Activities & Things To Do In Himachal Pradesh

Apart from all the serene destinations, Himachal Pradesh offers some of the most thrilling adrenaline-pumping adventure sports. This state has almost all year-round salubrious weather that makes it the topmost place for thrilling adventure sports. Blessed with gorgeous mountains and river valleys Himachal Pradesh is India’s outdoor adventure playground. From rock climbing on the deadly terrains of Kinnaur to thrilling heli-skiing in Manali, if there is any adventure activity, it can be done in Himachal Pradesh. Here is the list of some of the amazing and adventurous activities one can add to one's Himachal tour itinerary-

1. Trekking

The state of Himachal Pradesh is one of the fantastic destinations for trekkers. The peaks, the marvelous glaciers, hilly meadows, pristine lakes and rivers, trekking trails, rich wildlife, make the trekking tours much-much unforgettable. Be, it summer or winter there are a lot of incredible trekking trails waiting to be explored. Here are some of the most interesting and adventurous treks to indulge in-

Triund Trek - May to June and September to October and is easy to moderate,

Beas Kund Trek - May to October and is moderate

Tosh Valley Trek - March to May and is easy to moderate

Brighu Lake Trek - May to October, Moderate difficulty Chandrakhani Pass trek- March to August, easy to moderate

Malana village Trek - April to July and September to November, and is Easy

Shepherd trail Gaddi Trek - September to October, and is easy to moderate

Deo Tibba base camp Trek - June to September, and is Moderate

There are some other treks too that need to be added to your trekking tour itinerary.

2. Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to get close to serene nature. Himachal with its exotic mountain scenery, pristine lakes, and beautiful waterfalls makes a fantastic location for camping. This state offers remarkable, clean and well-organized campsites. Enjoy camping on picturesque mountainsides and in green meadows and gaze at the blue sky and yes the glittering glacier. Spend time in the lap of nature and capture the astonishing views of Himachal’s crystal clear lakes and rivers. Here are some of the best places for camping- Brighu Lake-Manali, April to June and September to October, Kheer Ganga-Kullu, May to June and September to October, Triund-Dharamshala, April to May and September to mid-November, Chandratal, Lahaul-Spiti, May to September, Hampta Pass- Kullu, march to May and September to November, Bijli Mahadev-Kullu, March to May and September to November. There are also some other places to visit that are perfect for camping.

3. Heli-Skiing

Heli-Skiing or Helicopter skiing is one of the most thrilling adventure activities to enjoy in Himachal Pradesh. The skiers and snowboarders are flown by helicopter to the top of the remote slopes. the skiers fly to heights above 6000m. What can be as thrilling as skiing at an outrageous speed controlled by a helicopter and unveiling the colorful vistas of the Himalayas? Just explore the great heights and astonishing glaciers. The feeling of gushing snow thrashing against the face and body at high speed is truly not to be forgotten. Some of the best spots for this adventurous activity are- Rohtang Pass- Manali, Chanderkhani Pass- Manali, Mount Hanuman Tibba, Greater Himalaya, and Mount Deo Tibba, Greater Himalaya. The Winter season is the best time for Heli skiing. So head towards Manali for heli-skiing as this destination is matchless for all ski enthusiasts who want to explore the challenging topography.

4. Mountain Biking & Motorbiking

Mountain biking or motorbiking through the rugged mountains of Himachal Pradesh is truly an amazing experience. Witness the pretty valleys, rugged roads, scenic landscapes and majestic mountains during your motorbiking. Whether it is about crossing the deadliest trails of Kinnaur or biking on the smooth roads of Kasauli, biking here is an adventurous expedition. The Shimla-Manali-Leh route is the dream of every rider. This trip takes the riders to the world's highest motorable pass. Manali, Bir Billing, Shimla, and Spiti valley are some places that are best for mountain biking.

