Page 730 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

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Himalayan Mountaineering Rishikesh is a popular site
Institute in Darjeeling (see (see p189), as it is just a few
p300), and the Nehru Institute hours drive from Delhi. Many
of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi companies have set up rafting
(see p191), both of which camps and provide equipment
offer courses. during the season. Himalayan
Auli, in Uttarakhand, is the River Runners and Aquaterra
best-equipped ski-centre in Adventures are two of the
India, and is open between reputable agencies that
January and March. For bookings run various rafting camps
and skiing information, contact in Uttarakhand and Ladakh.
the GMVN Office in Dehra Dun,
or the GMVN Tourist Rest
Parasailing, popular in Himachal Pradesh House in Auli, which also hires Water Sports
and Uttarakhand out gear. Solang Nala, 13 km Goa is a popular destination
(8 miles) northwest of Manali, for water sports, where yachting
Camping and also has ski slopes that are open competitions and wind-surfing
Adventure Sports
between February and March. regattas are attended by
Holidays that combine The Atal Bihari Vajpayee enthusiasts from all over the
camping and trekking can be Institute of Mountain eering world. Sports such as water-
particularly enjoyable. Banjara and Allied Sports, in Manali, skiing, sailing, wind-surfing
Camps specializes in tented rents out skiing equipment, and parasailing are offered by
holidays in the scenic Sangla offers mountaineering courses, local agencies, on beaches such
Valley in Himachal Pradesh, and also organizes kayaking as Baga, Vainguinim, Sinquerim,
while Jungle Lodges & on the Beas river. Anjuna and Bogmalo. The
Resorts organizes well-run National Institute of Watersports,
luxury camps in Karnataka. located in Panaji, also offers
India also provides plenty Kayaking and training courses in wind-surfing,
River Rafting
of opportunities to pursue a water-skiing, sailing and scuba
range of adventure sports. The challenge of the fast- diving, and hires out boats and
However, it is advisable to flowing rivers of the Himalayas equipment as well.
take out extra cover on your makes India a popular The Royal Bombay Yacht
insurance if you plan on destination for kayaking and Club, in Mumbai, organizes
trying any of these activities. white-water rafting. Rivers are sailing excursions for visitors
Hang-gliding and parasailing graded from levels I to VI; only every Saturday, while Kerala’s
are offered in Himachal Pradesh, professionals should attempt popular Kovalam Beach has
especially in Manali and rapids that are graded IV and some facilities for surfing and
Dharamsala, and near Billing above. The main destinations snorkelling. In Tamil Nadu, a few
in Kangra. Ooty in Tamil Nadu are the Indus and Zanskar in water sports centres and hotels
is another great hang-gliding Ladakh, the Beas and Satluj in offer water sports facilities
site, while the Western Ghats Himachal Pradesh, the Ganges, along the coast between
in Maharashtra and Goa offer Bhagirathi and Tons in Uttar Chennai and Mamallapuram.
idyllic conditions for parasailing. Pradesh, and the Teesta in The Lakshadweep Islands,
Local tourism offices in each Sikkim. The best seasons off the Kerala coast, have
state organize these sports are between September excellent centres for wind-
and can be contacted for and December, and again surfing, parasailing and water-
bookings and equipment hire. between February and April. skiing, as well as snorkelling
For mountaineering and Numerous agencies run and scuba diving. Lacadives,
rock-climbing enthusiasts, the organized trips and provide on Kadmat Island, has the best-
Himalayas offer a number of tents, rafts, life jackets and equipped centre (see p651). An
challenging peaks, many rising meals. The Ganges near equally exciting destination for
above 7,000 m (22,966 ft).
Uttarakhand and Himachal
Pradesh are India’s main
mountaineering regions, and
Sikkim also offers climbing
in the Himalayas. The Indian
Mountaineering Foundation
in Delhi is the central agency;
it organizes expeditions and
has an active rock-climbing
fraternity, too. It also provides
information on the country’s
other institutes, such as the White-water rafting on the Ganges

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