Going beyond the usual white-water river rafting in Rishikesh, this list is for when the need for thrill strikes. We do recommend cliff jumping and bungee jumping at Rishikesh, only if you’re going that way. If not, here are some other spots near Delhi, and we promise an adrenaline rush.
Dune Bashing In Jaisalmer
Put a 4x4 and the sandy delights of Jaisalmer in the same spot, and you can experience the thrills of bashing through sand dunes (FYI you can also ride quad bikes). The newest desert safari import from Dubai that has all of us raving, there are lots of adventure companies who provide complete dune-bashing facilities and tour packages.
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur
Price: INR 2,000 upwards
Time Taken: Usually the whole day
Rappelling At Shimla
Rock-climbing and rappelling are among the most popular adventure sports that Delhites go in for. We recommend that you try this in Shimla, with tiny waterfalls all over the place for the ultimate water rappelling experience, Shoghi Resorts being the most well-known place to organise them. You can trust their equipment a 100 per cent, and descend that rock face like a baws.
Nearest Airport: Jubarhatti (22 kms away)
Price: In accordance with room rent
Time Taken: Whole day activity
Ziplining At Neemrana
Overlooking the royal Neemrana Fort, there are five zips that criss-cross each other and get you high {literally}. Zips span from 90 mtrs to 400 mtrs and have varied characteristics; some are short and fast, whereas some overlook the grand Aravalli mountains. If you’re looking for the rush of height and pace with an edge of a bird’s eye view, then this is your answer.
Distance from Delhi: 120 kms
Price: INR 2,000 upwards
Time Taken: 2 to 2.5 hours per zipline tour
Zorbing At Dhauj
Camp Wild at Dhauj organises Zorbing and is a literally the closest adventure activity you can pick up around the city. Weekend or even day trips to Dhauj are a great idea because of the beautiful rocks surrounding the area, where you can also try a couple of other things like rock-climbing and rappelling.
PS: Their obstacle course is also wildly fun.
Distance from Delhi: 40 kms
Price: On request
Time Taken: 1 hour
Paragliding At Naukuchiatal
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A recreational as well as a competitive sport, paragliding has many takers in the world of adventure. A small foot-launched aircraft that soars over hills and valleys, the device is subject to availability, so do make a call before you start packing. The best time to visit is from March to June and October to December. You can also try your hand at parasailing and other adventure activities while you're in the area.
PS: You can be a maximum of 80 kgs to participate.
Distance from Delhi: 310 kms
Price: INR 1,500 upwards
Time Taken: 10 mins to 45 mins
Paramotoring And Air Safari In Corbett
Lots of paragliding and air safari companies like Flyboy have paramotoring equipment and organise expeditions across north India. In fact, you can try this in Sohna, Gurgaon and Faridabad, too, but we insist that you fly over India's oldest national park and catch a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger if you're going for it. You'll have a pilot along with you handling all the technical stuff, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Distance from Delhi: 240 kms
Price: INR 3,400 upwards
Time Taken: 6 - 8 mins
Hot Air Balloon Rides In Sohna
If you want to stay in the city and yet do something exciting, hot-air-balloon rides would be a good call. You can make it a full-family activity since the carrier can hold four people together and there aren't any age restrictions. There are lots of companies to choose from, and they all have some deals on packages going. 5,000 ft above ground, we recommend going to some place with forests or hills to enjoy the view Neemrana or Sohna would be a good spot near the city.
Price: INR 9,000 upwards
Time Taken: One hour
Skydiving In Aligarh
Jump out of a plane with experienced trainers at Sky High. You can now skydive just a few hours away from Delhi with this agency. They offer four types of tandem jumps, and allow anyone between 18 and 60 to participate. All you need is an hour’s training, a set of comfortable clothing and some gumption.
Distance from Delhi: 141 kms
Price: Starting at INR 25,000 for a tandem jump (+ taxes)
Time Taken: 1.5 hours {including training}