Parbati, Kinnar Kailash etc. it is the path less often traveled

, will offer you the enthusiast an amazing range of options.

Here trekking appears to be a delightful experience when you see a wide array of the landscape into Lahul Spiti.

The valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Manali, Kangra and Chamba are the most exciting in the region for trekkers and mountaineers. Lahaul and Spiti dwell in the north-western region of the state and comprise of a vast mountain area, much of which is above the tree line and represents a high altitude desert landscape.

The rest of Himachal is dominated by Hindu; the person of Lahaul and Spiti are mainly Buddhists, and has a number of interesting monasteries, which dot the area. Spiti separates from Lahaul by a hig

h mountain rib running north from the main Himalayan range. Lahaul has a central mass of high mountains and glaciers with peaks rising above 5,000 meters.

Most of the treks into the Lahaul and Spiti valleys are originated from Manali. While trekking, you will explore two valleys unite in the Kunzam pass at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Other popular trek is from Kullu Valley to Lahaul, exhibits a magnificent contrast in views and offers the trekkers a chance to eyeshot the glaciated lake at Chandratal and the mountain peaks of Deo Tibba (6,001 m) and Indrasan (6,221 m).

You can almost choose the sketches that you want to capture and then embark on your journey, but some things are best left unsaid, for discovering them yourself adds to the pleasure infinitely!

Trekking Adventure in Ladakh

Ladakh, the Himalayan city is located in Jammu and Kashmir at an altitude ranging between 1500 ft to 25000 ft. The snow laden peaks, valleys, lakes, springs and Buddhist monasteries are part of the Ladakhi culture. Snow covered mountains and thousands of miles of barren land make up this beautiful city. Ladakh’s challenging territories and diverse climate makes it trekkers favorite. The virulent conditions of the Ladakh plains which enhance the beauty of the place are inviting for anyone who is looking for that perfect adventure holiday.

Ladakh is bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram. Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet (2750m) at Kargil to 25,170 feet (7,672m) at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Summer temperatures rarely exceed

about 27 degree while winters are freezing at -20 degree celsius. Surprisingly, the sun shines throughout the year and due to such varied climatic conditions Ladakh becomes the only place where one can suffer a sunstroke and frostbite at the same time.

Ladakh has a long list of must visit places. For trekkers there is no dearth of challenges. Infact, Ladakh is a heavenly abode for adventure seekers. Acclimatization is the most important activity before heading for trekking and mountaineering. Ladakh has popular trekking destinations like Spituk to Markha Valley, Laayury gompa to Chilling and Likir to Temisgam. Rafting down the Zanskar is another exciting adventure one would like to indulge in. If trekking on a frozen river sounds thrilling then Zanskar river trek in the winter will not disappoint you.

There are many ways to get around in Ladakh. Apart from trekking on foot, you can also go for jeep safaris, mountain biking through the rugged terrains by bus or even cars. The roads in this region are in very bad condition but have been somehow made accessible to vehicular traffic. Bad roads necessitate greater preparedness from the trekkers. You should go with a seasoned guide as his familiarity with the region will be an advantage. There are many inline routes which needs government permission to enter.

The more you explore Ladakh the more there is to explore. This little corner of India puts the rest of the country as simply ‘Down’. See if you don't start doing the same thing yourself.

Himalaya peak expeditions

For people who love adventure, scaling the Himalayas is the ultimate challenge.

Thousands of trekkers come every year to turn to reality their long-cherished dream of looking down at the world from atop its lofty peaks.

There are several trekking options in the Himalayan ranges. The options for Himalayan expeditions in the Uttaranchal are Garhwal and Kumaon regions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Kedarnath, Gangotri, Bhagirathi and Nanda Devi are the various well known trekking options.

In the eastern part of India, the states of Sikkim and West Bengal offer mountaineering and trekking expeditions in Himalayas. One of the most commonly undertake

n treks in eastern India is the one through high altitude areas across the Singalila range in Darjeeling. The trek begins at Maneybhanjang (2134 m), goes via Meghma (2900 m), Toughu (3070 m), Gairibas (2621 m), Sandakphu (3636 m), and Phalut (3600m). The return trek to Darjeeling is through Ramman, Rimbick and Bijanbari.

