About Being Out There in Park Cafe, The Mall, Shimla

About Us
"Being Out There" started with a dream, a dream of wild abandon. What was launched as an escape from our 9 to 5 routine turned into a long journey. In the mountains the trails turned inwards, the rivers overflowed with joy, and there we were, waving at children, rediscovering our own innocence, awakening the child within. Thus was born Being Out There, where passion fuels the path to exploration and enjoyment of mountain wilderness through active participation. Whether the road to self-discovery or just wanderlust, our inspiring odysseys evoke joy, like raindrops on mud, like ripples on still water, by experiencing myriad Himalayan cultures and hidden destinations. As we live out our dream each day, we invite you to share our experiences, by participating in adventures that not only sparkle, but resonate for a long time. Come along for the ride, along borderless horizons, into the realm of “out there”. And as “Kipling” quotes in “The Explorer” - “Something hidden. Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges – Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go.
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Our trips
We believe that the spirit of adventure is in everyone. Our adventures are planned with reasonably paced itineraries, attention to detail, and the right mix of fun, learning, and challenge to ensure a memorable vacation. You will find our adventures physically active and culturally rewarding. You will venture into the great outdoors, enjoy close contact with native people and their customs, get close up views of wildlife and feast your eyes on the incredible scenic vistas of the great mountain ranges. Invariably you’ll come back a different person with a whole new perspective on life. Whether you are riding your MTB in Spiti or hiking in Ladakh, you'll experience firsthand the cultures and environments of the region you are visiting. And after a long day of adventuring, we ensure you a comfortable night's rest in accommodations from regional inns to our own private camps.

Our adventures
Exploring the world on foot “Hiking & Trekking adventures”
The words “trekking” and “hiking” are used somewhat interchangeably, but a trek more often refers to a long distance walk along age-old trails, usually in remote areas far from roads or highways. How many miles we walk each day depends on the terrain, especially in the mountains where there are a lot of ups and downs or we take it slowly because of high altitude. We generally characterize the hiking day in terms of hours. On most treks, we hike from four to six hours a day (with an occasional eight hour day). We start early, have a long lunch stop, and arrive at the next camp by mid afternoon, with time to rest and relax before dinner, explore nearby villages, read or write in our journals. During the day, there is ample time to stop and take photos, admire a view, search for an elusive bird. Above all we encourage you to walk at your own pace. You’re here to have fun!
On most trips, porters, pack animals or vehicles carry all the gear. All you need to carry is a small daypack to hold a water bottle, camera and sweater/jacket.

On Safari “Road Trippin, Jeeps & Enfield Bullets”
Our safaris offer you an authentic experience of the Himalayas in comfort and security, without being insulated from the natural world you came to explore. We emphasize active explorations, including walking trips and hikes from the base camp. Most of our safari tours are customized allowing you to explore the many facets of numerous destinations. We generally travel in rugged “go anywhere” vehicles that allow us to roam the countryside in total freedom. A typical day on a safari is not longer than 150 kms a day, with some exceptions where we may travel 300 kms in a day. Distance by safari, as by trekking, depends on the terrain.

Mountain Biking “Riding the Himalaya”
Mountain bikes offer a glorious and unique way to travel in the Himalaya. Cycling provides the ideal pace to absorb the changes all around, while still allowing you to cover plenty of ground. Cycling is the best way to meet the locals and, as with hiking and trekking, is the perfect low impact, eco friendly way of traveling, with the adventure still running high. Mountain biking trips can be either self supported, in which you travel independently, or and fully supported, in which we provide a support vehicle that follows your trail and carries your gear, allowing you to travel with comfort, at a premium). Whether self-supported or fully-supported, we expect you to bring your own bike and spares. We can provide a bike for you if you request in advance. We provide you with maps, safety gear, camping tents and general tips.

White Water Rafting “Runs on perennial Himalayan rivers”
Whether you are a novice ready to experience a river rafting adventure for the first time, or a veteran looking for a new river to conquer, we have the right trip for you. No matter what class rapids you ride and what physical condition you are in, lifejackets must be worn at all times on or near the river. Helmets are worn on more difficult rivers. Thanks to the superb river guides, our safety record is superior, and you can feel confident in their hands. Most river trips have a layover day or two so we can explore the countryside beyond the river. Most river originate from our base camps, which are spread across various locations in the Himalayas. Day trips and expeditions are organized from these base camps. On longer trips our boats carry everything, from food to all camping and other necessary equipment. Our river rafting trips take you to some of the Himalaya’s most remote, beautiful destinations—some of which you can only access via the river. They are far from well-traveled routes and lodgings, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised how comfortable we can make you feel in these more rustic and "hard to get to" places.

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Our Camps
Since most of our trips venture to remote places, camping is often the natural (and sometimes only!) choice of accommodation. However don’t think you’re going to be roughing it – our camping arrangements are exceptional. We provide comfortable, spacious sleeping tents, a dining tent and a “toilet” tent. On most mountain treks you are provided with hot washing water each morning for taking a sponge bath or for washing your clothes (on high altitude this may vary, of course!).

