Adventure

All destinations

High passes, wild rivers and the thrill of the road less travelled.

83places23statesApril–June & September–October

Browse adventure

Things to do

Individual sights and experiences, rather than whole places to stay.

Chopta (Tungnath)

Chandrashila Peak

The summit above Tungnath at about 4,000 metres, another kilometre and a half past the temple. On a clear morning you see Nanda Devi, Trisul and Chaukhamba from it. Start in the dark for sunrise.

Auli

Kwani Bugyal

A higher, emptier meadow beyond Gorson, twelve kilometres out and a full day there and back. Nothing on the way, so carry water and food.

Auli

Gorson Bugyal

A high meadow three kilometres above the ski slopes, and the standard acclimatisation walk from Auli. Under snow January to March; grass and a long view of Nanda Devi the rest of the year.

Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass

Nathula Pass Checkpoint

The high-altitude international border gate at 4,310 metres on the Silk Road, featuring a victory monument and direct visibility of Chinese outposts.

Zanskar Valley

Drang-Drung Glacier

A vast winding river of ice, in full view from the top of Penzi La pass, with high jagged peaks behind it.

Tosh

Kutla Trail

A short, scenic uphill trek from Tosh to the meadow hamlet of Kutla, popular for camping.

Kodachadri

Kodachadri Peak

The grassland summit with the Sarvajna Peetha shrine and panoramic cloud-sea sunrise views.

Kasol

Chalal Village Trail

An easy riverside walk from Kasol to the quiet hamlet of Chalal, lined with chilled cafes and music hostels.

Mount Kailash

Dolma La Pass

The highest point of the kora at ~5,630 m, a spiritual climax of the trek.

Gulmarg

Apharwat Peak

The gondola's upper station sits just under four thousand metres and the ridge above it is where the off-piste skiing is. There is snow on the north face even in summer, and the peak is close enough to the Line of Control that the army is present.

Om Beach (Gokarna)

Gokarna Beach Trek

A cliff trail connecting Om, Half Moon and Paradise beaches.

Sonamarg

Thajiwas Glacier

Four kilometres up from Sonamarg, on foot or by pony, with sledge operators at the snout in summer. It has been retreating for years, so the walk to the ice is longer than older guidebooks say. Pony rates are fixed and routinely ignored — settle it before you mount.

Dhinodhar Hills

Dhoramnath Peak Shrine

A stone shrine on the highest point of Dhinodhar, tied to the ascetic Dhoramnath and looked after by Kanphata yogis. The climb is the point — from the top you see the Banni grassland and the salt beyond it.

Chikmagalur

Mullayanagiri Peak

Karnataka's highest peak, a popular sunrise trek with sweeping Western Ghats views.

Old Manali

Jogini Falls Trail

A short scenic hike from Old Manali through orchards and forest to a waterfall with valley views.

Rishikesh

White-water Rafting at Shivpuri

The most popular 16 km rafting stretch with Grade II–III+ rapids.

Agatti Island

Agatti Lagoon

A shallow turquoise lagoon for snorkelling and kayaking.

Magnetic Hill

Indus-Zanskar Confluence

The Zanskar arrives grey with silt and the Indus is greener, and below the join the two run side by side for a stretch without mixing. Sharpest in summer, when the Zanskar is in melt. It is also the put-in for most Indus rafting.