If pushing yourself beyond your limits is your New Year’s resolution for 2022, then one of the many ways to achieve this is by trying new adventures that pose a new challenge for you and get you out of your comfort zone.
As far as adventure activities are concerned, the Himalayas is the go-to place for a host of adrenaline-rushing adventures that range from trekking, mountaineering, mountain biking, and camping to river rafting, skiing, heli-skiing, and more.
Here are some of the best adventure sports in the Himalayas to add to your to-do list.
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Trekking:
Probably the most popular adventure activity in the Himalayas, trekking is a great opportunity to discover the grand beauty of the mighty Himalayan ranges. The untamed wilderness of the Himalayas is known to offer some of the most challenging hikes in India.
There are treks for both beginners and experts, for summers and winters. Some of the trekking trails that every trekker must experience at least once in their lifetime include Chadar trek, Everest Base Camp, Mount Kanchenjunga circuit, Markha Valley trek, Annapurna circuit, Dayara Bugyal trek, Nag Tibba trek, etc.
White Water Rafting:
A rafting adventure in the Himalayas is all you need if you are dying for an adrenaline rush. The thrilling factor is a little high when it comes to rafting through the fast-flowing Himalayan Rivers.
Apart from the thrill of steering the wild rapids, there are great views all around to enjoy, thus making rafting in the Himalayas all the more desirable.
The best time for white water rafting in the Himalayan regions is between June and August, and the best rafting sites are the Zanskar River in Ladakh, the Ganga and Alaknanda Rivers flowing through the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal, the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, and Teesta River in Sikkim.
Skiing:
The snow-covered slopes of the Himalayas attract a large number of skiing enthusiasts who literally wait for the winters to come so they can indulge in the fun of zooming down the snowy slopes nestled at a great altitude in the Himalayas.
No doubt, skiing is one of the much-loved adventure sports in the Himalayas during the winter season.
The skiing season has already begun and lasts till March, and the best skiing destinations are Gulmarg, Pahalgam, the hills of Kumaon, Solang Valley, Auli, and Kufri. So, what’s the wait for?
Book your flight tickets now! If you are an international traveler, fly to Delhi and then catch a domestic flight to your destination. For example, if you are traveling to Gulmarg from Seattle, book flights to Delhi from Seattle and then take the domestic flight to Srinagar from Delhi.
Mountain Biking:
Avid bikers, this is your best pick from the list of adventure sports in the Himalayas. The Ladakh roads that snake their way through the rough, rocky, and sometimes inhospitable terrains are perfect for challenge seekers. In fact, zooming past the high mountain passes is a dream come true for many bikers.
With clear blue skies above and rugged mountains trailing alongside, biking in Ladakh is simply a one-of-a-kind experience. Manali–Leh, Delhi–Shimla–Spiti–Manali, and Leh-Zanskar are the most popular motorbiking routes, and June to mid-October is the perfect time for motorbiking in the Himalayas.
Gondola Rides:
Delighting in the 360-degree views of the gorgeous Himalayan mountains and valleys is among the favorite activities of people visiting the Himalayan regions, irrespective of the season of their trip.
In winter, the views of a white wonderland blow you away while during summer, lush greenery of the Himalayan vegetation enchants you.
The gondola ride at Gulmarg offers you the most enthralling ride, starting at the height of 9000 feet and ascending to 10,000 feet. It is the longest cable car ride in Asia and also the second-highest in the whole world.
Apart from the above, Heli-skiing in Himachal Pradesh, Yak safaris in Jammu and Kashmir, paragliding in the Garhwal Himalayas, and Bir Billing, and mountain climbing are the other must-try adventure sports in the Himalayas.
Camping is yet another activity that you cannot miss. Whether it is camping by the Pangong Lake or in the high-altitude villages of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, camping in the Himalayas is a surreal experience.
