Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism Activities in India

India is a land of varied topography including mountains, hills, rivers, lakes and wildlife. You can indulge yourself in a variety of adventure activities in India. For ensuring safety of people involving in such activities, the minimum acceptable standards have been set up in terms of equipment and human resources. Broadly the adventure activities in India have been divided into three categories namely Land Based, Water Based and Air Based.

(1) Land Based - (i) Mountaineering and (ii) Trekking
(2) Water Based - (i) River running
(3) Air Based - (i) Parasailing, (ii) Paragliding and (iii) Bungee Jumping

Basic Minimum Standards for Land Based Activities Mountaineering :

1. Application : These Basic Minimum Standards (BMS) will apply specifically to commercial operators attempting 6,000 mtr or other comparable peaks.

2. Information to Clients: A variety of organisations offer to take clients on 6,000 mtr or other comparable peaks. These BMS will supply clients with pointers to assist them to make an informed choice.

3. Danger awareness: Mountaineers climbing at very high altitude, especially above 6,000m are at considerable stress to their mental and physical powers and may not be capable of assisting others as has always been traditional in mountaineering.

4. General Guidelines for Mountaineering:

(a) All such operators will have to be registered with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India and Ministry of Tourism.

(b) The leader or chief guide and as many as possible of the guides should have high altitude experience appropriate to the altitude of the peak to be climbed. He must have been a member of three climbing expeditions above 6000 m and must have completed the Basic Mountaineering Course with an ‘A’ grade or an equivalent from abroad. He/She must be qualified on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

(c) The guiding and porter staff on the mountain and the material supplied must be adequate for the aims of the party and stated level of service offered.

(d) An experienced doctor in the party is desirable but at the very least advance arrangements must be known for medical help. Advance arrangements must also be made for evacuation assistance in case of emergency.

(e) The minimum safety equipment available is recommended walkie-talkie radios and recommended medical supplies.

(f) Advertising must give a true picture of all the difficulties and dangers involved, and avoid promising the impossible. If an expedition is commercially launched by an operator, then the Biographical information about the guiding team should be included.

(g) The client must truthfully reveal his experience, supported by documentation/photograph, medical history etc to the organiser so that the organiser can make an informed choice about the potential client.

(h) Information supplied in advance will include a clear statement of the guiding, porterage and equipment which will be supplied by the organiser, together with details of the clothing and equipment to be supplied by the client. This is not in context of the operators assisting expeditions with logistics alone.

(i) All equipment on which life is dependent must be Union International de Alpine Association (UIAA) or European Union (EU) certified.

(j) Knowledge of low impact environmental expeditioning must be undertaken, pledging to environmental guidelines of Union International de Alpine Association (UIAA)/Himalayan Environment Trust (HET) etc.

General Guidelines for Trekking :

(a). The leader or chief guide and as many as possible of the guides should have experience appropriate to the difficulty of the route being attempted The trip leader must have completed at least two trekking trips in general and must have completed the Basic Mountaineering Course or equivalent with an ‘A’ grade. He/She must be qualified on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

(b). The guiding and porter staff for the trek and the material supplied must be adequate for the aims of the party and stated level of services offered.

(c). Adequate arrangements must be made known in advance for medical help available in the area. Advance information must also be made for evacuation assistance in case of emergency. Minimum first aid medical supplies must be carried on the trip. In case of a helicopter requirement for rescue operation, it is recommended that the Accreditation Committee be empowered to authorize the rescue.

(d). Information provided to clients must give a true picture of all the difficulties and dangers involved, and avoid promising the impossible. Biographical information about the guiding team should be included.

(e). The client must truthfully reveal his experience, medical history etc to the organiser so that the organiser can make an informed choice about the potential client.

(f). Information supplied in advance will include a clear statement of the guiding, porterage and equipment which will be supplied by the organiser, together with details of the clothing and equipment to be supplied by the client.

Note – Information has been taken from Incredible India Site (http://www.incredibleindia.org/). I have given information only for Basic Minimum Standards for Land Based Activities – in the next posts I will provide information about Water Based and Air Based Adventure Tourism Activities.

