India Mountain Biking

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India is one of the most populated countries in the world, its colours, smells and noises can be overwhelming and the lifestyle so far removed from Western society that it leaves you dazed. The fascinating culture with age old traditions and festivals sits well alongside a huge movie industry and developing technology. It utilises the natural geography for some exciting sporting activities and tours that open your eyes to India's vast and varied landscape.

Geographically India is placed in South East Asia. The sub-continents collision with Asia millions of years ago formed the Himalayan Mountain range which runs along the Northern border. The Ganges Plain is a lowland area directly to the South of the Himalayas, it used to be a seabed but the trough was filled in over many years with sediment from passing rivers. It is now an incredibly fertile area of land used for agriculture. The majority of India is south of these regions on the peninsula; an area of land known as the Deccan Plateau. To the North West is the Thar Desert an arid area made up of large sand dunes. The North East side; Chota Nagpur, is largely forest with the remainder of South India encompassed by 3 ranges of hills. Through Central India running from East to West are the Vindhyas and Satpuras ranges, to the East are the Eastern Ghats and to the west the Western Ghats both running along their respective coasts to the tip of the country. India is flanked by three bodies of water; the Arabian sea to the west, Indian Ocean to the south and the Bay of Bengal to the east giving a coastline of about 7000 km.

The Himalayas shelter India from the cold Katabatic winds from Central Asia allowing for a tropical to subtropical climate. The monsoon winds of Southern Asia keep the rivers flowing in the southern parts of the country where the melting snow from the north cannot reach. Monsoon rain season is from June to October but affects the East from October to December. October/ November through to March is the ideal time to visit India as the weather is warmer and drier with bright sunshine. From March until May the weather becomes much hotter and it is advisable to head into the hills where there are cooler temperatures.

Delhi is one of the largest cities of India second only to Mumbai, contained within its limits is an area known as New Delhi which is the official capital. All major cities including Delhi (north), Calcutta (north east), Mumbai (west), Chennai (south east), Hyderabad (central) and Bangalore (south) have international airports making reaching your chosen area as direct as possible.

Safari
The cats in India are much larger and more dangerous than any you may have encountered before. A safari is a fantastic way to view these animals, along with boars, gazelles, crocodiles and birds in their natural habitat without putting yourself in too much danger. There are so many choices of safaris from those based out of one national park to travelling between many locations. You just need to decide how long you have and what level of comfort you would like as there are options from hotels to raj-style tents to standard camping. Some of the longer Safaris will also include taking you to temples, forests and through countryside to the cities.

Whitewater Rafting
The Zanskar River is the ultimate place for whitewater rafting and seeing parts of India you may otherwise miss. Taking you high into the Himalayas you are able to see local village life and how it differs from the over populated cities. The river itself starts off with some small rapids which become more turbulent as you descend leading into an exciting experience through the canyon. Through the canyon you truly feel alone as the high walls keep you isolated from the surrounding landscape and even road access is difficult here. The journey finally ends where it joins the Indus River.

Trekking
It is best to allow over a week for a trekking trip, to reach some of the highest peaks you will need to acclimatise at a steady rate to enable you to manage the ascent on foot. All of the treks through the Himalayas have diversity of scenery from meadows to lake and valleys to snow topped mountains. As well as having a challenge to reach the summit you will also enjoy learning about the history of people living here by visiting monasteries, remains of temples and local markets. The variety of wildlife and flora is spectacular and you may be lucky enough to spot snow leopards or some of the endangered birds inhabiting the hills and lakes.

Scuba Diving
Not something you immediately think of when you visit India but Bangaram Island is one island in a long chain off of the South West coast where this sport is perfect for beginners and experts. The warm sea temperatures make for comfortable exploration and for your first time the lagoon is a safe environment. For those with more experience you will want to get out to the reefs which are home to an array of fish. If you want to gain a PADI qualification there is the opportunity to do the theory before your trip and complete the practical on arrival with Planet Dive. This is a great way to free up time for enjoying more of the activities on the island such as kayaking and snorkelling or to spend time on the mainland in Cochin.

Kayaking
The Kali River runs from the Greater Himalayas into the Ganges travelling South East across the Ganges Plain. The kayaking here is a thrilling ride through white-waters, these get more demanding as the days progress with an increase in frequency and intensity of rapids. For anyone not experienced enough for the challenge rafting is available to see you through the tougher sections.

Overland Tours
India is a challenging country to navigate by yourself. Overland tours remove the stress of organising transfers between destinations and give you all the enjoyment of travelling using different methods of transport from planes to buses or trains and boats. There isn't a location that an overland tour does not reach; you can adventure into the Himalayas, cross the lowlands visiting local villages, camp in national parks, follow the Ganges River, enter forests and delve into the history of the diverse cultures making up this vibrant country.

Other Activities
While bikes are not the main attraction for India motor biking and mountain biking are both available and are an alternative way to enjoy the scenery of the Greater Himalayas. If you can't decide between visiting forts, villages, mountains or the coast as the choice of activities is so great why not book a multi activity holiday where one company can arrange sight seeing, travel and activities meaning you have less time planning and more time experiencing the adventures.

Classical Itineraries
Sadly many of us do not have the time to explore all that India has to offer in one trip and it is easy to become confused with what is available. Breaking down some traditional trips into manageable categories you may like to consider a safari, where you will see the national symbol of India: a Bengal tiger. The Ganges River should be paid a visit whether you ride on it or alongside it, tracking it from a source to its final destination in the Bay of Bengal. The Himalayas are a challenging mountain range for trekking and provides rivers, lakes and meadows to enjoy. The Taj Mahal in Agra, just south of Delhi must be seen for its architectural excellence and historical significance. There are many festivals for all religions in India and if you find yourself visiting while there are celebrations you should join the crowds and soak up the atmosphere and excitement.

India embraces a range of religions and cultures varying between regions with its roots coming from a history of empires to colonial trade. Ranging from the traditional countryside lifestyle to the fast paced city life, India is a fascinating place to explore for its extreme environments, extreme sports and wonderful communities and natural scenery.