Camping
Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent or a recreational vehicle. Typically participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment. The night (or more) spent outdoors distinguishes camping from day-tripping, picnicking, and other similarly short-term recreational activities.
Camping as a recreational activity became popular among elites in the early 20th century. With time, it grew in popularity among other socioeconomic classes. Modern campers frequent publicly owned natural resources such as national and state parks, wilderness areas, and commercial campgrounds. Camping is a key part of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting, which use it to teach both self-reliance and teamwork.
Camping in India
Camping and campers form much less of the landscape in India than they do in places like Europe, the US and Australia. But there is, nevertheless, a dedicated, enthusiastic and growing bunch of campers who are looking to make the most of India’s natural beauty by setting up camp in out-of-the-way places, as far away from civilization as possible. Indeed, India has plenty of beauty spots for the happy camper – and the adventurous one.
What you won’t come across in India are commercial campsites, teeming with vacationing folk (this is common in Britain); because camping is (still) the hobby of a few, ‘campsites’ here are likely to be solitary and quiet locations. Camping in India, then, is still done wild, without the amenities and comforts of modern campsites – which really is the best way to experience this very outdoorsy pastime.
Deserts, beaches and even national parks (Gir and Bandhavgarh, for example) make for splendid camping destination.
Equipment
Tent, torch/flashlight/lantern, sleeping bag, lockable duffel bag (recommended), Therm-a-Rest/air mattress, Swiss Army knife, stove, whistle, lighter, hammer/mallet (to drive tent stakes into the ground), axe/saw/hatchet (for chopping firewood for campfire), ropes, tarpaulin (to protect against rain), food storage, cooler (to store drinks and fresh produce)
Best Seasons In India
It’s unadvisable to camp out in the open in bone-chilling cold or enervating heat (unless you’re an extreme adventurer!). That leaves the rest of the year, plenty of time to plan a camping trip. The months of spring and autumn are the ideal, while both early summer and early winter offer delightful conditions for a bit of outdoors relaxation (or adventure!).