5. Mountaineering

One of the adventurous activities, Mountaineering is a breathtaking adventure in itself. This activity in the Himalayan ranges offers a selection of classic routes that have forged Himachal’s paradise. There are several climbs, ranging from easy normal routes to Challenging.  The perfect places for mountaineering in Himachal are- ReoPugyil- 6816m, Rangrik Rang- 6553m, Gyagar-6400m, Jorkanden-6473m, Shilla-6132m, Central Peak-6285m, Manimahesh Kailash-5653m. The apt time for mountaineering is from June to October. Enjoy the unmatchable beauty of nature while challenging yourself to climb through a variety of mountain terrain.

6. Paragliding

Paragliding is yet another adventurous sport to enjoy in the beautiful Himachal. This state has perfect flight conditions for paragliding. Just admire the wonderful panoramic view that is something that can't be forgotten. Bir Billing in Kangra Valley and Solang Nala in Manali is considered to be the best places to enjoy paragliding. Rohtang Pass near Manali, Kothi, below Rohtang Pass, Bijli Mahadev near Kullu, Bandla Ridge in Bilaspur are some other spots to enjoy paragliding. The apt time for this sport is between March to early June and from September to November. Treat yourself to an incredible paragliding experience of flying high, and witness the incredible views on your paragliding flight.

7. Skiing

Skier’s paradise, Himachal Pradesh has numerous mountains and heavy snow in abundance. Himachal Pradesh claims to have the best skiing conditions in India. The best places for skiing in Himachal are- Solang Valley, Narkanda, Kufri, and Hanuman Tibba. The apt time for this adventurous sport is December to February. Try this thrilling sport on your next visit to Himachal and make your vacation the most exciting one.

8. Angling & Fishing

Himachal is truly a fantastic place for angling. With many pristine rivers and streams, Himachal offers numerous opportunities for angling and fishing. The apt time for trout fishing is between April to October and for Mahseer fishing- January to April and September to December. The major streams for angling are- Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Tirthan, Sainj, Uhl, Baspam, Pabar, Lambadug, Giri, Rana, Nugal Gai, Baner, Bata. For trout fishing- RohrumChirgaon, Tattapani, Katrain, Largi, Banjar, and Kasol and Mahseer fishing- Dehra, Nadaun, Pong dam and Barot.

9. River Rafting

River rafting is one of the most preferred adventure activities among adventurers. Rafting in Himachal is indeed an amazing way to experience water exploration. The rapids of the river are quite easy and the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking, witness the beautiful waterfalls, the mysterious caves, the deep canyon and the lush green forest along the gushing river. Some of the best places for river rafting are- Gobind Sagar Lake- Bilaspur, River Chandrabhaga- Lahaul, River Sutlej- Shimla, Chamera Lake- Dalhousie, River Ravi-Chamba, River Beas- Kullu, Pandoh Lake-Kullu, River Spiti- Spiti valley. One can indulge in this activity throughout the year except for the monsoon months of July to September and the extremely wither months.

10. Zorbing

Zorbing is yet another exciting thing to do in Himachal Pradesh. One rolls down a steep hill in a giant round ball. It is a bizarre experience and an interesting thing to enjoy with family and friends. Here are the best places for zorbing- Solang Valley in Manali and Khajjiar in Dalhousie. The apt time for this activity is from January to May and October to December.

11. Ice Skating

Ice skating in Shimla is one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla’s iconic ice rink is one of the oldest open-air natural rinks in India as well as the largest rink in South Asia. The perfect places for this activity are - Shimla, Narkanda and Manali- Solang Valley. The perfect time for ice skating is from December to February. Nothing is interesting like skating in the serene Shimla so on your next visit to this beautiful destination make sure to indulge in ice skating. One can even attend the ice skating festival in Shimla held in January month every year that will surely give you a next-level experience.

12. River Crossing

River Crossing is one of the thrilling experiences. This adrenaline-pumped watersport is one of the most daring and thrilling activities in Himachal, a rope is tied across a river on the two river banks and one has to cross the river using a safety harness attached to the rope. This activity gets challenging as water flows in full force underneath and demands great balancing skills. The best places for this activity are Tirthan valley- Kullu and Manali club. One can get indulge in this activity throughout the year except for the monsoon season.