Buran Ghati

The September 13th, 15th, and 16th teams are progressing as per schedule.

The September 17th team is on the way to Janglik (crossed Tikkari) and is expected to reach by around 2:30 pm.

The weather was bright and sunny in the morning. Showers are likely in the afternoon.

Rupin Pass

The September 15th team has started for Saruwas Thatch from Jhaka today. 

The September 16th team is heading to Jhaka, their first campsite.

The September 17th team left Rohru at 9:45 am (crossed Tikkari) and is expected to reach by late afternoon.

The weather here is holding up for now.

Valley of Flowers

The September 12th team is travelling from Karchi to Rishikesh today. 

Other teams are progressing on the trek as per schedule.

Kuari Pass

The September 16th team is on schedule.

The September 17th team is on the way to Karchi.

The road from Rishikesh to Karchi is open, and the weather is holding up.

Kotgaon (Phulara Ridge & Har Ki Dun)

The weather was misty this morning after rain through the night.

The September 13th Phulara team successfully summited yesterday, returned to Bhoj Gadi, and set off for Hargaon this morning at 8:30 am.

The September 14th Phulara team successfully summited today. They are now on their way to Bhoj Gadi.

For Har Ki Dun, the route from Kotgaon to Dharkot is under restoration. A final update will come by late evening today or tomorrow morning.

For now, we are not taking the Mussoorie route to Kotgaon, since it’s damaged by the Dehradun rains. Whoever is travelling will be diverted via Vikas Nagar.

Gangotri (Gaumukh Tapovan)

It was sunny this morning.

The trekkers (from the 16th September group) who reached Gangotri a day early (on September 15th) have started their trek today.

The rest of the September 16th team, who were in Dehradun yesterday, started today along with the September 17th team.

They’re taking the Mussoorie–Suakholi route. 

Vehicles are changing at JP Bend because of a road blockage.

Kedartal

The September 17th team is on the way to Gangotri.

They’re taking the Yamuna Bridge–Vikas Nagar route, which adds about 2.5 hours compared to the Mussoorie route.

Raithal (Surya Top and Dayara Bugyal)

The September 13th and 14th teams are progressing on the trek on schedule.

Weather at Raithal basecamp is cloudy and foggy.

Our team at Raithal is preparing for the Dayara season as well, which begins on September 20th.

Sari (Deoriatal–Chandrashila)

Our teams are preparing to welcome the first group of the season starting September 20th.

The road from Rishikesh to Sari is clear.

We’ll keep you posted with more updates as they come in.

Buran Ghati
The September 16th team reached Janglik base camp this afternoon.

Rupin Pass
The September 16th team reached Jiskun base camp around 6 pm.

Kuari Pass
The September 16th team has also reached Karchi base camp.

Gaumukh Tapovan
The September 16th team was supposed to start from Dehradun today. 

But heavy rains in the region have caused road blockages, so they couldn’t begin their journey.

They are expected to start tomorrow morning.

As always, every decision is being taken with safety as the top priority.

We’ll keep you posted with more updates as we have them.

Phulara Ridge

At Phulara Ridge, both September 13th and 14th teams are on schedule. 

Kotgaon is seeing cloudy skies with a light drizzle.

We’re not taking the Mussoorie route to Kotgaon. Instead, we’re diverting through Vikas Nagar, since the Mussoorie road is damaged due to the Dehradun rains.

Buran Ghati

Over at Buran Ghati, the September 13th and 15th teams are trekking as planned. 

Weather is cloudy and misty, and rain is likely in the afternoon. 

Meanwhile, the September 16th team has started from Rohru this morning and should reach base by afternoon.

Rupin Pass 

On the Rupin Pass trail, the September 15th team has left Jiskun for their trek.

Light drizzle continues here, too.

The September 16th team is on their way from Rohru to Jiskun. 

Kuari Pass

The September 16th team left Rishikesh in the morning.

