India's vast landscapes bring travellers closer to nature
BY NIRAALEE SHAH
India’s diverse and stunning landscapes offer an unmatched array of adventure travel experiences, from trekking in the Himalayas to exploring vibrant wildlife sanctuaries and indulging in snow sports. These adventures allow you to connect with nature and engage in transformative journeys that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Whether it’s scaling high peaks, cycling through rugged terrains, or diving into the depths of the Andaman Sea, every adventure provides a unique thrill and a deeper appreciation for India’s natural wonders, as you plan your next adventure.
Here we check out exciting experiences for adventure enthusiasts to explore.
COUNTRYSIDE ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS
Countryside Adventure, a 30-year young adventure travel company with a deep and abiding love for the outdoors, offers a diverse range of activities, including treks and walks, road trips, rail trips, and cycling adventures.
The bespoke adventure company curates personalised itineraries that seamlessly blend exploration with comfort. Travel Design can guide you to the best accommodations tailored to your chosen activity, from rugged campsites to luxurious eco-resorts, ensuring every detail complements your adventure, creating unforgettable experiences in the heart of India’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Road trips: A perfect blend of thrill and tranquility, each road trip is meticulously designed to immerse travellers in the charm of nature, cultural richness, and local experiences, from winding mountain paths to coastal highways and rustic villages.
Cycling: A journey on two wheels? Now that sounds like an adventure, from an adrenaline pumping experience cycling along the high mountain passes in Ladakh and Spiti Valley in Himachal to a leisurely cycling trip through the countryside, along with experiencing local culture and cuisines.
Treks and walks: Countryside Adventure Holidays specialises in curating unforgettable treks and scenic walks across India’s diverse landscapes, from the serene hills of the north to the vibrant trails of the south. Each journey is designed to offer a unique blend of adventure, nature, and local culture, making it an ideal choice for passionate explorers.
Website: https://countrysideindia.com/
PUGDUNDEE SAFARIS
Pugdundee Safaris stands out as one of India’s premier companies for adventure and safari travel, offering immersive wildlife experiences that blend thrilling exploration with responsible tourism. Over a decade of expertise, the company has established a reputation for curating eco-friendly safaris, luxurious jungle lodges, and personalised itineraries across India’s most captivating national parks.
Pugdundee Safaris Wildlife Lodges offer eco-friendly, luxurious accommodations nestled in India’s most iconic national parks. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, these lodges combine sustainable living with unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Walking and mobile safari: This is a five nights, six days safari experience for an offbeat adventure. Tailor-made to start at your desired date of travel, these safaris offers high adventure, opportunity to view animals of the Indian jungle, drive through rugged hills, beautiful streams and rivers, tribal villages, ancient temples and forts and home to the Indian tiger.
Cycling at Pench-Kanha Corridor: This is a six nights, seven days jungle safari experience for offbeat adventure with a responsible tourism approach. Apart from the wildlife, the tour provides distinctive opportunity to experience rural life in India and meet local people who live in harmony with wildlife.
Photographer’s special: Pugdundee Safaris Photography Special offers an exceptional experience tailored for photographers. From beginners to professionals, with a dedicated team of seasoned naturalists and wildlife experts, Pugdundee crafts bespoke photography tours that focus on capturing the beauty of India’s diverse wildlife.
Website: https://www.pugdundeesafaris.com/
GULMARG SKI RESORT
Gulmarg Ski Resort is run by a group of 30-plus individuals, highly experienced in skiing and mountaineering activities to guide you throughout.
The team has been working in the winter industry in Gulmarg for more than two decades now. They have assisted more than 400 clients in skiing and snowboarding and organised about 50 trekking expeditions so far.
At Gulmarg Ski Resort the range of activities to choose from is highly diversified and customisable which is why its clients return every year for personalised services. It offers a wide range of accommodation options from luxury five-star hotels and resorts, to premium hotels and budget accommodations. All combined, the resort has more than 50-plus options to choose from for groups of all sizes and budget performances. They make up for the largest ski resort in India.
The resort offers a wide range of activities which are both traditional and scenic. In each activity, travellers can find a way to make their ideal holiday in the mountains perfect.
Skiing: Gulmarg is also rated as Asia’s fifth best ski destination. It also offers a wide variety of slopes to ski for beginners, intermediate and expert level skiers. If you are a beginner or an intermediate-level skier, a trip of seven days is recommended. However, for an expert skier who is keen on exploring higher peaks, a week-long trip would be more than sufficient.
Snowboarding: Gulmarg has it all from the steep alpine runs, pillow lines to craggy couloir feature, catering to expert snowboarders; and mild open powder bowls for intermediate and advanced riders. If you are a beginner or an intermediate-level snowboarder, a trip of seven days should be enough. However, for an expert snowboarder who is keen on exploring higher peaks, a week-long trip would be more than sufficient.
Ice-skating: Gulmarg offers travellers over 80km of groomed trails. However, commercially, the trails are limited to certain areas. The best time for ice skating in Gulmarg is during winter during the months of January and February.
Snow biking: Gulmarg offers travellers over 80km of groomed trails. However, commercially the trails are limited to certain areas. Snowmobiles offer an adventurous escape into the heart of Gulmarg, with miles of perfectly groomed trails and endless powder-filled bowls to explore and experience the terrain of Gulmarg.
Trekking: Gulmarg is the perfect base for trekking in the Himalayas. Lying within the boundaries of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg offers breath-taking views of Nanga Parbat to the north and Khilanmarg to the west.
Camping: Camping in Gulmarg requires a minimum of two to four days to spare and promises a close encounter with nature just outside your tents. Gulmarg campsites are family-friendly and, once settled, travellers have nothing but beautiful scenery, fresh air, and lots of bonding time.
Cycling: Biking in the hills is always an adrenaline-rich experience and bicycling in Gulmarg provides the most picturesque rides ever. Hotspots for cycling in and around Gulmarg cover a distance of 9km.
Horse riding: Horseback riding is only offered during summer seasons in Gulmarg between the months of May to October when the snow subsides.
Website: https://gulmargskiresort.com/#
DIVEIndia
DIVEIndia is a premier dive centre, proudly affiliated with Scuba Schools International (SSI), one of the largest and most respected certifying agencies in the diving world in India. They specialise in world-class scuba diving and water sports, providing a unique opportunity for both beginners and experienced divers to immerse themselves in the vibrant marine life of the region, with expert instructors, state-of-the-art equipment, and a commitment to safety and environmental conservation.
Website: https://diveindia.com/
VAAYU KULA
Vaayu Kula is the perfect getaway for adventure travellers seeking a blend of excitement and tranquillity. Goa was not a destination for surfers – they started one of the first surf schools and it’s a great place to learn the language of the waves, it goes beyond classical surfing, there’s stand-up paddle boarding (and the winds here are great for kite-surfing).
Surfing: This programme is led by ISA-certified surf instructors, Vaayu Kala team ensures a safe and enriching experience as you learn to stand up and ride the waves. Beyond mastering the basics, you will discover the art of balancing breath, momentum, and courage while interpreting the rhythm of the ocean.
Stand-up paddle boarding: Originating in Hawaii, SUP offers a unique blend of relaxation and exploration, allowing you to connect with the water’s natural rhythm. Vaayu Kula provides top-notch SUP boards for beginners to enjoy the tranquil lagoon or for seasoned paddlers ready to embrace the waves.
