Travel and Leisure Articles

White water rafting is a one of my favorite sports; I love to go out for this adventurous sport every summer as you know in India it’s very hot in summer so it’s better to go for such outing trip. My favorite places for water rafting are Rishikesh, Kulu - Manali, Spiti because they are all nearer to Delhi where I am staying as I am working here in a Software Development Company as a Search Engine Optimizer.

Rishikesh is nearer to Haridwar it’s almost 5 to 6 hour journey from Delhi and that’s why I use to go there every summer. The Ganga River which is very popular in India is flowing there which is very popular river in Hindu religion. There is very long story which I will share with you other day or you can find about that on Wikipedia. This river is one of the best places for white water rafting. If you like to go there then you will enjoy both things there spiritual and adventure life that’s my promise.

Kulu - Manali is also nearer to Delhi it takes only 14 to 15 hour to reach there by bus. I spent my childhood there from my 6th class to 10th class that’s why I love that place at that time I haven’t seen white water rafting there but now when I went there last summer then I saw a complete change there as you know there is Bias River which is one of the major rivers in India I think its flow of water is more than other rivers in Himachal Pradesh.

Spiti River I haven’t visit there yet but I am planning for next summer to visit there as I have a friend who is white water rafting guide from Canada who provide rafting and trekking tours in Spiti, Brahamputra, Zankar, Subansari River in North East. So I am excited to go there.

This list may be different than the one you are expecting. Forget about shaving and showering and I have already mentioned that there are rustic, but adequate facilities at most of the campsites for that other S. The wilderness areas of BC present many backpacking opportunities through pristine forests and primal headlands that capture everyone of our senses and present them with a smorgasbord of unforgettable experiences and none more so than the West Coast Trail.  

SIGHTS: I suppose it depends on where you are from and whether or not you see crashing waves, miles of sand, trees that reach to the clouds, whales playing, eagles soaring, star fish lying in tide pools, seals clamouring up rocks, shipwrecks, storm carved caves, surge channels, spectacular sunsets, waterfalls you can swim under, lighthouses, suspension bridges, self propelled cable cars, skies blanketed with stars and paths that wind through one of the most beautiful spot on earth but you can expect this and much more as you spend 7 days and nights on the West Coast Trail.  

SOUNDS: The sounds of nature include a lot of silence, something that takes some getting use to for us city dwellers. Part of this wilderness trail follows through the rain forest and it seems that the vegetation soaks up the noise that makes up the background near the ocean. It take a few minutes to realize that you can’t hear anything because there is nothing to hear. If you are tuned into your senses, you will discover that the sight and smell receptors become heightened. Contrast this church-like experience with a night that I wrote about in my book, in which we were lying in our tent listening to the 4 foot waves smash into the shoreline creating a sound and power like a locomotive. In between these two extremes exist the sounds of birds, seals, seagulls, laughter, moans and grunts from yourself and other hikers. A cautionary note here: bears and other wild animals that make these forests their home, are most often encountered because they cannot hear a hiker approaching due to the sound of rushing water. They are surprised and then revert to fear and this may cause them to attack. If you are in an area with a lot of natural noise, consider making a little unnatural noise like a whistle, bear bell or my singing. 

SMELLS: For us landlubbers there is something very special about the smell of the ocean and when it is combined with the odours from cedar trees, Douglas firs, vegetation that rapidly decays in the rainforest and the absolutely clean and unpolluted air itself, the whole experience becomes very special.   The West Coast Trail will awaken all 8 of your senses in a way that no other 7 day experience possibly can. No that’s not a typo, there are 8, but you may need to check out my blog or book to find out.

Namibia is a land of contrasts with breathtaking landscapes that range from vast red desert to rugged mountains and lush plains, as well as fascinating tribes and an abundance of wildlife such as desert elephants, lions and leopards. Therefore it is a prime destination for adventure travel with activities ranging from wilderness camping to sand boarding.

 

For the ultimate African adventure you can’t beat an overland trip, these tend to visit numerous countries and include a variety of activities including cultural trips and wildlife watching.

 

However, adventure travel within in Namibia itself is plentiful and varies within the country from region to region. For desert adventures you can head into the Namib Desert with its spectacular vast red sand dunes. Here you can enjoy desert safaris where you’ll see rare desert elephants or perhaps climb the dunes for spectacular views before sand boarding back down them for extreme thrills.

