Who thinks of a hi-tech mountain sport on the bald Aravalis, bang in the middle of a centuries-old heritage site? A Brit bunch did, and Prawesh Lama hung on a string and a prayer to find every bit of the zip-lining worth it
Who thinks of a hi-tech mountain sport on the bald Aravalis, bang in the middle of a centuries-old heritage site? A Brit bunch did, and Prawesh Lama hung on a string and a prayer to find every bit of the zip-lining worth it
Type: Adventure
Best from: Delhi
You need: 1 day
When you've slept at 4 am, heading out of town at 8 am seems like a tough ordeal. Even the sport you've set out for looks easier at that moment; so what if you are about to be suspended 200 metres above hill depressions adorned with sharp-edged rocks, zipping through a ridge at 40 km an hour? Oh well. The zip tour is scheduled for 2 pm, and we need to get there 30 minutes ahead, for the training talk. 
Welcome tou00a0 the 15th century
The toll booths, one after the other, will get busy with looting you. Remember to get a two-way pass. There's not much to see after that, barring the skinny camels and colourful turban-clad village folk waiting for tractor rides.
Go back to sleep till the Shahjahanpur toll plaza halt. A right after 3 kms takes you to the Neemrana Fort-Palace. It's a curvy uphill drive through quaint nooks littered with village kids playing marbles.
Ten minutes later, a 20-foot fort gate jolts you awake, and takes you back to the 15th century. A royal cart and palkhi greet you along with the concierge, who, dressed as a royal attendant in mighty maroon, asks you to head to the palace-hotel reception.
We're well on time, so a stop at the Neemrana shop wouldn't hurt. It's got just about everything a heritage tourist hunts for -- royal tableware and furnishings, traditional Rajasthani accessories and apparel, even Hindu God fridge magnets.
The lady at the shop is pleased to know we're interested. Smile, shoot, excuse. There's more exciting stuff ahead.
Fox hunt begins
The fort exudes royal charm and a contemporary calm. I spot an expat bikini basking on a fort cliff, and hope my zip-tour offers more. It does, I discover, as we climb flight after flight to get to the Flying Fox tent-office atop a sitting lounge on the fort.
It's a core team of diehard British aerial adventurers who've spanned countries like New Zealand and Philippines, and couldn't stay off India for long. Adam welcomes us.
"No Eves around?" I ask. "Becks (or Rebecca)," he answers, is the only girl on the team. Sigh. But the pool spottings make up.
Their small office reeks of risk. Harnesses, gloves, water bottles, pulleys, fastening equipment, suncaps, trekking shoes -- they'll have you read the safety instructions, sign the terms and conditions brief (if the equipment or rope gives way, it's their fault.
If you didn't adhere to the rules, it's yours), and ready you for the rope trick.
It's a half-hour trek to the training spot, where our instructors Tsewang and Oman show us how to hold on to the pulley mid-air -- thumbs up, fingers down, never touching the rope or gap, lest you lose all five. How to use wrist movements when the wind twists you around; how you must press gently on the wire when the brake signal is given, and screw the fastener down, "so you don't s*** up".
Tie your hair back so they don't have to chop it off if it gets entangled in a rope. A capsule course, and the instructors make you feel comfortable enough to give it ample try before you're on for the real deal. It doesn't take me much time or practise. Two sessions, and we are good to go.
The first wire is the longest in the whole of Asia (and obviously, the only one in India) -- 400 metres. It is a triple-wound steel rope that's strong enough to carry an elephant. So, let go of your worries. The harness itself can carry 5.2 tonnes, I'm assured. Fold legs up, wait for instructor's go ahead, and whoa, I'm gone!
The rope is curved at such an angle that you'll slide off on your own, effortlessly. The faster the breeze, the quicker your movement. So, the instructor at the other end might signal a brake. He'll shout, too, just in case you're too busy admiring the fort around or the deep ravine below. It's scary before you begin, but once at it, you feel like you could give the best stuntman a run for his money.
Contrary to what it looks like, it's safe. "We check every bit of the host poles, zip-gear and ropes every day. No local has ever tampered with anything. And there are security guards. The stuff's sourced from the best global aerial adventure supplier. You can smile and let go, really," assures Louis, the manager, who just zipped into the tent with his cheerful, hooting team.
Safety first
If heat expands the wire, it's metal-clipped to maintain the inverse trajectory measurements. More than the meticulous engineering, it's the rescue training they were at before we arrived, that impresses us. "Anything can happen. We need to be prepared." So far, though, the rope hasn't broken, pulleys haven't given way, and there have been no accidents. And it's been a whole year.
Oman helps Prawesh try on the gear. Pics/Subhash Barolia
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There are, in all, four high-intensity wires to be zipped across. Some long, some short, some high-speed, others slow enough for you to enjoy the view (don't expect lush greenery; a sparkling pool with sexy swimmers should be enough, if not the fort horizon).
A co-zipper got stuck midway, tried the monkey-climbing way back, as briefed, and got tired. Within seconds, Tsewang reached for helped and brought her back, legs locked, push technique. Commendable, for the lady wasn't feather-weighted, while the bloke looked lithe. You can trust the trainers; they are seasoned and strong.
In 1979, while filming Bond movie Moonraker, Agent 007 and the Dr Holly Goodhead zipped away from the deathly clutches of Jaws down the cable car wire on Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro. Back then, it was mission impossible.
The fierce, fearless foxes, however, make the hi-tech high an easy deal. It's not half as hazardous as it looks. Make sure you don't choose the afternoon heat-and-dust-laden slot, though. The 0900 and 1600 ones are most suited in summer. As for me, I'm still up in the air, and coming back next week.
ADVERTISEMENT
Flying Fox hotline: 9810999390
Visit www.flyingfox.asia for more information. Prices start at Rs 999 on pre-booking; corporate discounts available.
At G7, South Extension Part Two, New Delhi-110049
WEAR
>>Track pants / shorts/ stretchable jeans. No sarees or skirts.
>>Sports shoes.
>>Avoid accessories, jewellery. You wouldn't want that solitaire pendant falling into a ravine.
CARRY
>>An energy drink for the trek, if you're not used to the climb.
>>Clips and rubber-bands to hold your hair back.
>>Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
STAY
>>It's a 3-hour affair, so you can be back in Delhi if you start at dawn. If you are feeling lazy, though, stay at the Neemrana Fort-Palace itself (room rates begin at Rs 2,500) or in one of the many lodges that line the highway (overnight rents go as low as Rs 100 per night, though the comfy ones start at Rs 350).
EAT
>>It's a smooth ride on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, but not particularly pleasant on a hot summer day. So, it's best to stop at an 'A/C Restaurant'. The prices aren't very different from the streetside dhabas around, nor is the stuff or flavour, though you're more likely to find your raita with those parathas or a clean bottle of a fizzy drink, which you'll be overcharged for anyway. Don't expect health-food anywhere. The trek in
store will ensure you shed the ghee.
Getting there
By road: From Delhi, allow at least 2.5 hours driving time. Take the NH8 past Gurgaon, into Rajasthan. The Neemrana turning is on the right, around 3 km after the large Shahjahanpur toll plaza. Once in the village, follow signs on the right towards the Fort-Palace. If you find yourself in Behror Midway, you've gone too far. Once inside the Fort, report to the Flying Fox site office, situated in a tent just above the hotel reception.
Distance from Delhi: 112 kms.
Digress
>>Manesar (en route):If you're well ahead of time, turn left towards Manesar midway on NH8.
A 15-minute drive through Tauru village will land you in the lap of breathtaking golf resorts and country clubs. There's a heritage village too, but if you think you need one dedicated weekend for that kind of stuff, head to the UCB factory outlet instead for some quick retail therapy. Stock up on polo necks and season-end jerseys and blazers -- all at throwaway prices. No foolish discounts here -- just pure price-mincing you'll love.
Rules to fly
>>Age / Height restrictions apply: Minimum age - 10 yrs. Minimum height - 1.4 m (4 ft 7").
>>Weight restrictions apply: Maximum weight - 20 stones (127 kg).
>>Children under 18 must be supervised. A participating adult can supervise EITHER two 10-15 year-olds OR four 16-17 year-olds.
>>A reasonable degree of physical fitness is required because the tour involves approximately 750 m (30 minutes) of walking on steep terrain, sometimes in extreme
heat and aridity.
>>Consumption of alcohol prior to or during the activities is prohibited.
Prawesh goes zip zap zoom
Don't say we didn't tell you
Delhi's Jama Masjid tells ladies, you need a man
There's a difference between expecting visitors to follow a religious code of conduct, and treating them with disdain. Women visitors at India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid (accommodates 25,000), must wear modest clothing (fine), cover their heads (fine again), and be prepared to be asked disapprovingly by the gatekeepers and shoe minders 'Koi aadmi saath nahin hai kya?' (Don't you have a male companion?'). For Rs 50, you are allowed to climb the southern minaret that offers a spectacular view. But once again, you will need a man. 
Women must be accompanied by men. How about posting security guards to avert possible incidents of eve-teasing and worse, instead of expecting male companions to play knights?
Timings: On Fridays, non-Muslims can enter between 8 am to 11 am, 2 pm to 4.30 pm. On other days, from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, 2u00a0 pm to 4.30 pm.u00a0u00a0
Entry: Free
Add-ons: Rs 200 each for camera/video
What's the difference?
Scuba diving
Scubau00a0is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It's a form of underwater diving in which the diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater.
Try it at: Lakshadweep and The Andaman and Nicobar Islands for clear water and gorgeous underwater views. Log on to www.diveindia.com, www.lacadives.com
Snorkeling
Explore aquatic treasures by snorkeling, which lets you observe underwater life in a natural setting without lugging complicated equipment or bothering about training that's a prerequisite for scuba diving.
Try it at: Tarkalli beach on the Konkan Coast.
Call (02365) 252390 for details, or log on to www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Surfing
Surf by gliding along the inside surface of a breaking wave as it moves towards the shore. The challenge here is to be able to 'catch' a wave that carries your surfboard along.
Try it at: Mulki, Karnataka; Varkala, Kerala; Vizag, Andhra Pradesh; Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Log on
to www.surfingindia.net for organised tours and surfing lessons.
How to
Meet the Dalai Lama
It's not easy to meet the man who is rarely caught without a smile on his face. The Dalai Lama's schedule leaves him with little time for a private audience. So, you might have to make do with public teaching sessions.
Log on to https://www.dalailama.com/
You need: To register in advance with a copy of your passport and photographs call: (1892) 221343/ 221879 to reach The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thekchen Choeling, P.O. McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, H.P. 176219
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