They’re currently held up near Devprayag but are expected to cross the landslide soon.

Our team is closely monitoring their movement through the stretch.

More updates as soon as we have them.

Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers trek is running smoothly, right on schedule.

Surya Top

The September 13th team is already at the summit today! 

The September 14th team is moving towards their second campsite. 

It rained in the morning on the Surya Top trail. At Raithal basecamp, the weather is foggy and cloudy.

Gaumukh Tapovan

The September 16th team was supposed to leave for Gangotri today. But heavy rains in Dehradun have delayed their start. 

Our ground teams are monitoring the situation closely. 

Movement will resume as soon as it’s safe. Safety is guiding every decision here.

We’ll keep you posted with more updates as they come in.

Rupin Pass

The Rupin season has begun.

The opening team, the September 15th group, set out from Rohru at 9:45 this morning. They’re expected to reach Jiskun by late afternoon. 

Roads are open till Jiskun, and the weather is holding up for now.

Buran Ghati

The September 13th Buran Ghati group is right on schedule. 

The September 15th team is already on its way to Janglik and should be at base by this afternoon.

That said, the tricky stretch at Tangnu — including the Janglik bridge — is still waiting to be cleared. For now, special arrangements are in place to help trekkers cross that patch safely and make it to base camp.

The weather has been playing its pattern here — clear skies in the first half, rain showers in the second. 

Nothing disruptive yet. We’re watching it closely and will keep you posted.

Valley of Flowers

The September 14th group started from Rishikesh yesterday and reached Karchi on time.

Meanwhile, the September 10th group is on its way back from Karchi to Rishikesh today.

The trek continues to run on schedule.

Kotgaon (Phulara Ridge)

The September 13th Phulara team, which stayed at Tiuni earlier, reached Kotgaon yesterday morning around 9:30 AM and wasted no time in starting their trek. 

The September 14th team is also on schedule.

The Dehradun–Kotgaon road is open.

Gangotri & Raithal

The September 16th trekkers have started arriving at Gangotri base camp. The full team is expected by tomorrow, as planned.

The Gaumukh Tapovan teams of September 13th and 14th were redirected to Surya Top, and they are now on the Surya Top trail.

Roads from Dehradun to Uttarkashi and Gangotri are open.

We’re tracking all slopes closely and will bring you more updates as they come in.

Buran Ghati

The first team of the season has reached our Janglik campus this afternoon.

They’re all set to start the trek as scheduled.

Valley of Flowers

Meanwhile, the September 13th Valley of Flowers group began their journey from Rishikesh to Karchi today — and they’ve already reached Karchi.

The trek is running right on schedule.

We are tracking other regions too and will bring you updates as they come in.

Valley of Flowers

Our September 12th Valley of Flowers team left Rishikesh this morning, heading towards Karchi. 

The weather is holding steady, and the trek is on schedule.

Buran Ghati

The roadblock near Diudi has been cleared — good news from the ground. 

But the stretch at Tangnu (close to Janglik bridge), including the Janglik bridge, is still awaiting clearance. For now, special arrangements are in place to help upcoming teams cross that patch and reach Janglik base camp. 

The weather continues to hold up. 

We’ll share updates as soon as the road condition changes.

Ranthan Kharak

Preparations are underway for the Ranthan Kharak season. 

The route from Kathgodam to Gogina is through. Our team is travelling today and tomorrow to set up the base.

More updates from all regions will follow as soon as we have them.

When most people think of Green Trails, they picture trekkers bending down on trails, filling up their eco-bags, doing their part to clean the mountains. And yes, that is part of it. However, the truth is that Green Trails runs much deeper at Indiahikes. It isn’t a campaign we run on the side. It’s at the heart of how we think, how we work, and how we make decisions every single day.

This story is a good example. On the surface, it’s about masalas. But really, it’s about what Green Trails means to us.

A Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

For years, something small had been bothering us: single-use masala packets.