Great Food!
The food on our camping trips is fresh, wholesome and delicious! Our camp cooks are experienced professionals who prepare delightful culinary treats. All water we use for cooking and drinking is purified, by filtering, boiling or the use of iodine.

Tour Leaders
Each trip is led by experienced, professional guides, each of whom is an expert in his or her area of interest. Guides will proficiently lead, tell stories, educate, translate and bring every detail of your experience alive. On independent trips we use guides from the local area who know their place like the back of their hand. For special interest trips (photography, history and culture etc.) our leaders are professionals in their field of interest.

Affordable Adventures
We’ll help you plan a trip with your budget in mind. There is no end to the possibilities, and our experience can help you refine your choices and plan an exciting itinerary. We can make all arrangements to ensure your itinerary runs as smoothly as possible with accommodations to your preference. We’ll be delighted to supply you with the information and assistance you may need in planning your trip to make it one of the best adventures of your life.

What’s included?
Our prices include accommodations in hotels and inns in cities and villages; tents, trek and safari arrangements in the field; meals (except for a few meals in major cities where we have found our travelers prefer to be on their own to explore); ground transportation; group equipment, entry fees and permits and all personnel: tour coordinator/guide/leader, porters, camp and cook staffs. Each trip varies slightly, so ask for a detailed itinerary with specific trip information. Even though you will be joining a “tour” you will have significant independence, if you wish. If you like to explore on your own, plan to extend your stay at a particular destination after the tour. We will be glad to offer suggestions for trip extensions at your request.

Drawing on our experience and working with a professional team of adventure travel outfitters, we can plan special, high quality adventures for private groups. Perhaps college friends would like to get together for a really unusual reunion. Or maybe you’d like to share a memorable vacation with your family. You can schedule your own dates for one of our regular trips, or let us create a special trip tailored to your specific needs and wishes and abilities of your group. We also design “theme” trips for corporations, schools, conservation and non-profit organizations, and other special-interest groups. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen! We take care of all the details: guides, accommodations, meal arrangements, transportation, and equipment. All you need to do is get your group together!

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A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT BEING OUT THERE

The ‘Being Out There’ team has 10 years of field experience behind them in organizing world class adventure events and sports. Spearheaded by a team of 4 people they gave to India ‘MTB HIMACHAL’ – India’s premier mountain cycling event in 2004, which has been running successfully ever since. Along the years came about Delhi Cyclothon in 2010 where the team was managing the production. Another in the cap was added when Being Out There organized the Tour of Kangra in January 2012 – in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh. The big moment came in March 2012 when National Geographic Channel, India summoned the team to organize for them a multi adventure race in Himachal Pradesh, for their reality show MISSION ARCTIC – which saw eight participants cycling through Himachal and undertaking different adventure tasks. Being Out There organized the whole show for National Geographic India. Mission Arctic aired every weekend – Saturday and Sunday at Prime Time – 9 PM. Then came conceptualizing yet another reality show, this time for UTV Bindaas – The Big Switch 4.

Through The Years

2004 – 2011HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL
Conceptualized and organized MTB Himachal, India’s only international mountain cycling race, with over 80 participants, sponsorship from TI cycles of India, Himachal Tourism and showcased on ESPN, NDTV greenathon and CNN/IBN.

2010SPORTS 18, DELHI CYCLOTHON
Handled production set up for Delhi Cyclothon – a mass cycling event just before the Commonwealth games for Sports 18 – The sports division for network 18. Our team selected the route through Lutyen’s Delhi and also mobilized mass participation. The event was an international race with Teams like Radioshack participating in the race.

2011ID SPORTS, UCI, CFI – NASIK and MUMBAI – TOUR DE INDIA
Handled overall production and liason for Tour de India and Mumbai cyclothon for ID sports, India. The event was a UCI (united cycling international – the governing body for cycling) certified event. The races took place in Nasik and Mumbai.

2012FIREFOX TOUR OF KANGRA, HIMACHAL PRADESH
Organised the first edition of Tour of Kangra – a freestyle cycling event through the length and breadth of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The event was a five day ride sponsored by Firefox Bikes.

2012MISSION ARCTIC – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL INDIA
Conceptualized, line produced and organized MISSION ARCTIC – a multi adventure based reality show for National Geographic Channel India. The episodes were shot through the Kinnaur and Spiti valleys of Himachal in early april, when temperatures were plummeting down to -10 degrees centigrade. The team also handled the overall logistics for the series.

2012RIDE HIGH – MANALI TO LEH FREESTYLE CYCLING
Started RIDE HIGH – Ladakh an annual high altitude freestyle cycling ride from Manali to Leh.

2012BIG SWITCH 4 – A UTV BINDAAS REALITY SHOW
Conceptualised, organized and line production for BIG SWITCH 4 – a reality show for UTV Bindaas. The series was shot through Shimla and Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

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