Situated along the western coastline of India, Gujarat has an incredible geographical setting making it a hotspot for adventure activities. Adventure sports in Gujarat are a dream come true!

AEROSPORTS

If thrill is what you look for in life then aero sports is your ideal choice. Look out for the variety of options in aero sports available in Gujarat.

Paragliding and Parasailing

Paragliding is a great activity for adventure seekers. Spread your wings as you glide at a high altitude at locations in Saputara, Pavangarh, and Junagarh.

Here is a unique experience that requires professional guidance and gear but is the most sought-after adventure activity. A 21-day paragliding festival conducted during the months of December and January at Saputara, Gujarat is an ideal time to try your hands at this sport.

Training sessions are offered by experts.  Apart from paragliding, tourists can enjoy activities like go-karting, bike riding, parasailing, and zorbing ball.

Parasailing and paragliding activities are also available in Champaner – Panchmahal District; Mandvi – Kutch District; Palitana -Bhavnagar District; Ambaji – Banaskantha District and Kheda – Kheda District. 

During this festival, you can also try Paramotoring, which runs with the help of an engine and has an altogether different appeal. Waghai railway station is the nearest railhead to Satpura and the nearest airport is the Gandhidham Airport from where a local vehicle can be booked.

WATER SPORTS

Water sports in Gujarat are poised for major growth. Gujarat has enviable water resources, which are perfect for Boating and other aquatic sports. River Sabarmati, Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad, NalSarovar (65.4 km from Ahmedabad), and Saputara Lake, in the Dang district of Gujarat, are four water bodies that offer excellent boating.

At Sabarmati Riverfront there are more than a score of boats, which cruise between Nehru Bridge and Gandhi Bridge from a number of boating stations.

Sabarmati Riverfront has introduced water sports activities like zorbing, jet ski, kids peddle boat, water scooter and more.

Water sports are a great option to try out. Go Kayaking, rent a kayak and paddle your way through a local lake or en route the rivers from Ahmedabad. Make your way through the waters as you enjoy this highly addictive and super fun activity.

Rafting is another great watersports activity. Plenty of River Rafting options are available in Vadodra and Ahmedabad, particularly near Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar Dam, and along the Narmada river.

Want to head for a new water sports option? River Cruising is a new initiative. A twenty-minute ride is an ideal getaway for this new sport. At the Sabarmati riverfront, you can go river cruising. The nearest railhead and airport is in Ahmedabad. Venture into the world of marvel and astounding underwater world with Scuba Diving, a highly sought-after activity as it lets one explore the world of corals and fishes.

Snorkeling is also a great option to try out when in Gujarat. The primary difference between Snorkelling and Scuba diving is that the former allows you to dive and swim at the water surface level while the latter allows you to dive deep into the water body. The best time to try scuba diving and snorkeling in Gujarat is from September to February at the famous scuba diving spot of Dwarka or Ahmedabad or Surat or even Bhuj.

Located at a distance of 144 km from the town of Jamnagar, Bluebell Beach is a great Kite Surfing spot in Gujarat. The wind season here is from October to February. This place is frequented by experienced kite surfers.

Another adventure activity for outdoor enthusiasts in Gujarat is River Rafting which can be enjoyed in the blue water of the Narmada river. There are excellent spots in a 4.5 km. stretch with whirlpools, rapids, and many turn Khalwani in Kevadia near Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada.

Jet Skiing, a highly pleasurable water sports activity can be enjoyed at Mandvi Beach. The nearest bus stop and railhead to Mandvi Beach is at Bhuj, from where you can rent a vehicle to reach the beach. Hop on to your jet and gear up for fun skiing.

LAND-BASED ADVENTURE SPORTS

Camping

No one has made camping as popular and memorable an experience as the state of Gujarat. A camping experience at Rann of Kutch is a lifetime experience where you open your luxurious and comfortable tent flap to the scenic white salt plains contrasting with a clear blue sky in the background.

During the 90-day RannUtsav festival, from December to February, the well-structured campsites display a series of events that showcase the life, traditions, dance, and music of Gujarat.

The nearest airport to Kutch is in the city of Bhuj, which is around 80 km from the Rann desert. Bhuj airport is well connected to cities all over India.

Another interesting camping experience is to be found at The Mahal Eco Campsite amid rivers, forests, and bamboo glides and offers wonderful walking, trekking, and bird-watching options. The best time to visit the campsite is from October to March. 

