6 Benefits of Camping on Your Body and Mind You Probably Didn't Know About + the 8 Best Sites for Camping in India (2020)

If you have not done camping before but want to go camping now, then you should also know the tremendous health benefits that outdoor activities like camping have on your body. Some of the most important benefits of camping are:

The human body is tuned for proximity to nature. Studies have revealed that humans are healthier and happier when they are closer to nature.

Outdoor activities like camping also improve your short-term memory. A study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that students who took a route through an arboretum improved their short-term memory by 20% as compared to students who took an equivalent route through the city.

Inhaling air rich in oxygen (during outdoor activities like camping) enables the brain to produce higher levels of serotonin. This naturally produced neurotransmitter uplifts your mood and reduces depressive thoughts.

Camping leads to increased exercise, which has a profound impact on your cardiovascular health. As per John Hopkins Medicine's research, exercise acts as a beta-blocking medication and aids in reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Studies have also indicated that camping and other outdoor activities result in reduced chronic inflammation by lowering oxidative stress, which otherwise causes oxidative cell damage. This, along with the significantly lower stress and anxiety levels experienced during camping, works wonders for the health of your heart.

Studies have revealed that your circadian rhythm (or sleep-wake cycle) is naturally aligned with the sun's schedule. However, remaining awake till late in the night binge-watching, checking status updates, meeting office deadlines, etc. completely disrupts your circadian rhythm. Moreover, melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle, gets suppressed due to the blue light emitting from the digital devices.

Camping and spending your daytime outdoors in melatonin-friendly natural yellow light streamlines your circadian rhythm. It makes it more aligned with the sun's cycle. Moreover, when you are camping, there is increased exercise during daytime and an absence of televisions, laptops and tablets in the night, which ensures that you sleep early, get a good night's rest, and wake up completely refreshed. As your sleep cycle aligns with that of the sun, you will discover that you are also getting better and deeper sleep.

A sedentary urban lifestyle is the root cause of many diseases. When you go out camping, your daytime routine is full of physical activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, fishing, walking, etc. You burn as much as 150 calories per hour hiking and up to 400 calories per hour cycling. Camping is an excellent opportunity to burn the excess calories and loosen (and strengthen) those joints which have become stiff in the city.

Going out camping helps you develop new skills like pitching a tent, raft-building, making a bonfire, kayaking, zip-lining, cooking, etc. Learning these new skills is a wonderfully stimulating experience, both mentally and physically. Overcoming new challenges gives you a sense of accomplishment, makes you feel alive, and boosts your confidence tremendously.

The significant positive impact of camping on your mental well-being cannot be ignored. Camping gives you a time to unwind, socialise and make new friends, meditate to calm your body and soothe your soul, reflect more clearly on thing bothering your mind, and most importantly, gives you some time just for yourself to spend it just the way you want to.

Spiti Valley has emerged as one of the most popular camping destinations in India. Located deep in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of almost 4,000 meters above sea-level, the Spiti Valley is a remote, barren, cold mountainous desert region that witnesses low to very low temperatures all the year round.

The Spiti river flows through the valley, and the location is known for its spectacular natural landscapes of mountains, lakes, lush valleys, and scenic hamlets. It is also home to very sacred and ancient Buddhist monasteries, which have a profound impact on the entire region. The best time to visit this place is from April to October. It is approximately 400 km from Shimla and 500 km from Chandigarh. The closest airports are Shimla and Manali. The nearest major railheads are Chandigarh and Kalka from where you need to proceed by road.

Literally meaning "Lord of the Senses", Rishikesh is a name of God Vishnu. A sacred city in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is known since ancient times as centre for spirituality, meditation, and yoga. Situated at the height of 372 meters above sea level, it is bisected by the mighty Ganges as it descends from the Himalayas and starts its journey in the plains.

In recent years Rishikesh has emerged as a popular adventure tourism destination which offers camping sites, white water rafting, and a host of other adventure sports options. The weather here remains moderately hot from April – September, moderately cold in October – November and freezing cold in December – January. The best time to visit Rishikesh is from September – early March. The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is only 21 km from Rishikesh, and it is also well connected by road and rail. The simple tents on the banks of the River Ganges are sure to give you a peaceful and surreal camping experience like no other destination in the world.

Tso Moriri Lake is a breathtakingly beautiful high-altitude mountain lake situated at an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level in India's northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is approximately 29 km long and has a maximum width of 8 km. The lake remains frozen for all the winter months, and the best time to go camping here is from May to September.