 

Or check out the plains of the infamous Etosha National Park where you can join a traditional adventure safari to see all manner of wildlife including elephants, wildebeest, zebra, hyenas, lions, cheetah, leopards, giraffes, antelopes and numerous bird species. Or for the really adventurous travellers there are walking safaris to get up close and personal to the nature and wildlife before camping out in the bush for the ultimate in wilderness adventures.

 

Other more unique adventure travel Namibia options include motorbike tours across the African continent or rail journeys through the country.

 

No matter what your preferred adventure is, you’ll find it in Namibia.

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, lies south-western Uganda about 530km from the Capital (Kampala) and close to the borders of Rwanda and DRC. One of the world’s endangered primates have started multiplying in Number in some parts of their location. Bwindi is one of the areas that the gorillas have increased in number, adding from 300 to 340 gorillas after the produced their babies. This was according to the census results carried out in the Bwindi impenetrable forest with the help of the authority and the locals.

An increase by 12% growth in numbers is a clear indication that the wildlife conservation programs being implemented in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the prime destination of bird watchers and gorilla trekking. Of over a half a population of 700 gorillas in the world there are positive results to this families to increase further, said the executive director of Uganda wildlife Authority.

During the time of wars that almost ruined the east African Nations in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the primate were being hunted for a meal and this almost extinguished the gorillas from their locations in the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo, however the population of the gorillas today stands at 720 with half the number in Uganda. However, between April and June 2006, a census of the gorillas was carried Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the experts registered an increase of a total of 30 gorilla groups up from 28 in 1997, with the numbers in each group varying between 3 and 28. The several conservation groups found 11 lonely solitary males, which don’t yet have a family.

Mapesa said the analysis of the gorillas’ different age groups provides an optimistic picture of the future of these gentle giants, whose endangered conservation status has made them one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions since the 1990s. However Mapesa was quick to add that there is some concern that regular contact with humans is limiting the number of females joining the habituated groups from the unhabituated groups.

Of the 30 groups, five are habituated of which four are utilized for tourism while one is used for research. The five habituated gorilla groups have a total number of 76 gorillas, constituting 23% of the total gorilla population in the park. Because of the increase in the gorilla population and the continued health status, UWA has started a habituation process for two more gorilla groups in Rushaga and Ruhija (in the Kabale area) as part of efforts to boost tourism revenue and satisfy the increasing public demand for gorilla tracking.

Some of the groups that took part in the census of the Gorilla’s were the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society, UWA, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and others.

Would you ever imagine the movement of your vehicle up a steep mountain, with its ignition off, at a speed of 20 km per hour? Visit the snow desert of Ladakh to believe it. Located in the outskirts of the ‘Little Tibet’, the miraculous Magnetic Hill defies all the laws of gravity. The magnetic hill is situated at an elevation of around 14,000 feet above sea level, about 25 km from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil-Batalik national highway and is bordered by the Indus river. The hill is so full of magnetized iron that it has the power to pull any vehicle in its vicinity towards itself. You can see the vehicles not only moving without the engine being turned on, but also defying gravity by climbing uphill.

If this is not enough, the hill has the capability to give a jerk to even helicopters and aircrafts . According to the local people and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnels, the helicopters and aircrafts have to fly at a faster speed while crossing the region to avoid the magnetic impact of the hill. If any aircraft comes within the radius of Magnetic Hill at a slower speed, it starts to jerk.

Apart from this key attraction, the region is visited for colourful hills and mountains. These snow laded hills of the Himalayan region bear different colours (like white, gray, green, red or orange) in different seasons. A few kilometers down the road is Gurdwara Pather Sahib, a Sikh holy shrine, which is maintained by the Indian Army.

Some call the powers of the magnetic hill merely an optical illusion, which has nothing to do with magnetic fields, electricity or unknown forces. They believe that the layout of the surrounding land produces an optical illusion of making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope. Whatever it is, the legendary powers of the Magnetic Hill draw countless people to the wonderland of Ladakh.

Adventure sports in Goa are the prime attractions on the golden beaches here. The state has a number of Government as well as private owned institutes that offer training courses and wonderful opportunities for the extreme adventure sports. Goa not only offers relaxation beach holiday activities, but also the best of the water/adventure sports. October to May is considered the best season for Goa adventure sports.