Every week, close to a thousand trekkers trek with Indiahikes. That means three meals a day, across kitchens in the Himalayas. And behind those meals? A mountain of masala packets.

Most masalas come in 200 g or 500 g packets. Even when we managed to buy in larger packs, manufacturers rarely went beyond 2–3 kilos. For us, the numbers added up shockingly fast. Just eight masalas we used regularly meant nearly 11,000 packets a year.

The worst part? These packets are made of multilayered plastic — non-recyclable, non-biodegradable, impossible to repurpose.

We knew this had to change.

First Attempts That Didn’t Work

Our first idea was straightforward: buy loose masalas without packaging.

But when we tried it, we immediately ran into problems. The loose masalas were adulterated. We couldn’t trace their source. And as far as food quality went, it was a big red flag.

We experimented with buying raw ingredients and taking them to mills for grinding. But again, adulteration crept in. Plus, the process was slow and unsupervised.

It felt like we were stuck between two poor choices: good quality but unsustainable packets, or bulk masalas of questionable quality.

That’s when our founder asked a question that stopped us in our tracks: “Why don’t we make our own masalas?”

A Radical Shift: Making Our Own Masalas

At first, the idea felt absurd. We are a trekking organisation, not a restaurant. We don’t have chefs, we have mountain folk trained to cook for trekkers. And here we were, talking about roasting, grinding, and blending 20–30 kilos of spices at a time.

But the more we thought about it, the clearer it became: both quality and sustainability were at stake. And those were two things we could never compromise.

So we took the plunge.

Two Weeks in the Indiahikes Masala Factory

We started small, with jeera. Debadrita, our Head of Food Experience, moved to Dehradun for two weeks. She hand-picked the jeera herself, roasted it, ground it, and instantly, the difference was obvious. The aroma, the freshness, the purity — it was nothing like store-bought masalas.

That success lit the fire.

For two weeks, our office turned into a masala-making unit. Our team handpicked chillies, turmeric, coriander, and nutmeg from trusted vendors. They spent hours on the terrace, sun-drying ingredients, and when the rains didn’t cooperate, they roasted carefully — because even a small slip could change the flavour.

Day after day, cinnamon, fennel, fenugreek, star anise, pepper, cloves, bay leaves, and more went into the grinder. The office was filled with fragrance. Clothes carried the aroma of freshly roasted spices.

By the end, we had enough masalas to last through September — including blends like chai masala, chole masala, and sambar powder. Packed in airtight containers, sealed and labelled, they were shipped off to all our slopes. Not a single plastic packet needed.

The Results Were Immediate

First, the quality improved dramatically. Pure, fresh spices in every meal.

Second, consistency. Whether you trek in Uttarakhand, Himachal, or Central India, you now taste the same Indiahikes food.

And third, the biggest win — we had completely eliminated 11,000 single-use plastic packets. Nobody will ever thank us for this, except the mountains. And that’s enough.

Trekking With Purpose

For us, this felt like a milestone — no less significant than when we introduced bio-toilets years ago. That too started with trial and error, but today they’re part of every trek, quietly protecting fragile mountains.

This masala initiative is similar. On the outside, it may look like a small change. But its impact will last.

So when you trek with Indiahikes, know this: every meal you eat carries not just flavour, but intent. It’s cooked with spices we source, sun-dry, roast, and grind ourselves — consciously, for your health, and for the mountains.

And this is only one story. Behind the scenes, we’re working on many more — from sourcing paneer without plastic packaging, to finding alternatives for sauces and noodles.

Green Trails is not just about what trekkers see on the trail. It’s about what happens in the background. And every one of these choices brings us closer to the kind of trekking we believe in — trekking with purpose.

Rupin Pass

The route from Chandigarh to Shimla is clear, and the last stretch from Rohru to Jiskun — which was blocked earlier — opened up yesterday for vehicles.

Half our staff and Trek Leaders reached Jiskun yesterday, and the rest of the team is on their way today. 

