Adventure Hot Spots in India

1. Auli has one of the best slopes for skiing. A course is conducted by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam between January and March every year. www.gmvn.in
2. The Jharipani trek to Mussoorie, an easy 12 km, is a good option for keen birders and shutterbugs.
3. Though 45-km long, the trekking route to Pindari Glacier, lying between Nanda Devi and Nandkot peaks, is one of the less strenuous in the state. The trek starts at the base camp at Saung in Kumaon district.
4. Start from Ghuttu in Tehri district for the 55-km trek to the Khatling glacier. It is one of the best routes for those who love photography.
5. A six-day trek to Milam from Munsiyari takes you through many picturesque villages where you can stop for a cup of tea and conversation with the locals.
6. Though less-known, the trek to Kafni, on the east side of the Pindar Valley, will be highly rewarding.
7. The trek to the 12-km long Bunder Punch glacier is challenging to say the least. En route is Osla Ruinsara, a gorgeous camping site.
8. The trek to Sunderdunga glacier in Kumaon Valley is rated as one of the toughest in Uttarakhand. Sunderdunga literally means 'valley of beautiful stones'. That defines the route for you.
9. At 83m, the bungee jump at Rishikesh is the longest in Asia. It's 10m taller than Qutub Minar!
10. On a different level altogether is the 17-km trek to the Valley of Flowers. Enough has been said and written already about the thick carpet of flowers that line the valley between July and September.
11. The Nanda Devi National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The trekking route to the park from Lata village, where the famous Chipko movement was born, can bring you up close with the meek bharal (blue mountain goat) as well as the feisty leopard.
12. Criss-crossed by rivers, the Champawat Valley in Kumaon, made famous by Jim Corbett in his chronicles, has many trekking trails of varying levels of difficulty.

1. Don't worry about cliches. Diving rarely gets better than in Goa. We recommend the Grande Island and the Sao Jorge Island. www.barracudadiving.com

2. An offbeat Goa experience, and equally rewarding, is a trek to the Dudhsagar waterfall through lush forests. The monsoon is perhaps the best time for this. The waterfall, true to its name, looks like a torrent of milk rushing down boulders.

1. Ramanagaram, a boulder strewn quaint township 40 km from Bangalore, is where Bollywood blokes Jai and Veeru beat the daylights out of the fearsome Gabbar Singh. Do some great rock-climbing here and also relive moments from the iconic film, Sholay.

2. The boulder-specked terrain of Hampi, known for its centuries-old stone temples, is also good for some easy rock-climbing.

3. Flex your calf muscles on a day trek to the peak of Thadiyendamol, a lofty hill in the coffee carpeted Coorg region.

4. Wait for the first few showers of the monsoon before you go white water rafting on the Upper Barapole river, also in Coorg.

1. Seasoned scuba divers love the clear waters around Barren Island and Narcondam Island. Write to info@diveindia.com or dive@barefootindia.com to book a session.

2. India's only active volcano is also on the picturesque Barren Island. And the best views can be had from the Pawan Hans Cessna flight that flies daily from Port Blair. The flights don't operate during monsoon. http://tourism.andaman.nic.in

3. Watch elephants being trained for logging as you trek the Madhuban nature trail on Mount Harriet, 55 km by road from Port Blair. Saddle Peak, the highest peak in the archipelago, is also a good day trek option. For other trekking routes, check http://tourism.andaman.nic.in
4. Snorkelling, diving, canoeing... You name it and the beautiful Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor, 30 km from Port Blair, offers it. The park is also known for its birding sites. At last count, more than 100 species were spotted here. None of these activities, however, can be done during the monsoon.

1. Paragliding is synonymous with the towns of Bir and Billing in Kangra Valley. The views are simply breathtaking and first timers will really enjoy the experience.

2. The seven-day trek to Kinner Kailash starts at Manimaheshwar in Bharmaur district and takes you across the Kinnaur district to the base of the lofty peak. Those up to the challenge are rewarded with spectacular sights along the route.

3. Bravehearts can also opt for the eight-day Jalori Pass trek that begins at Kullu and takes you right up to the Sereulsar Lake at 11,500 ft.

4. In the same league is the trek to the Rohtang Pass, about 50 km from Manali. The high point of the trek is the sight of the sparkling Doshohar Lake near the pass.

5. From Jari in Parvati Valley or Kasol in Kullu Valley, you can trek to Malana, both routes are incredibly scenic. Once you reach Malana, however, you can't touch anything according to strict local rules! Pitch a tent in the bordering fields and enjoy views of the hills instead.

6. An affair with Himalayan caves can start with Karol Goofa, 8 km from Solan. One of the longest in the region, this one begins at Karol Tibba to end at Pinjore Gardens.

7. Beas Kund trek, through Manali and Solang Valley, takes 10 days.

8. Skiing on the dazzling white slopes of Kufri, a mere 16 km from Shimla, attracts enthusiasts between December and February every year. Non-skiers can do the pony trek to the top instead and enjoy the views.

9. The swirling waters of the Beas are good for white water rafting, canoeing or kayaking. Manali is a good starting point for beginners. www.raftingmasti.com

10. One of the newest sports on offer, zorbing means getting zipped into a plastic ball and rolling down a steep slope at Solang Nullah, Kullu Valley. Snowboarding is another sport you can try here.

11. Interact with locals as you cycle your way through the high-altitude Spiti Valley. Check www.mtbhimachal.com for trails and route maps.

12. Camp at Tabo, also in Spiti, and visit the centuries-old monastery in the village. www.banjaracamps.com
13. Rahul Bose Raft from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh, 135 km of pure adventure on the Ganga.

14. Make Kaza your base in Spiti Valley for treks in the high-altitude desert region. The village is known for its homestay programmes.

15. Test your endurance with some rock climbing in the mountains of the Vashisht region.