The stunning golden beaches of Goa are known for their picturesque beauty, fabulous coastline, sparkling seas, forested regions and various springs. But, no holiday is complete without enjoying adventure sports in Goa. Being a marvellous beach destination, Goa proves to be a wonderful adventure sports destination. There are many activities amateurs and professionals can enjoy at Goa. With a wide array of water sports, Goa offers opportunities for trekking, hiking or river crossing in the air. Those who are not that much fond of thrill, can go for dolphin and crocodile spotting, and island trips.

Goa adventure sports draw thousands of tourists to the esteemed National Institute of Water Sports (Dona Paula beach), Goa Yatching Association (Panaji), and various other institutes. Calangute Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Cavelossim Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Condolim Beach, Bogmalo Beach etc. are the best spots in Goa for water sports. While on a trip to Goa, one can try out adventure activities like:

• Water Skiing

(favourite among those who love to feel the ocean waves splashing across their faces while rushing through water)

• Surfing

(the most thrilling activity carried out while standing on a surfboard)

• Scuba Diving

(activity of swimming underwater, ideal to explore the unique marine life)

• Dinghy Sailing

(sailing small boats on the coast lines from one island to another)

• Parasailing

(flying in air while towed behind a boat and attached to a specially designed parachute)

• Jet Skiing

(riding on the sea waves with high speed water-crafts)

• Boating
• Fishing

Goa is a paradise for adventure sports lovers. The long coastline in Goa offers amazing adventures amidst the sand, sun, sea and surf. The ‘Pearl of the Orient’ is not only frequented for relaxing and partying rather it is visited for a number of adventure sports that are truly incomparable.

It is a long way from anywhere as I sit uncomfortably in my cramped seat en route to Inle Lake from Bago Myanmar. It’s three in the morning, I am exhausted, my body is aching and I have been either riding a bus or waiting to board one for the past 19 hours. This lake had better be as “remarkably beautiful” as all of the guide books tell us because it is the most difficult traveling I have done in five months.

It is water festival time, the hottest time of the year, and everyone in the country is taking the bus to visit relatives and to see the sights for themselves. We arrive in Bago, a town situated 80 km northeast of Yangon via Kyiakito in early afternoon to book our overnight bus to Inle Lake. The tour operator eagerly takes our money, but fails to let us know that it is next to impossible to secure a seat during this busy season on such short notice. As the hours tick by, we wait impatiently for a spot to become available, our desperate proprietor flagged every coach that passed through this dusty town down until finally a driver agreed to take us.

It was an embarrassing experience as we boarded the bus. People were kicked out of their seats to make room for us. Not speaking their language, our protests fell on deaf ears. We didn’t want to make people sit on the floor for us, but there was nothing we could do about it, and we were shown to our designated spots.

The next 10 hours consisted of very loud variety shows a la “Laugh In” that I couldn’t understand one word of, a bus so packed with luggage, that I was forced to stuff my 70L Backpack under my feet and temperatures so hot that it was difficult to breathe. Just as I was drifting off to the glorious escape of sleep, we stopped at one in the morning for dinner. Who eats in the middle of the night? But sure enough, everyone disembarked and ordered full meals from the roadside food stand. We ended up staying at this lively stop for much longer than expected as our bus was under repair and wasn’t going anywhere soon.

I had the chance to witness quite the spectacle though.

It is very late at night and children are running around playing, music is blaring, several food stalls are busy cooking up food and a market is open to sell vegetables and fruit. This place is thriving as it makes its living off of the overnight buses that stop here full of people ready to spend money.

Eventually we were on our way, and once we settled into our seats the variety show was turned up to “11″ for all to enjoy. Somehow, I managed to fall asleep again, but at 5:00 am I was awakened to blaring prayers over the loudspeaker. Nobody seemed to mind, so I sat in my seat and watched the scenery. We passed Ox carts full of produce for the market, horse carts taking people off to town, water buffalo and children walking to school until the driver stopped the bus to tell us that this was our stop.

We were let off on the side of the road and the rest of the bus headed on to Mandalay. Negotiations were to begin again for a pick up truck to the lake. We never did find one, but we managed to hop onto an over packed minivan where I was to spend the next eight hours in 45 degree weather with no relief from the heat. 5000 Kyat ($6 US) bought me a seat on the engine with a thin straw pad to sit on. Four of us were crammed in the front of the van. A driver who never stopped smoking, a young monk squished between the driver and myself and my husband who was wedged between the door and me.