We’ll keep sharing updates as the weather and road conditions change.

Buran Ghati

The Chandigarh–Shimla route is open. 

But the last leg to Janglik still has roadblocks.

If all goes smoothly, the road up to Janglik bridge should be clear in the next 2–3 days.

Meanwhile, we’ve already made alternate arrangements for our first two groups heading to Janglik, so their travel is smooth. 

Our staff, trek leaders, and guides are already stationed at Janglik.

We’ll keep you posted on how quickly the restoration wraps up.

Gangotri & Uttarkashi

The Dehradun–Gangotri road is functional. 

For now, the administration is allowing only smaller vehicles like Boleros to pass through Dharasu.

Our team travelled from Raithal to Gangotri this afternoon and didn’t face major roadblocks along the way. 

So movement, while a little restricted, is happening.

Kotgaon

The route from Dehradun to Kotgaon is open and running without trouble.  Traffic is a little slow. 

Valley of Flowers

Both the 9th and 10th September groups on the Valley of Flowers trek are on schedule. No delays reported.

We’re closely tracking the situation in all these regions, and you’ll have the next update from us as soon as we get it.

Talking about periods is still not easy. It’s private, hushed, and often brushed aside.

Which is why what happened on August 31st at our Karchi campus felt so important — and why it fits so closely with our Green Trail initiative. At Indiahikes, we don’t just focus on treks; we consciously try to create conversations and actions that leave a positive impact on people and the planet.

For the first time, 22 women from the Mahila Mandal Dal came together for a session on menstrual hygiene and how to reduce sanitary waste.

It was led by our Trek Leaders, Vidya and Srijita, along with our local guide Aditi. The Pradhan was there too, as well as the Mahila Mandal Dal Adhyaksh.

We began with the basics. What are periods? Why do they happen? Why are they linked to good health?

Simple questions. But important questions.

Once the ice broke, the conversation flowed. How do we stay clean? How do we prevent infections? How do we deal with discomfort? These were the questions they really wanted answers to. And the discussion helped.

Because it was only women in the room, there was trust. And with trust, stories started to pour out.

They spoke about struggles they usually keep to themselves. Health issues, personal challenges, and things they rarely get to say out loud.

From there, the discussion widened. We spoke about sanitary waste. What happens to all the pads that get thrown away each month?

This is where we brought up cloth pads. The women immediately understood the idea.

Cloth pads meant less waste piling up in their homes and across the village. And since they can be used for months at a time, they’re also easier on the pocket.

During the conversation, Eco Femme's example was also shared. They help women to shift to cloth pads, and guide them to make and sell these pads locally. If the women chose to take this up, it could become a small source of income, while also introducing a sustainable option into their own community.

By the end of the session, many of them made a promise — they would switch to cloth pads.

There was another important conversation too. We spoke about menopause. Most women admitted they had never fully understood what happens during this stage of life.

They went back not just with answers, but with the awareness to talk about it openly among themselves.

For us, the biggest takeaway was this — when women are given a safe space, they don’t hold back. They talk. And when they talk, change begins.

From the outside, it may look like a small step. But for the women who came that day, it was much more — a step into awareness, openness, and the possibility of change.

This is Indiahikes’ effort — steering conversations around menstrual hygiene, showing how it can be approached sustainably, and linking it to our Green Trail initiative, where every action is conscious, intentional, and mindful of people and the planet.

Of course, there is a long way to go. Change doesn’t happen in one session. It needs continuous revisits and interventions.

Our Indiahikes team on the ground is ready for this. This is only the beginning. And just like every trek we do, this is a step taken consciously, with care for the community and the environment — the kind of change that matters.

The Dharasu landslide has been cleared, which means the road to Uttarkashi is open. Our team on the ground confirms it.

Smaller vehicles are moving through, but the bigger ones are still waiting. 

Traffic is slow, and the jam stretches quite a way.

