20 BUCKET LIST IDEAS FOR ADVENTURE TRAVELERS IN INDIA

Published in

TripoMate

11 min readJul 7, 2018

Life itself is an adventure which gives us twists and turns. But what if we actually have adventure trip that gives the real thrill and takes into a whole new world of excitement? High peaks and mountains, fascinating rivers, challenging rivers and getting close to wild animals, India is bestowed with some adventurous locations that are worth experiencing. Be it the northern part or southern part of India, travellers have a plethora of options for an adventurous trip.

Let us take you to top 30 such adventurous locations in India that you must try at least once in your life:

1. White River Rafting in Rishikesh:

When we think of performing river adventure, Rishikesh stands out in the league. Rishikesh is the capital of river rafting in India, where the holy Ganga River flows, offering the speed of Grade I-V. River rafting in Rishikesh is an ultimate experience one can have. Hitting the fast gushing waters of Ganges gives exhilarating adventurous sports.

While rafting on this holy river, you can enjoy the scintillating view of majestic Himalayas covered with lush green. Accompanied by professional rafters, you’ll be guided for an accident free rafting experience. While in Rishikesh one can have the tour of the most loved places of Rishikesh also!

Location: There are different locations for river rafting. Brahmpuri to NIM Beach (9 kms), Brahmpuri to Rishikesh (12kms), Shivpuri to Rishikesh (16kms), Marine Drive to Rishikesh (24kms) and Kaudiyala to Rishikesh (34kms)

Best Time: Except monsoon, one can go for river rafting in months between February to November.

2. Chadar Trek in Ladakh:

Experience the walking over the frozen river facing various challenges. Chadar Trek in Ladakh is the thrilling experience one can have. Open only during the winter season, i.e. — January- February, the trek takes place at the Zanskar River which gets freezes and gets covered with thick blanket of snow. During the trek, one can enjoy the canyon shape valleys bestowed with thick blanket of snow.

Location: Zanskar River, Ladakh

Difficulty Level: Difficult and the altitude can reach up to 11,123 ft.

3. Jim Corbett Safari- Uttarakhand:

Want to have encounter with rich wild animals of India, especially Tigers? Then Jim Corbett National Park is your destination. Home to some exotic wildlife animals, this 13184 sq.km spread national park is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Tourists can take a jeep safari that would take you to the entire national park. If you’re lucky enough, then you would encounter the royal Tiger of Jim Corbett. There are different zones- Dhikala Zone, Bijrani Zone, Sonanadi Zone and Durga Devi Zone.

Best Time to Visit: You can explore this national park from mid-October to mid-June. Visiting during monsoon isn’t a good idea.

Location: Ramnagar, Nainital District, Uttarakhand

Price: For Indian tourists- approx. Rs 4200/- including the jeep carrying 6

For foreigners: Rs 8000/- for jeep and 6 persons

4. Scuba Diving in Andaman:

Deep clean blue water and gorgeous marine life makes Andaman truly a magical place to explore. The marine life of Andaman is a lifetime experience to explore which is worth an adventure trip to have. From scorpion fish and Octopus to Sharks and Coral Reefs, there are many things which you cannot lose to miss. Some of the diving sites in Andaman are- The Wall (Havelock Island), Clinque Island (Port Blair) and Fish Rock (Passage Island).

Best Time to Visit: January to May is considered as the best time when the island remains clam and conditions are better for diving.

5. Roopkund Trek- Uttarakhand:

If underline trekking is your favourite thing, then Roopkund Trek is the destination you should prefer. Located at the high altitude in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, one can trek to the elevation of 3200m.The trek is known for energizing excursion and so which adventurers should tread this land to revitalize. Roopkund Trek is known for its magical landscape, which you’ll experience in every pass.

Don’t miss the “Lake of Mysteries” which can be reached after passing range of forests and gushing brooks. One of the exciting parts of this trek is the “Mystery Lake”, also known as Roopkund Lake which is at the height of 15500 feet above the sea level and is the home of hundred skeletons.

Location: To explore this trek, you need to visit Chamoli districts which is located at the base of the two Himalayan peaks: Trisul and Nanda Ghunti.

Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Roopkund Trek is between May-June just before the monsoon.

6. Manali to Leh Bike Trip:

Imagine riding your bike across the valleys and never ending road, and the path giving you the majestic view of snowpacked mountain. Isn’t this a wonderful experience? A bike trip to Himalayan region offers high dose of adrenaline experience. The Manali to Leh bike trip is a chance to explore the journey of various hallucinating places.

Stopover in sapphire lakes, canyon mountains, drink a hot tea at the tapri of this region. The delicate breeze of this route has something magical that makes bikers go beyond their capacity. The bike trek usually begins from Manali, a delightful town on the banks of Beas River and will continue to high-street routes including Khardungla pass, known as world’s most elevated motorbike street.

Routes Covered: Manali- Jispa- Sarchu- Leh- Khardungla Pass

Best Time: July to September is considered as the ideal period for bike trip for Manali to Leh.

7. Caving in Meghalaya:

This North-Eastern India state is the most beautiful location in all sense. It holds some of the best treasures exploring them is worth every penny. Enchanting caves, beautiful waterfalls and majestic mountains. Caving in Meghalaya is the most happening adventure one can have. The Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills are two most popular hills which are blessed with enigmatic caves. Other options to discover are- Krem Mawkhydrop, Krem Dam, Krem Lymput and Krem Mawjymbuin.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to explore Meghalaya caves is during winter months. December to March are the perfect months.

Things to Remember: One needs to very specific to learn about different caving techniques, From being a sandwich to being a Spiderman should be your hidden talent.

Stay: You can stay at Mawphlang and Pine Farm where one get some good options. You can even choose Cherrapunji Holiday Resort that offers some great facilities to stay at.

8. Skiing in Gulmarg:

Skiing is the best adventure thing you can do in Gulmarg, J&K. For those who love adrenaline junkies, skiing is what you can experience. The ski hill in Gulmarg is serviced by Gondola where the lift tips is about 4,000m with the summit of Mt. Apharwat. The ski terrain is unlimited offering alpine, chutes, cornices and glacier skiing. If you’re an expert ski rider, then it will be the most thrilling experience.

Reaching Gulmarg: Gulmarg is 52 kms away from Srinagar Airport and one can reach the village by taxi. There are prepaid taxis available

9. Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh:

Jumping from the height of more than 83 meters which is roughly 273 feet and hanging in the middle of the sky and ground is thrilling experience one must enjoy. For those who never heard about bungee jumping, it is an activity that involves jumping from the tall structure connected with large elastic cord on your hips allowing you to have free falling experience. However, you need to be fully fit to conduct this adventure activity to avoid any physical injury.

Location: The activity is done at the Mohan Chatti village

Important Point: For bungee jumping minimum weight required is 40kg and maximum 110kg

10. River Rafting in Tons Valley– Uttarakhand:

Located in Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, river Tons is the biggest tributary to Yamuna river. One can enjoy the Tons River expedition with river rafting which runs at the grade of 3–4 and sometime at 5 grades. During the rafting in Tone River, you can enjoy some famous rapids including “One the Hornes of the Tons, Tones Squeeze, Confluence, Tuni Bazaar and Major Surprise.

Location: Tons Valley is located in Jaunsar Bawar region of Garhwal district

11. Hot Air Ballooning in Jaipur:

If you’re an adventure junkie and want some enthralling experience along with safety concern, then hot air balloon ride over the desert of Jaipur is adrenaline adventure you must go for. Once you get into the hot air balloon, you’ll enjoy the adventure of floating along the winds. Admire the bird’s eye view of the Pink City and get absorb into the colours of this city. Watching Hidden palaces and historical from the top angle will surely mesmerize you.

Hot Air Balloon Safari Best Time: The best time to experience this adventure is during November to June. The timing of the flight is done in the early morning and in the afternoon. The safari would last for 1 hour.

Service: Sky Waltz Balloon Safari is the popular service in Jaipur

12. Dune Bashing in Jaisalmer:

If you’ve heard about dune bashing happening in Dubai sand and missing the action, then in India Jaisalmer is the place where you can enjoy this adrenaline adventure. A 4×4 SUV is led in the desert sitting inside which you’ll experience the dashing of sand coming its way. Enjoying a spell of dune bashing, Dubai-style, on the Sam sand dunes, 44 km from Jaisalmer in the midst of the Thar desert. Keep the traditional camel ride aside and get into the dune bashing in lavish style.

Best Time: From December to March is the ideal time for dune bashing.

13. Paragliding in Bir-Billing:

Bir-Billing Village is located in Palampur district of Himachal Pradesh and offers a great adventurous experience of paragliding. However, one has to patience enough and shouldn’t carry height phobia. Bir-Billing successfully hosted paragliding world cup in 2015. In fact, it is considered as the safest destination for paragliding where the take-off site is 8000ft from sea level and the landing site is 4300 ft.

Best Time: The best time for paragliding is from November to May.

How to reach Bir Billing: There are different routes to reach Bir Billing. Starting from Delhi you will cover Chandigarh, Kangra, Palampur and other regions, depending on the routes.

14. White Water River Rafting in Kullu:

Enjoy the lashing of Beas River in Kullu Valley, Manali with the white water river rafting. In fact, it is the ideal destination to enjoy the rafting expedition. Starting in the morning at Pirdi, the rafting can be for few hours’ covers the designated kms. The river has got I-IV grade of speed.

Best Time to visit: January to May and October to December

15. Surfing in Goa:

While in Goa, you cannot miss the Banana Surfing which is the most thrilling water adventure in Goa. Challenge yourself by surfing in the immaculate waves of Goa beaches by sitting on the Banana surfs. If this is your first time, you will be easy-to-follow instructions for surf experts. Learn the skills and get on to the boards to fight against the lashing water of Goa beach.

Best Time: Except monsoon and high tide, surfing can be done anytime throughout the year.

16. Skydiving in Mysore:

Imagine yourself in the mid-air without any movement and watching the bird’s eye view of the land. Skydiving is the most thrilling adventure you can ever experience. If you’re in Mysore then don’t miss the skydiving at the most the unadulterated height from the sky.

However, before the act, you’ll be trained and provided with safety procedures. Tandem, Solo, and A License are three different jump types. Of all, Tandem jump is the most popular training for the first time skydivers. The height altitude is from 6,000 ft. to 10,000ft. Strictly no alcohol and drug conception is appreciated for skydiving.

17. Flying Fox Adventure in Neemrana- Rajasthan:

Challenge yourself with the thrilling adventure in this unique Flying Fox activity in Neemrana, Rajasthan. Also known as zip line tour is a unique and exhilarating aerial journey between hill forts and ridge tops, during which you fly down a series of ultra-strong steel cables, attached by a harness and pulley. The activity takes place in early sunrise, night zip and during weekends.

Price: The price of Flying Fox on weekends is Rs 1000, for Early Bird trip- Rs 1200, for night zip Rs 1000.

Reaching Neemrana: To Neemrana, the nearest station is Ajaraka. It is located on Delhi-Jaipur Highway.

18. Rock Climbing in Satpura:

This majestic mountain is located at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. The Satpura mountain ranges offers terrain of adventure activities including the rock climbing. There are different terrains where one can do the rock climbing.

How to reach Pachmarhi: It can be reached directly by bus from Bhopal and is 210 km away by road. Pachmarhi can also be reached from Nagpur.

19. Sandakphu Trek-West Bengal:

Located at the altitude of 11,941 ft, Sandakphu Trek is the most happening adventure trip to have in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Known as the Trekkers Wonderland, you can participate in 5–6 days long trek expedition. The entire trek would take you to the picturesque location and giving you the view of the Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu.

How to Reach?

You can reach Sandakphu by car in 4 hours from Darjeeling.

Best time to visit: April to May and October to December is considered as the best season to visit.

20. Wildlife Safari in Gir National Park, Gujarat:

Known as the Majestic home of Royal King, Gir National Park is the only place where one can spot lions roaming freely. The national park covers 1412 sq. km, and is the home of approx. 523 lions. Not only lions, one can come cross various birds, reptiles and other animals. Take a jeep safari throughout the park and get encountered with wild animals roaming freely. There are fun tour, Gir holiday tour and jeep safari tour which one can take benefit of.