General programme

General programme of the foundation is for people of every age group. The outdoor adventure programmes are water, air and land based. The calendar for adventure programmes varies with seasons. They include -

1. Hill Walking / Trekking
2. Cycling
3. Zorbing
4. Parasailing
5. River Rafting
6. Rock Climbing
7. Mountaineering
8. Wildlife Safari, Bird Watching
9. Wilderness Exposure Camps etc.

Trekking

It is an activity embarked on foot for a long duration hand in hand amidst nature.If you wish to be with nature, want to have an adventure and the will to endure, then trekking is the activity. You do not need to have previous experience nor any special equipment to enjoy a good trek. All you need are a good pair of boots, long socks, a good waterproof backpack, a simple camping tent and a thin raincoat. Some other essentials that would make the trek more comfortable include a torchlight, a good length of strong rope, waterproof matches, some candles, a body spray or a pest repellent and something to keep you warm during winter or in the evenings.

How to backpack on trek

* CONTRABAND ( Things NOT-TO carry )

1. LIQUOR or other alcoholic drinks.
   
2. Walkman, video game and other similar entertainment gadgets.
   
3. Sedative drugs.
   
4. A Drunken Body/Mind (Please do not consume alcohol the day before).

** Important and Mandatory **

1. A list of medicine to which you are allergic ( please carry this in your top pocket).
2. Contact list of person, telephone no. and address ( in case of emergency ).
3. Those wearing spectacles, please carry an extra pair in strong spectacle box.
4. People using contacts - carry a bottle of lotion, an extra pair of spectacles.
5. Emergency whistle.

* Mandatory

1. A strong Back-Pack (preferably water proof).
   
2. Water bottle (enough to carry at least 2 liters of water).
   
3. An extra pair of socks, under garments, T-Shirt.
   
4. A water-proof jacket/sweater (if it begins to rain).
   
5. Bandanna ( keeps the sweat out of the eyes ) and/or Wide brimmed hat.
   
6. Toothbrush & toothpaste, towel, liquid soap.
   
7. Few old news papers ( may be 4 would be fine).
   
8. A torch with two new batteries and extra bulb.
   
9. Some strong adhesive tape and/or A small role of strong string.
   
10. A small pocket knife ( if you have a Victorinox -SWISS ARMY knife then great..).
    
11. One matchbox/ lighter.
    
12. Some tissue/toilet paper.
    
13. Insect repellant (ex. Odomos).
    
14. Basic First Aid & Medicine - 
            Anti-Dysentery Pills (Eldoper)
            Some generic pills (Crocin, Imol, etc)
            Anti Cold preparation (COLDACT).
            Band aids.
            Gauze roll & antiseptic lotion.
    
15. Energy Food ( Chocolate bars, Flavored milk, Electrolyte drinks - Glucon-D, etc ).


16. Garbage bag to collect any litter we may create (or other people have created).

* Optional

1. Compass & Terrain Map.
2. Camera.
   
3. Extra food.
4. Book and pen to keep trek-journal entries.
   
5. A walking staff.
   
6. Extra laces for your shoes.

Cycling

India is a land of great cultural and geographical diversities. A fascinating bicycle tour of rural countryside, hills or natural reserves is one of the best ways to explore and understand the beauty and charm of India. Exploring the unique rural lifestyle and a rich and varied nature on a bicycle at your own can be a fascinating and an unmatched experience for you. A bicycle tour provides much of freedom to the cyclist to witness the inside of the rural lifestyle. It is the cheapest and healthiest mode transport.

