Published 22nd Feb. 2023
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Active adventures in India mean something different to every traveller - for die-hard mountaineers it means gearing up for a hike through the Indian Himalayas, for families it means practicing ancient forms of fishing on Vembanad Lake and for couples it means enjoying a hand-held walk through the lush rainforest of the Andaman Islands. But one thing’s for sure: with endless beautiful landscapes just waiting to be explored, it’s virtually impossible not to stay active on a holiday to India. Read on to discover the top destinations in India for an outdoorsy getaway.
With sweeping national parks providing sanctuary for unusual flora and fauna, sacred monasteries surrounded by towering hills and some of the world’s highest peaks poking out of the clouds, the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain Range - which spans seven northern states - is one of the best places to enjoy active adventures in India. From the town of Narkanda, in Himachal Pradesh, we can have one of our experienced guides lead you to Hatu Peak, which at 11,000 feet is the highest peak in the town and offers incredible views across the scenic Shivalik Range. In the same state is Dharamsala, a city home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. The city’s surroundings are brimming with beautiful monasteries, many of which you can easily reach on foot from the centre of the city. In the town of Nimmu, in Ladakh, you can enjoy hiking through the foothills to villages, shrines and orchards, as well as a spot of yoga at the end of a long day of walking. We can also arrange for adrenaline-junkies to head out onto the Indus River to enjoy the thrill of rafting down the white-water rapids.
India’s longest lake, Vembanad, is quickly becoming one of Kerala’s top backwater tourist destinations, thanks to the plethora of outdoorsy activities that can be enjoyed on the emerald waters and in the lush surrounding forests. We can arrange for you to stay in a beautiful property right on the water, so you can easily start your day with a spot of boating, kayaking or bird-watching. This is also the perfect place to head out with one of our top local guides and some local fisherman to learn all about the ancient way of catching fish in the backwaters, which involves frightening karimeen or pearl spot fish to the point where they literally bury their head in the sand, making it easy for locals to swim down and catch them. Those keen to explore the jungly banks of the river can head out on a bike. The terrain is very flat, so you can easily cover as many miles as you like on two wheels.
The central Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are brimming with exotic creatures that are as breathtakingly beautiful as they are spine-tinglingly terrifying. Ranthambore National Park is one of the best and most beautiful park in India to spot wild tigers, leopards and bears, as well as a huge number of bird species. We can arrange for you to head out into the wilderness for a safari walk from your lodge with an experienced naturalist guide. We can also set up game drives that bound into the heart of the Indian bush. Bandhavgarh National Park is another great place to spot royal Bengal tigers, white tigers and leopards. Those keen to spot other wildlife species can head to Panna National Park to enjoy a private safari to catch a glimpse of crocodiles, wolves, monkeys and antelopes.
The southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have long been famous for the unmatched quality of their tea, coffee, spices, bananas and rice. The rolling emerald-green hills of the Western Ghats, which pass through all the three states, are brimming with sweeping tropical plantations and make for the perfect backdrop of a scenic hike. In Karnataka, we can arrange for you to stay in a luxurious hotel situated in the midst of 30 acres of rolling green hills, coffee plantations and walking trails. In the lush hills surrounding Periyar National Park, we can organise a private tour of a local spice plantation with the owner, who can point out clove and cardamom plants in full bloom, black pepper and vanilla plants winding up trees and pastel-yellow nutmegs hanging off branches. As for Kerala, this is the place to head out on an aquatic adventure in one of our favourite types of boats: a luxuriously-converted kettuvallam (rice barge). As you gently drift along a rich ecosystem of canals, lakes and rivers, you can admire thriving rice paddy fields, exotic coconut farms and flourishing banana tree plantations.
Our final pick for the best active adventures in India takes us as far away from mainland India as you can get without leaving the country: the Andaman Islands. With floury white-sand beaches and lush forested mountains jutting out of transparent waters, this remote archipelago is a delightful mix of Goa and Phuket. And while kicking back on a sun lounger might be tempting, the adventurous activities on offer are sure to lure even the most languorous of honeymooners out of their luxurious resort. We can have you whisked away to some of the finest dive and snorkelling sites in south Asia, including Havelock Island, where you can admire an abundant coral population and diverse marine life. Other activities on the water include fishing in the ocean, kayaking through lush mangroves and boating out to uninhabited remote islands. And there’s no reason the outdoorsy adventures need to stop once you’re back on dry land - we can have one of our top guides lead you on a nature walk through the tropical rainforest or organise for you and your special someone to enjoy a restorative yoga session.
Our eager experts have explored India from its mountainous north to its tropical south in search of the best destinations, experiences and properties. In-country, our passionate team of Concierges share a love of India and are always on hand to impart extensive knowledge of their country. Working with phenomenal local guides across the country, we tailor experiences to your specific interests, from family-friendly block printing in Jaipur to city food tours and off-the-beaten-track wildlife safaris. Whether you’d rather call a historic palace or a humble guesthouse home, we can offer your dream accommodation while in India.
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