By sagnika sinha
Adventure is an integral part of our lives, yes not all seek it but most of us crave it in some form. Exploring new places and pushing boundaries by going through adventurous experiences gives you an idea of who you are. Let’s lose some of the common fears we have!
Is that why we are talking about it here? Well, I fall into the weird category where over-speeding might give me chills, but paragliding made me the happiest. Do you really think just because I loved paragliding, I will write a whole article advocating how you need to jump off a cliff too?
MAYBE! Trust me, I have your best interest at heart. I am talking about experiences that will make sure you get your fair share of oxytocin, dopamine and adrenaline. Furthermore, your adventure travel will also help you evolve, discover and get a much-needed break.
Why is Adventure Travel Trending in 2025?
Why are we talking about adventure travel suddenly? Has it always been an integral part of the travel industry? In 2025, India is about to peak at 11% CAGR, statistics claiming that adventure travel will see a 50% above increase.
Even with natural curiosity, it was not always possible for people to create adventure travel plans. Unique inaccessible places high up in the mountains, deep inside the jungle, closer to the sea and ocean became tourist spots. These travel destinations ensure that you keep on making plans!
Transportation, accommodation, food and other necessities became available. The villages, towns and cities surrounding these spots became welcoming and developed their own ways of income from tourism.
As time went by, we discovered our adventure spots! With the tourism sector at an all-time high, today people are making plans all year around! Let me tell you all about my experiences of adventure travel so that you can travel to one of these places.
1. Trekking the Triund Hill
The trek difficulty is moderate! You will start the trek from Galudev Temple that is located at a 30-minute distance from Mcleodgunj, Himachal by car. The Gradual trek is about 9 kms giving you a panoramic view of Dharamsala Valley, Mcleodgunj and Bhagsu village.
Furthermore, at a height of 9350 ft. Above sea level, you can also see the Kangra valley at a distance. We also caught sight of Shivalic hills a bit far but what a view it was! When you trek across this trail, the forest beside the trail gives the perfect hint of thrill.
How can I forget the small little cafes after every few kms giving you a breather. You can catch some of the most amazing views while filling your water bottle and getting your energy drinks and chocolate bars. You then camp for a night on the large green grassland overlooking the Dhauldhar ranges!
It will take about 3 to 5 hours to climb the hill! It is a perfect place for climatization if you are planning to be a regular trekker. Did I help you bust some of the solo female travel myths yet?
2. Paragliding at Bir Billing
One of the coolest adventure activities of all, paragliding, is perfect for you if you wanted to be a bird when you were a child. Of course, you still need to be excited to fly in the sky. Fear will not take you anywhere, so you need to be aware of what you want.
You can take a cab or travel from Mcleodgunj or anywhere from Himachal to Bir! From there onwards, Billing is about 18 km drive high up in the mountain. The overall paragliding session took about 2 hours including harnessing me and landing on Suja.
I paid Rs. 3000/ for my session and flew in the sky for about 25 to 30 minutes! What an experience it was and yes, they make video of it and share it with, completely free of cost. Furthermore, paragliding at billing is open throughout the year with the exception of monsoon from July to September!
Each paraglider gets one pilot who manages your flight. There are certain limitations of age and weight. You must be over 12 years and below 65 years old to be eligible for paragliding while when it comes to weight, the minimum limit is 30 kg while the highest is 90 kg.
They check fitness, wind condition and glider type before you fly so yes, all safety precautions are taken. I would ask you to experience this if you are an adventure lover on a solo travel and you will not regret it!
3. Scuba Diving at Andaman
Another adventure but beautiful to its core, scuba diving is a must if you visit Havelock Island in Andaman & Nicobar Island. My cousin had one of the coolest experiences after she booked an online ticket with Experience Andamans.
If you want to try Scuba, there are four spots, Juvis, Tribe Gate, The Wall and Nemo Reef. She took the PADI Open Water Diver course which is for beginners thus, receiving the scuba certification. Oishika Das, my cousin says, “it was one of the most knowledge-based and skills-filled experience of my life.”
“We took a boat dive where they take us on a boat and then make us dive under water. The underwater experience is colorful and beautiful with all the corals and the fishes! In a day, there are two dives which cost around Rs. 8250/-.”
Furthermore, it is also so inspiring to hear from her mouth especially because the experience is one of the best. In and around Havelock, the colorful waters offer a wide range of reef and marine life. You must try it once in your life.
4. Mokhsha at Manikarnika Ghat
The cycle of life and death comes to a full circle when you visit the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. I visited Manikarnika, one of the liveliest ghat in Kashi in the evening where bodies are cremated 24 hours.
While I watched one body burning, there were 4 to 5 more in the queue. What more, people took pictures of cremation, and a lot of people cried when faced with death! Kashi is known as the land of salvation and people often visited the place to attain the same.
Where on one hand, people were visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Durga Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Assi Ghat and others requesting wellness, growth, blessings and long life. While on the other hand, death was at the heart of the city, Manikarnika burning bright.
An adventurous stint for you, especially if you visit at night, completely safe and yet your very core will shiver! If you are ever at Varanasi, you must visit Manikarnika Ghat, and I promise you will experience adventure on this trip!
5. River Rafting at Rishikesh
If you are an adventure lover, river rafting is another experience that you must include in your adventure travel. It is also known as one of the best places to travel solo female! I have always wanted to experience this and yet it is still on my bucket list. However, one of my cousins did this last year and what a blast she had.
You can carry your ticket on mobile once you make the bookings! River rafting in Rishikesh is a key attraction of this adventure travel. Oishika, my cousin says, “I got the thrill of a lifetime especially when I went across the river Ganges, in all its wild glory.”
“There are some rapid ups and downs especially because there are several stones on the water path. Initially I was very scared, but I really wanted to do it. I was excited and my friends hyped me up well. We rafted across the waters, went under water hanging by the rafts while the guide took our pictures.”
She said, the starting range was from Rs. 1800/- to Rs. 2000/- per adult. If you are below the age of 14 and above the age of 48, you are not allowed. The total time that it will take for you to complete one trip is 3 hours.
Why do we Crave Adventure?
One of the reasons I crave adventure is the way I feel about myself when I do something that I did not think was possible. My subconscious has a tendency to tell me how I would fail and that is when I crave adventure.
Be it paragliding or visiting a crematory ground deep in the night with dead bodies surrounding me, adventure is a significant part of my life. That does not mean I am brave! I fear life, of death, of losing my loved ones, but most of all losing myself without connecting with my soul.
Apart from craving more excitement, adventure is also a way of appreciating life, nature and the beauty around us. Let me share with you some of the reasons adventure travel is actually good for you!
- You get to learn more! “Knowledge is power” hence, when you travel on an adventure, you learn a lot more than just sitting at a desk!
- You need a break from your daily routine! This will help your brain relax and work more effectively once it experiences a rush of adrenaline and dopamine.
- The personal growth you will have once you go on an adventure travel is permanent. You will learn a lot more about yourself when you go on adventures.
- Evolution is another development that is a necessary part of our lives! Exploring new places, learning new adventure activities, attending events that are exciting and give you the thrill of adventure.
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