Trekking is the most sought after adventure sport and activity. Places like Zanskar, Lahaul, Ladakh, and Spiti offers wonderful options for trek lovers. Even the green pastures of Uttaranchal and Kumaon Hills are the perfect destination for trekking. Just like trekking and rock climbing river rafting is another such popular adventure sports, which can be tried out. Numerous rivers and untamed rivers such as the Ganges make the experience of white water rafting all the more exciting. Skiing is another adventure sport, which has caught the attention of adventure lovers. Mountaineering and skiing on the high slopes of Himalayas is a dream for every skier. Among other options for adventure sports there is rock climbing, Para gliding and Jeep and Jungle Safari. Then there are other adventure activities like camping tours and wildlife tours in the Himalayas. Camping is the best way to experience the warmth of the nature.
Elephant Polo
Nepal has number of adventure sports to enjoy. Elephant polo is one of the rare, adventures and only of it's kind in Nepal. The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) organize an annual Elephant polo tournament in the airfield of Meghauli Chitwan, south west of Kathmandu and north of the Indian border.
The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) was established in 1982 having it's headquarter at the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in Chitwan, Nepal. WEPA has also established the governing rules for the Elephant Polo Tournament.
Somehow, Elephant polo is similar to the Horse polo but you can easily a bit difference. A fast (at times), exciting game, like polo but with elephants and longer sticks, this is quite possibly the biggest sport in the world.
The game is played by four players of each team on a marked pitch 140 x 70 meters, using a standard size polo ball and consists of two 10-minute chukkers of playing time, with an interval of 15 minutes. The whistle blown by the referee stops and starts play. The pitch is marked with a centre line, a circle with a radius of 15 meters in the centre of the field, and a semi-circle with a radius of 30 meters measured from the centre of the goal line at either end of the pitch. Elephants and ends are changed at half time.
Teams participate from all over the world including Scotland, Thailand, England and Hong Kong. The local favorites, the Tiger Tops Tuskers, also takes a part. After the day's play all the players and guests have dinner in the Golghar, a traditional round house with a great bar.
Elephant Polo in Nepal runs between last week of November - 1st week of December
So you are planning a adventure holiday within the Himalayan range, but are you aware about the adventure options that Himalayas have got instored for you. The first in the list of adventure activities over here is Trekking. Whether its the harsh and rough climate of the cold deserts of Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul and Spiti or the green pastures of Uttaranchal and Kumaon Hills or the high mountain zones of Nepal, the Himalayas is a trekker's paradise.
When there are mountains and glaciers, there's bound to be numerous rivers and untamed rivers such as the Ganges make the experience of white water rafting all the more exciting. Another adventure sport that has really caught the attention of adventurers is skiing. Mountaineering and skiing on the high slopes of Himalayas is undoubtly a dream every skier would love to fulfill. Other adventure options include Heli skiing, Rock climbing, Para gliding and Jeep and Jungle Safari. But to get the adrenalin pumping you have to visit the Himalayas first.
Trekking in Himalayas
While a powerful motorbike is the best mode of transport for covering vast stretches of mountains, paved roads restrict one. This is where trekking blended with rock climbing skills take you far in your quest for discovering the mountains at their pristine best. Most important thing while trekking in the Himalayas is to appreciate the scale and match one’s destination with one’s ability, for after all its about conquering the highest mountain ranges in the world! The best seasons to trek are the pre-monsoons and post monsoons.
Skiing
Skiing is one sport that has gained immense popularity all over the world and in the past decade have become quiet attention grabbing sport because of the Himalayas.. The vast open spaces above the snowline have flung open to the skiing enthusiasts. A plethora of ski locales in Jammu and Kashmir, the hills of Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh and the North eastern states of India have become the favourite ski hideouts of adventure lovers.
River Rafting
The magic behind River Rafting also referred, as Whitewater River Rafting is the extreme and never-ending thrills in the untamed rivers. The rivers in the upper Himalayas are among the best in the world for river rafting sports, with many staircase rapids that challenge the body and spirit of the river runner. The river cuts against the rocky banks, crash into rocks, crevices and breaking into white water rapids, foaming, swirling, and falling in a thunderous din. India and Nepal has a wide range of river rafting regions, which suits both amateurs and professionals.
Camping
Camping is perhaps the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature given to Himalayan regions and sharing the warmth of its people. Wildlife camping is not very different from normal camping, except the wild camping doesn't get restricted to season or any adventure activity. No relaxation method works out if its not done in the lap of Mother Nature. And the best hide out that one can get from the busy city life. You can very feel the soothing effects of the green environs, pleasant countryside climate and peaceful atmosphere.
Jeep Safari
Usually people have a notion that Himalayan region is just suitable for thos ewho like to trek or climb the snowy mountains and love to conqueror numerous unnamed peaks of the Himalayas. But , there is a very unique kind of thrill present in Jeep Safari, expecially for those who like to travel through the lesser known destinations. Jeep safari also gives the Jeep safari adventure a kind of humane touch, as you to get to explore the places, which probably the locals must be aware of till now.
Mountain Biking
Cycling or motor biking in the Himalayas in India is one of the most challenging and physically demanding adventure sports you have ever indulged in. It is not for the faint hearted, and definitely not for those who have not been keeping in shape. For even the fittest have trouble in lugging their bikes up the hill, should they be cycling, or have aching backs with the long drives on their motor bikes. But if you are one of the tough Harley Davidson role model types, then this adventure activity is just the one for you!
Mountaineering
The lure of Himalayas is irresistible for the mountaineers, as the Himalayas are the greatest range of mountains on earth, their beauty, vastness, fascination and mystery will always have an everlasting appeal for those who venture in this region. The captivating landscape, with an incomparable diversity of flora and fauna: Himalayas is regarded as the 'Mountaineers paradise' and, indeed, is a refreshing treat to the Mountaineers.