31 hours after leaving our initial destination, we made it to Inle Lake, where we took the first guesthouse that we could find and quickly retired for the rest of the day.

I wouldn’t know if Inle Lake was as beautiful as the guidebooks say, we were in Myanmar at the hottest driest time of the year, but for our stay at the lake it was cold, rainy and overcast. We never experienced that breathtaking panoramic view. But like everywhere that we visited in this country, the people made the experience. They were warm and friendly and we were even invited to a private home for tea and conversation. At a temple on the lake named Jumping Cat Monastery, a group of people were so enthralled with us, that the tables were turned and we were the attraction. People took turns having their pictures taken with us and we shared a laugh as we gave a thumb’s up to the camera. Sunglass clad monks gave a peace sign and summer vacationers put their arms around us to pose for pictures. When Dave showed people the pictures on his digital camera, everyone went wild, wanting him to take more.

As to whether or not Inlay Lake was worth the bus trip from hell? Of course it was. I experienced pure hospitality, I had the rare opportunity to see the Intha Leg Rowers, famous for their unique way of propelling their boat with one leg wrapped around their oar. I visited a monastery full of cats who have been trained by monks to jump through hoops and I was privileged enough to interact with a people who have been isolated from the outside world for so long.

Juneau, Alaska is located in the southeast region of the state, right next to the Gastineau Channel. The natural beauty of the capital city and the surrounding area are awe inspiring, as is the taste of the fish that populate its waters. There are over 627 species of fish in Alaska’s rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters, just waiting to be caught and enjoyed by the victorious fisherman. Salmon is one of the most prized fish from this region, and Juneau is located at the perfect place for anyone interested in going salmon fishing. The waters near the city have king, silver, pink, chum, and red salmon swimming around throughout the year.

There are specific times when certain salmon populations are at their strongest, thereby increasing a person’s chances of actually catching one. Consulting a local fisherman is the best way to know what fish is in season and where the best place to go in order to find them. There are a lot of boating companies in Juneau that are available for hire and can help even the most inexperienced individual go salmon fishing and perhaps be successful. People must look to both the rivers and ocean in order to find the salmon that they are looking for. Where the salmon are located depends heavily on what time of year it is.

When salmon fishing most people are gunning for king salmon due to their large size and mouth watering meat. While this makes sense, it might be a bit more economical for visitors to try catching another variety of salmon since there is an additional cost for king salmon stickers. Tourists must first purchase a temporary fishing license before they can even pick up a reel, but if they have their eye on king salmon, they will have to fork over a couple of extra dollars. While this might seem worth it to some, the popularity of the fish also means that it is harder to track down so they should prepare themselves for a hunt. Whatever kind is caught, Alaskan salmon will make for a delicious and rewarding meal.

A hidden wish of a nature lover, an adventure enthusiast, suddenly comes to the crust when one hears the deadly roar of a tiger in the Jim Corbett National Park. The attraction of a tiger pulls the wildlife enthusiasts close to the dark forests and the mere sight of the ruling creature makes the heart skip a beat. Humans are dominated by the wild in their territory and Jim Corbett National Park is the place to be if you prefer the thrill of this domination.

Corbett Tiger Reserve is situated in Uttaranchal, at a distance of around 290 km from Delhi. It is the oldest national park of India as it was opened in 1936, as Hailey National Park. The sole purpose was to preserve a variety of rare species of wildlife which were getting extinct due to reasons such as trade of animal skin. Today, the tigers count here has reached 150. Other animals that dwell here are Wild Boars, Barking Deer, Rhesus Macaques, Langurs, Wild Elephants, Indian Pangolin, Leopards, Muggars, Gharials and Spotted Deers.

The place is a bird watcher’s paradise as there are around 580 species of birds that can be spotted including Green Heron, Pallas Fishing Eagle, Common Hawk, Indian Ring Dove, Turtle Dove, Black Partridge, Whitebreasted Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Pond Heron, Rosy Pastor, Common Grey Hornbill, etc. Many migratory birds visit the Ramganga river stretch to quench their thirst. During winter season, the rush of birds flocking in the area, seems to be a common sight. Most of these birds are high altitude birds. The best season for bird-watch is during the winter months of November to March.

The vegetation of the park mostly consists of Haldu, Pipal, Mango and Rohini trees. The forests are of moist deciduous type with dominance of Sal trees. The grasslands covering the valleys of the region offer an attractive sight, where animals can be spotted easily.

