Hyderabadis living the adrenaline-pumping life

HYDERABAD: Scuba diving to gliding over cities on ziplines, snowboarding to white water rafting — city residents seeking a high-octane adrenaline rush are opting for such adventure activities while choosing a getaway for their next vacation. Officials from travel companies say that there has been a considerable interest in offbeat adventure spots globally, such as Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Phuket, Bali etc.
“People are opting to ski in Gulmarg, go scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Islands or be a part of camel and jeep safaris in the deserts of Rajasthan.Windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving in the Lakshadweep islands are also popular,” said Daniel D’Souza, president and country head, leisure, SOTC Travel.
From experiencing local culture to enjoying homestays, culinary adventures to jungle safaris, the choice of destinations and preferences of people are changing. “Last year, I went skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg. This year, I am going for a jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park,” said Vidhya Akkineni, a 28-year-old architect from Hyderabad., adding, “I also want to try the zipline adventure across Mehrangarh fort, which provides spectacular views of the Jodhpur skyline.”
These activities are a gradual step towards experiential tourism, curated especially for those who seek immersive and authentic experiences during a holiday instead of opting for a conventional stay at a hotel.
“Hurtling down the Ganga is an experience full of thrills, and so is yachting and sailing in a wooden boat in Rishikesh. Riverside camping is also a therapeutic experience,” said R Krishna, 34, from Gachibowli. Last year, he went river rafting in Uttarakhand. “I am also planning a trip to Jim Corbett National Park for bridge slithering and rock climbing in January,” he added.
“When it comes to domestic destinations, Hyderabadis are opting for Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gokarna, Hampi and Western Ghats. There is also a huge demand for international experiences like F1 drives around Yas Marina Circuit or outdoor experiences such as tree-top canopy trekking at Singapore’s MacRitchie Ridge and Malaysia’s unique rainforests,” said Rajeev Kale, president and country head – Holiday, MICE, visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.