An adventure amid monotony

For many months now, people have been suppressing their urge to go out and explore. But, now they can start giving in to their desires and set about on an adventurous journey that involves visiting less-crowded places and completely adhering to the norms of social distancing, says Tejbir Singh Anand, Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventure.

Travelling is an intrinsic part of human nature! As India continues to fight the COVID pandemic with the curve flattening in many places, there can be seen some activity in the tourism sector. Adventure is a very unique segment of travel which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but is surely something that a person desires to experience at least once in a lifetime, and when they do, there’s no going back! Travel is like an elixir that not just offers you solace from the cacophony of life but also helps you connect with nature and discover your true inner self. For many travellers, an adventure holiday has been a life altering experience – one that helped them discover their inner self, their strengths and weaknesses. It’s almost therapeutic!

India, thankfully, is blessed in abundance with adventure offerings. India is a 12-month, 4-season adventure travel destination, ranked 34th on the World Travel and Tourism Index, driven by its rich natural and cultural resources. The World Economic Forum in 2017 ranked India as the fifth best destination on the Natural Heritage Index in the world and the eighth most culturally diverse country. It is home to 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include 30 cultural properties, seven natural properties, and one mixed site.

There are a few more reasons that make India an incredible destination to visit 12 months a year. There are about 551 wildlife sanctuaries in India, which is 3.64 per cent of the geographical area of the country. Some of the unique creatures found only in India are the Wild Ass, Snow Leopards, the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lions, Nilgiris Marten, Rhinoceros, Sangai deer, and Lion Tailed Macaque. Our country is home to 104 national parks comprising 1.23 per cent of India’s total surface area. The biggest and the highest national park in India is the Hemis National Park in Ladakh. However, Madhya Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have the maximum number of national parks (nine each).

It has been predicted that the adventure tourism and activity travel market will grow at a CAGR of 17.4 per cent from 2017 to 2023. The revenue generated from adventure package tours currently stands at `1,772 crore, which is a significant contribution to the economy. So, it’s time to start seeking a short sojourn away from the hustle.

Where’s the adventure?

• Northeast states
• Rajasthan Desert Circuit
• Dhauj, Haryana, for rock climbing, rappelling, zip-lines, and a skycycle mecca next to Delhi-NCR
• J&K for skiing; Ladakh for ice climbing and ice hockey; Leh & Kargil for cycling
• Manali, Dharamshala, Kullu, Sirmour and Shimla in Himachal for skiing, cycling, snow treks, paragliding
• Lower ranges of Kumaon and Garhwal for rafting, bungee