Camping
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| Camping |
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| Mountaineering & Rock Climbing |
Rock climbing is often seen as the basic stage for mountain climbing. It can also be treated as an independent sport, since it is climbing a rock face, using only hands and feet with a safety rope.
The area around Manali, presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba (5930 m), the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of river Beas and Deo Tibba (6001 m) (Kullu) area are suggested for amateurs. The Chandra Bhaga ranges, the Pir Panjal and Dhalaudhar ranges may be suitable for more experienced climbers. The Allied Sports Institute at Manali and its branch at Dharamsala (Kangra) conduct mountaineering tours. Courses are also available at the institute.
| Vehicle Safaris |
You can explore the Himalayan spectrum on jeep, car or motorcycle for an exceptional experience. A sturdy jeep will take you through the trans-Himalyan tract – along one of the world`s highest highways, you can drive out of Manali, cross the Rohtang Pass (3980 m) and move through arid Lahaul. You drive through the haunting landscapes of Spiti and over the Kunzum pass (4551 m), and enter Lahaul.
Himachal has an extensive network of roads, treks, and apart from the route mentioned above, there are several others you can traverse on. By car, driving over the more demanding routes may not be possible, but in no way does this curtail the range of experience. And a motorcycle may impose some limitations, but is really a wonderful way to get to know the region. All you need is a route map, a plan and you are on your way.
| Mountain Cycling |
Gear yourself for high adventure with an expedition on cycles. You can pedal your way past high passes or simply make a day-adventure. Quite literally, the whole of Himachal is your playground. The tour can be coupled with camping and can be carried on for several weeks over diverse terrain. The lower regions of the state – Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur offer gentle routes. Or you can stretch your mind, muscle and stamina to reach out to the trans-Himalyan tract of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur. Milder but no less interesting excursions can be undertaken at any holiday station. For mountain biking in the higher regions, summer and autumn months are suggested.
| Water Sports |
The Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir in Kangra with its 42 km length and 2 km breadth, offers a variety of activities in close collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Year long activities include swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. Three levels of courses are conducted – beginner, intermediate and advanced. Similar activities are also available on the waters of Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur, the Chamera lake near Dalhousie (Chamba) and the Pandoh lake on the Mandi-Kullu National Highway.
| Angling |
An angler’s paradise, Himachal has several spots for trout and mahaseer as well as other fish. Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both brown and rainbow trout are to be found in Himachal`s streams.
Upstreams of Rohru in the Pabbar valley (Shimla), there are several spots ideal for fishing. Chirgaon has a trout hatchery and other sites are Seema, Mandil, Sandsu, Tikri and Dhamvari – all are within 5 to 25 km of Rohru (Shimla). Kinnaur`s Baspa river in the Sangla valley also holds trout. Fish also abounds in Uhl river near Barot. Good spots on this beat are Luhandi, Puran hatchery, Tikkar and Kamand.
The upper reaches of the river Beas in the Kullu valley and its side streams such as the Sarvari, Parbati, Sainj, Hurla and Tirthan, especially the areas around Aut, Patlikuhl, Katrain, Raison and Largi are excellent for the sport. These are all upstream of the Pandoh reservoir and are close to, or on the Mandi-Manali highway.
In the Kangra valley, the reservoir of the Maharana Pratap Sagar right up to the town of Dehra has good spots for tackling the mahaseer river carp. Nadaun along the river Beas has some good beats, besides Chamba Pattan near Garli (accessible from Nadaun or Jwalamukhi), Amtar (2 km from Nadaun), Harsi Pattan (30 km from Tira Sujanpur) and Lambagaon (15 km from Tira Sujanpur).
On the river Giri, Gaura (30 km from Solan on the Rajgarh road) and the beat near Dadahu (5 km from Renuka lake) and the river Yamuna, downstream of Paonta Sahib (Sirmour) are also good spots for mahaseer. The waters of the Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur also have a variety of fish. Fishing fee are nominal. The trout fishing season is from 31 March to 31 October.
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| Ice Skating |
The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. Ice-skating normally begins in early December and carries on till February. Clear skies and low temperatures provide uninterrupted sessions. There are two sessions every day, in the morning and in the evening. Membership is available for the season as well as for shorter terms and even for single sessions. Skates are available at the rink. Fancy dress carnivals, `gymkhanas` ice-hockey and dances enliven every season.
| Golf |
At Naldera, 23 km beyond Shimla is one of the oldest golf courses in India. The course, whose topography is absolutely natural, was originally created by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, at the turn of the century. He was so enchanted by the spot that he named one of his daughters `Naldera` after the spot. This is a par 68, nine-hole course, regarded as one of the most challenging in the country. In the repeat nine, the yardage somewhat increases. Himachal Tourism maintains the links and accommodation is available at Hotel Golf Glade. There are other hotels in the private sector near Naldera. Annandale, in Shimla also has a nine-hole course managed by the army and there is another golf course at the exquisite glade of Khajjiar, 22 km from Dalhousie and 24 km from Chamba. Putting greens are available at several resorts and hotels.
