Eternal India Encyclopedia

ETERNAL INDIA encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

ADVENTURE SPORTS AND TREKKING

Adventures India being the country of snow-peaked mountains, rivers flowing through different colours of rocky gorges, forests, it is perfect for winter sports, water adventures, skiing- river running, canoeing, hang gliding and ice skating. Mountaineering Institutes 1. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering - Uttar Kashi; 2. Hima- layan Mountaineering Institution - Darjeeling; 3. Western Hima- layan Institution - Manali Useful Tips : For the beginners, it's better to have a guide; even the cooks can be hired. To hire porters and mules is very easy, always carry high energy food like chocolates, nuts, raisins. River Running The snowfed mountains, descend from their icy heights, flow smoothly across the great Indo-Gangetic plains. River running is now a very well-organised sport. The swift streams powering through the high mountains, the real adventure begins upstream where the water is wild and white as it froths and foams, crashing against rocky gorges and drops sharply . The most popular waters for river running are restricted to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, the Garwhal Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh and the four rivers of Hima- chal Pradesh. Cutting across the lunar landscapes of Ladakh the Indus, often called the Lion river, begins its 2000-mile - long journey forcing its way through a landscape few men have ever seen. As she passes through Leh, river runners congregate to navi- gate her waters, ice-cold and clear and offering infinite variations for all grades of enthusiasts. Amateurs can take a half day scenic run on low waters, from Phey, along fast (but not rapid) currents through canyons and along spectacular mountain views, to Niemo, the confluence of the Zanskar and Karakoram mountain ranges. A scenic and white water trip can be combined on the run from Niemo to Saspol. 'A major rapid appears after Niemo and after Basgo, the highlight is a rainbow - coloured mineral layered gorge. The Zanskar river, in Zanskar valley, offers the professional six exciting days on the river from Padum. The rapids can be dangerous and the best season is in August and September when the waters are low. The Ganges offers some of the most spectacular river running in the country. Ideal for both paddle rafting and oar rafting, its most popular programme is a run that begins 10 km above Rishikesh. The river descends towards Rishikesh, passes under the Laksh- man Jhoola and the run concludes at the dam beyond Rishikesh. River running expeditions in India are organised and managed by professional Indian teams who have been trained abroad in some of the most difficult water stretches of the world. Canoeing The best place for canoeing is the stage were the rivers enter the plains, Rishikesh, Dakpather, Ramganga are the best rivers. Skiing Seasons January-March with their wide open spaces above the snowline. Garhwal Kuma on offers exciting possibilities-Ski

touring amongst the glaciers at 10-20 km.runs are now available with the added advantage of fresh powder and snow. Rope-way Skiing Rope-way skiing is another very popular winter sport at Joshimath. Skating One of the very popular winter sports. Shimla has the best ice- skating ring in India Hang-Gliding Most Indian hang-gliding sites have been highly rated and those in the lower reaches of the Himalayas (Kangra and Kasauli) are being developed as major hang-gliding centres. Camel Safari The latest activity in the Thar desert is the camel safari. This is an adventure sport for those with time and a sensitivity to experi- ence : a rapport between the desert, man and animal. Camel safaris trace their origin to the age of overland trade between India and China when camel caravans would journey along established trade routes laden with jewels and spices. There are small one-day or two-day trips from Bikaner to Gajner and Kodamdesar, or to Deshnoke and from Jodhpur to Khimsar. The Bikaner-Jaisalmer Safari takes about 11 days com- pleting 25km to 30km daily. The best safaris are in the heart of the Thar around Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Motor Rally There are many motor rallies now being conducted in India but the rally that is a cut above the rest and attracts international par- ticipation is the Himalayan Car Rally. The event is run in compliance with the international sporting code of the Federation Internation- ale de l'Automobile, the regulations of the Federation Internation- ale du sport Automobile and the national competition rules of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. Usually the Himalayan car-rally is divided into four legs total- ling over 3,200 km concentrating on the mountain terrain of Hima- chal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Several prizes and trophies are offered for the event, the more important being the Air India Trophy, the Coupe des Dames Trophy and the Charminar Challenge Awards. The route though it changes every year may touch some of these major towns en route : Mussoorie, Dehra Dun, Hardwar, Dhar- amsala, Shimla, Narkanda, Mandi, Nainital, Ranikhet, Corbett National Park and Garhmuktevar. New tracks are marked into the rally each year as more undiscovered routes are discovered or because a dirt road may have been washed away. This adds a surprise element for old rallyists and adds to. the challenge. Trekking The Indian Himalayas are a trekkers 1 paradise. For nowhere, else is such overwhelming grandeur matched with such remoteness. The sweeping arc of this mountain chain cuts across five Indian States and comprised-in-this expanse is the widest