Summer Dare

From surfing lessons on a quiet beach in Udupi to a kayaking holiday in Croatia, here are three things you should be doing this summer. 

Sea Kayaking in Croatia
Dubrovnik

The folks over at Responsible Travel have a perfect holiday planned for kayaking enthusiasts - one that takes you through the nook and corners of Elaphite Islands in Croatia. This week long sea kayaking holiday starts in the ancient city of Dubrovnik. From the very first day, the local expert kayaking guides take you out into the country’s unique Mediterranean archipelago, to start exploring the quiet, beautiful Elaphite Islands. Joining a small group of a maximum of 16 other travelers, the curated tour takes you to a world of hidden sea caves and secret coves. For five days, you will kayak in and around the islands of Lopud and Sipan, not too far from the mainland. With regular stops for swimming and snorkelling, you will kayak for around 15-20kms a day. A typical day starts with a breakfast at a locally-owned guesthouse followed by hours of kayaking to explore local islands and coves. When you’re not in the water, walk through Lopad’s cooling woodlands or explore the romantic ancient towns of Sipan. Head over to Responsible Travel’s website to book your complete package. 
Website: www.responsibletravel.com

Surf lessons at Udupi 
Karnataka

India has hardly begun exploring its shorelines and only a handful of surfers are paddling out into the foamy waves that lap up against the peninsula. Nestled in the quaint fishing village of Kodi Bengre in Karnataka, Shaka Surf Club is trying to amp up the surf culture by familiarizing the locals with the waters. Flanked by the sea on one side and a river on the other, Kodi Bengre has all the makings of the perfect getaway from the city life. Founded in 2007 by India’s first female surfer, Ishita Malaviya and her partner Tushar Pathiyan, Shaka is one of the first surf schools in India. ‘Our club is all about freedom in the waves, not taking things too seriously and learning to just go with the flow. The word ‘Shaka’ literally means ‘hang loose’ or ‘take it easy’,’ says the duo. Sign up for a surf lesson on their website and head over to Shaka’s very own camp - Namaloha. Whether you are a beginner, or a professional, Shaka has a spot for everyone. ‘We wish to get more people in the water, by educating them about the ocean and dispelling fears of the ocean that are deep rooted in the Indian society,’ says Tushar. So join in and watch out for the magic words - Surf’s Up!
Website: www.theshakasurfclub.com

Trek to Everest Base Camp
Nepal

Talisker Expedition’s trek to the Everest Base Camp is not meant for the faint-hearted. Designed by the expedition team that specialises in trekking, jeep safaris and wilderness adventures across the Himalayas, the winding 14-day trek is as much a challenge for the mind as it is for the body. The journey begins from Kathmandu as Talisker flies you to the Lukla Airport, that has a 500 metre runway cut out of a steep mountain slope. From Lukla, the two-week journey on foot takes you through lush valleys, steep rocky passes, alpine scrublands and finally on to the Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp. The trail passes through Phakding, Namche, Debuche and Dingbongche, each a quaint Nepali village. Let the local life seep in, as you walk past terraced fields, meandering rivers and rhododendron-dotted valleys. The trek that takes you from an altitude of 8000ft to 18000ft at basecamp, is a challenge, every step of the way. But for those with a love for towering mountains and rocky terrains, this adds up as an experience of a lifetime. In the words of William Blake - ‘Great things are done, when men and mountain meet.’ 
Email: taliskerexpeditions@gmail.com


Edited by Ritupriya Basu