Weekend getaways from Hyderabad

Hyderabad the capital of South India state of Andhra Pradesh is popularly known as ‘City of Nizams’. A historical city, Hyderabad is known all over the country for its centuries old culture and traditions, which is visible in dressing and foods of city people. Hyderabad is home to a number of tourist attractions including the Chraminar, Hussain Sagar Lake, NTR Gardens, Salarganj Museum, Mecca Masjid and much more. From Hyderabad you take short excursion to a number of interesting places. Some of the famous getaways from Hyderabad are :

Golconda Fort (11 kms) : A massive fort, Golconda Fort is 11 kms west of old Hyderabad, noted for its heritage wealth. Set 122 m above the plain, Golconda Fort was the capital of the erstwhile Qutub Shahi Kings from 1518 to 1590 AD. One of the most impressive forts in India, Golconda Fort is in ruins now as many structures inside the citadel have destroyed due to battles or other reasons. Despite the severe damages, the ruins of the fort provides a fair idea of the original structure. Sound and Light held daily in the fort is the major attraction and provides good information about the fort history. Buses are offered at regular interval by the Hyderabad Tourist Office to the fort.

Ramoji Film City (35 kms, 1 hour) : India’s biggest film city, Ramoji Film City is just 35 kms away from Hyderabad. Set amidst the hills, Ramoji film city has a number of scenic locations and film sets. You will really get fascinated after entering the film city, as it looks like a fairy world. If you are lucky enough, you may also see the shooting of Tamil or Hindi films. Ramoji Film City offer shuttle services for visitors, which took you to every nook and corner of the film city. So, visit the film city to lose yourself in a dream world of cinema and glitz.

Nagarjunakonda (150 kms,5 Hours) : A holy place for Buddhists, Nagarjunakonda is 150 kms south-east of Hyderabad. Nagarjunakonda is an ancient place having religious importance. It is said that around the 2nd century BC, the Buddhist sage Nagarjuna lived here and spread the philosophy of Shunyata (the void). In 1920s the excavations unearthed the ruins of Buddist stupas and chaityas. At the original site of Nagarjunakonda you can see monasteries, stupas and an Aswamedha sacrificial altar.

Other major attractions are a 14th century fort, medieval temples and a museum looking like a Buddhist vihara. The museum has a fine collection of Buddhist relics, friezes, jewellery, coins and statues, including a partially ruined statue of the Buddha. A tooth and an ear-ring that belonged to the Sakyamunni are major highlights of the museum. From the viewpoint near the dam, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and feel the soothing spray from the Ethipothala waterfalls. Also visit Anupu, which is home to ancient Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and Viharas. During your Nagarjunakonda tour, make an excursion to Srisailam wildlife sanctuary, a Project Tiger reserve the sanctuary provides shelter to diverse reptiles, birds and animals.

Warangal (157kms, 4 hours) : If you are interested in historical sites, then Warangal is a must visit place for you from Hyderabad. Once the capital of Kakatiyas in the 12th to 14th centuries,Warangal is home to a number of stone temples and forts. The Warangal Fort now mostly in ruin was erected by Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma. There are four massive stone gateways to enter the fort and move inside the fort to see a number of ruined structures including the crumbling Swayambhu temple, a shrine dedicated to Shiva. Next visit the Thousand Pillared Temple an excellent example of ornate Kakatiya architecture, while the Bhadrakali Temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali. From Warangal you can also visit the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary (50 kms) which is a reserve for tigers, panthers, sambhars and other wildlife. Palampet, 60 km from Warangal, is home to the magnificent Ramappa Temple and the Ramappa Cheruvu lake.

Srisailam (232 kms, 6 hours) : A famous getaway from Hyderabad, Srisailam offers a unique combination of a pilgrimage centre and wildlife sanctuary. Situated on the banks of the river Krishna amidst the Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is an interesting place having immense historical and religious importance. Srisailam in home to a Shiva temple that is considered to be one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas. The Shiva temple is open for people of all religion and everyone is allowed to pray here and touch the Lord's feet. Srisailam wildlife sanctuary, India's largest tiger reserve, spreads over an area of 3568 sq km. Here you can see blackbuck, chinkara, spotted deer, nilgai, pangolins, panthers,tigers, leopards, soft-shelled turtles, porcupines, crocodiles, and a variety of animal and avian species.

Weekend Getaways from Chennai

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South India. Earlier known as ‘Madras’, Chennai is home to a number of old and new attractions, including some magnificent old structures. Of course, Chennai offers almost everything to please the tourists, but you may get exhausted due to hustle and bustle across the ctiy. Hence, while you are vacationing in Chennai, make sure to take excursions to nearby tourists places. Set at a close distance from Chennai, these weekend getaways provide a welcome break to you.

