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India and extreme sports go together like a good curry and raita. With the mighty Himalayas counting among its seven mountain ranges, India is also home to six major rivers and vast swaths of jungle. This diverse and dramatic topography makes India prime territory for a an adrenaline-pumping excursion or two, and there’s no need to leave the thrills and spills by the wayside just because you’ve got the kids along. These heart-racing activities will guarantee major kudos with the kids, whether they can take part themselves or cheer you on from the sidelines.

 

Cliff Jumping in Rishikesh

Who doesn’t want to fling themselves of a 30-foot-high rocky cliff edge for fun? Suitable for pretty much anybody aged 12 and over (vertigo sufferers, non-swimmers or anybody with an extreme fear of heights need not apply), this heart-racing experience draws hordes of thrillseekers to the Himalayan town of Rishikesh, which sits in a sheltered bay on the banks of the River Ganges. This is not a DIY activity–the right gear and preparation are vital to making this disaster-free. Tour operators such as River Rafting Rishikesh will make sure everything goes smoothly.

You got this: It might sound terrifying, but it’s hard to beat the thrill of jumping off a sheer rock face into the ultra-refreshing waters of the Ganges. The jumps are usually enjoyed as part of a rafting trip, and jumpers can start off low and build up their height as they build courage. The rush gets faster and more intense the higher you go!


Be Snake Savvy: Would-be adventurers in India should be on their guard for snakes – there are some 270 species in India, around 60 of which are highly venomous. The beautiful King Cobra is the world’s largest venomous snake, while the Indian Python and Saw-Scaled Viper are other slithering beasts you definitely don’t want to bump into.  Snake lovers can see the beasts in relative safety at Nag Panchami, the Hindu snake festival held each year to honor the beautiful, but deadly creatures.


 

Flyboarding in Goa

You could spend your time in Goa getting some down time on the beach, or you could spend it shooting straight out of the water like a Marvel superhero. Goa is India’s biggest water sports destination, and the latest trend among thrill-seekers at Baina Beach is Flyboarding, where a board is attached to a jet ski and sent soaring into the air by a powerful stream of water. It looks incredible and, while this is strictly for older teens and adults, the little ones are going to be agog at the grownups’ new-found superpowers. It doesn’t take long to master the moves (Atlantis Watersports will soon have you up in the air), although you’ll need to be a reasonably strong swimmer, and leave your sense of fear at home.

Down a Notch: If Flyboarding is a step too far, families in Goa might want to start with Kneeboarding. It requires less balance than waterskiing and wakeboarding, so it’s a good option for members of the family looking to build confidence in the water.

 

 

Take South Asia’s Longest Zip Tour

Wheeeeee! Families in northern India can soar over the jungle canopy on South Asia’s longest zipline tour: a two-hour Flying Fox aerial adventure that will thrill anybody with a love of heights and a penchant for good views. It’s worth making the 80-kilometer trip from Chandigarh to reach Kikar Lodge, in Nurpur Bedi, to fly above the forest and valleys on five ziplines with jungle canopy walks in between.  If any members of the family are fearful fliers, not to worry! You can distract them with the lodge’s other adventures, like paintballing and night safaris.


⛷ Boxout: Shiny Happy People

The city of Chandigarh, capital of the states of both Punjab and Haryana, was voted the happiest in India in 2017. With low crime levels and high per capita income, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pleasant place for families to take a stroll.


 

Canyoning in Manali:

Canyoning is like several adrenaline-pumping activities rolled into one, and there’s no better place to practice it than the high altitude Himalayan resort town of Manali. Canyoners will climb, jump, abseil, scramble and swim down sheer rock faces, crashing waterfalls and rock pools. Although it looks challenging, it’s surprisingly easy to master the techniques, and is suitable for physically fit people from the age of around 14 and up. Don’t attempt to go it alone though! Operators such as Himalayan Trails will make sure all the safety measures are in place before you set off on your adventures.

 

Hot Air Ballooning in Rajasthan

This is one adventure that’s open to every member of the family regardless of age, fitness level or fondness for exhausting physical activity. It might seem like a soft option, but soaring high into the air over mountains and villages is definitely going to get the blood pumping. At around $260 USD per person with SkyWaltz, the price might also send your pulse racing, but getting a bird’s eye view of the landscape, fortresses and palaces is pretty incredible.

Inside Info: Families are in for a treat if they take their flight during November’s Pushkar Camel Fair, when thousands of camels, horses and cattle head to Rajasthan in one of India’s longest-established and most colorful festivals. Pushkar is also one of the top shopping destinations in Asia!

 

Need more ideas regarding how to travel on a budget with your family? Check out my eBook available for download on Amazon here!

Rishikesh is one of the best known places in India. It’s hard to miss when travelling in India with kids and families from all over the world go there.

She’s a pleasant and quiet city. For India, that is. I personally really liked the atmosphere at the city itself. It might be packed with people but it has something that makes it much more calm than other Indian cities.