Camping here is a once in a lifetime experience, and the lake is known for its mesmerising sunsets. The camps have electricity here and are reasonably comfortable. Due to the extremely high altitude, the air gets rarefied here, and you need to acclimatise yourself with the lower levels of oxygen. Tso Moriri is 240 km south-east of Leh, the closest airport, and it is a 6-7 hour trip by road. The area is close to the LAC, and hence an Inner Line Permit is needed to visit this place.

If you are conscious about our environment, then this is one more reason why a visit to the Nameri Eco Camp in Assam is a must. The camp is situated in district Sonitpur in India's eastern state of Assam, very close to the Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve, and 1 km away from the banks of the Jia Bhoroli river.

The camp is surrounded by lush green forests and provides eco-friendly tent and cottage accommodation starting from ₹ 2,945 per night. The Nameri Eco Camp is a nature lover and wildlife enthusiast's delight. You have options for bird watching (the Nameri National Park is home to over 370 species of birds), river rafting, jungle safari, trekking, tiger spotting, cycling, and fishing.

The closest airport – Tezpur is 35 km away, and the nearest major railheads are Guwahati (200 km) and Dibrugarh (330 km). The best time to visit this camp is from October – March. Avoid the monsoon season at all costs as the territory becomes extremely dangerous and difficult during this time.

If you are thinking about camping in the desert, then Sam Sand Dunes is the perfect option for you. Situated in the western state of Rajasthan, Sam Sand Dunes are about 45 km west of Jaisalmer city. All types of tented accommodation from the budget, mid-range to luxury are available here for you to choose from.

You can explore sand dunes up to 60 meters high and watch breath-taking sunsets in the Thar Desert when camping here. The campsites offer numerous outdoor activities for your fun and relaxation, including camel/jeep safaris, campfires, folk music, and dance performances, delicious Rajasthani cuisine, all packaged with the legendary Rajasthani hospitality and culture.

The best time to visit Sam Sand Dunes is from November – February. The closest civil airport from Jaisalmer is Jodhpur, which is 280 km away and a 6-hour drive. Jaisalmer is, however, a major railhead and is well connected with trains from major cities of India. It is also well connected by road to major cities in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Sujan The Serai is the finest luxury accommodation available here, starting at ₹ 55,000 per night.

Goa, a small state situated in west India, is a world-class seaside destination very popular with Indian and foreign travellers alike. If you want to camp in a beautiful seaside destination, then camping at the Anjuna Beach should be your first choice. It is the perfect destination for party-animals and beach lovers.

Anjuna is known for its pristine beaches along the Arabian Sea, chapels, mansions, Chapora Fort, Wednesday Flea Market, and exciting nightlife, all wrapped in Goa's fun-loving and tourist-friendly culture. Anjuna Beach is located 18 km from Panaji, the capital of Goa. The closest international airport is Dabolim, about 50 km from Anjuna and the nearest railway station is Karmali, about 30 km from Anjuna.

Goa is an all-year-round destination; however, summers are hot, and the monsoon season receives heavy rainfall. The best time to visit Anjuna Beach is from November – March. So, pack your bags and go camping to Anjuna Beach for a holiday filled with parties, music, booze, and dance!

Coorg, popularly known as the "Scotland of India", is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats, situated at an altitude of 1,150 m above sea level in the south Indian state of Karnataka. Coorg is a trekker's haven with numerous trekking trails and is also a top destination for organised luxury camping in India.

Coorg is the largest coffee producer in India and is also famous for its spectacular scenic beauty that includes coffee and tea plantations, waterfalls, lush green forests, and majestic hills. Although Coorg has a pleasant climate all year-round, the best time to visit Coorg is from October – April. The closest airport from Coorg is Mangalore (116 km) and Kannur (60 km). The nearest railhead is Mysore, about 95 km away. Coorg is well connected by road from both Bangalore and Mangalore.

Perched at 6,000 ft above sea level is a sleepy yet picture postcard-perfect village in northern West Bengal known for its spectacular views of the magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga. The beautiful meandering Teesta river completes the natural beauty of this place. Covered with thick pine forests, Sillery Gaon has many trekking trails and is also an ornithologist's delight as it is home to many exotic species of birds.

Sillery Gaon is located in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, and the nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 97 km away. The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri, at a distance of 94 km. Being at such a high altitude, the place experiences pleasant weather during the summer months, which is the peak tourist season. The best time to visit Sillery Gaon, however, is between October – December when the Kanchenjunga can be viewed in all its splendour. Monsoon months are best avoided.

Before proceeding on a camping trip, you should do your complete homework about the planned destination by checking out its average temperature, rainfall, availability of emergency infrastructure from your campsite, etc. You also need to prepare for the following camping essentials even if you are going out on a managed camping tour: