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| Activities in & around Chennai |
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Visit to Cultural Academy:
Kalakshetra was established in 1936 after the extraordinary success of Rukmini Devi's first performance of Bharata Natyam at the Theosophical Society, in Adyar,
a suburb of Madras, in the South of India.
Dance Shows Between 10:00 to 11:30
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National Museum
Government Museum, Chennai is a multi-purpose State Government Museum located in Egmore, which is the heart of the city,
spreading to an area of 16.25 acres of land. Six independent buildings in this Museum campus has 46 galleries.
Working Hours : 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Fridays and National Holidays
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Snake Park
The Snake Park in Chennai gained statutory recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority in 1995. The Madras Snake Park is slated to become a
nodal point for captive breeding of endangered pythons in the country, especially the Indian rock python (Python Molorus) and reticulated python (Python Reticulatus).
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Crocodile Bank
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) is a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located 40km south of the city of Chennai, in state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 8 am to 6 pm- Monday holiday
Video and Still Camera charges are extra.
Puppet shows by village youth from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Crocodile night safari from 7:00 pm to 8.30 pm
Crocodile night safari from 7:00 pm to 8.30 pm:
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DakshinaChitra
DakshinaChitra is an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India.
You can explore 17 heritage houses, amble along recreated streetscapes, explore contextual exhibitions, interact with typical village artisans and witness folk performances set in an authentic ambience.
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Interact with Sculptors in Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram is full of sculpture workshops all around and many artisans thrive on this art here. Visit a sculptor's workshop and interact with them.
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Visit to Salt Making area
Visit the salt making area in Marakkanam and know the natural method of making salt [ Seasonal].
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Bullock cart ride - Karaikudi
The bullock-cart takes the guests for rides around the village of Karaikudi in this can go through the various streets and see the different style of Chettinadu houses.
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Visit to tile making place
Chettinadu, the land of wealthy Chettiars, in the South of Tamil Nadu, is known for its art, architecture and
food connoisseurs. Manufacturing exclusive colourful tile designs was a thriving industry then in Athangudi.
They are cast from the locally available clay that is first burnt and then glazed. Athangudi tiles have a play of
base colours with typical conventional flora and line- drawing designs that set them apart from the modern versions in the market.
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Visit Gold Smith workshop
Bliss of sparkling gold studded with ruby and pearl is simply magnificent. To match with todays style and taste;
gold jewelry is crafted in contemporary style with the hues of traditional elegance. Gold is available in available
in both yellow and white. Of yellow gold look a bit traditional that go for white gold.
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Astrologer / Palmistry
(Read your horoscope / astrology) - Chidambaram
Nadi Shastra is a unique form of astrology in which an individual can read his destiny inscribed on Palm
leaves thousands of years ago . One`s past, present and future is read with unbelieving details by an expert
Nadi reader. The most amazing fact remains that a person reads his/ her Nadi leaf only at a predestined
time in his/her life. (Predestined thousands of years ago).
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Nature walk (Croaker's walk) - Kodaikanal
It is a narrow pedestrian path, constructed by Lt. Coaker in 1872. The walk is 1km mountain road,
which runs along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai road, which is 1/2 km away from Kodai. The
walk, winding around Mt. Nebo, starts near Van Allen Hospital and joins the main road above St. Peter's Church.
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Trekking
There are many spectacular hikes along well-trodden paths that take you from misty heights to the sweltering heat. Many of these are regular routes taken by barefoot
fruit and vegetable vendors who nimbly run up to Kodai on steep trails with heavy loads, leaving the puffing hiker far behind .
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Trekking ( Mountain Treks/ Riverside Treks / Grassland Treks ) - Ooty & Mudumalai
Ooty-Parsons peak-Porthimund-Mukurthi National Park - Pandiar Hills-Pykara Falls-Mudumalai National Park - Ooty: A long trek which heads north-west from Ooty,
Parsons peak, which towers over Parsons Valley, can be reached on foot or by bus- its a three hour ride. From Parsons Valley, trek on to Porthimund, a village lying deep in
the hills. A tent can be pitched here for the night. Mukurthi, a well-known wildlife preserve. Dominated by the Mukurthi Peak, the Mukurthi National Park is a dense forest, inhabited
by a fascinating cross-section of Indian fauna: leopards, elephants, tigers, the highly endangered Nilgiri tahr, and the more common deer, monkeys, birds, and reptiles.
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Elephant Camp ( Elephant Ride/ Elephant Feeding Centre / Elephant Bathing)
There is an Elephant camp known as Theppakkadu inside the sanctuary. The Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 67 kms from Ooty is part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve. The sanctuary forms a important natural collaboration along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka
and the Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala. The important species found in the sanctuary are bonnet macaque and common langur. Tigers and leopards sometimes seen her . Other common wild life are giant squirrels, flying squirrels, elephants, gaurs, sambhar, chital and barking deer.