It’s likely you won’t actually stay in the city itself but near the Ganga River in one of the touristic neighborhoods- Laxmanjhula or Ramjhula. They say that Laxmanjhula is the quieter. They’re wrong. It’s more touristic in nature, bigger and noisier and full of Israelis. Ramjhula is laidback, more ‘spiritual’ and has mostly European tourist.

If you go a bit further from the bunk you can find sweet, clean rooms with a kitchen and a garden. You can even find a guesthouse where you can rent a whole apartment with a kitchen and a living-room and everything.

∴ In Rishikesh we met the nicest Cows in India. They’re friendly and enjoy being petted and we really knew some of them personally.

People mostly come to Rishilesh for the courses on offer there- yoga and spirituality and Ashrams plenty. With kids it’s a bit different but plenty of courses let kids in for free.

If its your first time in India, look at the food and drinks safety rules page.

In my opinion, the biggest attraction Rishikesh holds is the Ganga. Soft white sandy beaches and cold water. You can swim every day and pass a month without even feeling it…

♦ And of course the Puja ceremonies that are done in all different ways both right on the Ganga and in temples. Within a week the kids turn to experts.

♦ And the Monkeys! Two kinds rule Rishikesh, and especially the bridges, with an iron fist. The yellow monkeys, wild, full of mischief and pretty aggressive. And the grey-black Monkeys that are very friendly and much less aggressive. So as long as you aren’t holding food in your hand you’ll be fine.

♦ I found the guesthouses in the tourist centers to be run-down and for the most part more dirty than guesthouses in other parts in India. That doesn’t mean you can’t find something good or newly opened. The prices, by the way, are very low. If they tell you there’s hot water 24/7 take it with a pinch of salt.

♦ The food in the local restaurants is spicy and thickly seasoned. The Chai is excellent. The restaurants that serve western food are good but the prices are above average. They have great shakes (even Oreo shake) and cold coffee. And Chocolates Pralines. Yum.

see also our special route for food-loving families traveling to India

♦ There’s also a selection of Ayuverdic restaurants and lodges.

♦ As well as a great selection of organic products and supermarkets, that even sell some home-made healthy and all-natural, vegan foods.

♦ Many go to the waterfalls around. I didn’t go but my son did and he says they’re really nice. it’s a nice hike just out side the urban area.

♦ There’s also a Waterpark nearby. They say it’s also very nice. and a Bungy jumping site.

we also have a full list of activities specifically for crazy, Adrenalin seeking families :-). 

♦ In general you can say that Rishikesh is a real touristic marvel. It has all the luxuries and comforts you need. But it takes time to get used to it. Don’t run away too quickly, give it the time it needs to charm you.

♦ From Rishikesh leave a few beautiful treks. Check with a travel agency.

♦ There’s also wonderful rafting trips in the season.

♦ If you rent a scooter you’ll be a lot more mobile and could jump for visits in nearby villages and rivers.

♦ You could also visit the city daily and go to one of the true pearls of the area- Papu Lassi. Cold, sweet, and delicious. Entirely addictive. In addition, in the city there are a few restaurants that pride themselves in a beautiful and very tasty collection of traditional Indian sweets.

♦ It’s also recommended to visit the colorful fruits and vegetables market.

♦ And to go to the cinema at least once. We’re talking about a real India Cinema, where the crowd is an active participant in the movie and kids with trays of Chai and snacks go between the rows selling throughout the entire movie. A highly enjoyable experience.

♦ As a city located near the Ganga, the sale of meat, Alcohol and Eggs is banned (in the inner burrows of the city you could find all these things if you’re really persistent). To fill up the protein needs eat lots of legumes. It’s recommended to use the Chole stands (cooked Chickpeas, served with spiced vegetables, Salt and Lemon) in the area. 10 Rupees per plate.

♦ In Ramjhula there is a small restaurant called ‘The Office’. It serves very good Chai but its crowning glory are the famous dessert Samosas filled with Cinnamon Apple or Banana and Chocolate. Don’t miss!

Warning: dear girls. Never walk in Rishikesh alone after dark. The streets look safe and innocent but a few very violent cases have happened. Don’t walk alone and definitely not with a revealing outfit.
Please: the Ganga is an extremely holy place to the Indians. Respect that. Don’t swim in a Bikini and keep to the respectful guidelines of the place.

Here is a nice family-friendly route in south India

Prices for example:
A decent room– 350-500 Rupees a night.
Papu Lassi– 20 Rupees.
Thali– 50-80 Rupees.
Scooter per day– 250 Rupees.
Rickshaw bus to the city– 5 Rupees per person (and don’t let them fool you!), kids go for free.
Chai– 10-20 Rupees.
Cold Coffee– 50 Rupees.

*** 7 years of continuous travel with my kids are gathered into my ebook. you are welcome to download and join me.