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Trekking
Foothills of the Himalayas (besides other lesser known inland mountain ranges) offer breath-taking treks. While the options are unending but it is advisable to stick to the better known treks, where it is difficult to get lost, and where help of fellow trekkers and guides can be sought. Also trekking culture as a whole, especially amenities like trekking lodges, support from locals, well-defined routes, rescue facilities, accommodation and food, etc. are hard to find even on some common trekking routes. The best bet is finding a local trekking agency, which organize group treks to popular destinations. Destinations like Pin Valley, Hamta Pass trek, Chamba Valley, and Great Himalayan National Park (all in the state of Himachal Pradesh,), Char Dham pilgrim routes, Har ki Dun, Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and Kauri Pass (all in Uttranchal state), Ladhak, Nun Kun Massif, Stok Kangri, and Zanskar region (in state of Jammu & Kashmir), etc. are worth mentioning. The list is by no means complete, but only indicative.
Skiing and Snowboarding
For all practical reasons, both these activities have been non-existent, till only a few years ago. But skiing has picked up very fast as an adventure activity. Facilities at prominent skiing locations are well-developed and are among the cheapest ones. Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, Auli in Uttaranchal, Solang Nullah and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh are some of the well known skiing destinations.
Rafting and Kayaking
Himalayan rivers flowing down to plains provide excellent rafting sites across north India . There are other inland rivers across India which are good spots too, but rafting activities are not very well organized. That doesn't mean one cannot enjoy, its just that the facilities are limited to some places and every rafting-option under the sun is not available in India .
But that should not be disheartening as the available opportunities are more than one can explore in a short tour. Rafting operators provide all grades of rafting across north India , in states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Zanskar river region deserves a special mention here for being a very well known and very active rafting site. Also note that neighboring Nepal offers more exciting opportunities.
Mountaineering
Besides the light trekking and lighter hikes, for enthusiasts India provides renowned opportunities for mountaineering. This activity is very well organized unlike some of the less popular adventure sports. Be it training or actual climbing, with or without permits, paid and guided costly options or cheap do-it-yourself cheap opportunities, India has something for everyone. The only catch is that mountaineering at most of the places requires official permission from Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF), located in New Delhi . Plus though there are royalties to be paid for official permission, but they are small percentage of the total travel cost and won't burn anyone's pockets. Note that it is strongly advisable to go via either IMF, or travel agents appointed by them as some regions are dangerous for do-it-yourself mountaineering, whereas, some sites near Chinese border are restricted.
Some trekking locations (relatively difficult and at high altitudes than those mentioned in trekking section) are Spiti, Ladhak, Zanskar, and in the state of Sikkim ( Sikkim is an east Indian state, at the other end of the Himalayas ). For paid and/or guided expeditions one may contact a multitude of institutions, like,
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