10 Adventure Sports In India That Can Be Mastered In A Week
....this put me on a mission to become the Laila from ZNMD of my own life and see to master at least one of these cool sports so I can use "Oh I can skydive" as a subtle flex someday.
During my solo travels, I often meet people with extraordinary gifts and talents. Despite their unassuming appearances, they are usually able to easily walk their own when it comes to adventure sports like kayaking, mountaineering, scuba diving and more. This put me on a mission to become the Laila from Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara of my own life and see to master at least one of these cool sports so I can use "Oh I can skydive" as a subtle flex someday.
What I was amazed to learn is that certification courses are available right here in India, without spending a lot of money or time, most are completed in just a week, perfect for your vacations away from the daily hustle and bustle while learning something cool.
1. Skiing At Auli
If you're interested in skiing, there are popular destinations in India like Rohtang, Manali, Pahalgam, and Auli where you can enjoy this adventure sport. However, it's important to choose the right place for skiing courses. For instance, the skiing institute in Pahalgam is highly advanced, offering a 14-day basic course starting at INR 10500. On the other hand, ABVIMAS in Manali provides a 10-day basic course. However, Auli stands out in this if you're on a time crunch as it has a 6-day course for INR 30000 which is all-inclusive and comparatively more luxurious from other such courses in Manali and Pahalgam.
Price: INR 30000
Duration: 6 days
Difficulty Level: Medium
Certification: No
2. Surfing At Pondicherry
Pondicherry’s Kallialay Surf School is one of the best surf schools in Asia. Experts provide training and well-designed programs ensure that every adventurer receives proper training in Pondicherry's calm waters. A five-day basic course at Banyan Beach in Pondicherry costs INR 5800.
Price: INR 5800
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty Level: Medium
Certification: No
3. Paragliding At Bir Billing
Bir Billing in the Kangra region is considered the world’s best paragliding site. Here you can fly as you enjoy the panoramic views of the Bir and surrounding regions. For those who love to experience this high-flying adventure sport can also get a certification course here. A basic seven-day course at Bir Billing costs approximately INR 25000. If you are living away from the North then you can also obtain a paragliding certificate from Kamshet located between Pune and Mumbai.
Price: INR 25000 onwards
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
Certification: Yes
4. Fly Boarding In Goa
If you’re not new to this watersport, you’ll be glad to know that flyboarding has become very popular in beach cities. It's an adventure that lets you experience the thrill of flying using jet propulsion powered by a watercraft. By securing your feet with straps on a board attached to a jet ski, you'll be propelled upwards and then dive back into the water. In Goa, flyboarding offers a unique perspective of the beaches around. It's beginner-friendly, so you can try it without any fear. Trained professionals will guide you and ensure your safety. This sport is still emerging in India and is available in only a few beach cities. It might be challenging at first, but with practice, you can perform various manoeuvres. The cost for flyboarding in Goa can range from INR 1000 to INR 3000, but the experience will be worth it.
Price: INR 1000 onwards
Duration: 15 minutes- 4 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
Certification: No
5. Mountain Biking In Uttarkashi
At NIM, the mountain biking course is designed to teach participants the essential techniques, skills, and safety rules for riding through diverse and rugged mountain terrains on a bicycle. The course caters to both beginners and experienced riders who want to improve their mountain biking abilities. Although the only downside here is that it takes about 10 days to master it, the silver lining here is that the all-inclusive package costs only INR 12,000.
Price: INR 12000
Duration: 10 Days
Difficulty Level: Medium
Certification: Yes, at a higher cost
6. Kayaking At Goa
In the past few years, kayaking has become very popular in India. This water sport allows you to have full control over a small boat, enabling you to navigate the Ganges or the Arabian Sea. A four-day kayaking course in Rishikesh costs around INR 10500. Alternatively, you can take a five-day course in Goa from the National Institute of Watersports and receive certification for INR 6000.
Price: INR 6000 onwards
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Certification: Yes, at a higher price.
7. Scuba Diving At Andaman
If you love adventure, India has great places for snorkelling and scuba diving. In Andaman, there are calm blue waters where you can explore marine life deep under the surface. If you want to learn beginner-level scuba diving, Andaman has some excellent scuba institutes. Multiple institutes in Havelock offer a 4-day basic scuba program for a fee of approximately INR 32000 for Indian visitors. Temple Adventures in Pondicherry also provides scuba diving courses. The beautiful beaches and coral make it a perfect place for scuba diving. A six-day scuba diving course will cost you around INR 16500.
Price: INR 32000
Duration: 4 Days
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
Certification: Yes
8. Rock Climbing At Hatkoti
If you enjoy bouldering and climbing, you should consider going to Hatkoti. In Hatkoti, there are trainers who offer beginner-level bouldering and rock climbing certifications for a fee of INR 3000 for a 5-day course locally. If you prefer getting certified by a recognized institute, ABVIMAS offers an 8-day certification program for a fee of INR 8000.
Price: INR 8000
Duration: 8 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Certification: Yes
9. Sky Diving At Haryana
Skyhigh India is India’s only international skydiving dropzone located two hours away from New Delhi at the Narnaul Airstrip in Haryana. This experience of a lifetime will take you about 4 days to learn how to jump from a plane without any assistance, which is known as tandem skydiving. It costs about INR 30,000 which is comparatively more affordable than most foreign options!
Price: INR 30000 onwards
Duration: 4 Days for Solo, 4 hours for Tandem
Difficulty Level: High
Certification: Yes, but you will need to consult with them first.
10. Rafting At Rishikesh
Rafting is one of the most sought-after watersports when it comes to India, as it is full of highly thrilling streams such as Ganges in the north or Kali in the south. If you are interested in learning to control a raft in fast-moving streams, you can take a 5-day certification course in Rafting in Rishikesh for a starting price of INR 5000. Alternatively, Goa’s National Institute of Watersports offers a certification course with fees starting from INR 14000.
Price: INR 5000 onwards
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty Level: Medium
Certification: Yes