India

One of the most populated countries in the world, in India adventure travel takes you from sprawling cities to remote beaches, from the foot of the Himalayas to the ocean. Its colours, smells and noises can be overwhelming and the lifestyle so far removed from Western society that it leaves you dazed. Outdoor activities in India are some of the most testing available in a country which utilises the natural geography for some exciting sporting activities and tours across its vast and varied landscape.

Geographically India is placed in South East Asia. The sub-continents collision with Asia millions of years ago formed the Himalayan Mountain range which runs along the Northern border. The Ganges Plain is a lowland area directly to the South of the Himalayas, it used to be a seabed but the trough was filled in over many years with sediment from passing rivers. It is now an incredibly fertile area of land used for agriculture.

The majority of India is south of these regions on the peninsula; an area of land known as the Deccan Plateau. To the North West is the Thar Desert an arid area made up of large sand dunes. The North East side; Chota Nagpur, is largely forest with the remainder of South India encompassed by 3 ranges of hills. Through Central India adventure travel takes you from East to West across the Vindhyas and Satpuras ranges, to the East are the Eastern Ghats and to the west the Western Ghats both running along their respective coasts to the tip of the country. India is flanked by three bodies of water; the Arabian sea to the west, Indian Ocean to the south and the Bay of Bengal to the east giving a coastline of about 7000 km.

The Himalayas shelter India from the cold Katabatic winds from Central Asia allowing for a tropical to subtropical climate. The monsoon winds of Southern Asia keep the rivers flowing in the southern parts of the country where the melting snow from the north cannot reach. Monsoon rain season is from June to October but affects the East from October to December. October/ November through to March is the ideal time to visit and enjoy outdoor activities in India, as the weather is warmer and drier with bright sunshine. From March until May the weather becomes much hotter and it is advisable to head into the hills where there are cooler temperatures.

When you visit India adventure travel is just part of the experience – this country is an economic and cultural powerhouse. Delhi is one of the largest cities of India second only to Mumbai, contained within its limits is an area known as New Delhi which is the official capital. All major cities including Delhi (north), Calcutta (north east), Mumbai (west), Chennai (south east), Hyderabad (central) and Bangalore (south) have international airports making reaching your chosen area as direct as possible.

Sadly many of us do not have the time to explore all the outdoor activities in India and everything on offer in one trip and it is easy to become confused with what is available. Breaking down some traditional trips into manageable categories you may like to consider a safari, where you will see the national symbol of India: a Bengal tiger. The Ganges River should be paid a visit whether you ride on it or alongside it, tracking it from a source to its final destination in the Bay of Bengal.

The Himalayas are a challenging mountain range and focal point of outdoor activities in India – especially for trekking. The Taj Mahal in Agra, just south of Delhi must be seen for its architectural excellence and historical significance. There are many festivals for all its religions – check dates around any India adventure travel holiday and if you find yourself visiting while there are celebrations, you should join the crowds and soak up the atmosphere and excitement.

India embraces a range of religions and cultures varying between regions with its roots coming from a history of empires to colonial trade. Ranging from the traditional countryside lifestyle to the fast paced city life, India is a fascinating place to explore for its extreme environments, extreme sports and wonderful communities and natural scenery.

While road bikes are not the main attraction for India adventure travel journeys, motor biking and mountain biking are both available and are an alternative way to enjoy the scenery of the Greater Himalayas. If you can’t decide between visiting forts, villages, mountains or the coast as the choice of activities is so great why not book a multi activity holiday where one company can arrange sight seeing, travel and activities meaning you have less time planning and more time experiencing the adventures.