UP Tourism Shifts Gears, Takes Adventure Trail to Kalinjar

Adventure Tourism Can Rewrite the Story of Uttar Pradesh’s Hidden Destinations: Jaiveer Singh

65 Riders Flagged Off on First Motorcycle Expedition Under ‘Visit My State’ Campaign 

Lucknow, Aug 2, 2026: Seeking to give adventure tourism a stronger foothold in Uttar Pradesh while drawing attention to destinations beyond the state’s established tourism circuit, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh on Sunday flagged off the inaugural edition of ‘The Riding Chapters: Visit My State’, a first of its kind motorcycle tourism initiative.

A convoy of nearly 65 riders rolled out from 1090 Chauraha in Lucknow on the two day expedition to the historic Kalinjar Fort in Banda. Covering nearly 330 km through Kanpur, Bindki and Banda, the expedition has been curated to showcase the region’s heritage, scenic landscapes and rural tourism experiences while encouraging travellers to explore destinations that often remain outside conventional itineraries.

Flagging off the expedition, Jaiveer Singh said Uttar Pradesh possesses immense scope for adventure tourism and that the department is committed to creating new tourism products that introduce travellers to the state’s hidden heritage.

“Uttar Pradesh has countless destinations of immense historical, cultural and natural significance that deserve wider recognition. Through initiatives like The Riding Chapters, we want to bring these hidden treasures into the tourism mainstream and inspire more people to experience a different side of the state,” he said.

The inaugural edition places the spotlight on Kalinjar Fort, one of India’s oldest living forts and among Bundelkhand’s most iconic heritage landmarks. Associated with Lord Neelkanth Mahadev, the Chandela dynasty and centuries of military history, the fort is increasingly emerging as a destination that offers a blend of heritage, spirituality, nature and outdoor exploration.

Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs Amrit Abhijat said Uttar Pradesh Tourism is increasingly focusing on thematic experiences that encourage travellers to venture beyond familiar destinations.

“Adventure and road based tourism have the potential to unlock destinations that have remained relatively unexplored despite their immense tourism value. The Riding Chapters is an important initiative in that direction, connecting travellers with Uttar Pradesh’s rich heritage, rural landscapes and hidden tourism assets,” he said.

The Kalinjar ride marks the first edition of The Riding Chapters, with the next expedition scheduled later this month covering Devdari Waterfalls, Rajdari Waterfalls and Chunar Fort, extending the initiative to another cluster of emerging destinations in eastern Uttar Pradesh.