Rupin Pass

The road patch before Jiskun has been cleared, and vehicles can now go all the way up to Jiskun.

This means the stretch from Rohru to Jiskun is open and moving again.

We’ll share more updates as soon as we have them.

Kotgaon

The road from Dehradun to Kotgaon is clear for now. 

The road from Kotgaon to Dhatmeer isn’t holding up. Which means our Har Ki Dun teams are the ones impacted.

Because of this, we’re diverting our September 13th and 14th Har Ki Dun teams to Phulara Ridge.

Our Experience Coordinators are already in touch with trekkers. They’re making sure everyone has the right information and that the shift happens smoothly.

Buran Ghati

Our teams on the ground confirm that the route from Chandigarh to Shimla is through, and the onward stretch from Shimla to Rohru is also currently open

The road to Janglik isn’t open yet. Beyond Rohru, there are two blocks — one stretch of about 1.5 km near Diudi, and then the Janglik bridge, which has collapsed.

With both these blocks, vehicles can’t reach Janglik right now. Clearing this is going to take some time.

Rupin Pass

The stretch from Chandigarh to Shimla is through, and the road from Shimla to Rohru is also functional.

Roughly 2 km before the base, the road has four blocks.

Restoration work is in progress, and if the pace picks up, it should open by tomorrow. If not, give it another day.

Gangotri

There’s been a landslide at Dharasu this morning, which has blocked the road to Uttarkashi.

The stretch hasn’t opened yet, but it’s expected to clear soon. 

Even then, traffic is already building up, so movement will be slow and will take a while to settle. 

A little further up, though, the road from Raithal to Gangori is open for smaller vehicles

Valley of Flowers

The September 10th team should be reaching Karchi any moment now. The team didn’t see any major road disruptions.

With the weather holding up, the trek is right on schedule.

We’re closely tracking the situation, and you’ll have the next update from us as soon as we get it.

All our treks starting from Manali have been called off until the 15th of September. This includes Hampta Pass, Chandrakhani Pass, Bhrigu Lake, and Beas Kund.

Our team met with the Kullu administration to understand when tourism in the region can resume. 

At the moment, many routes are still blocked, and the Himachal government has invoked the Disaster Management Act. With these conditions, getting permits was not possible. 

We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as soon as there’s progress.

Our Experience Coordinators are personally in touch with trekkers from these groups. Every update is being communicated over email and through WhatsApp groups, so trekkers know exactly what to expect..

Valley of Flowers Trek Update

The 10th September group is on their way to Karchi. They’ve made it till Srinagar without facing any roadblocks so far. 

If conditions stay the same, they should be able to reach Karchi by tonight. 

Uttarkashi Road Update
A landslide at Dharasu this morning has blocked the route to Uttarkashi once again.

The route is expected to open shortly.

From Raithal, our ground team reports that the way up to Gangotri from Raithal is currently open, but only smaller vehicles are being allowed through

We’re closely tracking the situation, and you’ll have the next update from us as soon as we get it.

Raithal is now accessible.

The landslide at Uttarkashi has been cleared, but vehicle movement is still very slow, causing traffic to build up.

We’ll share further updates on the Gangotri route as soon as we have more information from the ground.

Valley of Flowers

The 9th September group started from Rishikesh this morning and is making its way to Karchi.

The weather is clear for now, and there haven’t been any major disruptions on the roads.

They are expected to reach Karchi in a couple of hours, though minor delays can occur depending on local conditions along the route.

Buran Ghati & Rupin Pass

Road conditions for Buran Ghati and Rupin Pass treks remain largely unchanged from yesterday. (Click here to read yesterday’s road update)

• Rupin Pass: Restoration work is still in progress.
• Buran Ghati: Work is expected to start from tomorrow.

Ground teams report sunny conditions for the next few days, but weather in the mountains can change quickly, so our teams remain cautious.

Gangotri

The road to Gangotri continues to remain closed due to the landslides reported yesterday at multiple stretches, including Uttarkashi. 

