Trekking through lush green forests or engaging in an adventure sport; Coimbatoreans seem to be increasingly opting for getaways that provide them an adrenalin rush. An average Coimbatorean doesn't want to restrict himself to sight-seeing or being holed up in a hotel room anymore. Be it going on a simple trek or getting involved in a heavy-duty activity like paragliding or kayaking, activity retreats are gaining popularity among the new breed of fitness enthusiasts, who want to strike a perfect work-life balance.Neha Juliet Zakaria, an adventure sport enthusiast, explains, "People have woken up to the fact that there is only one life and they need to make the most of it. I have been involved in activities like parasailing, aqua sailing, rock climbing and zip-lining. I try to get out at least once in a year as I cannot afford to take many holidays. But, when I do it's an activity tour." Group Captain Jayashankar (Retd) of the National Adventure Foundation, who conducts adventure activities in the city, tells us, "It's good to see people willing to move beyond their comfort zone and gearing up to explore new places and activities. People are now ready to get into an unfamiliar environment and do things that are quite different from their routine."Surya G, who recently went on a trekking trip along with his friends to Valparai, says, "I was born and brought up in Coimbatore. Despite living here for more than two decades, I never really explored the flora and fauna of Western Ghats. I had only been to the tourist hot spots. It was only after hearing my friend's experiences that I decided to take the road less travelled. The best part about trekking was I explored the landscape on foot and took in every bit of the nature. It was a welcome relief from the madness of the city. I felt lighter and refreshed. I am planning to do more of these trips again." When content writer Sreelatha M made it to the top of a hill after a grueling trek on her recent trip to Yelagiri, it was a surreal moment. "It was a challenge to me to achieve something different from my routine. Trekking up a rugged hill was quite a task. But when I reach atop, the sense of satisfaction I achieved was beyond words. My body and soul were both on top of the world."S Rajasekar of an online travel agency agrees there is a growing demand for active tourism. "The younger tourists are increasingly planning trips that involve some adventurous activity like trekking. They are flocking to forests in Thekkady, Kabini, Masinagudi, Bandipur, Munnar, Chinnar and Top Slip." Tour operators are ensuring they make the most of the emerging trend. Ashish Jain from a travel agency in RS Puram tells us, "The Roopkund trek in Uttarakhand is quite popular among Coimbatoreans. In June, bikers go on road trips to Leh-Ladakh. This is followed by the Chadar trek in Ladakh in January and February. An average person has to spend at least Rs 50,000 - 60,000 on these treks. Those who can afford to shell out a tad more are exploring skydiving and bungee jumping in South Africa and New Zealand. Water sports enthusiasts, on the other hand, head to Havelock Islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for scuba diving."Jayashankar explains, "The biggest advantage of the activity tours is that one gets an immediate sense of achievement and a rush of adventure. It also promotes bonding among the group. We have a range of activities like kayaking, canoeing, rafting, trekking at our camp in Thirumoorthy Hills in Udumalpettai. The camps are ideally designed for families, educational institutes, corporates and friends. This methodology is called experiential learning where you learn through experience." Neha pitches in, "It's definitely a great break from what you do every day. The best facet of these activities is they help you overcome fear and bond better with a team. At the same time, safety is a prerequisite and there is no compromising that."

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