Category — kayaking

Learn About Activity Holidays : Preparation Advice

by Issy

In this part of our guide to activity holidays we look at organizing yourself prior to going on an activity holiday.

Properly preparing for going on activity holidays ensures that you have the best possible time whilst on them. You need to pay close attention to your physical fitness level, your expertise level in relation to the activities you will participate in, what gear and/or equipment you are going to need, and what sort of apparel to take with you.

Your physical activities should include a sport or exercise that will condition your body and should be done several times a week. As your holiday draws closer, increase the aerobic intensity level and duration and become comfortable with doing a workout two days in a row, as you probably will not get any days to rest while you are gone.

Some things you will be doing like ice climbing or canoeing will not be practical to practice, but you can prepare for hiking and biking. If it is not possible to practice for those specific activities that you will be doing on your holiday, the best alternatives to help you prepare are walking and cycling.

Your activity holiday will more than likely require a few necessary items, so it important that you pay attention to the things your guide tells you to bring since they have been out there more than you and know what is needed. In addition to what your tour company advise you to take, you should take only the absolute basics as you’ll probably have to carry your bags (take one large one and a smaller daypack) around more than what you would on a ‘normal’ holiday.

It is generally best to wear durable, comfortable, fast-drying garments, in layers. You should also carry a second pair of shoes (just in case), a rain suit like “Frog Togs” that can be rolled up, a multi-functional jacket with a built in layering system and a good hat that can offer wind and sun protection. Sunglasses and swimsuits might be the only additional items that will be required.

Your equipment list will let you know if you will need outdoor equipment to take with you like a sleeping bag or a tent or even cooking and food supplies. If you don’t have some of these items, you can check to see if the activity holiday company has any to rent for the duration of the trip. And even though your guide will have an emergency care kit with them, you should have your own basic one with band aids, alcohol swabs, pain relievers and bug repellant in it.

July 18, 2009 4 Comments

Go river rafting in india

by Issy

River rafting is an extreme and thrilling adventure in the wild rivers. The upper Himalayas River is one of the best and well known locations for white water rafting to be experienced to the maximum. The river has the characters that create thrills, with the rocky banks, the water crashing into rocks and crevices and that would break into the rapids; these things test the braveness of the water runner. There is a place that river rafting is best experienced by both the amateurs and the professionals, in India.
If you like the water and anything extreme then this is the adventure for you. You may be able to learn the basics and even become skilled within a few hours after training. Rafting training facilities are all over India and many tourist agencies and departments already offer courses in river rafting.

Regions in India Known for River Rafting

• Ladakh – one of the most popular place for india river rafting. The best place for river rafting for a run that are guided professionally in the white water is between Spituk and Saspol and beyond this place the river becomes difficult that only skilled participants and careful organizations are allowed.
• Zanskar River –This river offers the thrill of some of the most difficult river rafting in India. This River should only be attempted by people who have organised rafting expeditions.
• The Ganges – this River has always been a mystery for explorers and with surprises for the rafters. The Ganga near Rishikesh in the place of Uttarachal is popular for white river rafting which stretch of the Ganges from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh with its 12 major rapids over 36 kms long.
• Himachal Pradesh – offers challenging sport of rafting with their snow-fed rivers. There are rivers that offer an immense white water rafting such as the Chandrabhaga in Lahaul, Ravi near Chamba, Satluj near Shimla, and the Beas near Kullu. If you want to experience ito extreme water rapids, enjoy a thrilling, tremendous and exciting river running expedition between Shamsi and Aut on the Beas which has a 20 km stretch.
• Teesta River – this is the most challenging invitation to those rafters in the Eastern Himalayan region. Teesta allows you to experience the series of white water rapids that has various intensities. In this river, you’ll have enough of the blend of the nature and adventure.