Fishing and angling in the rivers of the national park, at places like Binsar and Ramgarh, are a favorite among the visitors. Go around the dark forests to observe the wildlife, while you enjoy a good jeep or elephant safari. Many forest lodges are available where you can relax at night and wake up in the nature’s lap with the twittering of birds. Even hotels and resorts, which are well-furnished and have comfy facilities are available in the national park. Other leisure activities that can be tried out here include cycling, jogging, swimming, rock climbing, rappling, trekking and river rafting.

The main places that you can visit in and around Jim Corbett include Dhikala, which is a popular tourist destination. River Ramganga flows through the Patli Dun valley near which Dhikala is situated. The Garija Devi Temple, near River Kosi, is the place where Kartik Purnima Fair takes place. It is located on the way to the hill station of Ranikhet. Also, you can visit the Corbett Museum in Kaladhungi, around 32 km from Jim Corbett, where you can have a look at the life history of Jim Corbett.

Jim Corbett National Park also organizes exciting camps for children, so that they get close to nature. They are accompanied by a team of naturalists and professionals. The park can be visited only from mid November to mid June. An overnight stay at the forest lodges would require permits from the headquarter office of the National Park,. It is advised to book the jeep and elephant rides in advance, so that they are available in time.

So, enjoy your stay in the thrilling habitat of the wild, and experience the fun of being their humble guests, not unwanted guests. The adventure begins right here…

You might have wondered what exactly is Whitewater Rafting? Basically it is the use of a raft whilst navigating a river or lake, and is probably best explored on rough water for the thrill of the ride! Whitewater rafting is a challenging water sport, which requires experience and skill on the water, so please take due care, and maybe do plenty of research about the area before you venture into challenging waters.

The following are our top 10 Places to enjoy the sport in the USA…

1. Rafting on the Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon area, you can certainly capture the beauty of the river as you travel down it. Here you can raft a total of over 200km in six days. The divine beauty of the Grand Canyon is something to savour, with walls and waterfalls that are just waiting to be explored. Find out more about Colorado River Rafting.

2. Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia. This area of West Virginia at the Summersville Dam and Lake is a magical place for rafting. The summertime sees the river water flows touching great levels to make the falls even more pronounced. In fact, the fall and spring are just as exciting when rafting, as the dam ejects water from the bottom of the lake all year round.

3. The Great Rivers of Montana. Springtime is possibly the best time to raft the Flathead River. You can enjoy the sheer thrill of the rapids of “Bone Crusher” and “Jaws”! The top middle fork of the Flathead River is not for the faint hearted with some challenging drops and jumps!

4. Rafting in Idaho is best enjoyed along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. You can enjoy the power of the 100 rapids in the beautifully scenic area. The River actually drops a total of 3,000 feet through the hugely impressive River of No Return!

5. Rafting on the Rogue River. The Rogue River in Oregon is one of the most impressive rivers in the USA, and is a huge favourite of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Rogue River Rafting offers a wonderful adventure vacation, combining beautiful scenery, fresh breeze winds, fantastic wildlife viewing and rolling waters!

6. Rafting on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River has its source in the Whitesides Mountain of North Carolina and runs to the southwest to create the border between South Carolina and Georgia. It is an impressive location for rafting, with sheer rapids and wild and wonderful scenery. Spring and early summer are the best times to raft the river, when the water table is much higher!

7. Durango Rafting Colorado. Rafting in spring is wonderful on the Animas River. You can savour the aesthetic beauty along the River of Lost Souls. You will learn all about Colorado’s mining past as you float along the rivers, with ruins from the mining industry prominent along the riverbanks.

8. California Whitewater Rafting. Whitewater Rafting in California can be enjoyed on the Kings, Merced, Tuolumne, and American Rivers, which are all located near Yosemite, the Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Tahoe.

9. Whitewater Rafting in Alaska is best enjoyed at the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers. The sheer size of the waters, the natural beauty of the area, and the remote nature of the area make for a thrilling rafting experience. You can also enjoy challenging rafting on the Yukon River.

10. Whitewater Rafting in Washington. One of the best places to enjoy rafting in Washington is on the Skykomish River where you will be guaranteed action and adventure! The Skykomish River will take you on an astonishing journey of breathtaking drops and series of rapids, and the famed “Boulder Drop” is not for the faint hearted!