Travel with Purpose

Sitting at a cafe in an exotic location and sipping on a cup of coffee is now passé. More and more people want to travel for a purpose. It could be building social relationships, opportunities to learn and grow or just challenge yourself to test your limits. The Indian adventure travel industry has picked up in the last few years with more backpackers, solo travelers and adventure enthusiasts who are on the lookout for more thrilling life experiences by opting for camping and treks in high altitude mountains than a leisure trip.  Searching for alternate experiences, memories (pictures for social media?) the mountains, jungles and beaches are attracting more and more people. From meeting new people, making lifelong friends, strengthening a bond or reconnecting with someone, it is the perfect way to find yourself and spending time the way you want it to. Here we list 5 adventure holidays you can consider to quench your wanderlust.

a. Family adventure holiday in Jordan

 

Jordan is one of the most underrated destinations in the world, boasting some of the most stunning landscapes, ancient civilization, architecture and the friendly local population. It suffers due to its location but anyone who has travelled and explored Jordan will have only the most positive opinion about this warm and peaceful country. With its variety of landscape, wealth of historical sites and welcoming climate (outside of the hot summer months) Jordan is a great place for a multi-activity holiday. This week-long adventure begins with a visit to amazingly well-preserved Roman ruins at Jerash, just north of the capital city of Amman, before traversing the Jordan Valley to take a dip in the ever-so-salty Dead Sea. Next up, we tackle a full day of canyoning in Wadi Mukheries, dropping through a sandstone gorge via small waterfalls and hidden caves, with a final 20 meter abseil. An easy day of cycling then takes us south on country roads between farming villages, with a lunch stop as guests of a family in Mukawir. After hiking in to the amazing rose-red city of Petra via its 'back door', we travel on to Wadi Rum, where we have a camel ride and an exciting scramble up to the Burdah Bridge, a natural rock arch high above the desert sands. This active adventure holiday offers you and your family and friends the chance to get your kicks in Jordan!

Best time to visit : September to April

Tip: Sunscreen! Lots of it!

How to get there: A number of international airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Jet Airways have flights to Amman, Jordan. There are no direct flights from Delhi to Amman.

 

b. Glamping in the Himalayas: Lamayuru to Chiling trek

  

Mention 'trekking' to a family member or a friend who has not ventured outdoors much, and you can instantly see the concern in their eyes.  'What will you eat? Where will you stay? Will you be ok? '. However, most people think that it is a budget travel industry where you cannot be provided some of the luxuries in remote areas.  Opt for this moderate trek to enjoy the basic luxuries while you trek in remote mountains. Your guides will assist you as you walk through the moon landscape, monasteries and quaint villages on this ancient trade route. It will include your personal chef and kitchen team, lounge tent with magazines and games, mess tent and portable chemical toilet. Client tents are big enough for you to stand in and give you ample space and comfort while camping above 4000m. Be warned, you still have to walk at least 4-5 hours a day, so a good fitness level will surely help you. And after you have experienced the adventure in the mountains, stay at a 5 star facility hotel in Leh to chase off the tiredness.

Best time to visit : July to September

Tip: Work on your fitness before the holiday will help you enjoy the trek more.

How to get there: Leh is well connected with flights from Delhi and Mumbai

c. Climb the 'Roof of Africa'

  

One of the Seven summits on the planet, at 5895m , Mt. Kilimanjaro, is the highest point on the African continent. This trek is the ultimate experience for interested adventure enthusiasts who want to spend time together walking above clouds and gazing at some stunning sunsets and landscape. Not to forget, the trek through montane forest, moorland and alpine desert, is a challenge worth taking on together for a couple. The local guides and staff are warm, friendly and helpful. It is essential though, that you do your research about which company to  trek with on the mountain, as there are plenty of options. It is best to avoid this region during the wet months i.e March, April and November. After a grueling trek, you could either head to the luxury lodges in the big National Parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangine to spot wildlife or fly out to soak in some sun at the island of Zanzibar, well known for its nightlife.  

Best Time to visit : December to March, June to October

Tip : Choose at least 9-10 day itinerary to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro giving you ample time to acclimatize. Always use a company which provides private group toilet.

How to get there :  Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport which serve the town of Arusha and Moshi.  Connecting flights can be found through Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Doha. The National Parks are 3 hours from  Arusha and the operator will pick you up from your location.

d. Responsible travel in Ladakh - Clean up drivein Leh and Stok Kangri & Golep Kangri climb

    

Even though it is situated at a height of 3500m, Ladakh is one of the most popular destinations in India. With its breathtaking Himalayan beauty, high passes and picturesque monasteries , it is on the list of any traveler. The region attracts almost 2 lakh tourists on average which is increasing by 30% every year. However, most of the tourists are usually stuck in the circuit of Leh-Nubra Valley- Pangong (which was made famous by the movie 3 idiots) even though the region has so much to offer. Ladakh has the highest  concentration of 6000m+ peaks in the world and treks, of all grades, to provide any traveler a break from the hustle of city life with all the essential luxury services that you will need. With the influx of travelers and tourists, the city and the nearby trails have also  been affected. The region is being affected by consumerism, lack of proper garbage disposal system, expansive tourism and invasion of plastic products. Team Up for Change is a platform to highlight these issues and a call to action. Join the Twin Peaks group as they clean up an area in Leh and then trek to the Stok Kangri basecamp, cleaning up the route and the camps along the way. The adrenaline will be pumping throughout as you will end the holiday by attempting to summit Golep Kangri (5900m) or Stok Kangri (6150m), the highest walking peak in India. The feeling of climbing a mountain summit and doing something for this stunning region will be special.   

Best time to visit : July to October 

Tip: Do two months of cardiovascular exercises with lots of cardio and core exercises. Playing squash, badminton, football and swimming also help,

How to get there :  Direct flights from Delhi and Bombay are available to Leh.

e. Tick it off your bucket list- Everest Base camp trek, Nepal

On the 14 day Everest Base Camp Trek, we get to experience astounding mountain views,  glimpses of the life of famous mountain climbers and Sherpas, enter Sagarmatha National Park, a world heritage site and tour high altitude Buddhist monasteries. Trekking to the Everest Base Camp of Nepal also provides us an opportunity to embark on an epic journey that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay set off to in 1953. Guided by Sherpas, you will  be trekking to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest! This adventurous trek package also includes climbing Kala Pathhar (5643m) to admire the panoramic views of Everest and other Himalayas. Nothing beats the thrill and sense of accomplishment that grips hikers on seeing the power and grace of the mighty mountain up close. The 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary is designed for  trekkers who are in good health with average physical fitness. The ample distance covered between daily itineraries, steady gain of altitude and separate rest days ensures that we are properly acclimatized to fully enjoy our trek to the Everest base camp.

Best time to visit : March to May, October to December.

Tips : Being one of the most walked trail on the planet, it gets crowded during the months of March-April-October. Trek in crispy cold winter days of December or take the route through Gokyo region.

How to get there :  There are a number of flights to Kathmandu from all major cities.