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Visit Spice Plantation, Coonoor (Cardamom, Pepper, Vanilla)
Tamilnadu is one among the largest producer of spice in India. Visit the spice plantation and experience the traditional way of cultivating spices.
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Tea Estate & Tea Factory
Learn the procedures and the techniques used in the cultivation and the production of tea. The taste of the fresh, just made tea is so fine that one should taste it once to have
that essence of freshness. It would surely be a wonderful experience.
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Coffee Plantation visit
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka are the three coffee growing states in India.Coffees, similar to wines, taste wise stands different from each other.
The flavor essentially alters depends on number of factors like the soil and climate it grows in, the processing (wet vs dry)and, of course, the roasting method.
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Visit to Silk Farm (Sericulture)
Tamil Nadu is well known for its traditional silk sarees and dhoties woven on handlooms. The weaving sector of Tamil Nadu comprises mostly of Handlooms, Kancheepuram, Arni,
Kumbakonam, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli are important weaving centres in Tamil Nadu.
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Visit to near by Tribal Village
As many as 18 tribal people make their homes in these mountains, including the distinctive pastoral community of Toda and other tribal community. Visit the toda village and experience the life style of these trible villagers in the modern time.
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| Activities In Pondicherry |
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Yoga and meditation classes
Yoga is a way of life, an art of righteous living or an integrated system for the benefit of the body, mind and inner spirit.
This art originated, was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago.
Aim of Yoga is the attainment of the physical, mental and spiritual health.
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South indian martial arts classes
Silambattam , a traditional Dravidian martial art based on fighting with sticks dates back 5000 years when the stick was the primary tool to defend oneself.
Beginners are first taught footwork patterns and then go on to the spinning techniques of the stick.
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Classical Dance Classes
Bharatanatyam is thought to have been created by Bharata Muni, a Hindu sage, who wrote the Natya Shastra , the most important ancient treatise on Classical Indian Dance.
It is also called the fifth Veda in reference to the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, from which sprang the related South Indian musical tradition of Carnatic Music.
In ancient times it was performed as Dassiattam by mandir (Hindu temple) Devadasi.
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Indian Cooking Class
India is home to over 60 varieties of lentils and legumes, all which are high in fiber, protein and packed with valuable minerals and vitamins. In this session,
learn to prepare India foods deliciously! We will show you the best storage tips and how to wash, prepare and cook for a complete Indian meal.
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Social Service
Non Governmental Organizations are the Non Profit Organizations formed for the welfare and development of a people of a sector or community or eradicating a particular problem and so on.
Pondicherry has some NGOs working on street Children, Child Welfare, Women Development, Eco Farming, Organic Farming, Self Help Groups, Human Rights, Women Rights, Self Employed Youths,
Agricultural Development and much more.
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Ayurveda Lecture
Ayurveda is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots - ayus' (life) and ved' (knowledge) and offering a rich,
comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. To when it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations
of the Vedic civilisation in India, by organising the fundamentals of life into proper systems.
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Ayurvedic Massage
Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. It also speeds up blood circulation.
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Thai yoga massage
The healing art of Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient and sacred system of healing with roots in Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice.
It is a unique and powerful system of Yoga Therapy, which combines rhythmic massage, acu- pressure, asanas (Yogic stretching exercises), gentle twisting,
energy work and meditation.
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Heritage walk
The Heritage Walk made people aware of the architectural heritage and living culture of Pondicherry and also guided them through the French Quarter, Tamil Quarter and
Muslim Quarter and the neighbourhoods pointing out places of historic and religious importance, intricately designed buildings, the town houses, and the various
other buildings depictingthe French style.
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Visit local artisans
Visit local artisans like potter and handicrafts makers.
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Horse riding
The South Indian Equestrian Association was created in 2001 to bring together and support the equestrian sport in South India . Members of the association include all
of the riding schools in South India such as; Red Earth Riding School in Auroville, Embassy Riding School in Bangalore , Chennai Equestrian Academy , Karnataka Mounted
Police and the Hyderabad Police Academy , along with many others. Formerly horse riding in South India had been dominated by the Military and the Police Academy.
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Meet Experts
Meet experts in your area of specialization ad share your ideas, views and thoughts with them (Doctors, Professors and Lawyers).
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School/ University visit
Visit Schools and University in india. Have a first hand information of the Indian standards and method of education. Interact with the students and the faculties. Organised between: 10 Am to 2 Pm
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Health Camps
Participate in the health camps organised for local people and have a first hand information on the importance of health care and the role it plays in the developing countries.
