Thanks to the roaring rivers and jagged peaks of the Himalayas and the blue waters off our coasts, there's something for everyone -- whether on land or sea or air.

So get out those hiking boots and tracksuits, and check out some exciting ways to spend your holiday!

Flying without Wings: Paragliding & Parasailing

Literally one of the most uplifting forms of sport, paragliding involves being airborne with a canopy-shaped parachute without actually jumping off an airplane.

Beginners ideally fly with an instructor on tandem rides -- lasting for around 15-30 minutes -- and after gaining confidence and the technical skills required, take to the skies on their own. If you are serious about the sport, there is a whole range of courses too, spread over different levels. Beginners courses cover equipment introduction, pre-flight checks, control familiarisation, take off and landing technique and end with a session of solo flying.

The most popular paragliding sites are at Dehradun in Uttaranchal; Billing in Kangra district and Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh; Kamshet in Maharashtra; Arambol in Goa and Nandi Hills in Karnataka. A two-day introductory course and 10-minute tandem flights cost about Rs 1,500.

Parasailing, on the other had, is the 'strings-attached' variation of paragliding. Mostly enjoyed at beaches or open valleys, this adventure sport involves the glider being towed by a vehicle, boat or snowmobile. A rope attached to the parasail harness at one end and to a moving vehicle on the other helps you take in the sights of your immediate surroundings, while being suspended around 200 ft off the ground.

This rather amusing activity is a big crowd-puller at the beaches of Goa. Hit the beaches at Anjuna, Baga, Candolim, Majorda and Dona Paula to get a taste of this sport.

You need clear weather and suitable wind conditions to enjoy paragliding & parasailing, so the best season to try your hand at them would be March to June and September to December.