Covelong : Just 40 km from Chennai, Covelong offers a welcome break from maddening crowds of Chennai. Covelong is famous for its adventure sports activities like windsurfing, swimming, fishing and other water sports. A fishing village, Covelong has beautiful palm fringed beach which attracts people from far and wide. The tranquil environs and the infrastructure of the Covelong beach, make it one of the most popular beach resorts on the Coromandel Coast. Besides beaches, Covelong is dotted with the historical monuments likes forts, churches, mosques etc. Dutch fort and Catholic Church are other important attractions of Covelong.

Mammalapuram : A small coastal town, Mammalapuram lies 58 kms away from Chennai. From Chennai you can go to Mammalapuram by rail via Chengalpattu. A good motorable road links Chennai with Mammalapuram. You can reach Mammalapuram by driving on your own or catching buses. An ancient place, Mammalapuram was the second capital of the Pallava dynasty during the 7th century. One of the most beautiful towns in South India, Mammalapuram is known for its ancient temples and boulder studded beaches.

Mammalapuram is popular for its rath temples (chariot temples), each carved out for a single monolith representing one of the Pandava heroes of Mahabharata, having the characteristic Dravidian-style gopurams (towers), a pillared hall and sculpted friezes on the walls. Meenakshi Temple, Shore Temple and Arjuna’s Penance are other highlights of the town. An annual festival, Mammalapuram Dance Festival is held here between mid-Jan and mid-Feb. During the festival the Indian Classical Dance forms of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathakali dance forms are presented. Puppet shows and tribal dances, folk and classical music concerts are the highlight of Pongal celebrated in the same month.

Kanchipuram : One of the seven holy cities of the Hindus, Kanchipuram is situated at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai. Kanchipuram was the capital of the great Cholas, Pallavas and the Vijaynagar dynasties, who altogether built thousands temples in the town. Once the ‘City of Thousand Temples,’ Kanchipuram now houses 126 intricately carved temples. Ekambareswar Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailasnatha Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple are some of the prominent temples of Kanchipuram.

Besides temples, Kanchipuram is known for famous Kanjeevaram silk. While visit Kanchipuram, check out silk sarees and other silk made clothes spectacularly shot through with gold zari threads. You may visit a silk weaving center such as the Handloom Weavers' Service Centre on Railway Station Road or walk down the dusty lanes to see around 5000 families involved in this ancient craft.

Tirupati : Tirupati is located at a distance of 152 km from Chennai, in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. One of the most popular Hindu shrines of the country, Tirupati is the abode of the legendary Lord of the Seven Hills. It is said that an uninterrupted worship of the Lord had been carried out hare over thirteen centuries. Tirupati is dotted with a number of temples which draw thousands of people throughout the year. Some of the main attractions of the town are the Pratima Mandapam and Tirumalanayaka Mandapam.

Pondicherry : Situated 162 km south of Chennai, Pondicherry is well-connected by rail and bus. Pondicherry is a lovely place, here the last vestiges of French influence in India flourishes with traditional South Indian culture. On one side of the canal you will find European influence, while on the other side a typical South Indian town lies.

Pondicherry houses a number of churches such as the the 300 year old Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception; the church to Our Lady of Angels and the gothic Sacred Heart Church. The town has numerous temples dedicated to Ganesh and the Vinaynagar Manakula temple. Pondicherry is well-known for the Aurobindo Ashram set up by the Mother, a disciple of Shree Aurobindo and Auroville. Botanical Gardens, Jawahar Toy Museum and Pondicherry Museum are other must visit places at Pondicherry.

Kodaikanal : Kodaikanal is 520 km from Chennai and the drive takes around 12 hours. One of the most picturesque hill stations of South India, Kodaikanal is set an elevation of 2,133 m above sea level. Kodaikanal is situated in the Palani Hills of the Western Ghats and is bestowed with pleasant weather round the year. Lush green hill slopes, shimmering waterfalls, dense forests, fruit orchards and a lovely lake made Kodaikanal a picture perfect spot.

Kody Lake lies at the heart of hill station and you may splash across the lake on pedal boats and rowboats. Angling is allowed in the lake with prior permits from the concerned authority. You may also go on long walks along the lakeside, into the surrounding forests or beautiful hills. Priest’s Walk or Coaker’s Walk are some of the famous walking trails at Kodiakanal. Bryant Gardens and Chettiar Park are interesting parks at Kodiakanal which remain flooded with seasonal flowers. Chettiar Park's is well-known for the rare Kurinji plant which flowers once in 12 years.

