India’s Largest & Safest Trekking Organisation

Until the third week of April 2021, our treks have been running normally. But with increasing cases of Covid-19 reported across our country, we have had to take the hard call of suspending our treks for the next week. (Follow our latest updates here.)

This has not been an easy decision. But we do have to keep everyone’s safety in mind. We are noticing that the infection has started affecting our team members. We have managed to isolate them and take care of them. But further spreading in the mountains would be disastrous, where health care support is almost non-existent.

The safest thing to do at the moment is to stay home. If you have an upcoming trek, our advice is that you hold onto it. We are closely monitoring the Covid situation and will run our treks if we find it safe to do so. If not, your Experience Coordinator will get in touch with you, and share a further plan of action.

If you were planning to sign up for a trek, from June onwards would be the safest time to sign up. We see the vaccination drive going strong in the country, and expect to tide over the crisis by then. So plan treks from June onwards. You’ll find them here.

Unlike 2020, there is a silver lining of the vaccination drive in our country this year. We notice it reflecting in our registrations as well. 

Trekkers are signing up for treks from June onwards — our high adventure summer treks and monsoon treks. Buran Ghati, Rupin Pass, Bhrigu Lake, Pin Bhaba Pass, Valley of Flowers, Tarsar Marsar, Kashmir Great Lakes, Hampta Pass — these are treks that trekkers are planning for with the safety net of the vaccination drive. 

We do expect India to flatten the curve by June. So you can safely plan your treks around then. 

In fact, you’ll notice that many of the dates are already full, so plan your treks soon. 

In the worst case scenario, if things don’t pan out well, our cancellation policy will ensure you lose nothing even if you have to call off your trek. Read our cancellation policy here.

June and July are great months to do some of our best summer treks, as well as some of our best monsoon treks. June is a summer month that allows you access to our high altitude treks climbing to 16,000 ft. July, on the other hand, is the beginning of monsoon and opens up treks in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

All these treks are fast-filling. So plan your trek soon!

Here is the list of the best summer treks to do in June:

1. Buran Ghati
2. Rupin Pass
3. Gaumukh Tapovan
4. Kedartal
5. Phulara Ridge
6. Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Tal

Here are the best monsoon treks in our country (they are open only during July, August and September):

1. Hampta Pass
2. Valley of Flowers
3. Kashmir Great Lakes
4. Tarsar Marsar in Kashmir
5. Pin Bhaba Pass
6. Bhrigu Lake

Yes, this is an absolute must. At Indiahikes, we have made a Covid (RT-PCR) Test mandatory for all trekkers. This rule applies no matter which state you’re coming from.

This means you have to test yourself no more than 72 hours before your trek and carry a Covid negative report with you. 

Even the forest check posts of Uttarakhand have made Covid test reports mandatory to issue permissions for camping and trekking. 

For us, taking this step has not been easy. Many trekkers find it tough to get tested without symptoms. It is sometimes expensive. But it is a step in the direction of safety.  

What happens if you test positive? 

If you test positive, don’t worry about your trek. Nurse yourself back to good health and take care. You can do your trek in future. In that case, these would be your best options: 

1. We can help shift your trek dates to another season. It can either be the same trek or any other trek.
2. If you are not sure of the dates, take a Special Covid voucher that comes with a validity of 1.5 years. You can use this voucher while registering for any of our treks in India.

What happens if you cannot test? 

There are two options here as well. 

If you’re trekking in Uttarakhand, they have RT-PCR testing booths at Dehradun (both, at the airport and the train station). It’s a hassle-free experience and takes just five minutes. It’s also free, since it is organised by the government. 

If you’re not able to do the test at all, I’m afraid you’ll have to push your trek to a later date or call it off. In this case, we have tweaked our cancellation policy and made it very trekker-friendly. We understand the pain of cancelling a trek, and we don’t want you to lose out on anything. So take a look at it here, and if it comes to it, make use of the policy.

Should I do a Covid test while returning home from my trek?

Our advice is that you do a Covid test before or after you return to your city. There are testing centres that give you test reports within a day in Dehradun and Rishikesh. 

If you are traveling immediately after the trek, go ahead with your travel. Your city’s airport authorities will take a rapid antigen test once you land there. 

In case you do test positive, let your Experience Coordinators know so that they can notify other trekkers and our team members as well.

At Indiahikes, we make no compromises when it comes to safety. Since its inception Indiahikes has pioneered as well as established safety protocols that are strictly implemented across all treks.

In COVID times this attention to safety has been significantly amplified. After much research, brainstorming, and consultation with experts we have come up with a 31 point safety check. 

This includes safety processes before your trek, at the base camp, on your trek and even after you return. Read all the 31 steps here.

Yes, absolutely. Many solo trekkers join our teams and have wonderful experiences. They end up meeting like-minded people on the trek and don’t feel like they have come alone on the trek any more.

Our pre-trek experience team ensures that you know your entire team well much before you actually head out on the trek.

Additionally, we have several women trekkers who join us solo as well because of the safety they get with the Indiahikes team. You’re welcome to join us as a solo trekker too.

Many people are intimidated by the idea of a Himalayan trek. It’s true that there are very real risks and challenges.

However, almost everyone can participate in a Himalayan, if they are physically fit and mentally prepared for their trek. Around 75% of our trekkers are beginners and they trek comfortably.

What will really help you is that after you register your trek, the Indiahikes Pre-Trek Experience Team will guide you on how to prepare for the trek. They will give you a fitness routine to follow and guidance on what to bring for the trek. They will also put you in touch with the rest of your trekking team, so that you know your trek mates well in advance.

Given that we have been introducing Himalayan treks to beginners since 2008, you’re in safe hands.

Each trek has its own fitness requirements, which you can see in the “Get yourself fit” section on the relevant trek page. You will need to develop your fitness to meet these criteria before you start your trek.

We have several resources and videos on this website to help you get fit. Once you register for your trek, your trek coordinator will also be in touch regularly to provide additional support and check your progress.

With a regular fitness plan, the fitness requirements are achievable by most people and will ensure maximum enjoyment and safety during the trek.

You’re welcome to join us as a solo woman trekker. We take great pride in the fact that 35% of our trekkers are women, many of whom trek solo with us. This means, in any given trekking group, there are usually at least 4-5 women. So you can comfortably join us on a trek as a solo woman trekker.

To make sure you know your trek mates before you actually meet them, we have a Whatsapp group and a pre-trek briefing where you can meet them virtually. That way, you’ll not be trekking with complete strangers. On another note, if you have selected a particular trek group and want to know if there are women signed up in the group, you are welcome to give us a call to find out. You can reach out to us on +91-080-468-01269.

When you’re on the trek, our Trek Leaders are sensitized to handle all kinds of women’s issues. So whether you’re on your period, or anything is making you uncomfortable,  you can speak to our Trek Leader about it.

In terms of your safety and privacy, you will be staying with another woman in a tent. We also have separate toilet tents for men and women. If you have any further doubts, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Each trek is unique and may include different things in the trek fee. You can find out exactly what’s included in the “What’s Included” section on the relevant trek page (on some trek pages this information is located in the “Cancellation Policy” section).

Generally speaking, your trek free includes all costs while on the trek, including:

• Accommodation (e.g. tents and/or lodges)
• All meals (simple, nutritious and vegetarian)
• Expert trek leaders and support team
• Trekking and safety equipment
• All permits and camping charges

Your fee usually does not include expenses incurred in getting to and from the base camp or your personal equipment, such as your backpack, shoes or clothing.