Date - 5th September 2010
Coordinates - Neemrana Fort, Alwar
Time for trip - Sunrise to before sunset
Cost/person - INR 999 for zipping;
INR 1400 total
Exhilaration - To the hilt!
If you live by the rush of adrenalin, then zipping must come somewhere among the top sports to be pursued. While other recreational sports (such as paragliding) would have you as a spectator, this is a bit of a surprise. It leaves you to your own accord (alone – yes, no coach to tag along!) to get most out of the experience. And that’s what makes this interesting.
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| The author suspended on zip #2 - Where Eagles Dare |
Conducted by Flying Fox (http://www.flyingfox.asia/index.aspx) at Neemrana Fort, it has you suspended on aerial cables (i.e., zip-lines) to traverse the length through a mix of gravity, wind speed and a bit of self maneuvering. Sounds easy? Wait for the ground to slip away from beneath your feet and seeing yourself suspended mid-air for 400 meters, with dense green growth, mountain valley and a scenic fort below and the blue skies above. All to yourself. Each of the ziplines have a name – the 2nd one of 400m is called 'Where Eagles Dare'.
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The author & his friend Hem entrusting their life in hands of Paul, the instructer |
Once at the fort, it takes about 2 hours to complete the experience. You have the mandatory bond to sign – a process almost customary with all professionally managed sports that have an element of adventure. Then comes padding up of the gear (safety comes first), which makes for quite a sight in itself. Starting here, you’ll have quite a few photo ops for those with a thing for the camera. And off you are on a small trek to the first zip.
Yes – you read it right. Because it uses gravity, the coach takes you right to the hill top. While it’s not much of a distance, it may have even the fittest puffing a few times enroute. If it’s a gang of you going together (10 per session allowed), this promises to be fun. The top-end of the trek has a worn out Qila and you will invariable hear – Qila Fateh! (battle won) And aptly so.
To make sure that you get most out of the zip, Flying Fox has a mock session at the Qila. Pay attention, follow the instruction and you’ll be able to find your bearing even in mid-air. Although I have to say, it’s nothing like the real thing. The fact that you have ground beneath, friends around and coach at hand – it doesn’t sink in.
And this immediately gives way to the 1st zipline. And there are a total of 5 to do! If you thought they were all alike, try and see. Each differs for its length, height and speed and thus makes up for a complete package. The 2nd zip at 400m is supposedly the longest in South Asia (I hope I got that right). And one of the others has steep decline that gives you less time to make sense. The fact that you can better your zip experience by managing the maneuver counts for a lot. A well executed one makes you want for more. But so does a not so good one.
And before you realize it, you are zipping down the 5th line towards closure. All under 2 hours at the fort.
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| A view from the Hawa Chhat |
Given the relatively small time this takes, it leaves you with time to amble around the fort. Or try the tea served on the Hawa Mahal chhat. A visit to the fort is not complete without 2 things. A dekko at the Deva Mahal – Neemrana’s most expensive suite. The staff was most courteous to make that possible and I thank the lady at the front desk for this. And the Hawa Chhat for a complete panoramic view of the fort and its surroundings; not to forget the strong breeze that may hit you. We had showers that day and a strong wind blowing, making the Hawa Chhat simply awesome. More time and you could idle away your evening on the chhat and not know of it. Pleasure that spoils you.
We started from Rohini, crossed the Gurgaon toll, on to Manesar, Shahjahanpur toll (well before Behror), when a sign on the highway announces a right turn for Neemrana fort. This makes up for about 130 kms one way, which we covered a good under 2.5 hours, including a 45 minute halt for breakfast. The highway – NH 8 - would allow for multiple stretches for a spirited driving. However, what you don’t like is a complete lack of dhabas worth their name. There is a McDonald around Manesar on the highway and that may be your best bet enroute to Neemrana. Your time commitment comes to about 9.5 hours (~5 hours of driving, 3 hours at the fort and 1.5 hours) for halts on the way; which means you can be home by high tea if you’ve started early in the morning.
While all are welcome, the sport has restrictions on age, height and weight. Do check before you book.
The cost of the sport makes it worth it too. They were offering a 40% concessional rate of INR 999 per person if booked in advance and online, against the full price of INR 1660. This includes INR 500 as entry fee to the fort. They have deals going on for weekdays and weekends for a stipulated group size. Despite the worth-it price, the whole process of booking it is a bit disappointing (and I am being mild at it). Their mobile contact number has lot of interference and call dropping making it near impossible to talk! I suggest you call on the land line if you want to get hold. But it did not end here. You have to pay them in USD! – which completely beats me. An Indian traveler contracting a service in India has to pay for in foreign currency and incur the conversion charges. Not that it adds to much, but this is unheard of. I sure hope they offer an INR payment option as well.
That said, the experience will leave you exhilarated. While bungee jumping and parachuting would still be at the forefront for the steel hearted, for budding enthusiasts, this is definitely worth the time and money.
Godspeed. LAS.
Gear - Light clothing fit for sports, sport shoes, and camera
Season - Cooler the better. Preferably a windy day
Slot - Get the early morning slots if in summers
Must - Lots of heart!
