Although women have taken to adventure sports since its inception it is sad to note that they have not been recognized for their participations. Speculations about whether a woman can take physical strain or not have been going on for a long time now. But the debate is being questioned severely as more and more women are seen indulging in extreme sports.

Be it Niki Gudex, a pro snowboarder or Lynn Hill an ace rock climber. There is no denying that women like in every other domain of their life are becoming known for pushing their limits and taking on themselves some self – directed action.

As much there is a need to clear the myth about women being able to do well in adventure sports there is also a dire need educate the masses about the accessibility of adventure sports. Adventure sports are not just for the tough ones. They are for everyone. They are so varied in their style that anyone who has the faintest of the idea about adventure can give it a try.

If I say adventure sports and you think of climbing the steepest hill on the planet, or spending days alone in Antarctica, you may also see that although these extreme sports sum up the essence of adventure they are not the only ones.  There are several other sports which do not require extreme training, neither great fitness levels. Paragliding, parasailing, hot-air ballooning, scuba diving and snorkeling are to name a few.

The misconceptions that adventure sports create in everyone’s mind can be challenged when you try out some of these sports. You would discover how all of these have a charm of their own. They all are addictive and so fun-filled that you would prefer adventure breaks to any other. The best about these sports is that they are more of a recreational activity, more for instant fun and thrill rather than something that has a long set of pre-requisites.

You may ask what pre-requisites I speak of here. Seasoned adventurers believe in constant practice and thorough training. For them climbing a mountain peak or swimming an ocean is serious business and probably the only task at hand for the time being. Hence being well toned and masculine becomes a priority for them. The dedication of these seasoned adventurers however should not stop us from trying out different activities. As said before adventure sports are many, not all require the participant to be perfect and fit.

In fact what you can try out is to indulge in the fun activities and gradually proceed onto the tougher more challenging tasks. It may take time but don’t you worry people, if you have the will to move ahead, there is no stopping you.

Each region of the country has its own specialty when it comes to Adventure Sports:

Rock Climbing The best places for rock climbing are the Manali valley in Himachal Pradesh, Bangalore, Mysore and Ramanagram in Karnataka, Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Gangotri gorge in Uttar Pradesh.

Mountaineering Mountaineering is one of the most challenging sports in India requiring not only a brave heart but also high fitness level. The Himalayan range dominating the landscape of India from north-west to far north-east is popular the world over for great adventure sports. Nanda Devi(7800 m). Kamet and Dunagiri(7088 m) are considered to be the most challenging destinations for this sport.

White Water Rafting Hit the following places for an enthralling experience: River Ganges, Yamuna. Tons, Kalisor, Alaknanda, Bhilangana, Mandakani, Bhagirathi, Zanskar and Beas.

Trekking This activity is a hit with many a tourist and can be best enjoyed at the Ladakh valley, Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Kulu, Sikkim, Garhwal and Kumaon.

Angling and Fishing Home to a variety of fish, the wonderful water bodies such as the lakes of the upper Himalayas, streams of Kerala and lakes of Kashmir offer amazing angling and fishing opportunities.

Safaris Camel safari at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is a fabulous attraction of this royal destination. You can also enjoy horse safari here. And if you are inclined towards elephant safari, Kerala is the right place. The various wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in India also provide elephant safari.

Paragliding Head for the following places to have a great paragliding experience: Solang valley(Himachal Pradesh), Darjeeling, Gangtok, Auli, Sansar(Jammu and Kashmir)and Goa.

Skiing Indulge in this breathtaking sport at Gulmarg, Manali, Kufri, Auli, Mundali and Dayara Bugyal.

India is truly a destination that promises sheer adventure!

Options Available for Adventure SportsIndia has every basis and potential to support any kind of adventure sports. Rock climbing, for an example, on the steep rocky mountains in Manali warrant a lifetime experience for the risk takers. Scuba Diving in the depths of deep-laid oceans of Goa is an exhilarating experience for water lovers. Trekking on the challenging action-packed snow-covered peaks in Shimla is a good option for mountain crazy population. Skiing is offered in the serene white ambience of snow-covered ranges of Narkanda. River rafting in Ganga in Rishikesh is a good option for those who crave for a free bounce with the natural flow of river. Paragliding in the Solang Valley and Deori Ghat is ideal for those who wish to fly freely in the air. Cycling is the most simple and convenient form of adventure one can crave for anywhere in India. For the laid-back travelers, fishing, camel safari and wildlife safari are some other interesting adventure options.

Better Late than NeverEmergence of adventure sports in India has never been a long-lost dream and its topography and weather conditions have supported the onset of adventurous activities in India. With the economies of the world going global and distances becoming shorter, the advent of such activities in India has suddenly gone high. Today, people from all spheres of life are highly keen to invest their precious time and effort in the exciting and adventurous world of sports. Due to India’s promising reputation globally, a traveler can confidently turn towards India to satisfy his desire for adventure.

Known as the land of rising sun, Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the north-eastern part of India. Also known as the ‘Treasure Trove of Nature’ it is famous for its 500 rare species of orchids. It has a galore of adventure sports which one can indulge in; from angling to boating, river rafting, hiking and trekking. There are several trekking destinations along Pasighat-Jengging-Yinkiang, Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang, Roing-Mayodia-Anono and Tezu-Hauliang routes. These routes pass through Kamesng River, orchidarium, Lake Sanctuary and gives opportunities to raft, angle bird watch and trek.

Arunachal is also popular for its white water rafting. Siang, Brahmaputra and Subansari are the rivers which have white water rafting opportunities. Brahmaputra river is a wild river where grade IV and V rafting can be easily done. Its biggest tributary Subansari offers similar rafting chances. The best times to be on these rivers are the months between November and March.

Scuba diving at Netrani Island

Netrani also known as Pigeoon Island is located 220 km south of Goa, 10 nautical miles offshore from the village Murudeshwar. The dive sites in this region are 10-30 meter deep and there is a 15-20 meter range of visibility around the island. The dive site is rich with coral reefs on the east and rock walls on the west and northwest of the island. Going underwater you may discover rare species of fishes and corals. There are private operators which provide tourists with scuba diving packages where diving gears are provided and diving training is given after which  a certain number of dives in the sea are allowed.

Angling at Cauvery

If fishing is your idea of relaxing then what better place then Cauvery. The tourism and the forest departments run Cauvery Fishing Camp. Fishing of Mahseer can be easily done during the camps. Cauvery River supports a very good population of humpbacked Mahseer. Many other important fishing camps along the way are Galibore, Bheemeshwari and Doddamakali. The camps are indeed the best bet for a green holiday topped up with a bit of adventure.

Water Sports in Goa

Goa is indisputably the best place for all sorts of waters sports. Be it windsurfing on the seas of Dona Paula or angling in Agonda or parasailing on Majorda beach and Condolim beaches or water skiing on the Calangute beaches. The ideal time for water sports is the months between October and May when the skies here are clear and the sea is at ease. If you love water sports then Goa is the place to be.

Bungee Jumping in Bangalore

Bangalore is one of the first places in India which introduced it to this sport. In this sport the person’s ankle is tied to a harness and he is dropped from thin air. Safety gears are provided but the few hundred meters free fall is worth all the trouble.

Hot air ballooning at Bir Billing

Billing, a little place in Himachal Pradesh is considered one of the best hot air ballooning sites in the world. Found in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, Bir is a small village which acts as the landing ground and Billing is the meadow from where one takes off.

It offers panoramic views and is ideal as a launching ground for hang-gliding and paragliding.