| If Switzerland in the Alps is called the playground of | | | | rated at par if not better than their Western |
| Europe, then the mighty Himalayas is undoubtedly the | | | | counterparts. Today river rafting is spread all over |
| Adventure playground of the world. Adventure, | | | | the Himalayan Regions of India with trips available |
| simply put, is anything out of the ordinary, anything | | | | throughout the year in more than 20 rivers. Most of |
| off the beaten track. In the context of nature it | | | | the white water industry forms a part of the Indian |
| could also be defined as venturing into the great | | | | Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters |
| outdoors and wilderness. According to pioneers in | | | | (IAPRO), which ensures compliance of a safe, |
| Adventure tourism "In undertaking adventure | | | | professional and eco friendly code of conduct. |
| activities, man realises and overcomes his deepest | | | | Trekking in India is comparable to and often |
| and innate fears and weaknesses. It is a humbling but | | | | surpasses the best in the world. Trekking in the |
| satisfying experience." | | | | Indian Himalayas offer incredible variety with shorts |
| Adventure tourism generally is referred to in the | | | | walks in low altitude alpine meadows to 20 day hikes |
| context of activities like trekking, climbing, white | | | | over some of the highest passes in the world. The |
| water sports, wilderness camping and safaris on | | | | varied topography adds to this beauty. The high |
| camel back, in jeeps or in cycles. A country's | | | | altitude plateau of Ladakh, the alpine meadows of |
| topography and geological conditions, govern the | | | | Himachal, Kashmir and Sikkim, the rugged and rocky |
| choice and popularity of the activity. A good example | | | | terrain of Garhwal all add up to provide an |
| to quote would be Nepal. A tiny country but because | | | | un-imaginable variety for the trekker to choose from. |
| of its beautiful location in the midst of the Himalayas | | | | Adventure companies small and big alike have |
| has made it a paradise for adventure sports like | | | | mushroomed all over the Himalayan belt offering a |
| climbing and trekking. | | | | variety of treks and services to choose from. Today |
| India, in that context is a "One Stop Adventure | | | | one can confidently choose a trip from the internet |
| Shop". Only in India can a person indulge in a camel | | | | and find professional operators to look after all travel |
| safari in hot deserts of Rajasthan, Heli-Ski in the | | | | arrangements from hotel, transport, flights and |
| Himalayas, Raft down the mighty Ganges and trek in | | | | camping arrangements. |
| the Garhwal Himalayas, all in the same month. Few | | | | Jeep safaris across the Himalayas often follow the |
| people are aware that more than 60% of the Great | | | | traditional trade routes between India and Tibet. |
| Himalayan range lies in India, with the remainder | | | | Driving over this spectacular terrain and crossing over |
| shared between Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan. India | | | | the highest motorable passes in the world, never |
| boasts of some of the highest peaks in the world, | | | | ceases to amaze. Self drive and chauffer driven tours |
| Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi and Nun Kun, not to speak | | | | across the high altitude deserts of Ladakh and |
| of perhaps the highest unclimbed and as yet | | | | Himachal Pradesh provide for an enchanting and |
| uncharted peaks in Arunachal Pradesh and the | | | | spiritual experience far superior than even the |
| Eastern Karakoram ranges. The Indian Mountaineering | | | | legendary Karakoram Highway in Pakistan and Tibet. |
| Foundation (IMF) lays down guidelines and grants | | | | These routes have been recognized and appreciated |
| permissions for mountaineering and climbing | | | | by international rally drivers and off road enthusiasts |
| expeditions in the Indian Himalayas. There are many | | | | alike. In 2000 Isuzu Motors organized the world |
| professional tour operators who will take up all | | | | famous Isuzu Challenge Off Road expedition in India. |
| arrangements for the expeditions from getting | | | | The organizers imported 18 Isuzu 4 WD jeeps and |
| permits, booking peaks and providing camp logistics. | | | | picks ups specially for the rally and were given special |
| Himalayan rivers like Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus | | | | permits visit the Pangong Tso Lake and the Hanle |
| provide un-limited white water stretches to be 'run' | | | | Monastery along the Indo Tibetan border. |
| both for the beginners as well as for the extreme | | | | Skiing for both beginners and the professionals is |
| professional. Rafting was introduced in India in 1975 | | | | plentiful on the slopes of Manali, Gulmarg and Auli. The |
| with the Indo-German expedition down the Indus in | | | | natural and virgin ski slopes offer the best of Alpine, |
| Ladakh. They set a world record in High Altitude | | | | Mountain and Helicopter Skiing. Skiing as such requires |
| rafting. In 1990, two leading rafters of India, Akshay | | | | extensive infrastructure in terms of lifts, cable cars |
| Kumar and Ajay Maira, led the first rafting descent | | | | and lodges. Lack of funds has made the process of |
| down the mighty Brahmaputra, which is considered to | | | | development very slow. However mountain skiing |
| by some to be the "Last Great Adventure in Asia". | | | | trips are conducted on an expedition basis on |
| This expedition created a record in long distance | | | | mountains like Trisul and Kedar Dome. Even Helicopter |
| rafting, covering more than 600 Kms. of treacherous | | | | Skiing is fast gaining in popularity near Manali. |
| grade 4 and 5 high volume white water. | | | | India therefore offers the keen adventurer with a |
| They then carried on for another 1100 Kms down till | | | | fascinating range of areas and activities to choose |
| the Bangladesh border thus completing the entire | | | | from. In this increasingly environment conscious world, |
| stretch of the river in India from the Tibet border to | | | | adventure sports and eco tours will be the boom of |
| the Bangladesh Border. Rafting in India is an organised | | | | the 21st century. |
| and professional sport. Many companies in India are | | | | |