7 Adventure Sports That you Can Try in Uttarakhand

Being boxed up inside our houses for six months is surely not how we imagined most of 2020 to be. And we collectively agree that it's been hard on all of us, especially the adventure junkie. With adventure sports now having more fans than ever, many had planned a steady, adrenaline-fuelled vacation this year. While that international sky-diving course might have to wait, a more home-bound sport might not be a bad idea after all. One of the key places for adventure tourism in the country is Uttarakhand. And in a bid to revive tourism in the state, various steps have been taken as well. 

Here are 7 adventure tourism sports that you can try in Uttarakhand:

White Water River Rafting

Synonymous with river rafting, Rishikesh boasts of hosting Hollywood actor Brad Pitt who spent six hours here rafting in the Ganges. One of the key destination for rafting is Shivpuri, as it offers one of the best river rapids. Travellers can either plan a half or one day trip or engage in an adventurous four to five-day trip, depending on their choice of rapids. One can also opt to stay in the picturesque river rafting camps set up along the riverside and beaches.
Best time to visit: Mid-September to December, early March to May.

Water Sports
Uttarakhand houses one of the largest man-made lakes in Asia – Tehri. The lake plays host to a number of exciting water sports activities, such as boating, jet speed boat ride, water skiing, zorbing, banana boat ride, bandwagon boat ride, hotdog ride, among others. Apart from water sports, tourists can indulge in the beauty of the gigantic Tehri Dam, which is the highest dam in India.
Best time to visit: Although the lake can be visited at any time of the year but the most suitable time to indulge in water sports are the summer months of April to June.

Trekking
Home to vast and splendid mountain ranges, Uttarakhand is also offers some unparalleled routes for trekking and hiking enthusiasts. Some of the most popular trekking destinations include Kakbhusandi, Chandrashila, Deoria Tal, Roopkund, Valley of Flowers and Pindari Glacier.
Best time to visit: The suitability varies from trek to trek, but ideally one should avoid the monsoon season due to risk of landslides.

Bungee Jumping

Often found on most adventure junkies’ bucket list, bungee jumping has also found a home in Uttarakhand. The highest bungee jumping spot in the country is in Mohan Chatti, Rishikesh. It is also the only place in India where bungee jumping can be done from a fixed platform. To all the adventure buffs out there, this is surely the best spot to test your adrenaline rush!
Best time to visit:  The jump can be done throughout the year, though it’s advisable to avoid the monsoon.

Paragliding
The grandiose hills of Uttarakhand make for a perfect location for paragliding. A series of state-of-the-art opportunities are offered for both novice and experienced enthusiasts. One can also opt for cross-country paragliding to cover long distances. Head to Naukuchiyatal, Bhimtal or Pithoragarh to engage in ideal paragliding opportunities locations in Uttarakhand. 
Best time to visit: May to September.

Wildlife Safaris
Corbett and Rajaji National Parks in Uttarakhand are well known amid travellers for their exhilarating wildlife safaris. Carried out tactfully in several zones, these safaris take travellers around by means of authorised jeeps and on elephant backs while offering the best of wildlife views and sightings.
Best time to visit: November to February.

Skiing

Joining the list of other adventure sports in Uttarakhand is skiing. Snow-covered Auli is known for offering world class skiing facilities. Additionally, the natural slopes provide outstanding opportunities for several skiing events such as slalom and cross-country. 
Best time to visit: November to March.