It’s dangerous, difficult and delirious. But you know your limits only when you push them. High-altitude adventure helps you discover yourself. And a lot more

Some of you might wonder: Why should I make myself go through this? But you know what it’s all about only once you’ve been there, done that. If adventure sounds good enough, high-altitude adventure is a different ball-game altogether. It demands the utmost out of you, and you might discover not only
new lands, but also yourself in the process. The humility that comes when you get to the peak of those gigantic mountains, the adrenalin rush that comes with being in a spot where one wrong leap can end tragically and the feeling of overpowering your own demons after some heady victories are all unparalleled. We give you some spectacular getaways for that rush to the head.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Cycling through the countryside is a pleasure, but when it’s on a high altitude, the level of difficulty rises tremendously. Testing your mental and physical endurance to the hilt, the tryst with the wheel has taken man to great heights. Though the sport is quite new to India, our country offers some challenging trails. The Leh-Manali Highway is the second highest motorable road in the world. It winds its way through some of the most hostile terrains. The entire 485 km stretch offers a challenge to mountain bikers
	(Top) Cycle your way up a mountain range to feel on top of the world and (left) feel the chill in your spine as you go snowboarding
who have the opportunity to cut across the majestic Himalayan ranges through four mountain passes. This highway reaches a height of 5,328 m (17,480 ft) at Taglang La pass; the other three on the way are the Lachlung La, the Baralacha La and the Rohtang pass. This trail’s a dangerous one, not meant for beginners, but with the challenges it offers also come stunning landscapes. The Kalka Shimla route, which is famous for its toy train journey, is also a paradise for biking lovers. Biking in the foothills of the Himalayan ranges in and around the towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and Mussoorie is for the lesser experienced bikers, albeit they come with their own set of thrills. You can also go for mountain biking in Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The foothills of the eastern Himalayas in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong also offer a number of short- and longdistance mountain biking trails.

TREKKING

Travelling in the Himalayas offers endless adventure, an opportunity to see some of the highest settlements in the world, interact with cultures that are hostile to modernisation and umpteen recreational opportunities. The Western Himalayas covering the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal form a major trekking area in India. It is followed by the Eastern Himalayas covering Darjeeling in West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. A trekking holiday in India over the Kauri Pass (3840m) offers some of the most amazing views of the Greater Himalayan Range. When you reach the pass you are rewarded by an impressive panoramic view. Some of the best mountaineering spots can be found in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and the North-East. Num and Kun, and the Zanskar range in J&K are renowned summits. Technical climbing skills are put to test at Kishtawar at peaks that are as high as 6,500 m above ground level. Lahaul and Spiti in Leh, and the Kullu valley also have several challenging peaks. Lying in India's eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is the abode of five peaks of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Even crossing the paths, meandering through green forests, waterfalls, untamed streams rambling through meadows, pilgrim routes and finally reaching the sacred monasteries perched high in splendid isolation is a memorable experience in itself.