Himachal Adventure Tour

The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State. The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.
Nestled in the Himalayas, the world's mightiest mountain ranges, Himachal is blessed with some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes, it is a travellers paradise-mighty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green valley, misty woods, fast flowing rivers, enchanting lakes and flower filled meadows. Its high mountains and valleys are linked by winding roads and high passes. While the picturesque valleys of Kullu and Kangra are a riot of colours. In marked contrast the stark and barren terrain of Lahaul & Spiti have a stunning lunar and scope like beauty. Himachali's lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. Keeping alive their rich art and culture. They remain immersed in the annual rounds of fairs and festivals, full of music, song and dance. For the visitor there are superb locations for relaxing and sight seeing. There are also great opportunities for trekking, mountaineering, fishing, river-rafting, skiing and para-gliding.

Adventure:

Mountaineering

Mountaineering is the ultimate challenge, the trial by fire, for the spirit, the mind and the body. In trying to reach the pinnacle, one can discover the essence of one's being. This romance of heights can be had in Ladakh, the Nun-Kun Massif, the Zanskar group, the central Himalayas and Arunachal Pradesh.Everywhere, even in the Central Himalayas, are some of the most daunting and challenging peaks in the world, ranging from Nanda Devi (7800m), Kamet (7750m) and Dunagiri (7088m). Climbing rocks is a most challenging task; some call it a vertical dance while others see it as the ultimate way to test yourself.
During winter, snow cap peaks come alive. Reaching out to kiss the shimmering skies above, they are still in the tight embrace of the winter snow as the willowy winds croon songs of love. The vibrant spirit of the mountains is infectious as the skier throws caution to the winds and starts to waltz on the slope-hugging snows, to soar skywards, forsaking all cares.
In Auli in Garhwal, sking is an exhilarating experience with descents of 500 mts from the ridge at 3000 mts over a stretch of 3 kilometers and Kufri in Himachal Pradesh.

Trekking

For those fascinated by the unexplored, the mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of the Indian Himalayas and Karakorams, there are limitless possibilities for trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting. Within this alluring arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, occupy the central place, with special points of interest for the trekker. Spectacular views apart, the Himalayan foothills are just ideal for trekking, offering energetic out-door people a different and exciting option for a holiday. The Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand are the most popular destinations for trekkers, though Chamba and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir , have interesting trekking routes as well.
Darjeeling and Sikkim in the east also have some trekking routes. While trekking as a sporting activity does not require prior training or practice, except that the trekker should be in good physical condition, there are certain dos and don'ts which should be adhered to. Routes should be carefully chosen, as some treks may be more difficult, or may involve high altitude trekking. It is generally advisable to be accompanied by a local guide. Ensure that the pace of the trek is not too rapid, since this could result in exhaustion, and would in any case not be enjoyable. The adventure season, which till recently, was confined to the summer months, now covers almost the entire year, including winter. This has been made possible by improved equipment and transportation, and the availability of year-round bookings in areas, hitherto, considered inaccessible. Moreover, winter treks are gaining popularity as a means of 'getting away' to relatively lower altitudes. Below the snowline at 18,000 ft, nature appears to relent and from the austere magnificence of the heights brings down to a different world of cascading water falls, lush green forests, flower-bedecked meadows and a variety of flora and and fauna. Here the rivers flow clear blue and icy. Here nestle small villages and hamlets with their diverse local customs, dances, folklore and architecture. The people are as vibrant as their surroundings and in many cases innocent of the sometimes dubious benefits of modern civilization. Hill people are traditionally very hospitable and this adds pleasure to trekking in the Himalayas more than anywhere else. Even at a height of 12,000 to 14,000 feet in secluded valleys, there are small village settlements tending their flocks of sheep and goats or herds of Yaks of nomadic shepherds and Gujjars. Even in the remote areas one can easily mix with the people and 'live off the land". Trekking in the Himalayas is now quite enjoyable and has become comparatively easy. There are difficult treks as well as easy treks, long and short treks. Vehicles, helicopters, Balloons and aircrafts are also available to explore the Himalayas

Canoeing & Kayaking

Major Sites : Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Wular Lake, Rishikesh, Teesta River
Best Season : May/June or September/October.

Whether it is the challenge of taming the white waters or the pleasure of gliding over calm waters on a lake, canoeing or kayaking can be thrilling and exciting adventure to any sports enthusiast.. Kayaking is just like backpacking on an off beaten path, except that this time your adventure is on the sea. This sport provide the best opportunity for sports lovers to come close to nature. While canoeing presents quiet a unique combination of exploration. Besides keep a person fit, canoeing and Kayaking are eco-friendly water sports. Canoes and kayaks are boats tapered at their ends so that they may cut through water easily. This unique feature makes them highly efficient on trying on most kind of water bodies. Canoes can accommodate atleast two people with their gear and is usually practiced on lakes and rivers, which have flat and still water. On the other hand, Kayaks look like small fishing boat and are not a new thing in the Indian coastal sites, but they are fastly picking up as a favourite water sport in India. A Kayak can accommodate more than two people and can be done of both flat and white water. Ofcourse, the beach is one of the best option to try out these kind of sports, but second best in the lines are the lakes and rivers of India. Gliding through the untamed waters of rivers such as Teesta is something that you won't experince any where else in this world.

Fairs & Festivals :

Spring Festival- This festival is celebrated only in the Kangra district in the month of March/April. Clay figurines of Shiva and Parvati are worshipped by young unmarried girls who dress up in their finery and gather around a heap of grass to sing and dance. After being worshipped for 10 days, the figurines are immersed in a pond or river on the first day of Vaisakha or Baisakhi (13th April).The festival is held to commemorate the tragic death of a beautiful young girl called Rali. It is said that Rali was engaged to Shankar, a boy much younger than her, but came to know about it (the fact that he was younger) only on the day of the marriage. Overcome with grief and resentment, she decided to end to her life. But before doing so she called upon god to be considerate to all marriageable girls so that they find suitable matches. Well, strange as it might sound, marriage between a younger boy and elder girl is taboo in traditional Indian society!
Bisowa Festival - Though celebrated in many northern states, this agrarian festival is celebrated differently in different regions of Himachal. Generally held on the first of Baisakh (13th April), it is called Bissu or Bisha. It signifies vigour and vitality and serves as a ritual before the onset of the harvesting season. Burning the jhalra – a pile of dry twigs with a pole bearing a conical bamboo basket erected in the middle – is an important ritual. It is set afire in the morning as young boys sing and dance around it.
Haryali Festival - Haryali means greenery, and in the Kangra Valley, it is the festival that celebrates rain. Since good rain means a good harvest and prosperity, it is important to keep the rain god happy. Haryali is celebrated on the first of Shravana (July 16). Some 10 days before this, seeds of five or seven grains (wheat, barley and the like) are mixed together and sown ceremoniously by the head of the family or the family priest in a small basket filled with earth. A day before the festival, Shiva and Parvati are ritually married as their union brings fertility to the world. Clay images of the divine couple are placed in the midst of sprouting grain to the chant of, "O Haryali, may thou ever remain in the green fields..."

Sair :

Sair is basically thanksgiving for abundant rainfall and is celebrated in September/October. Traditionally, a barber goes round the village with a galgal (fruit in a basket) announcing the coming of the festival. Men, women and children bow to this sacred fruit which is considered an emblem of the fruits of harvest about to be reaped.