12 Adventures in India and Where to Try Them – Part 2

India has no dearth of adventure options and destinations. Continuing on our earlier post, this is Part 2 of The Amazing Dozen: 12 adventures in India and where to do them. In case you’ve not read part one, it is here.

In this part: ballooning, desert jeep excursions, wildlife safaris, boat outings, bungee jumping and rock climbing. Read Part 1 for trekking, rafting, road touring, diving, skiing and paragliding.

7) Hot Air Ballooning

Want to waltz through the clouds, but skydiving isn’t your thing? Enjoy the aerial view of incredible India with this romantic adventure.

Jaipur and seasonal Rajasthan programmes

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arunkatiyar/10859188105

See Rajasthan as never before: a balloon flight can reveal fields, villages and the changing landscape from above. Jaipur is a current destination listed by balloon operator SkyWaltz. Pushkar festival flights or other Rajasthan locations should be confirmed for the actual season rather than assumed to run every day. Launch, route and landing depend on wind and the operator’s decision; no particular fort, palace or wildlife sighting can be promised. Confirm the meeting point, transfer, age and health requirements and weather-cancellation terms.

8) 4×4 Jeep Safari

What better way to explore a country as diverse as India than on road? Fasten your seatbelts as you venture into the thrilling world of rough terrains and unpaved sand dunes.

Jaisalmer – Bikaner

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saad/6826425018

Jaisalmer and Bikaner are separate desert destinations, not one 126.28-square-kilometre attraction. Around Jaisalmer, dunes such as Sam offer a contrast to the city’s sandstone havelis and temples. Choose an authorised excursion on a permitted route, use the vehicle’s restraints and clarify what the package includes. Avoid driving onto protected or closed areas, and check current local access rather than assuming all dunes are open. Incredible India’s Sam guide provides destination context.

You may want to avoid going there in summers as the weather gets extreme.  Also, keep yourself well hydrated.

9) Jungle Safari

Over and above the rich and varied cultural heritage, the diverse wildlife is yet another feather to the incredible India hat.  India is home to tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards, pythons, Asian elephants, deer, rhinoceroses, camels and snakes, to name a few.

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-belurs/8483823139

Gir is an important base for experiencing the wider Saurashtra landscape that supports wild Asiatic lions. A safari is a chance to see wildlife, not a guarantee. Use the official Gir permit portal for current availability and instructions, and distinguish the Gir Jungle Trail from Devalia’s separate visitor programme. Check the actual seasonal opening, reporting point and ID requirements before arranging a stay. Book the permitted programme first, then arrange accommodation and transport around its reporting point.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tariquesani/3748837140

Kanha’s grasslands, sal forest and bamboo provide habitat for tigers, barasingha, leopards, wild dogs and other wildlife. A permitted vehicle safari follows designated routes, with sightings depending on chance. Book the correct park, gate, zone and session through Madhya Pradesh’s official forest booking portal. Check the current calendar and carry the original identification required by the permit. Choose accommodation near your actual gate; a booking for one zone is not interchangeable with every other entry.

10) Boat Safari

Do not want to explore the wilderness of India in jeeps?  How about a boat ride through the rivers which cross through the lush forests which house hundreds of different species of flora and fauna?

Sundarbans, West Bengal

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15405665@N00/363254489

The Sundarbans is a magnificent labyrinth of tidal creeks and mangrove forest. The wider ecosystem spans India and Bangladesh; the Indian Sundarbans National Park lies in West Bengal and has its own permitted visitor routes. Much of a tourist visit is by boat, with the waterways and mangroves an attraction in their own right. Tigers, crocodiles, dolphins and birds are possibilities, not promises. Confirm the current permits for every traveller, the authorised itinerary, boat equipment, boarding jetty and return transport. Cooler months can be comfortable, but weather and tidal conditions still matter.

Devbagh, Karwar, Karnataka

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhijeetrane/2810057245

Devbagh near Karwar, at the Kali River’s meeting with the Arabian Sea, offers a coastal change of pace. It is different from Devbag near Malvan in Maharashtra: check the state and exact boarding point when booking. Boat trips and activities depend on the authorised operator, season and sea conditions; dolphin sightings and a particular seafood menu cannot be guaranteed. Confirm transfers and inclusions, then leave time to enjoy the shore and estuary without rushing between activities.

11) Bungee Jumping

A supervised bungee jump combines a controlled freefall with specialist equipment, checks and an operator-led briefing. It is not a do-it-yourself cliff jump.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranchis/3523630730

Feel the adrenaline rush at a purpose-built jump site near Rishikesh. Jumpin Heights operates at Mohanchatti, with a jump over a valley rather than a jump into the Ganga. Confirm the exact site, current participant criteria and the operator’s health screening and briefing. Courage alone is not enough: follow the staff’s instructions and accept a decision not to jump when conditions or eligibility require it.

Ask about the current price, transfers, reporting time, inclusions and weather-cancellation policy before booking. Avoid treating an extreme activity as a guaranteed way to overcome a fear or as suitable for everyone.

12) Rock Climbing

Want to test your fitness level?  Rock climbing involves using your arms and legs to pull yourself up a rock using sheer strength and control.  It requires not only physical but also mental strength.

Hampi, Karnataka

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/angie-pants/5763341547

Hampi’s Vijayanagara-era monuments and dramatic boulder landscape make a striking combination. For climbing, choose a locally permitted site with a qualified guide or experienced provider and equipment suited to the problem. Do not climb temples, carvings or protected monuments; a heritage visit is not permission to use archaeological structures as climbing routes. Confirm access on the actual land and respect local requests and closures.

October to March is the best time to visit Hampi for rock climbing.  Do avoid monsoons because the rocks get slippery because of rains.

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Trodler

Booking the experience, not just the destination

Match the operator, permitted route and participant requirements to the actual activity. A national-park room booking does not include a safari permit; a balloon booking does not guarantee a route; and a heritage ticket does not permit climbing. Ask about equipment, leadership, insurance arrangements and what happens if weather or authority restrictions cancel the programme. The Ministry of Tourism’s adventure guidelines are a useful reference.

Use our India safari booking guide for park-planning questions, offbeat Gujarat guide for a wider Gir-region holiday, and Karnataka trip ideas for a regional extension.

Frequently asked questions

Credits and last update

This post was published on Trodly travel blog.

Featured image by Arun Katiyar

Read the previous post of the series here:

The Amazing Dozen: 12 Adventures in India and where to do it – Part 1

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Last updated: 18 October 2026. Outdated census and booking claims corrected; activity locations, access and visitor guidance reviewed, with original photographs and credits retained.