Beautifully located on the banks of the Purna River, in the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, the campsite offers a great experience in the midst of dense deciduous and bamboo forests with the Purna and Gira rivers flowing through them. A visit to the Girmal Falls nearby is a must.

The nearest airport and railhead is Surat from where it is a 120 km drive to The Mahal Eco Campsite.

Rock Climbing and Artificial Wall Climbing

Rock Climbing and Artificial Wall Climbing is a great adventure as it tests your fitness level, stamina, focus, and concentration. The small town of Idar, 100 km from Ahmedabad is famous for Rock Climbing on account of its topography which has enormous natural granite boulders which have sizeable holds for climbers. Mandavi Beach, near Bhuj, is another good spot for rock climbing.

Bungee run Basketball, a unique activity that is highly addictive makes one jump high for a basketball game wearing a bungee rope and you will be ready for a good jump, a few laughs, and a good ambitious goal to achieve.

Ever wanted to experience a very sporty activity? Then hop onto an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and ride your way through the Kutch desert. All of these activities can be tried at the year-end Rann festival/ Kutch RannUtsav and you can book these activities at the RannUtsav online website.

Owing to the splendid beauty of Gujarat and its natural landscapes, you can go Jungle Trekking to experience the topography and picturesque landscape. Among the many famous spots to trek in Gujarat are Saputara, Girnar, Sahyadri hill, Polo Forest, Zanzari waterfalls among others.

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The inauguration will take place on 12th February 2021 in the evening in Convention  Hall and on 13th February there will be Business Sessions, product presentation and other activities.

The Convention will be attended by about 300-350 delegates on PAN India Basis.  There will be post-Convention study trips for the delegates for 2 nights covering destinations in the State from Kevadia.

Programme Schedule

Friday, 12 Feb 2021 – Day one

In an interview with Mr. PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India,

In an interview with Mr. Nirav Munshi, Manager Commercial, Gujarat Tourism

Proceedings at the ADTOI 10th Annual Convention cum Exhibition

Welcoming the VIPs and other Dignitaries

Ganesh Vandana

Inauguration – Lighting of the inaugural lamp

Address by the President, ADTOI – Mr. PP Khanna

Address by Ms Mamta Verma (IAS), Secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation, Gujarat Tourism

Address by Mr. Arvind Singh (IAS), Secretary Tourism, Ministry of Tourism

Saturday, 13 Feb 2021 – Day two

Ekta Marathon

After Marathon Breakfast refreshments

Interview with Mr. Jenu Devan (IAS), Managing Director & Commissioner of Tourism, Gujarat Tourism

Business session with Mr. Arvind Singh (IAS), Secretary Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Ms Mamta Verma (IAS), Secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation, Gujarat Tourism

Discussion on Technology is Future : Travel Real from Virtual with Ms. Rupinder Brar, Mr. Debjit Datta, Mr. Malvinder Rikhi, Mr. Harish Chandra and Mr. Dhananjay Sailankar

Dekho Apna Desh , Leveraging Domestic Tourism session with Mr. Sudhir Patil, Capt Sudesh Kumar, Mr. Vijay Mohan, Mr. Abinash Manghani and Mr. P P Khanna

ADTOI LEO – Lady Entrepreneur Officers

Narmada Tent City of Kewadia

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Bestowed with towering peaks and mountains, fascinating rivers, challenging terrains and other natural marvels, India offers a plethora of adventure sports. Across the country, one can find multiple opportunities to plunge in and experience activities in the great outdoors that not only give an adrenaline rush but also help to transcend one to a fearless world.

Be it a visit to the east, west, north or south of the country, India has ample options that offer the desired rush for adventure junkies.

Here are some outdoor adventure destinations that you must check out to get your share of the fun, thrill and rush.

Ski down Gulmarg slopes, Jammu & Kashmir

Gulmarg is where adventure in the great outdoors begins. Originally known as Gaurimag, the word can be literally translated to mean ‘ Meadow of Flowers’, and is a beautiful destination in Kashmir Valley.

 Whether you are a skier or snowboarder looking for an outdoor experience or simply a cultural aficionado , Gulmarg has it all. During winters, expert professionals lend a hand to guide beginners, while the experienced skier can select from a range of activities which will suit individuals, groups, or professional teams looking for backcountry, ski touring, big mountain free-ride, heli-skiing or heli-boarding adventure games.

