Careers in Adventure Sports

Would you like to live life on the edge, full of adventures? A career in adventure sports may be the right option for you. The best thing adventure sports is that you get to spend most of your time outdoors; you will also get the rare opportunity of converting your hobby into your profession.

Adventure sports involve activities which are unusual, risky and exciting. Examples are mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, river rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, scuba diving etc.

Eligibility
Like in many other fields, basic education is enough to build a career in adventure sports too. Candidates having a bachelor's degree in any discipline will, nevertheless, have an advantage over others. Proficiency in at least one foreign language is necessary as you will have to deal with tourists from different parts of the world.

Personal skills
In this field, your attitude counts as much as your aptitude.

You must be filled with the spirit of adventure. It is essential to have some sporting talent and a lot of interest in outdoor activities too. Since you have to deal with people of different cultures, it is necessary to have a hospitable and sociable nature. Considerable physical fitness and immense mental toughness are the other necessary traits.

Training
Several institutes provide training in adventure sports. Some of the prominent institutes offering training in mountaineering skills are the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, the Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali. Training in various kinds of water sports is imparted by the National Institute of Water Sports in Goa.

A number of professional associations across the country also offer courses in adventure sports. The course duration varies from a few days to a few months.

Prospects
You can find jobs with travel and tourism agencies as Liaison Officers. You can also find jobs in several agencies like sports centres, athletic clubs, sports clubs, holiday resorts, excursion agencies etc. Those who have enough experience in this field can also set up an Adventure Sports Center of their own where they can offer services and impart training in their area of specialization.

Adventure sports in Manali

Adventure sports are the foremost thing which click into mind when we visit Kullu – Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Manali is not only famous for its scenic delight but also for its extraordinary scope of adventure activities. Sports enthusiasts and adventure lovers should visit at least once during a year, because they can have a lot of fun frilled and thunderous time during their visit.

Adventure activity is limited not only to one frame of particular activity but it is related to various diversified activities right from Zorbing to Rafting and Angling to Paragliding. But People visit Manali basically for various trekking routes available here and the most famous them of all is Chandratal lake trek and Chandrakhani – Malana trek.

Chandratal is a glacial lake at 14600 feet above sea level which is located between Rohtang pass and Kunzum passes.

It is a full day drive to the lake from Manali. People should carry along there own equipments, fooding etc because there is no habitation along the way. People can camp along the Chandratal lake which is approx. 14kms. in circumference. The Chandra river flows next too the lake. First day's trek is of 20 kms.in which one have to pass the little island type riverine known as Samudra Tapu, night camp will be at Topkogongma, one has to cross it next day early in the morning as it is too swollen ice melt streams along the way in the afternoon time. Third day you have to cross Baralacha  glacier which is the sorc of Chandra river, this day will be more enjoyable and more then gentle. Finally reaching on this day to Baralacha pass at 16400 ft. above sea le el.  After this trek you will reach on Manali – Leh road, much easier to came back from here onwards by hiring a car etc.

The second most interesting trek is Chandrakhani – Malana trek.

In which one had pass through Beas Valley to Parbati Valley going through Malana village known to be a oldest democratic village of the world. The trek will begin from Rumsu which 6kms. above Naggar village. Climbing from Rumsu through dense forests of cedar, spruce and oaks. One can have fascinating view of Pir Panjal valley from there. First day halt will be at Chaklani at 3300 mtr. below the chandrakhani pass. Chandrakhani is one of the most beautiful Passes in the state of Himachal Pradesh with wide snow covered slopes leading up to it and a thick carpet of birch, spruce and bhojpatra  on chich ancient manuscripts were used to written upon. Beyond the pass lies legendary village of Malana ruled by Devta Jamlu. People obey Jamlu devta by heart and soul and inspires total obedience. Malana is having its own unique culture, custom and religion. Third day trek will take to till Rasol village and then to Chalal. Final day trek will be of only 2 kms. through Parbati and crossing over a bridge at Kasol village, the road will lead you to Bhuntar in Kullu valley from there onwards people can go towards Mandi- Chandigarh, can came back to Kullu-Manali or can board into Plane at Bhuntar airport.

If people want have much more fun then they can opt for white water rafting at Pirdi or can head towards Great Himalayan National Park which is approximately 25kms. from Bhuntar for Tirthan – Sainj trek. For this trek one has to take permission from the forest department at Shamshi just 1km. from Bhuntar.

More fun and more excitement is awaiting at Kullu-Manali, choices are numerous but the decision has to be taken by your adventurous and fun craving body and mind.

Adventure sports in Uttaranchal!

In the last few years Uttaranchal has become synonymous with adventure and winter sports. The Kumoan and the Garhwal have numerous rivers with snow clad mountains which have been developed as destinations for white water rafting, boating, water skiing, angling, skiing, para gliding, hang gliding etc and more tourists are heading this way every winter to experience truly unforgettable moments.

White water rafting in the untamed rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi are marked out for experts but when they merge at Devprayag to form the Ganga the rapids are more suitable for amateurs under the supervision of experts. The negotiable stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long stretch.