Visit the Flora and Fauna Museum which has a nice collection of orchids. Fairy Falls and Glen Falls are ideal place for picnic. For adventure seekers Kodaikanal offers a number of exciting trekking options. For the energetic people, Perumal Peak is an exciting trek route. Dolphin's Nose-Vallagavi-Kumbakkarai, Kukkal-Kudiraiyar Dam, Vilpatti - Ganesapuram - Puliamarathope - Palani are other thrilling trek routes at Kodaikanal.

Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

Once the capital of India Kolkata is one of the four metros of India. Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. During the British regime Kolkata was one of their important centres and they built a number building here. Victoria Memorial is one of the treasures of British East India Company. Besides, the city has a number of museums, colonial buildings, metro railway and many other attractions. Kolkata also makes an ideal base for visiting the nearby places like Sunderbans, Shanti Niketan etc. So, when visit Kolkata, don’t forget to pay to places located close to the city.

Bakkhali (130 kms, Driving time +5 hours ) : One of India’s most secluded beach, Bakkhali boasts of a beautiful casurina tree lined white sand beachfront. Visit Bakkhali during your Kolkata trip. When you are at Bakkhali sit quietly on the beach and enjoy the various moods of the sea. Also catch a spectacular sunset at Bakkhali that will be a long lasting treasure for you. If you like seafood, then Bakkhali is your paradise because here you can find a variety of sea-fish. If you are traveling Bakkhali in winter, you can also see hordes of migratory birds.

Sunderbans (131 kms, Driving time +4 hours ) : If you have a long dream of seeing the Royal Bengal Tiger moving freely in the natural habitat, than Sunderbans is a perfect place for you. Originally the Sunderbans is an estuarine mangrove forest that was turned into a tiger reserve. Besides Royal Bengal tiger, you can see wildanimals like barking deer and spotted deer, monkeys, civet cats, monitor lizards and otters. Sunderbans is also home to aquatic wildlife such as olive ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles, river terrapins, gangetic dolphins, black finless porpoises, catfish, mudskippers, crabs, shrimps and lobsters.

Bishnupur (151 kms, Driving time +4 hours ) : After experiencing Kolkata’s scorching heat and inhaling dust particles, visit the peaceful town of Bishnupur which is like a breath of fresh air. Surrounded by verdant fields all round, Bishnupur beckons you to a quick getaway with a difference. Here you will see the unique terracotta temples built by the Malla kings to celebrate their love for Krishna, the Blue God.

Digha (187 kms, Driving time +5 hours ) : An ideal beach for a fun-filled holiday Digha offers a fine combination of sun, sea and sand. Once called the "Brighton of the East" by Warren Hastings, Digha is a perfect place for a great weekend or honeymoon. You may visit Digha almost all through the year because it never remains much crowded and it will surely mesmerize you with its serene beauty.

Murshidabad (211 kms, Driving time +6 hours ) : A place of historic importance, Murshidabad was once the last capital of independent Bengal. Established by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, Murshidabad witnessed the last days of the Mughal rule in India before it became part of the British Empire. Even today Murshidabad is dotted with several beautiful monuments of 18th century.

Shantiniketan (213 kms, Driving time +7 hours ) : Far from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata, Shantiniketan is a quiet place and provides you a welcome break. Shantiniketan is known for nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s dream Vishva Bharati University.

Chandipur (240 kms, Driving time +7 hours ) : Chandipur is a beautiful, peaceful seaside resort having a fine silvery beach. Everyday at low lite the sea in Chandipur recedes for 5 km, coming back to original position only when the high tide comes in. Due to this unusual phenomena at Chandipur you will find miles of fine silvery sandy beach, littered with shells and driftwood.

Weekend Getaways from Bangalore

One of the biggest cities of India,Bangalore is popularly known as the IT (Information Technology) city. Situated in the southern part of India, Bangalore is home to world’s largest IT companies. Apart from a commercial city, Bangalore is equally famous as a tourist destination. Nightlife of Bangalore is very much entertaining and you will large number of pubs across the city. In addition, Bangalore’s pleasant climate, well-laid out gardens, massive colonial buildings make it a favoured destination for global tourists. Bangalore also makes an ideal base for visiting nearby famous tourist spots. Some of the important getaways in and around Bangalore are :

Bheemeshwari (100 kms, Driving time +2 hours ) : Situated on the bank of Caurvery river, Bheemeshwari offers a perfect combination of adventure, natural beauty and pleasant relaxing ambiance. Bheemeshwari is an ideal place to for enjoying a relaxing holiday with family or friends. You can also enjoy the angling here and capture some wonderful pics of nature.