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Visit Fossil Woods Park
Fossils are mineralized, or otherwise preserved, remains or traces of animals (such as footprints), plants, and other organisms.The petrifaction process occurs underground,
when wood becomes buried under sediment and is initially preserved due to lack of oxygen. Mineral-rich water flowing through the sediment deposits minerals in the plants cells.
As the plants lignin and cellulose decay away, a stone mould forms in its place.
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Learn to Make Hut
Learn to make a hut out of coconut leaves. It involves weaving the coconut leaves in a crossed pattern and arranging them one above the other.
The method is simple but efficient which could with stand extreme temperature during summers and monsoons
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Farm Activities
witness the art of Indian farming, Ploughing the wet land by bullocks, sowing seeds, harvesting and milking the cow.
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Industrial Visit
The Ashram runs a small handmade paper unit which utilizes waste-paper and natural substances to produce high quality paper in a large variety, board, fancy stationery, greeting cards,
decorative items etc. The products can be purchased from SABDA.
Bookbinding and screen printing are also done in this unit,which take care of the needs of the Ashram and the schools.
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Lunch or Dinner with an Indian Family
Have luch or dinner with an Indian Family prepared in a traditional way and interact with them..
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Traditional Game
Learn traditional tamil games. Dayakattai a game similar to lodo is quiet famous among the tamil people.
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Lectures
lectures on Hinduism, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Secrets of Hindu Mythology, Spiritual Leaders, Social System, Indian Art and Architecture, Indian Stories and Message and Ayurveda.
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Tea / Cardamom Plantation - Munnar
Visit The tea plantations in Kerala are a beautiful sight as the green tea bushes cover the gentle hill slopes and form a green mantle over the surface of the hills.
The serene tea plantations of Kerala are a pleasant Eco tourism option. You can see the process of tea harvesting and processing, go for nature treks and relax in the soothing environment of the tea estates of Kerala.
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Jungle Camping
The Anaerangal Camp is located on a mountain side overlooking the famed Anaerangal Lake and in close proximity to the Papathy shola (The Butterfly Forest)
known for mass migration of butterflies in October and November.
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Mountain Biking
Not all can be toured by boating and cars. One way to trodden and discover the unseen, or sashay hair pin bends, tea plantation is by Cycling or through a bike.
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Boating
The best way to feel the clear blue water and outskirts of boating is Munnar. Take the family Boating. Local coastal spots, Mattupetty Dam offer boating facility and boat renting facility.
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Hiking
Eravikulam National Park is requisite-visit in Munnar. The park is home to some 3000 elephants, lion-tale macaque and prominently Nilgiri Tahr (an endangered species and found at two places) and many more. A good 30 min hike to reach the park.
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Angling
Many brooks, stream, mountains and rivulets in Munnar offer a unique delight to anglers and fishing buffs. Two major places famous with anglers are Gravel Banks and Devikulam Lake;
almost at a distance of 25 km. Gravel Bank is tucked in the remote corners of Nyamakad Estate. In order to reach Gravel, visitors will have to pass from Eravikulam National Park open
area and scenic lures of Nyamakad Tea Estate.
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Horse Riding
Horse riding is a common scene and sport at Munnar. Seeing the places and valley from the back of horse is one of the best take-home experiences to have in Munnar. The landscapes,
valleys, roads and country side surroundings give Munnar an exact home of Horse Riding buffs.
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Spend time with fishermen and assist them in catching fish - Cochin
Kochi has a lot of remnants from the past still clinging on. The famous landmark of Kochi is a row of Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of the harbor leading to the
Arabian sea in Fort Kochi, the oldest part of the city.
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Kathakali performance
Kathakali is one of the oldest theater forms in the world. This dance form originated in the south Indian state of Kerala and since Cochin isa developing
important city, both culturally and commercially, Kathakali is quite popular among locals and tourists here. The Kathakali dance is presented in a group, the
themes of which are based on Hindu Mythologies - particularly on epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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Kalaripayat Performance (Martial Arts)
This martial art form of Kerala is the ancient and the most scientific one in the world.
This programme is of one hour. It will be performed daily at 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The performance will be in a well built and highly designed KALARI. The gallery is built such a way that
the viewers can get a clear vision and from a safer seat.
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Spice market visit
Kochi (formerly Cochin) on the Malabar Coast of south- western India has a long history of foreign visitors, traders and
colonialists including British, Potuguese, Dutch and even Chinese mariners from the court of Kublai Khan. Famous as a
spice port, Kochi is described evocatively in several wonderful novels.
