Incredible India: The Adventure Lover’s Guide to India
India’s unique, rugged landscape offers multiple opportunities for adventure seekers. So, it’s no surprise that the Indian adventure tourism market is expected to reach a valuation of more than $USD 46,000 million by 2030, due to the influx of adventure tourists.
Some of the most popular locations for making adventure tours in India include the Himalayas, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. But before you can do all these things, you’ll need to apply for an India visa from the UK and other locations, for tourists.
To do so, you’ll have to visit our website, click ‘India’, fill up the tourist form, pay the fee, and submit it. You should have a valid passport, two recent passport-size photographs, an email address, a valid payment method, like a debit or credit card.
In case you apply for the India tourist visa from the UK offline, you’ll require hotel booking documents, return flight tickets, and financial viability documents. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you travel to these locations below.
Mountain Adventures in the Himalayas
You should start your mountain adventure tour in India from the Himalayas, where the sight of the majestic peaks will soothe your soul. The most popular activities people love there are going on treks and rock climbing.
Trekking & Hiking
The Valley of Flowers trek in Uttarakhand and the Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh are hot favorites among trekkies.
Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers is a week-long trek that begins and ends at Haridwar Railway Station.
That’s why, since you’re flying directly to the country, we recommend booking another cab from Jolly Grant Airport in Uttarakhand to Govind Ghat (278 km, 9 hours).
From there, take a separate local cab or board the one arranged by your trip organizer to Pulna (5 km, 30 to 40 minutes).
While the specific aspects of the trek might differ, you will begin trekking from Pulna.
From Pulna, in the next two days, you will trek towards Ghangaria (8.8 km, 9-10 hours, 10,000 feet). From Ghangaria, you will trek to the Valley of Flowers (4 km, 12000 feet), and back.
Some flowers you can expect to see in the Valley of Flowers are Cobra lilies, primroses, and rhododendrons.
The next day, you will trek towards Hemkund Sahib from Ghangaria (5.4 km, 3 hours) and back.
The trek will end for you on the next day, as you will trek back to Pulna from Ghangaria. However, you can explore other places like Govind Ghat and the holy Badrinath Dham by taxi if you wish.
We recommend going for this adventure holiday in India between July and mid-August, since you will be able to see the flowers bloom fully.
Hampta Pass
Located in the scenic state of Himachal Pradesh, the Hampta Pass trek is yet another adventure tour in India you should not miss at any cost. It is a trek where you will ascend to 14000 feet and back, over a week.
You will begin the trek from a place called Jobra, (16 km away from Manali). So you should first take a cab from the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh to Manali (271 km, 6 hours). Consider resting overnight in a good hotel there.
On the next day, take a cab to Jobra (16 km, 9100 feet). You will begin your journey by trekking from Jobra to Chiika (3 km, 2 hours, 10100 feet).
Over the next two days, you will first trek from Chiika to Balu Ka Ghera (7 km, 6 hours, 11800 feet). From Balu Ka Ghera, you will trek towards Shea Goru (7 km, 10 hours, 14000 feet), which is the Hampta Pass trek.
From Shea Goru, you will trek down to Chatru (7 km, 5 hours, 11000 feet). From there, you can take a cab back to Manali (63 km, 2 hours 30 minutes). You can then travel to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh to continue your onward journey.
The best time for this trip is from June to mid-September.
Water Adventures on Rivers and Coasts
For those who love marine adventures, signing up for this adventure holiday in India is not going to disappoint! The Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer scuba diving.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
You should book a flight from the UK to either the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or the Agatti Island in the Lakshadweep Islands to begin your vacation.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
You can opt for scuba diving in the North Island, Port Blair, Neil Island, and the Havelock Islands. There are several sites you can dive from in these islands. So you should plan out your itinerary beforehand. We would recommend diving from Port Blair and Neil Island, since it’s the capital.
So it will be an accessible location for you, from the airport (6 km, 15 minutes). You can scuba dive from a boat in Neil Island and Port Blair. You will come across corals, turtles, and fish. During the dive, don’t forget to take in the beautiful views of the marine wildlife.
You will enjoy a quiet dive off Neil Island, since it is not located close to the mainland. We would recommend taking the ferry from Port Blair to Neil Island (37 km, 1 hour 30 minutes). Prices will vary depending on the operator. Book a trip in either November or May for the best experience.
Lakshadweep Islands
For an alternative marine adventure tour in India, you can choose to travel to the Lakshadweep islands. These islands are known for their aquamarine waters, untouched corals, and the variety of marine wildlife.
Some species you will come across during your dive are turtles and sharks that live in the reefs. You can dive from either of the dive spots in Agatti Island or Kavaratti Island. The dive sports in Agatti Island will be accessible to you, since you’ll be flying there. Also expect to see hermit crabs and coral fish.
Both beginners and experienced people can dive off the Agatti Island dive spots.
You can travel to Kavaratti Island via a ferry (76 km, 6 hours). When you dive off the spots in Kavaratti, you can see pristine corals and manta rays. You will come across the Kavaratti Wall and the Kavaratti Caves.
Ideally, try to go to the Lakshadweep Islands between March and October; the weather is pleasant and the tourists are fewer.
Desert Adventures in Rajasthan
After a refreshing dive in the sea, it’s time to face the majestic deserts of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is well known for its rich Rajput culture, majestic forts, red meat, and yes, its desserts.
We recommend the cities of Bikaner and Jaisalmer if you wish to experience riding camels there.
Camel Safari
Take a deeper look at what you can experience in both of these cities during your adventure holiday in India.
Bikaner
Bikaner is known as the city of camels, due to the high-quality camels you can ride there. To enjoy the camel safari in Bikaner, you can opt for a half day, full day, afternoon ride with a night stay, or multiple tour days.
You should, however, consider checking the updated tour packages, since things can change at any time. We recommend booking a mud hut or a luxurious tent, as they are equipped with bathrooms.
Jaisalmer
Known for its Golden Fort, Jaisalmer is another place that you should not miss out on for riding camels. You can opt for either the short day trips or overnight trips, depending on your preferences.
During the day trip, you will get to ride on the Thar desert during sunset. However, if you opt for the overnight tour, you will get to camp and sleep under the night sky in the desert.
Be sure to take some long-exposure shots of the stars, as a clear night sky in the desert is a great opportunity for astro-photography. Book a trip from October to March for pleasant weather in both locations.
Ready for a Thrilling Trip across India?
Remember to pack the appropriate gear for your adventures. You should pack all your necessary medicines and important travel documents in safe and secure folders. We would also recommend cross-checking all the information that you fill in your form for India visa from the UK for tourists. You should also remember to choose verified travel operators before booking travel packages. Finally, apply for your India tourist visa from the UK on time. This will help you avoid delays.