5 Popular Family Adventure Holidays in India

The family that camps together, stays together. Really! Whether it’s waking up early morning to spot a tigress in the jungle, watching your kids manoeuvre a narrow mountain trail, or cheering for your siblings as they ski down a snow capped slope – experiencing adventure together is one of the most exciting forms of family bonding. Here’s presenting 5 popular adventure holidays for families in India:

1. Jim Corbett

What do we do here? Spot the tiger of course! The first national park and Tiger Reserve in India, Jim Corbett has always been a favourite with families for jeep safaris to spot tigers, elephants and other animals. You could also go to Kalagarh Dam for bird watching, or head to Corbett Falls and enjoy some family time.

Where is it? Jim Corbett is located at the crossroads of two hill regions of Garhwal (Uttaranchal) and Kumaon.

What’s the best time to go? You can visit Corbett from 15^th November to 15^th June. The park remains closed the rest of the year because of heavy rainfall. Perfect destination for a long weekend!

What else? With its interesting history as popular hunting grounds for the British before becoming a sanctuary, it also appeals to kids for its cultural significance. It is named after Jim Corbett, the iconic hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer who contributed immensely toward setting up this park.

2. Rishikesh

What do we do here? This one’s perfect for the entire family – grandparents, parents, kids – there’s something for everyone in Rishikesh. It’s a religious destination famous for Yoga as well as adventure sports. You can start the morning with some meditation (or not!) and go on to explore the adventurous spirit in the family by going camping on the silver beaches, river rafting in the Ganges, trekking in the mountains and if you are feeling particularly brave, then, bungee jumping (minimum age for bungee is 12 years). Don’t forget to carry a torch because it gets pitch dark after sunset.

Where is it? Also known as the Gateway to the Himalayas, Rishikesh is located in Uttarakhand, about 15-20 kilometres from Dehradun.

What’s the best time to go?The ideal time to visit Rishikesh is from mid-September to November and then February to May.

What else? The famous Lakshman Jhula here is a good place to introduce your kids to Indian mythology. You might also want to tell them about The Beatles who visited Rishikesh in February 1968, and composed some 48 songs, one of which was the Happy Rishikesh Song.

3. Gulmarg

What do we do there? Winter sports! Skiing, tubing, snowboarding and sledging in Gulmarg are absolutely unforgettable experiences. Don’t worry, if you are a beginner, there are professional trainers to teach people of all ages. Also, take the gondola ride in Gulmarg for a top-of-the-world view – at 12,293 feet it’s one of the highest cable cars in the world. Once you are done with the sports, throw snowballs at each other and help your kids make a snowman.

Where is it? Gulmarg is a hill station in Kashmir, 52 kilometres from Srinagar.

What’s the best time to go? While summers in Kashmir are obviously beautiful, the best time to enjoy the winter sports in Gulmarg is from December to March.

What else? Remember the trek that Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone go on in the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani? Those breathtaking views were from Gulmarg.

4. Goa

What do we do there? Choose from a million water sports in Goa such as jet skiing, waterskiing, wake boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, catamaran sailing, banana rides... Calangute, Palolem and Baga are the beaches popular for water sports, and Grande Island is the place to go for scuba diving. If that’s not enough, then go hiking or camping in one of the trekking trails along the Sahyadri Hills.

Where is it? Goa is a gorgeous coastal state bordering the Arabian Sea on the western coast of India.

What’s the best time to go? Anytime! But if you have water sports on your mind then go between November and February when the sea is calmer.

What else? Venture out on a tour of the Mandovi River for some dolphin and crocodile spotting. Head to Sinquerim beach, alongside Fort Aguada, and get on a boat.

5. Ranthambore

What do we do there? Look for Machali T-16! No, I’m not talking about a fish. Machali is Ranthambore’s most popular tigress, especially known for having fought with a 14-foot long crocodile! You are most likely to see Machali around the water area (ironic?). If you get lucky, you might also see her majestic daughter, Sundari T-17. You will of course, also spot plenty of other wild animals and birds.

Where is it? The Ranthambore National Park located in Rajasthan, about 130 kilometres from Jaipur.

What’s the best time to go? Ranthambore is open to visitors from 1^st October to 30^th June.

What else? You can trek up to Ranthambore Fort, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area and a historical insight into the place.

Once you’ve covered these popular destinations, buckle your seat belts and get ready as next up, I will bring you some of the best offbeat destinations for adventure holidays in India.