TRAVEL SPECIAL... QUICK GETAWAY Feel the Thrill

TRAVEL QUICK GETAWAY 

Feel the Thrill

FROM MUMBAI: KONKAN COAST
    The closest getaway from Mumbai would be the Konkan Coast. Hop on to a ferry and go straight to Mandwa Beach. You can indulge in a lot of water sports like Stand -Up Paddle boarding (SUP), Kayaking and Kite boarding. Or just rent a jet ski and ride the waves. From here, you can go to adjoining beaches like Kashid, Velas and Diveagar. Visit historical forts in Murud Janjira and the Underi and Khanderi forts. If you want to avoid beaches, head out to the Sahyadris for a trek. The Sahyadri hill range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can trek here and camp overnight. Pay a visit to two heritage forts called Manoranjan and Shrivardhan here. One can even go rock climbing and rappelling in the Sahyadris.
FROM DELHI: RISHIKESH AND OLD MANALI
    The closest river getaway from Delhi would be Rishikesh. The Ganges is really popular for sports like white water rafting. Rishikesh is also great for treks. Travellers will be interested to know that the road from Delhi to Rishikesh is straight (the only non-curvy Himalayan drive), so those who suffer from road sickness due to the curves can feel relieved to a large extent. There are many camps for kayaking and rock climbing in Rishikesh. Another recommended getaway from Delhi would
    be Old Manali. It’s an overnight bus ride from Delhi so you’ll reach in no time. It is also a budget travellers’ delight. There are lots of street cafes and restaurants that serve amazing food here. You can capture spectacular views, take a dip in the hot springs of Vashisht and trek from Old Manali to Solang Valley. On the way you can witness traditional and ethnic Manali, chat up with locals and taste local cuisine, too.
FROM BANGALORE: MULKI AND HAMPI
    Visit the town Mulki and check out Ashram Surf Retreat here. As the name suggests, it’s a surf ashram, run by a group called the Surfing Swamis and the place is frequented by enthusiasts of the sport. One can spend a couple of nights here, learn how to surf and strengthen their skill by practising fine moves on the rising waves. The best part is that once you go back to the ashram, you can continue to discuss surfing with almost anyone and everyone staying here. The ashram is set on the backwaters, which leads out into the ocean. The experienced lot can also sign up for island trips to practice SUP’ing. If the waters aren’t your cuppa tea then head to Hampi. It has the best landscape you can witness — there are massive monolithic rocks in an ancient setting of excellent temples. The Tungabhadra River runs through the city, and backpackers usually camp on the other side of the banks. One can also trek up to the temples to get spectacular views of the city or cycle their way around. Bouldering, a popular form of rock climbing, where you don’t need a harness and climb boulders with a crash matt for protection is popular in this region. Give it a try the next time you visit.