Hill station has always been a popular tourist destination. People from far away places always prefer to visit the hill station in search of peace in the tranquil atmosphere. Hill station are situated in the lap of nature. Hill stations in India are spread across major mountain ranges, primarily in the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and central/northeastern highlands. Crisp, pollution-free mountain air provides physical relief and a sense of rejuvenation. Panoramic views feature rolling mountains, deep valleys, dense pine forests, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes always make the trip quite memorable. However, these hill station are slowly getting commercialised. The introduction of adventure sports has transform the sleepy hill stations into high-value commercial hubs.
Tourist coming to these hill station like to try the adventure sports to make their trip memorable. While conventional hill station visits peak strictly during summer or honeymoon periods, adventure sports like winter skiing in Gulmarg or ice-trekking convert single-season locations into year-round revenue generators. On my last visit to Sanasar lake, I found people were enjoying a number of adventure sports. The activities like paragliding, skiing, rock climbing, and river rafting etc, creates direct and indirect employment. Seeing the number of boats floating on the shore, made me understand that it was a popular choice of the visitors at this location.
Boating is popular at Sanasar Lake because it offers a gentle, relaxing way to take in the surrounding cup-shaped alpine meadow, coniferous forests, and Himalayan views from the water. Unlike high adrenaline adventure sports available nearby such as paragliding, zip-lining, and rock climbing, Horse riding boating provides a quiet, low-impact way to enjoy the landscape. These boat service provider charges a minimal amount to take a round around the lake.
These are traditional shikara quite the colorful and decorated to woo the tourist on the spot. It was a peaceful, scenic experience, a slow paced, relaxing way to take in the water reflections, pine trees, and surrounding alpine landscape. You can lay back or sit around to enjoy the majestic view.
The other way to enjoy the lake is through the bubble balloon. It is a recreational water activity where visitors step inside a large, inflatable transparent plastic sphere or cylinder and float, walk, or roll across the surface of the lake. There were already floating on the shoreline and the keeper of the balloon is looking for probable tourist to use them. They charge little amount for 30-45 min ride inside the balloon. There is a little hole in the front and people needs to get inside through it.
Because the sphere is airtight and buoyant, you stay completely dry while attempting to stand, walk, or tumble across the water. This activity is popular for Kids, families, and casual groups looking for a quick, low risk thrill rather than an intense adventure sport. The balloon is typically attached to a long rope held by operators on the shore so it does not drift too far into the lake.
Due to commercialisation, a tourist can opt for number of recreational activity to make their trip memorable. Adding these recreational and adventure activities at popular hill station can transform a simple mountain visit into an unforgettable experience by combining high altitude adrenaline with deep natural tranquility. These activities are common and tourist make most of their time by participating in all sort of these activities. Travelling to hill station is not mere a trip any more.
In good faith - Peace!!