There is another interesting high altitude trek in the Kalimpong region from Relli, Pankhasari, and Neora to the highest peak in the areas, Rochella (3,400 m). It is followed by a steady descent to Tangta, Jhalang along the foothills to Samsing. On the way down, the exotic varieties of Himalayan flora, bird, and wildlife charm the trekkers all throughout. Nepal is another Himalayan destination which caters to a huge array of Adventure Sports. The more you explore, the more there is to explore.

Pre trek preparations are the most crucial which decide the success of the en

tire trip. Pre journey medical examinations are essential if you decide to undertake Himalayan expeditions. You also need to make sure that you have sufficient trekking equipments, arrangements for insurance cover and wireless communication sets. Also it is essential to carry proper warm clothing, trekking boots and other necessary amenities for the entire expedition.

The best time to visits these places are during the months of September to December and March to April, the major treks here include Annapurna Region, Everest Region, Langtang & Helambu Trek, Kanchenjunga Trek, Dolpo Trek, Nepal Mustang Trek, Manaslu Trek, Makalu Trek, Rara Jumla Trek and Dhaulagiri Trek.

Eco tourism and adventure

Eco tourism means traveling responsibly to the natural areas that preserve the environment conserve the endangered species as well as sustain the well being of the local people. Eco tourism is a viable economic alternative to exploitation of the environment.

The issue of global warming has risen higher in the recent few years. The sequential rise in temperatures has deviated regular adventurers towards eco-tourism. It is the best option for the people who love nature and its beauty. India is very well known among nature lovers and tourists from all over the world. Being famous for its enriched culture, beauty and heritage, it is getting well equipped with a number of Botanical and Zoological Gardens that are meant to preserve the nature and environment.

Eco Tourism's is essential for preventing the environment around us and preserving its resources. Apart from providing a pleasant visit to tourists who like a change from the hasty city life and want to enjoy some greenery, it also safeguards the environment from getting ruined.

Eco tourism is a novel section adjunct to the Indian Tourism plan. It is an ideal form of tourism that encourages you to go back to the rawest nature and learn to value the importance of it.

Below are a few eco-tourism destinations:

Rishikesh - This is among the best place for river rafting as the Ganga is bounded by the

green Himalayas from both the sides.

Rishikesh is a popular center of learning yoga and here we have many of the ayurvedic pharmacies.

Kerala - Kerala is the first planned ecotourism destination in India create

d to cater to the Eco-tourist and nature lovers. Here Ayurveda found a revolution from an ethnic cure to a luxurious indulgence. Kerala is one of the greenest destinations in India.

Ladakh : Trekking in this place can be carried out in a more responsible m

anner. You can make as little waste as possible. You can also make it a point to clear after up after you have left your camping places.

Adventure when combined with Eco tourism adds a sense of responsibility to the entire holidaying experience. Conserving the mother nature being amidst it should be our prior responsibility.

Tons Valley Rafting

The Tons valley is a remote area and has a culture unlike any other in the region. The villagers in the Tons valley are believed to be descendents of the Pandavas and Kauravas from the epic Mahabharata. It also has some uncommon traditions such as that of polygamy.
Ever thought you would raft in white water set in some incredible high scenery? Tons river River Rafting is what you are looking for. A next level water rafting experience awaits as we run several rapids ranging from Class III to Class IV+/V, with whitewater sections separated by maybe a hundred yards or less of flat water.