A number of itinerary can be planned which takes you to one of India's most interesting regions, Rajasthan, an extraordinary blend of color, culture, architecture and wildlife where past and the present, people and the animals, ethnic culture and the modern lifestyle are thriving in a perfect harmony. Similarly hill rides in Uttranchal, Garhwal, plateau rides in Satpura's and Maharashatra can be some of the area of interest.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing in India can be an enriching experience- quite apart from the exhilarating experience of climbing on virgin solid granite. In India, as in the other parts of the world, it started off as training for mountaineering. As a sport it took off only about 15 years ago. As the climbing standards reached greater heights in the rest of the world, India too was introduced to sticky rubber, chalk, modern protection and higher climbing standards and development of many superb climbing areas. Some of the areas are superb and can easily be compared to some world class climbing areas. The climbing areas usually being close to interesting historical sites and unique monuments can provide a pleasant distraction.

Rock climbing, is constantly increasing its tribe of enthusiasts. Rock climbing uses a minimum of aids and the challenge is to find the toughest route and scale in the least possible time. Hands and feet do most of the work, but safety equipment like ropes, body harness; friend (cramming devices that contract to the pulling of a trigger and are wedged in the crevices) and nuts (metal wedged of different sizes) are essential. The availability of good climbing rocks not too far from the city gets greater access and participation from professionals as well as from the amateurs alike.

It is an activity embarked on foot for a long duration hand in hand amidst nature.If you wish to be with nature, want to have an adventure and the will to endure, then trekking is the activity. You do not need to have previous experience nor any special equipment to enjoy a good trek. All you need are a good pair of boots, long socks, a good waterproof backpack, a simple camping tent and a thin raincoat. Some other essentials that would make the trek more comfortable include a torchlight, a good length of strong rope, waterproof matches, some candles, a body spray or a pest repellent and something to keep you warm during winter or in the evenings.

Mountaineering can usually be taken up in one of the two ways-either by trekking for a few years and then slowly graduating to climbing, or undergoing a course in mountaineering at one of the climbing institutes. These Institutes run Basic and Advance courses and for a duration of one month. Today there are institutes that offer training programs for adventure seekers. The Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports in Himachal Pradesh is one such institute.

You can take your pick from the countless peaks in India and even choose your own trekking route for an adventure holiday in India. In case you are seriously planning an adventure filled holiday it is advisable to study maps that provide comprehensive stuff on the mountaineering trails in India. Mountaineering equipment is locally available along with the other support resources in most cases. Some of the best mountaineering spots can be found in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northeast. Num and Kun, and the Zanskar range in Jammu and Kashmir are renowned summits with the mountaineers. Besides amateur mountaineers, technical climbing skills are put to test at Kishtawar at peaks that are as high as 6,500 m above ground level. Lahaul and Spiti in Leh, and the Kullu valley also have several challenging peaks. In India the peaks are categorized into 'open', 'virgin', 'border', 'trekking', and 'others' and you can make several choices in each category.

Most of us dream to fly like a free bird of as a kite, up in the sky without knowing.  how to fly? We want to see the nature’s beauty, our land  from the sky. Now it is it is possible to fulfill our dreams with the help of Parasailing.

PARASAILING is one of the thrilling aero sport activities, which can be enjoyed almost by any one who likes some thrill in a controlled environment. The enthusiast is strapped on to a harness & an ascending type round parachute. A long rope is hooked on to the harness & the other end is tied to a jeep. As the jeep moves ahead the harnessed enthusiasts gets towed forward. This forward motion inflates & brings up the canopy & the person is airborne. As the jeep keeps accelerating the person keeps gaining height.

The feeling of being suspended from a parachute up to 220 feet in the air with a panoramic view all around is unforgettable. As the jeep approaches the end of the airfield the jeep starts slowing down & the parachute starts descending. The instructor in the jeep controls the descent to bring the person to a gentle landing (its like jumping of a couple of steps). The final act of this exciting flight is to unhook the harness & watch the beaming smile on the face.

Almost any person can participate in the sport. Men, women, children from the age of 5 year, persons upto 60 years have participated in this sport.

