Plan your mancation in Las Vegas
Take your best buddies to Las Vegas for hiking, hot-air balloons, the Grand Canyon and thrill rides, plus adventure sports closer home in India.
They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, so go out there and take your best buddies for a mancation!
Hiking and biking
The busy life of Las Vegas and the casinos and nightlife is what attracts us to the city. But the surrounding areas such as Mt. Charleston with its highest elevation at 11,918 feet (3,615 meters) is a popular stop for skiing, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. The Colorado River and Lake Mead National Recreational Area provides a natural setting for adventure.
Hot air balloon festival
Las Vegas hosts annual Balloon Festival and Carnival. The three-day event features participation of more than 100 colourful hot-air balloons from all over the world. Watch your balloon take shape before your eyes, ultimately standing more than 10 stories tall. Once fully inflated climb into the gondola and begin the adventure of a lifetime. During the flight enjoy spectacular bird’s eye view of the city.
Some other adventure
Insanity: A massive mechanical arm extending out 64 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower at a height of over 900 feet, this Vegas ride will spin you in the open air at speeds of up to three ‘G’s. You’ll be propelled up to an angle of 70 degrees, which will tilt your body into one position — straight down. EXPERIENCE IT!
Bootleg Canyon Flightlinez: For the ultimate adrenalin experience head out to Boulder City and soar over mountains in the Bootleg Canyon Flightlinez. You can enjoy a grand view of the area’s desert ecosystem. Hanging in a comfortable para-gliding harness zip along a system of cables at 50 miles per hour at times.
Grand Canyon Aerial Tour: Vast and majestic, colourful and beautiful, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Fly over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River during the tour. While taking an aerial tour over the Grand Canyon a ‘Skywalk Express’ is highly recommended.
Adventuredome: The theme park at Circus features 250,000 square feet of exciting and adventurous rides. 25 rides, attractions and live shows, make this a can’t miss stop. During the Halloween season in Las Vegas, the theme park is transformed into a spooky spectacle with terrifying haunted houses, scare zones and quite a few other scary surprises... Ready, are you?
Big Shot: Big Shot shoots you 160 feet into the air at a force of 4Gs before letting you free-fall back to the launching pad. It is the world’s highest amusement ride in terms of overall elevation above the ground level. The 160 feet (49m) tower is built atop the 921 feet (281m) high deck of stratosphere. This is not for people with weak heart. So, don’t force your friend into it!
SkyJump: Skyjump is a “controlled free-fall” where you are plummeted 855 feet (108 floors) at a speed of up to 40 miles per hour. After being tied with a rope, you are ready to fall free and for once you feel like life is gonna end this way. But worry not, the game is safe and sound, and is tested at many levels! So who among your friends is scared of heights? Get him in first!
Sports in India
Skiing in Kashmir: The heaven of earth offers extreme snow sports like snowboarding, ice-skating and skiing in Gulmarg!
Scuba diving in Andaman: It is famous for the Scuba divers as you go under the water for the untouched beauty of nature.
Water sports in Goa: Jet skiing, parasailing, swimming, banana ride, snorkelling are some popular sports in Goa.
Rock climbing in Madhya Pradesh: The Satpura mountain range offers terrain for adventure for trekking and rock climbing.
From the March 2015 issue of FHM India.
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