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| Trekking |
Trekking, as an adventure sport in India is not very old. However, still it has gained wide acceptance and popularity amongst tourists. The reason for this is that the country is blessed by mother nature with beauties that leaves one and all mesmerisied. There are brilliant green meadows, dense pine forests, fruit orchards, snow capped peaks and rushing streams to fascinate the onlookers. While passing through these bounties of nature, your eyes feast on the beauties while your soul gets an opportunity to rejuvenate in the freshness of the surroundings. Moreover, the cultural diversity of the country also adds to the charm of trekking. Walking past various villages or small hamlets, you interact with different people. Their way of living, stories, culture and tradition have much to make you feel that a trip is worth all the effort made.
Trekking Places in Himachal Pradesh
There are more than two hundred and seventy well defined trekking trails in Himachal Pradesh. The major areas where you can undertake trekking in Himachal are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, routes over the passes between the Shimla region and the Kullu valley and the various treks out of Kullu. There are also specific tracks in the Trans-Himalayan regions of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti.
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| Rafting |
For adventure lovers, Himachal Pradesh in India is a destination par excellence. Amongst many adventure sports that can be enjoyed in Himachal, trekking, skiing, gliding and rafting are the most popular ones. The last one, rafting, is also known as the white water rafting and can be enjoyed to the maximum extent in the state of Himachal. The reason for this is the presence of a number of snow fed rivers in the state that rush down the Himalayan ranges and make their way through the various regions. These rivers bumping, swirling and rolling present wonderful stretch of water for rafting enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, the rivers of upper Himalayas are considered the best in the entire world for enjoying rafting.
Rafting Places In Himachal
There are four rivers in Himachal that offer opportunities to enjoy white water rafting. These rivers flow in the north westerly direction and are almost parallel to one another. The first of these, Beas has its genesis in the Rohtang Pass and flows through the Kullu valley. Rising from the Raigarh glacier, river Ravi makes its way down Chamba valley. The third river, Chenab originates from the tributaries, Chandra and Bhagha and passes swiftly through the Chenab or Pangi valley. It finally enters the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, there is Satluj river that originates beyond Indian borders and enters the country near Shipkila and is later joined by the Spiti river at Khab. This river flows through Kinnaur and Shimla.
Skiing
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| Skiing |
Skiing Places in Himachal Pradesh
A little above Kufri, Mahasu ridge too offers exciting slopes for skiing enthusiasts. Narkanda, around 64 km from Shimla, is yet another destination for enjoying skiing. Here, you have a range of slopes - from beginner's run, an advanced slope and a slalom run.
Other skiing areas in Himachal Pradesh include the Solang Nallah, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang slopes. All these are the nearby areas of Manali and are considered extremely good for skiing. The Rohatnag Pass and Patalsu are the only slopes in the country where you can enjoy skiing in summer season. Solang Nallah also plays host to the National level ski competition.
A little above Kufri, Mahasu ridge too offers exciting slopes for skiing enthusiasts. Narkanda, around 64 km from Shimla, is yet another destination for enjoying skiing. Here, you have a range of slopes - from beginner's run, an advanced slope and a slalom run.
Other skiing areas in Himachal Pradesh include the Solang Nallah, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang slopes. All these are the nearby areas of Manali and are considered extremely good for skiing. The Rohatnag Pass and Patalsu are the only slopes in the country where you can enjoy skiing in summer season. Solang Nallah also plays host to the National level ski competition.
| Gliding |
Have you ever felt the urge to soar high above in the sky like a bird and feel completely detached from your day to day tensions? If yes, then gliding is what you must try out. Gliding includes paragliding and hang gliding. The former makes use of 'thermals' as the driving force. Hang gliding is not very different from paragliding. The hang glider makes use of air current to rise above in the sky. Tied to a keel with large blades, the glider runs down the hill at a 40 degree slope. As a result of his running, air fills in the columns of the keel which finally enables the glider to take off. With experience, the height to which a glider can soar increases a lot.
Paragliding is a combination of hang gliding and parachuting. However, it is not parachuting altogether as many of you might think. The difference between the two lies in the fact that a paraglider is made of non porous sail cloth. Its cells are open in the front while at the back they are closed. Also, a paraglider is collapsible wing made of light weight space age material. This is not so with a parachute.
Paragliding is a combination of hang gliding and parachuting. However, it is not parachuting altogether as many of you might think. The difference between the two lies in the fact that a paraglider is made of non porous sail cloth. Its cells are open in the front while at the back they are closed. Also, a paraglider is collapsible wing made of light weight space age material. This is not so with a parachute.
Paragliding And Hang Gliding Places In Himachal Pradesh
Kangra valley is the at the centre of gliding activities in Himachal Pradesh. Bir and Billing in Kangra are considered extremely happening place for enjoying both paragliding and hang gliding. The Billing peak has played host to five national and three international hang-gliding rallies since 1984.
Paragliding is also possible at Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur, in the Kullu valley and at Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Rohru.
Paragliding is also possible at Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur, in the Kullu valley and at Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Rohru.