The rafting begins from Gyunhatti and stretches 90 km up to Ichhari. The consistency of white water in this long patch makes it one of the best white water rafting experiences in the world today. Tons river is divided in "Upper", "Middle" and "Lower" sections. Since the "Upper Tons" section is not fit for rafting, people start their rafting expeditions from the Middle sections. On the Middle Tons between Lunagad and Tiuni, the river drops at an average rate of 32 feet per kilometer. This includes a drop of 78 feet/kilometer over the last three and a half kilometers before Tiuni. You don't need to imagine the mind boggling high that you would get while doing those lows amidst beautiful mountains and breathtaking sceneries.
As we go lower than Tiuni, we encounter a series of Class III+ rapids, follo

wed by Afterglow, Channel Rapid, Pillow talk, Thrice Bitten, Deadly Dedsu before we reach the bridge at Atal. There are several Class 3 rapids on the way after which we flow into a gorge where we tackle the Lone Ranger, Three Musketeers, and the Roaring Bagni.
Sliding lower, the land assumes a gentler and more tropical rhythm from the alpine valley near the base camp. The gorge splits open at the bridge near Minus and the river flows gently for the next 7 km till we reach Major Surprise, the biggest rapid. Major Surprise is followed by a series of big rapids before the river flattens out again near the dam at Icchari.

Chadar trek Adventure

Cloudy blue-green waters and black rock are shrouded beneath a thick veneer of ice and snow, known as the “Chadar” (or veil) lie dormant like a downy white blanket.

Chadar Trek is an unusual expedition of walking on ice. Trekking in Zanskar is the best experience for adventure lovers. The conventional name of the trek is "Chadar Trek", called as the frozen sheet.

Do not forget that, for this trek you need to be patient, resourceful, and mentally flexible.

Esoteric nature of Buddhism practiced here, and enabled its some ten thousand inhabitants to preserve and perpetuate their cultural identity.

Zanskar has the differentiation of being the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh, is one of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet. It is the most isolated place and inaccessible for nearly eight months a year due to heavy snowfall resulting in closure of all the entries.

The trek is a hazardous journey with temperatures regularly dipping below minus 30° C.

Also, the state of the ice can change quickly from a solid surface to unsteady flows. The route is

passable only when the river is at its coldest.

The trek will require constant alertness in the gorge when ice melts rapidly or conditions change. In some places, the gorge is only 5m wide and there are only a few emergency escape routes and caves for shelter. The trek follows the river gorge through a spectacular landscape, a photographer’s paradise, offering occasional sighting of wildlife.

This Chadar trek will offer you to get through this isolation and to examine some of the villages along the Zanskar River in the midst of winter and thus catch a glimpse of the lifecycle during this unique time of the year.

Many ancient monastic establishments of Karsha and Zangla promise to heighten your insight into the mysteries of this Shangri-la, a land and culture frozen in time behind the ramparts of the Zanskar Mountains.

Visit the villages like, Chilling and Lingshed, which come on this trek until Hanamur and Pidmo before Pishu and Zangla in Zanskar, all the rest are names of places and caves, which come in route.

Hot Air Ballooning in Rajasthan

Imagine seeing the winds sweeping through endless patches of desert sand. Hot air ballooning in Rajasthan gives a whole new dimension to desert exploration. The undulating sand dunes of Thar are ideal for hot air ballooning lovers. The sprawling sand dunes mesmerize the onlookers with their golden shades.

There is a series of beautiful scenes that one can view from a hot air balloon. It can be the wild animals at Ranthambore or a bird's eye view of the Pushkar Camel Fair! Flights operate from the Pink City of Jaipur, the holy town of Pushkar, and Ranthambore National Park.

While hot air ballooning there are a few tips to be kept in mind. In Rajasthan the sun is usually intense. Riders are advised to equip themselves with riding gears - the famous Jodhpuri

breeches, hat, trekking boots and full sleeve shirts with comfortable long pants. Sunscreen is most essential as the skin is exposed at frequent intervals to hot sun rays.

The best time to visit Rajasthan for hot air ballooning is during spring and fall, which are the best seasons to experience adventure in Rajasthan. Early morning and late afternoon when the sun is not as intense are probably the

best times to go for ballooning.

There's no age barrier to enjoy hot-air ballooning, but you have to be fit, as you may have to walk through paddocks after landing. There are no seats in the basket therefore, standing for the duration of the flight, about on hour is unavoidable.

Adults should accompany children under 12 years. But it’s best not to take children along with you, reason being the comfort and enjoyment of other passengers. The size of the basket is quiet small and young children often get restless when in confined areas. The walls of the baskets are usually four feet high, and small children would have difficulty in seeing over, unless carried by an adult.