Sunni Finds New Life as Himachal’s Emerging Adventure Tourism Hotspot

A quiet town once known mainly for its historical roots is now carving out a fresh identity. Situated about 56 kilometres from Shimla, Sunni—nestled along the banks of the Sutlej River—is quickly gaining recognition as a growing hub for adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

Once the capital of the former Bhajji princely state until 1948, Sunni has transformed over the years into a vibrant destination for thrill-seekers. Today, activities like hot air ballooning, jet skiing, speed boating, bumper boat rides and ATV adventures are drawing increasing numbers of visitors. What was once a peaceful river town is now buzzing with excitement, especially during weekends, holidays and peak tourist seasons.

Tourists coming to Shimla and nearby areas are gradually discovering Sunni’s offerings, and the word is spreading fast. As awareness grows, so does the demand for these unique experiences, turning the area into one of the most talked-about adventure destinations in the region.

Behind this transformation are local entrepreneurs like Mohit Rattan Sharma, who runs a family-owned adventure tourism company in the Sunni–Tattapani belt. Sharing his journey, Sharma recalled that the road to establishing such activities was far from easy.

“Starting out was challenging,” he said. “We faced a lot of hurdles while introducing adventure tourism here. Even after launching, there were attempts to slow us down. But we stayed focused, worked hard and made sure our services were safe and professional. That eventually helped us gain trust and grow.”

The company initially began with water-based activities, including jet skiing, speed boating and bumper rides. Recently, they have added hot air ballooning to the mix—offering visitors a breathtaking aerial view of the Himalayan landscape and giving the region a truly world-class attraction.

Tourism officials are taking notice of this shift. Jagdish Sharma, District Tourism Officer for Shimla, described Sunni as one of the fastest-growing adventure tourism hubs in the district. He noted that activities such as paragliding, river rafting and boating are drawing large numbers of tourists and significantly boosting the local tourism economy.

Sunni’s proximity to Naldehra—already a popular tourist spot—has also worked in its favour. Visitors who head to Naldehra are increasingly extending their trips to explore the adventure experiences available in Sunni, creating a ripple effect in tourist movement across the region.

The rise in adventure tourism is also benefiting the local community. According to officials, many young people in the area have found new livelihood opportunities, whether through direct employment in tourism companies or by starting their own small ventures.

“Adventure tourism has opened several doors for local youth,” Sharma said. “It’s creating jobs, encouraging entrepreneurship and helping the local economy grow.”

The district administration, too, is making efforts to strengthen rural tourism and bring places like Sunni into the spotlight. One such initiative was seen during the recent International Shimla Summer Festival, where a hot air balloon experience by Rattan Aquaventure became a major attraction.

Officials said the idea was to showcase the untapped potential of lesser-known destinations. The sight of a hot air balloon floating above The Ridge during the festival caught the attention of thousands of visitors and sparked curiosity about adventure activities in the region.

“Hot air ballooning is still not widely known among tourists visiting Shimla,” an official explained. “So we used the festival as a platform to highlight what Sunni has to offer. The response was overwhelming and it helped create much-needed awareness.”

Thanks to such efforts, Sunni is steadily stepping out of the shadows and onto the tourism map. With its mix of scenic beauty, rich history and thrilling experiences, the town is proving that even lesser-known destinations can become major attractions when given the right push.

As the buzz continues to grow, Sunni stands as an example of how innovation, local enterprise and effective promotion can together reshape the future of tourism in Himachal Pradesh.