CHADAR WALK
This is the Holy Grail of Indian treks. In winter, a deep freeze lies on the various passes linking the Zanskar valley with the Indus, effectively trapping all of Zanskar for a few months; walking the frozen Zanskar river is the only way out. Although it’s a delicate operation—the stability and depth of the ice keeps changing, and this determines how you negotiate stretches of the river—this frozen wonderland guarantees stupendous views, of frozen waterfalls, a wide variety of ice textures of the frigid river, and sheer pinnacles that hem in the gorge. In order to do this trek with lowest possible impact, choose a local Ladakhi operator like Zanskar Himalayan Exploration (www.travelladakhzanskar.com).

ACROSS THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS
One of the most magical treks in the Himalaya, not only does it bring you to the fabled Valley of Flowers, with its over 500 species of exquisite wild flowers, but you also trek to its head and then cross the tough Bhyundar Khal (pass) to the rain shadow of the Himalayan Range. The 8-day trek goes from the pilgrim town of Govindghat in the Alaknanda valley to the Bhyundar valley. In this vast amphitheatre, camp at the meadow of Tipra Kharak for a couple of days to enjoy the flowers and catch a sight of black bears and leopards. The next few days are challenging ones, over the Rataban East Glacier, under the looming Rataban and Nilgiri massifs before crossing the 5,000m pass to the Amrit Ganga valley, a subsidiary to the trans-Himalayan Dhauli Ganga river. The trek is organised by Great Indian Outdoors (fixed departure Rs 39,500 per person; www.gio.in).

CAVING IN MEGHALAYA
The Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya are home to 150 known caves. Gouged out of the limestone cliffs by flowing water over many millennia, sites like Siju, Mawsmai, Mawsynram and Syndai are home to long and deep caves dotted with stalactites and stalagmites, vaulting chambers and dramatic flowstones. But the best thing about them is probably the weird feeling of being inside a mountain. Almost all the caves are unmapped, although in the past few years, they’ve been getting a lot of attention from cavers worldwide. Thrillophilia offers fully customised caving packages in the winter months for the intrepid traveller (from Rs 11,800 per person for a 4D/3N tour; www.thrillophilia.com).

STARGAZING ON THE KAAS PLATEAU
We’re lucky that large stretches of the country are still free from light pollution, and this creates the right conditions for stargazing. One of the best places to do so is from the Kaas plateau, wedged between the Western Ghats and the Sahyadris. Letscampout organises stargazing treks (Rs 3,500 per person; www.letscampout.com) around Kaas, which is also a biodiversity hotspot and a protected wildlife reserve. When the conditions are right, amazing star views can be obtained, with highlights being the rise of the Milky Way over the plateau, and fantastic telescopic views into the constellation’s heart. The tour combines treks through the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, with trips to local landmarks.

MANALI-LEH DRIVE
The over-450km road that connects these two Himalayan cities traverses the whole gamut of Himalayan terrains. The drive begins at the lush Kulu valley and climbs the Rohtang La to cross the the Pir Panjal Range. Next comes the traverse of Lahaul and the gorges of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, and onto Baralacha La, across the Great Himalayan Range to the stark mountains of Zanskar. Two more passes, Nakee La and Lachulung La, bring you to Pang in Ladakh. The road then climbs out of the Pang gorge onto the dusty More Plains. You can make a detour to the salt lake of Tso Kar, or drive up to Tanglang La, and then down to the Indus valley, past the ancient town of Gya. The route now goes past the stunning monasteries of Shey and Thikse, and finally to Leh.

KONKAN RAILWAY
A strange choice for an adventure? Whether you consider one of the most scenic railway rides in India an adventure or not, this 738km of ace railway engineering from Mumbai to Mangalore is a delight. Built in 1998, across a varied terrain of volcanic rock cliffs, tropical forests and sand, the route has some 91 tunnels (including one, the Karbude tunnel, that’s almost 6km long) and 1,998 bridges. Keep an eye out for the Panval River Viaduct near Ratnagiri, which connects two hills on gigantic pillars, taller than the Qutb Minar. On the way there are green rolling hills in Karnataka, beaches on the Arabian Sea, waterfalls and jungles in Maharashtra. So get a non-AC window berth on one of the many trains on the line and have a fabulous adventure!

TRACKING SNOW LEOPARDS IN SPITI
Spiti is one of the best places in the Indian Himalaya to catch a glimpse of the elusive shan, or the snow leopard. The Kibber wildlife sanctuary and the Pin Valley National Park in the Spiti valley are two protected wilderness areas that have a large population of these beautiful animals. To increase the chances of a sighting, go there in winter, when the freezing cold forces the snow leopards to descend to lower altitudes. Spiti Ecosphere (www.spitiecosphere.com) organises 17-day jeep and trek safaris from December to March here, with wilderness camps and homestays adding to the charm of travelling in a surreal, frozen landscape.

BRAHMAPUTRA CRUISE
There are very few rivers in India that are considered male on account of their muscular wildness. And the two main ‘masculine’ rivers are those that encompass the subcontinent in the east and the west: the Indus and the Brahmaputra, respectively. By the time the latter has run its long course north of the Himalaya to reach the Assam plains, it’s almost an inland sea, such is its girth. A cruise up the river, past Sivasagar, with its Ahom monuments, the Haroocharai tea estate, Majuli, the world’s largest river island, and the wild joys of Kaziranga National Park, is nothing short of an adventure. The best way to do this is to sail on the M.V. Mahabaahu (Rs 1,57,500 plus taxes per person; www.mahabaahucruiseindia.com), an 8D/7N cruise that gives the best possible introduction to this majestic river.

CLIMBING SOUTH INDIA’S HIGHEST PEAK
Situated in Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, is the highest peak in south India. The 2,695m high Anamudi (Elephant’s Forehead) is nearly of Himalayan proportions. It’s the highest point in the Western Ghats, and offers great trekking opportunities. Climbing up a 1,000m from the Nayamakad bus stop through thick forests and open meadows, you can catch sight of elephants, gaurs and even the endangered Nilgiri tahr. The region is also home to many endemic flora,and the view from the top, on a cloudless day, is simply breathtaking. For permits, and other information, get in touch with the Wildlife Warden’s Office (04865 231587; [email protected])

LEARNING KALARIPAYATTU
India’s oldest martial arts technique, Kalaripayattu, has an interesting legend. As the tradition goes, the south Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, while on a mission to spread the Dharma to China, taught the adavukal technique of martial arts from the Kalari tradition to the monks of the Shaolin temple, thus laying the foundation for the latter’s renowned fighting techniques. Be that as it may, Kalaripayattu is certainly the best way to train your body and mind and come out looking better, fitter and faster, with increased concentration. It’s never too late to start, and many schools offer training courses for this. Of these, you could try out C.V.N. Kalari (www.cvnkalari.com) or Kalari Dharmikam (www.kalari.in).



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