Clearance work is still underway, but it will take time before the route is stable and safe for travel. 

Kotgaon

Roads to Kotgaon are open at the moment, but evening rain showers are slowing things down. It’s best for trekkers to reach the pick-up point on time to avoid additional delays.

We’re keeping a close watch on road conditions across all four regions. Updates will be shared as soon as there are any changes on the ground.

Redirected Groups

Due to road conditions on the route to Gangotri, the Gaumukh Tapovan groups on 13th and 14th September are being redirected to Surya Top.

Our experience coordinators are in constant touch with the trekkers, ensuring clear communication and arranging what’s necessary to make this change as smooth as possible.

Buran Ghati
Our teams on the ground confirm that the route from Chandigarh to Shimla is through, and the onward stretch from Shimla to Rohru is also currently open. 

Yet, the route up to this point remains fragile at certain points, especially at Chailla and Dothi, where heavy rains could trigger blockages.

Beyond Rohru, the road to Janglik is blocked in two locations: near Diudi, where a 1.5 km section has been blocked, and at the Janglik bridge, which has collapsed. 

Both these blockages have cut off vehicle access to Janglik, and clearing them will require some time.

Rupin Pass
The stretch from Chandigarh to Shimla is through, and the road from Shimla to Rohru is also functional.

For Rupin too, the route up to this point remains fragile at certain points, especially at Chailla and Dothi, where heavy rains could trigger blockages.

Beyond Rohru, the road to Jiskun remains blocked, roughly half an hour before the village.

This stretch is expected to open up by the time our Rupin Pass trek begins, but for now, the blockages are a reality our teams are carefully navigating.

Gangotri
Just an hour ago, our team reported a major landslide at Dharasu, which has brought all vehicle movement to a halt. 

Further up, there are two more active landslides — one close to Gangnani and another at Dabarani. Clearing these is expected to take some time. 

Even once the route reopens, restrictions are likely, especially for larger vehicles that may not be allowed through.

We are monitoring all three regions very closely, with our teams on the ground. 

Updates will continue to follow as the situation develops.

Last month’s flash flood in Uttarkashi has left all of us in the trekking and mountain community shaken. Many of you may have seen that unnerving video from Dharali doing the rounds — water suddenly surging down, carrying devastation in its path. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile our mountains are, and how vulnerable the communities living here have become.

And this isn’t a one-off. Just days ago, we had to evacuate 73 trekkers, staff, and shepherds from Miyar after the Gompa Nala turned ferocious overnight.  We’ve all seen how Manali looked this time. Rains triggered daily landslides and road closures. Our Pin Bhaba teams were stuck at Rampur, Peo, and even Yangpa — waiting days before roads could clear. Rockfalls and landslides made travel dangerous there.

We’ve seen this pattern for years, but this year in 2025, the monsoon has turned exceptionally heavy. The conditions worsened to alarming levels.

Against this backdrop, Swathi sat down with Arjun, our founder and CEO, for an important conversation: How Nature’s Unpredictability Is Changing Trekking.

Arjun observed that the mountain seasons we once knew have blurred. Where there were once six distinct seasons, today monsoons spill into extended rains, snow arrives unseasonably, and Western Disturbances strike outside their usual rhythm. What trekkers could once rely on as “safe zones” for landslides are no longer reliable. Roads and trails close without warning; flash floods and rockfalls appear overnight; rivers swell and bridges collapse. The infrastructure we took for granted is now fragile.

Arjun pointed out that what we are seeing is not just the impact of a changing climate. A large part of the problem also lies in unplanned construction in fragile mountain regions.

He noted that the bigger losses are occurring in towns and villages, where construction often interferes with nature’s natural flow. With tourism growing rapidly, trees are cut, land use is altered, and the soil itself grows weaker.