History of Parasailing

Advent of parasailing began in the 60's when Piere Lamogine attached already existing parachute to a car. That was a cheaper way to teach parachuters; they would raise them to a certain height and then they would let them free. That method was called Parascending. In the middle of 60's, Pioneer Parachute company started making parachutes under protected name "Parasail".

How does it fly?

White Water Rafting White water rafting in India is almost exclusively confined to the northern rivers which flow southwards from the Himalayas, gushing between densely forested mountains and through steep gorges. Rivers such as the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Indus, Zanskar and Teesta offer 'raft-worthy' rapids, and a trip down a river can be a great way to see the countryside.

White water rafting or river running, as an alternative way of spending your vacation. Prices are generally reasonable, and will include food, equipment, lifejackets, helmets, an expert guide, and accommodation. Anybody over 14 years of age can book on river rafting trips. For basic trips, which pass through quieter waters, it isn't even necessary to know swimming, although those who can't swim may not be allowed on certain stretches of the river. Expectant mothers and people who suffer from epilepsy or other serious ailments, will usually are not allowed.

When to go

Summers, are good to go river rafting, for novices, August and September- when waters are lower and more manageable- are the best months to go river running; veterans can opt for expeditions earlier in the summer. Spring or early summer is also usually suitable for river running. The Teesta is one of the few rivers where river rafting is confined to the winter months, between October and April.

Rafting Runs

The Ganga

1. Kaudiyala - Shivpuri (Alaknanda): About 28 km upstream from the town of Rishikesh, on the Alaknanda, is one of India's best known- and most popular- stretches for white water rafting. The river route makes it way past riverside temples, under the Laxman Jhoola. The run finally terminates at the dam beyond Rishikesh.


2. Rudraprayag-Rishikesh (Alaknanda): Situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Mandakini- two of the main tributaries of the Ganga, Rudraprayag is the starting point of river running. From here the river makes its way through a series of rapids, narrow gorges and quieter stretches, passing through the towns of Srinagar and Devprayag (at the junction of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi). Further on, the river reaches Kaudiyala, from where the stretch to Shivpuri and on to Rishikesh is a fairly demanding one. The entire expedition takes about four or five days, depending upon the pace.


3. Tehri-Shivpuri (Bhagirathi/Alaknanda): The Tehri-Shivpuri run, on the Bhagirathi river, is considered to be one of India's best runs- scenic experience. Beginning at Tehri Garhwal, this run goes down the Bhagirathi river, passing through foaming rapids- mostly grade III or IV- till it reaches Devprayag. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi merges with the Alaknanda, beyond which the river becomes- in places- more manageable than in the upper reaches. Passing Kaudiyala, the run goes on to Shivpuri, and then to Rishikesh (for more details, see the Rudraprayag-Rishikesh run, above).

Other popular stretches for rafting on the Ganga and its tributaries are:

The Teesta

The main river in the north-eastern state of Sikkim, the Teesta originates at Cho Lhamu Lake and gushes down the mountains, creating foaming white rapids which are literally tailor-made for kayaking or rafting. Although this river isn't (as yet) as well- charted or developed as those in Garhwal or Kumaon, it's swiftly acquiring a reputation as a good stretch for white water rafting. Most of the Teesta is either grade III or IV, so it's advisable to have some experience of river running before you attempt it.

Probably the shortest run on the Teesta is the run between Makha and Rongpo, a trip of about two and a half hours. Among the longer and more gruelling runs on the river are the stretches between Dikchu and Teesta Bridge; Dikchu and Kali Johra (in West Bengal, a run of  almost five days); and between Bordang and Melli. The tributaries of the Teesta, including the Lachung Chu and the Lachen, also make for good river running.

Note :- Do remember you're heading for the wild, unspoilt outdoors; keep them that way. Respect the beauty of the land, and don't do anything that's likely to harm the environment. Don't leave a trail of litter and waste behind you; carry your own fuel, food and supplies, and don't use detergents or other chemicals which could wash into the river and pollute it.

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