The Venue Vagamon Hills

Vagamon, also known as the 'Scotland of Asia', with its rolling grasslands and having a history of the bygone British era with cool climate during most of the year, is situated at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts of kerala at an altitude of 1,100 meters. The event site at Vagamon is on the hills of Kolahalamedu, 4 kms (2.5 miles) from Vagamon. This is a part of South India's second highest peak, the Amruthamedu, having a 10 km long ridge with 3000 feet from top to bottom.

Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (ASSTA) was established to answer the need of providing skillful manpower and integrative interdisciplinary research which could support the growth of adventure sports as a supplementary tourism product and to propagate awareness of 'sustainable' tourism development. Through co-operation of several government and private sectors, the academy contributes to Tourism Development in both national and local scale. ASSTA with its operational base in Kochi was founded by a group of young enthusiasts with view a of introducing and further popularizing hitherto areas of unconventional aero, water and high terrain sports in Kerala. Two international Gliding festivals at the Vagamon Hills won international acclaims. The event, supported by the Department of Tourism attracted thousands of domestic and international tourists and was well accepted by the host community.

The event Vaga Challenge - The Rally of Vagamon and Paragliding Challenge.

This year ASSTA is also organizing The Rally of Vagamon, in connection with the Vaga Adventure Fest 2008, which is one among the internationally recognized and largest para-gliding championship event in the country. The rally comprises of two categories the Challenge and the Sport. Both categories are in the TSD format but through different routes and terrains. The challenge is only open for Four Wheel Drive and the sport is open for all vehicles other than the trucks and buses. The rally is planned through the hills and valleys of three districts of Kerala. Participants will be competing along a spectacular 200 km route through the hilly terrains of the Western Ghats. The terrain is quite tough and scenic. While the rally is a test of strength and endurance, this year we hope to attract plenty of motor sport enthusiasts will who have a memorable day with some adventure driving through the amazing stretch. The entertainment not only includes the rally, but also the post rally activities live music hot food and variety entertainments. The Vaga Rally is organized entirely by ASSTA team members along with local community supporters. This event features some of Kerala's most scenic driving routes along with the winding country lanes and mountain valleys. The event offers over 200 km on-and-off road routs a wide variety of programmes and activities including classes on defensive driving, rules to be followed while on the road and off road, safe driving and much