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Village visit - Alleppey
Visit charming villages dotted with rivulets, thatched huts and plush foliage. Amidst floral gardens, the villages in Kerala
beckon tourists to spend their holidays in the lap of nature and its greenery.
Tours to villages of Kerala are perfect cross over from feverish pace of life to tranquil surroundings and laid-back life.
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House Boat ride
A houseboat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the
making are local and ecofriendly; bamboo poles, coconut fibre, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc.
There are houseboats with fully furnished single room, double room and triple rooms. All of them have sundeck,
private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with w.c. In addition there is a separate rest room for the crew.
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Motor Boat Ride
A backwater cruise on the Punnamada Kayal takes along canals past scenic islands offering sublime views of coconut and paddy fields, Chinese fishing nets and toddy tappers at
work. Alappuzha's beauty is not merely in its backwaters, but in the man-made islands that you will find amidst the waters. These islands are hedged by mud walls, a haven for migratory
birds, with paddy fields inundated with water throughout the year. These fields stand below sea level.
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Visit TASARA - Calicut
Institution dedicated to creative weaving, is situated In Beypore, a village in Kerala. on the west coast of India.
Founded in 1989, Tasara is an extension of Spider Weavers,which was established in 1977. The inquisitive traveler can
weave their dreams into tapestries or fabrics. They can try their hands on dyeing, batik, printing, weaving etc.
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Boat Ride - Thekkady
The Periyar Lake formed by the construction of the dam across the Mullaperiyar River in 1895, the lake
harbors within itself a unique aquatic ecosystem. The numerous little islets in the lake are witness to the
intricate inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. A boat cruise on
the Lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.
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Bamboo Rafting
The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur.
The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like
elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
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Jungle Jeep Safari
Drive to Gavi (Green mansion) 40 kms scenic drive from the place of your stay. Followed by jungle trekking with specially trained guides after 3hrs
trekking reach the Green mansion and have Lunch.
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Herbal Garden Visit Idukki /Kumuzhi
Ayurvedic medicines are able to achieve the desired effect because the chosen variety of herbs are specially
grown in ideal climate in the appropriate seasons. There are numerous farms especially in kerala and Tamilnadu
nursing thousands of rare herbal species.These herbal gardens also serve as guidance cells and seedling
supply centres to other farmers, helping the preservation of many rare medicinal herbs from
extinction.
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Bird Watch Kumarakom
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a diamond in India's ecological crown, despite being one of the smallest parks in the country. A visit to Kumarakom, nesting on
the banks of the Vembanad Lake, will give you the pleasure to meet a variety of migratory birds that cluster in thousands, some from the Himalayas, and
some even from the snow-kissed hills of Siberia, a true multicultural avian metropolis.
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Catamaran Cruise - Kovalam
A catamaran is a type of multihulled boator ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas.
Catamarans can be sail- or engine-powered. Catamarans are a relatively recent introduction to the design of boats for both leisure and sport sailing,
although they have been used since time immemorial among the paravas, a fishing community in the southern coast of Tamilnadu.
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Canoeing Bangalore
Canoeing is the activity of paddling a canoe for the purpose of recreation (also called a float trip), sport,or transportation. It usually refers exclusively to using
a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power.
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Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or man-made rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route.
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Tubing
Tubing (also known as inner tubing or even toobing) is a recreational activity of riding an inner tube, either on water, snow, or through the air. The tubes, themselves,
are also known as "donuts" or "biscuits" due to their shape.
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Rappelling
Rapplling is the controlled descent down a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.
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Rafting
Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.
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Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants, known as campers, leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while
spending one or several nights, usually at a campsite, which may have cabins. Camping may involve the use of a tent, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all
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Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water.Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle.
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Rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water.
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Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" (hook). The hook is usually attached by a line to a
fishing rod. A bite indicator such as a float is sometimes used. The rod is usually fitted with a fishing reel that
functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook can be dressed with lures or bait.
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Banana Boat Ride
A banana boat, also known as a water sled and often referred to simply as a banana, is an inflatable recreational boat meant
for towing. Riding in a banana boat is considered to be a safer activity than water-skiing or other towed-water sports, and
is similar to tubing.
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Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters,
a wetsuit may also be worn. Using this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.
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Visit to Fish Processing Plant
Visit the local fish processing plant and learn the methods involved in processing raw fish like Sorting, Washing, Scaling, Heading, Gutting, Filleting, Skinning, Cleaning, Packaging and Freezing.
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| Activities In Andhra Pradesh |
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Ramoji Film City Hydrabad
The largest film studio complex in the world as certified by Guinness World Records, provides comprehensive and advanced film production facilities
with dedicated professionalism. A filmmaker can walk in with a script and walk out with a canned film.
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