Best Skiing locations in India

India is a cheap location for skiing. You can find a great value for money here. The various ski resorts in India are as follows:

Auli: It is an important ski location in Uttarakhand in North India. GMVNL provides facilities for skiing at this location. One needs a certificate for skiing here. The validity of the certificate ranges from 4 6to 14 days. One can also go for a skiing course here in case the person is an amateur. The first South Asian Winter Games were held here in the year 2011. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 2100 per person.

The nearest airport is at Dehradun which is at a distance of 170 km.

Gulmarg: Gulmarg is an important skiing destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in North India. It has been rated as Asia’s seventh best ski location. Anyhow it is not as cheap as other locations in India. A one night stay at an average hotel in Gulmarg would set you back by Rs 5000. Skiing activities are held at a height of 4200 m. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 2400 per person.

The nearest airport is Srinagar at a distance of 52 km.

Kufri: Kufri is located at in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India. It is situated at a distance of 13 km from Shimla and is situated at NH 22. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 1400 per person.

There are a few potato plantations here. During winter they are cleared to make a path for skiing.

Lachung: Lachung is an important skiing location in the state of Sikkim in Eastern India. This place has been occupied by the Indian Army due to security issues. The government of India has recently opened the town for skiing in order to boost the economy of the region. Please note that a special permit is required to visit the place. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 3600 per person for the complete expedition.

Manali: Manali is an important location for skiing activities in India. This is the most frequented place for skiing. This is due to the tourist importance of Manali, easy transportation facilities and cheaper accommodation. Skiing activities are held in Rohtang during summers and it is closed during winters. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 800 per person.

The nearest airport is located at Bhuntar town at a distance of 52 km from Manali. Anyhow this place can be easily approached by other modes of communication as well.

Narkanda: Narkanda is an important skiing destination in North India. It is situated in the district of Shimla in the state of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. The place can be well accessed through roadways. Skiing activities take place here in summers only. It is located at an altitude of 2700 km. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 1200 per person.

The nearest airport is Shimla.

Solang Valley: The Solang Valley is an important skiing location in North India. It is located at a distance of 14 km from Manali in the Kullu district. Unlike Manali, skiing activities are held here during winters and are replaced by Zobering in summers. It is considered to be one of the safest places for skiing in India. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 1350 per person.

The nearest airport is located at BhutBhutan

Yumthang Valley: Solang Valley is an important skiing location in North India. This valley is located at an altitude of 5000 m in the Eastern state of Sikkim. This place is not easily accessible. People usually travel from Gangtok to Lachung and rent a room there. Then an expedition is held from Lachung to Yumthang. Skiing events here may take a whole day. AQnyhow this is the toughest location for skiing and thus the most enjoyable one as well. The average cost of a skiing expedition here would be about Rs 3400 per person for the complete expedition.

The nearest airport is located at Gangtok.

Places to do White Water Rafting in India

Rafting in India

Rafting is one of the most challenging adventure sport. It is navigation of water bodies through an inflatable raft. In India, white water rafting is usually done on fast moving North Indian rivers which derive their source from the High Himalayas. It is quite a fun activity.

Rapids and grades of rapids

Rapids are the sections of a river where the depth of the river bed is low and thus the velocity and turbulence of water increases. White water rafting activities are held in a river which has rapids. These rapids have grades. These grades are:

Grade 1: These rapids usually have flat water or very little current. Very basic paddling skills are required to raft through them.

Grade 2: These rapids have slight currents with small bubbles oozing out from beneath. Very basic paddling skills are required to raft through them.

Grade 3: These rapids have average currents and may have a slight fall as well. There may be small rocks as well. Anyhow they do not pose any danger as such. Experienced paddling skills are required to raft through them.

Grade 4: These rapids have large currents and may have a steep fall as well. There may be big rocks as well. Anyhow they do not pose any danger as such. Whitewater paddling skills are required to raft through them.

Grade 5: These rapids have larger currents and may have a very steep fall as well. There may be huge rocks as well. They do pose some any danger. Advanced whitewater paddling skills are required to raft through them.

Grade 6: These rapids are unnavigable. Most of them have never been experienced on a raft till date. Rafting through them may be life threatening as well.

Rafting in the Ganges River

Rishikesh is the most popular location for rafting in India. It is located near Haridwar in North India and is easily accessible by rail and road. Here, rafting starts from four points: Brahmapuri (9 km), Shivpuri (16 km), Byasi (26 km) and Kaudiyala (40 km) and ends at Rishikesh. Rafting for Brahmapuri is quite tame and is suitable for family trips. Anyhow this is not the case with rafting from Shivpuri and Byasi. This is because many grade 4 rapids like Black Money, Cross Fire, Three Blind Mice, body Surfing , Roller Coaster, Return to Sender, Golf Course, Club House, Return to Sender, Double Trouble, Hilton and Terminator come en route. Only mentally and physically fit young men can go for this adventure. Rafting from Kaudiyala can only be done by experienced people as there is a grade 4+ rapid called 'The Wall' in the way which cannot be tackled that easily. 

 

Rafting in Alaknanda River

If rafting in Rishikesh seemed too tame, don't worry. There is more nearby. Take a 6 hour 165 km drive to Chamoli. You can find many grade 4+ and grade 5 rapids here. This expedition will take about 4 days.

 

Real Heroes Raft at the Brahmaputra

Unlike the Ganges, the Brahmaputra is really really wild. When the river enters India, it enters an area which receives heavy rainfall. This is where the river gains its vigour from. The river has many strong rapids like the 'Pulsating Pusi' and the 'Toothfairy' en route which are strong enough to give you the most fearful experience of your life. This rafting is a true adrenaline booster. You will first have to reach Arunachal Pradesh to reach here.

 

Risking life at the Zanskar River, Leh

So you think that the Brahmaputra was still not enough. No problem. There is a better (worse for some) option. Welcome to Zanskar River, Leh. At 11,450 rafting in the Zanskar river in no doubt the highest rafting expedition in the whole world. It's damn cold here. Water is 7-degree celsius and surroundings frozen. The river is situated in Ladakh which is itself quite inaccessible so don't expect any help in case of emergency. No mobile signal, no safety, too cold, toughest rapids, highest falls, roughest terrain. This is what I call fun. 

Hobby Rafting at the Kali, Dandeli

So you are just a hobbyist and not an experienced adventurist and have no plans to go to the Alaknanda or the Brahmaputra or the Zanskar. You can raft at the Kali in Dandeli. This rafting is tame enough for first timers. Anyhow its quite expensive and short length.

Time Pass Rafting at Kundalika river, Kolad

Kolad is situated at a distance of 123 km from Mumbai. Rafting at the Kundalika river starts from here. There are a few grade 3 rapids here. Remember to book online in advance as there are no arrangments for the same on reaching Kolad.

Chilling Rafting in the Beas, Kulu

The Beas is a cold river and rafting here is quite pleasing especially because of the surrounding mountains which make a beautiful scenery. Rafting in usually done across two lengths - 7km and 14 km. The best the here is to jump out of the raft and go for body surfing in the chilling water.

 

Family Rafting at the Cauvery in Bhemeshwari

Okay, so you want to go on a family rafting trip. Go to the Cauvery river in Bhemeshwari. It is fine to rafting there even for little kids.

Rafting at Barapole River in Coorg

This river 'Barapole' has a few number of grade 2 and grade 3 rapids. First timers can also raft here.