India may not be an obvious destination for skiing but the resort at Gulmarg, makes it on the global stage and remains one of the premier hill resorts and ultimate ski destination in the country.

While Gulmarg is a scenic year-round destination with green summer meadows and pastoral scenes to capture through your cell phone, the main reason to come here in the winter season are the amazing snowy slopes where you can take your pick of off-piste, deep-powder, long-run skiing and snowboarding activities. The wonderful combination of incredible dry and light snow, known as ‘curry powder’ skiing is an absolute delight.

Add the facility of the world’s highest gondola ski lift and you are guaranteed amazing vistas of the great Himalayas. Gulmarg is also the capital of winter games and has a Training Institute to provide comprehensive training in skiing.

Winter in Gulmarg brings it all together – joy, fun, adventure and nature. Gulmarg provides natural slopes, inclines and plenty of snow, and this along with along with the warm hospitable Kashmiri culture makes it a favourite winter destination.

Make tracks in Roopkund, Uttarakhand

The trek to Roopkund Lake, known as the Mystery Lake of Uttarakhand, is a must for everyone, irrespective of whether you are into trekking or not. It’s got everything one can dream of – the taste of a great adventure as you climb from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft through snow and ice, green, thick forests, clear gurgling brooks, miles of undulating meadows and memorable campsites.

The Roopkund trek remains one the most popular treks in India because it is almost picture perfect. The trail winds through deep dark forests which open out to sunlit-high altitude meadows which are possibly some of the most scenic in the country – the gigantic Ali and Bedni Bugyal high altitude meadows.

You stop to take in the sheer beauty of the meadows that stretch into eternity, and slowly you find that the the trail bends and leads to splendid alpine stretches. The climb begins and as you walk up the slope with the snow crunching under your boots. You suddenly reach the green-blue waters of Roopkund lake with the gigantic Mount Trishul looming over it. It is a surreal setting as the trekker reaches the height of the exposed windy ridge towards Junargali and crosses while holding onto a rope and looks out at the imposing face of Mount Trishul.  

The  Roopkund trek provides never ending  views of Mount Trishul and Mount Nandagunti as well as a large number of other mountain peaks and ranges, each as splendid as the other…. the Chaukhamba range, Neelkanth peak, Kedarnath, Kedar Dome and several other high mountains .

Jump off a Plane in Mehsana, Gujarat

Located approximately 75km away from Ahmedabad, Mehsana, better known for its ‘Dudhsagar Dairy’ plant is one of the best destinations for skydiving in India. It is the only such drop zone in India and the heart-stopping sport is brought to you by a professional company approved by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

To begin with, one can start with Tandem skydiving or tandem parachuting which is a form of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected to an instructor via a harness. It allows you to experience unadulterated euphoria as the instructor guides you and opens the parachute so you can enjoy views of the city before you land in a proper pre-determined location. 

Instructors train you with various body positions needed to maintain balance during a free all, they teach you to manoeuvre the parachute as desired, and they make you familiar with various communication signals, landing posture and procedures to ensure a safe and wondrous experience.

Skydiving is all about testing ones limits and experiencing the thrill of jumping from a plane flying at 220 kmph and at a height of 10,000ft and its enjoyment completes bioth body and spirit.

The awesome feeling of opening the shoot at 6,000ft and floating above the world cannot be described except that it is an out-of-body experience.

Up the Goecha La Trek, Sikkim

Here is the perfect trek to explore the eastern Himalayas! The Goecha La trek features a high mountain pass of the same name, 50 km from the capital city of Gangtok in Sikkim. A popular destination with trekking enthusiasts, the trail winds through streams, forests and lush meadows and provides splendid views of the Himalayan ranges all through.

The highlight of this trek is that it reaches a dizzying pinnacle at Dzongri peak where you are up close with a clear and unparalleled sight of Kanchenjunga’s snow covered peak as well as mesmerizing views of many other towering mountain ranges of the Himalayas.

The Goecha La trek often starts at the cultural city of Yuksom and proceeds to Sachen and Tshoka along Prek Chu River. A small Buddhist monastery is a delight along the way.  The Goecha La trek offers overnight camps amidst to experience in the mountains and is possibly one of the coldest treks you can experience on account of the height and chill of the winds

Breathtaking views of Mount Pandim, Kabru and Rotang on the Goechala Trek are captivating but one of the many reasons to love this trek is the bounty of Mother Nature along the route… wild flowers, dense oak and rhododendron forests and the small lakes and streams along the way.

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