Many private operators have their base at Rishikesh and Shivpuri (13 kms upstream from Rishikesh) and conduct activities on the river. The Yamuna between Mori and Tuni offers rapids that tourists can brave and the Mandakini between Chandrapuri and Rudraprayag and the rapids on Kali Ganga are for professionals.

Uttaranchal tourism has recently developed a 'still water' sports resort at Assan Barrage, in the Dehradun district, which is located at the foothills of the Shiwaliks and on the banks of river Yamuna. The resort is only 40-kms drive from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Chandigarh highway.

It offers activities like water skiing, speed boating, paddle boating, rowing, sailing, Canoeing and Kayaking.

The large slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon covered with seasonal snow are ideal place for skiing in the winter months. Auli, 14kms from Joshimath is probably the most well known Skiing destination in this part of the world. A 3 kms long slope ranging from a height of 2519 mts. to 3049 mts is a major attraction. Dayara Bugyal 28kms from Uttarkashi, Munsyari in the Pithorgarh district and Mundali in the Dehradun district are other skiing bases in the state.

Paragliding and parasailing are other favourites among tourists. There are also parasailing activities offered in other tourist destinations in the state like Mussorie , Rishikesh, Naukutchiyatal in Nainital, Dayara Bugyal and Pratap Nagar.

Adventure Sports of Himalayas

Adventure and Himalayas are synonymous to each other. The adventure freaks from all over the world come to the Himalayan destinations for an exciting trip and quench their thirst of adventure and thrill. The enthralling sports offered in Himalayas are really exciting. Himalayan ranges are surely one of the best destinations for enjoying adventure sports. Perhaps, it is among most happening destinations for adventure in the world.

Skiing in Himalayas

Man has always been fascinated by the thought of challenging nature. His desire of curbing and controlling nature with a pinch of adventure is satisfied in the mesmerizing Himalayas. Skiing, the most exciting winter sport, blends the fun in snow and adventurous spirit of man together. The undulated lands of Himalayas have some of the best destinations and most famous winter playgrounds where skiing can be enjoyed.

Famous Destinations for skiing include:

a) Gulmarg
b) Manali
c) Kufri
d) Narkanda
e) Auli
f) Rohtang
g) Munsiyari
h) Dayara Bugyal

Mountain Biking in Himalayas

The most demanding sport for the adventurers in which they need to put in lot of physical effort is cycling and motor biking.

Whether riding a bicycle or riding a motor bike, the challenge is to climb the hills by the cycles. Through these rides, you can actually experience the local culture and traditions. Confabulate with the local and then start on exploring the virgin terrains of Himalayas.

The ever changing landscapes, increasing altitude makes it an ideal adventurous sport. Your holidays in Himalayas will be unforgeable because of easy pace of the ride, the pollution less environs, the lightly trafficked roads and the ride through the luscious greens and the wooden valleys.

Famous biking routes of Himalayas are:

a) Leh and Ladhakh
b) Tarai region of Uttranchal
c) Himachal Pradesh to Uttranchal

Camping Tours in Himalayas

The soothing ambiance of lush greenery, fresh and pure air, and no commotion are the features of camping in Himalayas.

Camping are the best way to wind out and relax in the lap of mother nature. Also organized are the Wild camps that can make us aware of the Eco tourism and preservation of natural resources. The impact of the green environs, pleasant countryside climate and peaceful atmosphere will be awesome.

Famous Camping sites in Himalayas are:

a) Chail
b) Sangla Valley
c) Tabo
d) Nainital
e) Chitrauli

River Rafting in Himalayan Rivers

Gurgling with tremendous water current, piercing the hearts of mountains and flowing immaculately to the plains, the Himalayan rivers are not only a pleasure to see but also a source of enjoyment as they offer great opportunities of river rafting. But the thrill is for the brave hearts. Adventurers enjoy the finest stretches of whitewater running in the world. Making our own ways in the flow of the river is very amazing and thrilling.

Rafting is possible in Himalayan rivers like:

a) Ganga
b) The main tributaries of the Ganga, like the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi,
c) Spiti river
d) Brahamaputra river
e) Ladkah region

Himalayan Trekking

Trekking in the Himalayan ranges is one of the best ways to explore the local environs, verdant forests, exotic flora and fauna and experience the local culture of the region you are traversing in. Himalayan mountains are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world and is counted among the best trekking regions.

Trekking in Himalayas can be divided into four regions:

1) Garwhal Himalayan that comprise of Dehradun, Taluka, Osla, Har Ki Doon, Debshu Bugyal, Rishikesh, Nandprayag etc.
2) Kumaun Himalayas that include Almora, Pindari Glacier, Bageshwar, Nainital, Maiktoli top etc.
3) Sikkim Himalayas like Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Yuksum, Bakhim, Dzongri etc.
4) Leh and Ladhakh Himalayas as Darcha, Palemo Zanskar Sumdo, Chumi Napo, Shingo La, Lakham

So next time when you plan your adventurous trip, do come to Himalayas and feel the bliss.