Yet amidst this uncertainty, Arjun reassured that Indiahikes is adapting with vigilance. The safety strategy has two pillars: one, to move away from high-risk route zones; and Two, we’re doubling down on preparedness — investing in better gear, training our teams rigorously, and scouting alternative trails in rain-shadow regions.

It is sobering, no doubt. The mountains are changing faster than ever before. And with them, trekking also has to change.

Both the 26th August and 30th August Pin Bhaba teams are now on their way to Shimla. The 26th August group moved out from Peo, while the 30th August group began their journey from Yangpa.

Our ground team has confirmed their movement, and current road conditions appear stable. Both teams are expected to reach Shimla later tonight.

We will share further updates as soon as we receive them

The 26th August Pin Bhaba group is moving towards Shimla today. 

They are currently halted between Nathpa and Nigulsari. Nigulsari is expected to open in a few hours, but with nearly 500 vehicles queued to cross, it will take time. Ahead at Jeori, a massive boulder is blocking the road. Authorities expect this to be cleared by noon.

Meanwhile, the 30th August Pin Bhaba group has also begun their journey from Yangpa towards Shimla. Trek leaders are travelling alongside their teams, supported by Indiahikes staff members who are assisting on the ground. 

• In case the Jeori roadblock requires trekkers to cross on foot, backup vehicles will be arranged on the other side to ensure smooth onward movement.
• In total, 28 trekkers — 11 from the 26th August team and 17 from the 30th August team — are expected to reach Shimla today.

We will keep you posted with further updates as we receive them.

From Valley of Flowers: 

• Our 31st August groups are already on their way back to Rishikesh, with no roadblocks along the route. 
• The 2nd September group, meanwhile, stayed at Karchi today. They went to Badrinath and returned. 

On the Pin Bhaba side:

The movement has begun. The 26th August team was shifted from Kaza today and has reached Peo. Our team is in constant touch with the local authorities. If the road opens tonight, they will begin moving towards Shimla tomorrow morning.

For the 30th August group, trekkers continue to remain at Yangpa. Vehicles have been sent up today to pick them. If they reache by tonight, we will begin their return journey to Shimla tomorrow.

As always, our focus is on moving teams only when it’s safe — in close coordination with local authorities and ground teams.

For the past month and a half, Himachal and Uttarakhand have been battered by rain. We’ve seen landslides, collapsing roads, blocked routes — and naturally, trekkers are asking, when will it finally be safe to trek again?

At Indiahikes, we’ve had to call off most treks in Himachal and parts of Uttarakhand until September 7th. The reason is straightforward — the roads are simply not in good shape right now. And forecasts show the rain isn’t done yet; in fact, it might even intensify in early September.

But here’s what our 16 years of trekking in the Himalayas have taught us: rains usually start pulling back in the second half of September. By the first week of October, they’re gone, and the mountains open up safely.

So, from around September 18th–20th, treks can be planned again without worry. This is also when we are restarting our Insoul programs with schools and colleges.

It’s most likely going to be a lot safer than in August.

But if you still feel unsure, just reach out to our trek advisors — they’ll guide you through it.

On 30th August, the Indiahikes team visited Tugasi Government Primary School, where 20 students participated in a special program. The session was coordinated by Varun and Sachin, along with the school staff.

This wasn’t just another activity on the calendar. For Tugasi, it was the beginning of something larger. The strong participation of both the children and the school made this start truly significant

Starting with Introductions and Games

The program opened with an interaction led by Varun. He asked the children to introduce themselves and share what they want to become when they grow up. Their answers set the tone for the day.

To bring energy into the group, Varun led a game of Fire in the Mountains. The children played together, and it helped build a sense of comfort in the group.

A Lesson in Cleanliness

This was followed by a drawing session led by Rohan. 

He taught the basics of shading, guiding the children to draw a mountain landscape with tents in the foreground. 

In the first version of the drawing, the children showed plastic waste around the tents. They themselves noticed that it spoiled the scene. When Rohan suggested, “Ab isko saaf karte hain,” they erased the waste. 

