Adventure Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal’s enticing landscapes draw tourists who wish to add an exciting dimension to a regular holiday. The activities encompass a range that could include something like a simple, yet highly enjoyable riverside walk, to one that requires a high level of fitness and skill, such as mountaineering.

Trekking routes across the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges are very popular, leading into the Shimla and Kullu Valleys, and beyond into the Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti Valleys.

Heli-skiing is a thrilling sport that involves lifting passengers by helicopters to snow covered peaks. The sport can be experienced at Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near Manali.

Kufri is Himachal’s skiing capital, though Mahasu, Narkanda and the Solang Valley near Manali also have excellent facilities for the sport.

Shimla is known for its ice-skating facilities and the season lasts between December and February. A carnival-like atmosphere prevails over the Ice-Skating Club where lively events are conducted regularly.

Golf enthusiasts have been heading for Naldehra ever since it was established by Lord Curzon in the 1900’s. The rolling landscapes of Annandale and Khajjiar too have grown in popularity as golfing centres.

For para-gliding, the Billing peak in Kangra, Bundla Dhar in the Kullu valley and Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Shimla have been found ideal.

Himachal’s waterways are a dream for anglers, teeming as they are with trout and mahaseer. The streams cutting Rohru in Shimla are fertile breeding grounds for a variety of fish, with Seema, Tikri, Dhamvari, Mandil and Sandsu being the favourite spots of anglers. Other rivers ideal for fishing are the Baspa in Kinnaur, Uhl, Sarvari, Parbati, Sainj, Tirthan, Hurla streams which flow into the Kullu valley; the Maharana Pratap Sagar and the Gobind Sagar Lakes, and stretches along the rivers Beas, Giri and the Yamuna.

The Maharana Pratap Sagar is also a venue for water sports that are conducted throughout the year. These include: swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. For high thrill seekers, the Zanskars are open for white water rafting; as is the Beas near Kullu, the Sutlej near Shimla and the Ravi near Chamba.

Cycling through Himachal’s glades and mountains is increasingly gaining ground, especially in Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra and Una. Mountaineering activity is centered on Manali where the Hanuman Tibba, the Manali and Shitdhar peaks and Deo Tibba are sought out by rock climbers.