Shivanasamudram (120 kms, Driving time +3 hours ): Shivanasamudram is famous for its spectacular waterfall and picturesque vistas. Here the water falls from a big height and it refreshes the visitors with fine spray of water. Don’t forget to enjoy the coracle ride in the pool situated at the bottom of the Barachikki fall. It is really an unforgettable experience.

Srirangapatnam (127 kms, Driving time +3 hours ) : Srirangapatnam is an island and known for its historic importance. Once the capital of Mysore king Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatnam is also known for famous ancient temples.

Hassan (196 kms, Driving time +4 hours ) : A historical town, Hassan was the seat of power from Hoysala Empire during 11th – 13th century and now it is an important pilgrimage destination for the Jains. During their reign the Hoysala rulers had built a number of temples in Hassan and it houses a number of important heritage structures. Hassan is named after the presiding deity, Goddess Hasanamba and there is a famous temple of the Goddess in the heart of the town.


Mudumalai (224 kms, Driving time +5 hours ) : Spread over an area of 321 sq.km the park provides shelter to a wide variety of wildlife and habitat like swamps, evergreen forest and grassland. Mudumalai has one of the highest concentrations of elephant in South India. Apart from elephants, here you can see other wildanimals like tiger, panther, wild dogs, gaur, sambhar, deer, wild boar, civets, macaques and monitor lizard. Mudumalai is also famous for its birdlife, the park is filled with exotic birds like parakeets, barbets, hornbill, crested hawk eagle, woodpecker etc.

Kemmanagundi (240 kms, Driving time +5 hours ) : Kemmanagundi is a God gifted place and you can visit it at any time of the year, but during monsoon it looks more beautiful. The picturesque landscape is dotted with lush forests and waterfalls that gushing down the rock face. While driving upto Kemmanagundi you will be surely greeted by spectacular mountain scenery.

Kakkabe (248 kms, Driving time +6 hours ) : If you are fond of outdoors and have the spirit of adventure, then Kakkabe may be a place for you. Kakkabe is situated amidst the densely wooden rain forest and coffee plantations, overlooked by the Thadiyendamol peak. You will be certainly amazed by the lush green forests, coffee plantations and natural beauty of Kakkabe. You can also see a variety of wildlife here.

Madekeri (260 kms, Driving time +5 hours ) : Madekeri is an evergreen hillstation, located in the Coorg district of Karnataka. Set amidst lofty hills and dense lush forests, tea garden and coffee plantations, Madekeri offer excellent environs for a relaxing holiday. Madekeri is home to 19 th century fort which narrates the tales of rich past.

Ooty (290 kms, Driving time +6 hours ) : Ooty or Ootacamund is Tamil Nadu’s one of the most popular holiday destination. Nestled amids the Nilgiri Hills and enveloped in blue mist, the beautiful hill station of Ooty has its own distinct charm. On the hill slopes you can see colourful attractive wild flowers. Just outside the town the tea and cardamom plantations and eucalyptus forests add more to its beauty. Ooty was developed as a hill station by British, even today you can see old British style cottages and bungalows, many with fireplaces and pretty gardens; and stone walled churches with stained-glass windows.

Kukke Subrahmanya (290 kms, Driving time +6 hours ) : Of course, Kukke Subrahmanya is a place of religious important but even you are not much religiously inclined, you can enjoy nature’s beauty and treks through lush green forests and lofty hills. Subrahmanya Temple is the main temple here, other temples located in the complex are Adi Subrahmanya temple, Vedavyasa Samputa Narasimha Temple, Shringeri Mutt, Raktheshwari Temple and Kashi-Katte Ganapati temple.

Coonoor (300 kms, Driving time +7 hours ) : Coonoor is an unspoilt small hill station in the Nilgiris. With lush tea gardens and beautiful flowers, serene atmosphere, Coonoor provides a perfect environs for a peaceful sojourn.

Mangalore (347 kms, Driving time +7 hours ) : Basically a port city, Mangalore is situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Mangalore has a number of fine beaches which offer excellent opportunities to pass some relaxing time. Swimming is not safe here due to the presence of sharp edged rocks and rough water. Mangalore is also home to numerous temples, shrines, dargahs and churches.

Kudremukh (351 kms, Driving time +8 hours ) : The biggest Wildlife Protected Area in the Western Ghats, Kudremukh National Park comes under the Global Tiger Conservation Priority. Kudremukh will amaze you with verdant coffee and tea plantations and evergreen forests. In the thick forests of Kudremukh you can see a variety if wildanimals.