A snow-streaked rock face against a deep blue sky in the mountains around Manali

Adventure in the Himalaya

Rivers, passes & open skies

Rivers, lakes, forests, alpine meadows, high passes and snow. You don't need special training for most of it, just reasonable fitness. Every activity we book is run by trusted local partners, with their own gear and instructors.

Activities

Five ways to get out there

Each has its own guide: where it happens, the season, what it takes and what to ask before you book.

Seasons

When to go

The seasons from each activity's guide. The weather still decides on the day, and flights, rafting and ski runs close when it turns.

ActivitySeasonWhere
Paragliding September–November and March–May at Bir; Solang through the warmer months, weather permitting Bir Billing, Solang Valley, Dharamshala
River rafting Spring and autumn; suspended in the monsoon Kullu valley (Beas), Manali
Skiing Mid-December to March at Solang Solang Valley, Rohtang, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi
Trekking April–June and September–November; high passes June–September Triund, Hampta Pass, Beas Kund, Kheerganga, Kareri Lake
Camping May–October at altitude; most of the year in the lower valleys Sarchu, Chandratal, Jispa, Kaza, Sangla, Kalpa, Kasol

Beyond the five

More ways to get out there

Fishing for mahseer, heli-skiing, ice-skating in Shimla, a round of golf, gliding, or a night in a tent beside a stream. If you like being outdoors, there's plenty more, and it usually costs a lot less than it would elsewhere.

Mountaineering & rock climbing

The area around Manali is the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region, the lower reaches of Hanuman Tibba (5,930 m) and the Deo Tibba (6,001 m) area suit first expeditions; the Chandra–Bhaga ranges, the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar are for experienced climbers. Rock climbing is the first step towards mountain climbing, and a sport in its own right — a rock face climbed with hands and feet and a safety rope. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali, and its branch at Dharamshala, run courses and mountaineering tours.

Mountain cycling

The lower districts (Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur) have gentle routes; the trans-Himalayan roads of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur are for the strong. Summer and autumn suit the high country. A cycling trip can be combined with camping for days or weeks; milder rides start from any hill station.

Water sports

The Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir at Pong in Kangra, 42 km long, and 2 km wide, has swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing through the year, with courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur, the Chamera lake near Dalhousie and the Pandoh lake on the Mandi–Kullu highway offer the same on a smaller scale.

From our own adventure guide, unchanged in substance since our first website.

WhatsApp Call