The cleaner drawing immediately stood out. Through this, the children connected with the idea of keeping the outdoors free of waste. 

Learning About Sustainability and Fire Making

Aditya and Varun then introduced waste segregation. 

After a short Green Sweep around the school, they explained how to separate waste into different categories. The children actively participated and understood how such small steps can lead to a big impact..

The next activity was on outdoor survival skills. 

The team showed how to start a fire using a flint and a magnifying glass, while also explaining the risks of fire in the mountains and why it should be avoided. They watched intently, absorbing each detail of the hands-on demonstration 

The session highlighted both the method and the precautions.

Reflections and Pledge

At the end, each child received a cookie and shared what they had learned. Several students said they would avoid creating waste and would segregate plastic. Others spoke about enjoying the drawing and survival activities.

The program closed with the children taking a pledge not to spread or generate waste and to keep their surroundings clean. Teachers and the principal welcomed the effort and suggested similar activities could be extended to the wider community.

I want to pause here to note this — what happened in Tugasi was not just another school activity. It went deeper. 

The conversations and exercises were not about delivering a lecture on sustainability. They were about experiencing it — about children noticing, questioning, and choosing to make a change on their own.

Change does not come from one-off sessions or quick interventions. It comes from these small, steady moments where awareness becomes action. 

And in Tugasi, on that morning, we witnessed exactly that.

In the wake of blocked roads, we have had to make several difficult calls regarding upcoming treks.

Hampta Pass:

The 8th, 9th, and 10th September groups stand cancelled. For the upcoming 11th and 12th September groups, trekkers are being given a free rescheduling option.

Valley of Flowers:

The 6th and 7th September groups are being called off. Trekkers from the 8th, 9th, and 10th September groups also have the option of free rescheduling.

Beas Kund:

The 13th and 14th September groups will not be going ahead on Beas Kund. Instead, these trekkers are being shifted to the Bhrigu Lake trek.

Our Experience Coordinators are in direct touch with every trekker from these batches, sending updates over email and WhatsApp. 

Updates on Ongoing Treks

Pin Bhaba Pass:

• The 23rd August team has reached Shimla. 
• The 25th August group, travelling alongside the 23rd August team, has also arrived safely in Shimla.
• The 26th August team remains stationed at Kaza. With the weather showing some relief today — skies opening up and conditions likely to hold tomorrow — we will be moving them either towards Manali or Shimla, depending on which route clears first.
• The 30th August team is currently at Yangpa.

Kanamo Peak:

The 30th August Kanamo team, travelling alongside the Pin Bhaba 23rd and 25th August groups, has also reached Shimla.

Valley of Flowers:

• The 30th August group has completed their return journey and is now back in Rishikesh.
• The 2nd September group, which did not receive permits for Hemkund Sahib, visited Bhavishya Badri today instead. They have now returned to our base camp in Karchi. If the Valley reopens, this group may still be able to complete the trek. For now, we are in continuous conversation with the team. Every decision ahead will be taken based on the latest updates on permissions and weather.

Across all locations, trekkers are safe, and our teams on the ground are ensuring their well-being. 

These calls have been made with trekker safety as the foremost priority. Further updates will follow as soon as we have them.

Pin Bhaba & Kanamo Peak

Trekkers of the Pin Bhaba (23rd and 25th August) teams and the Kanamo (30th August) team are now at Rampur, after rockfalls have made the road ahead unsafe for travel. Indiahikes has taken the call to halt movement at this point, accommodating the trekkers around 100 km short of Shimla.

It is not safe to move forward under these conditions, and the decision has been made keeping the trekkers’ safety as the foremost priority. All teams are safe and being looked after until the route opens up again.

Meanwhile, the 26th August Pin Bhaba team remains safe and stationed in Kaza. Another Pin Bhaba team, the 30th August team, remains at Yangpa.

Our teams are present at each location, ensuring that trekkers are safe, fully supported, and accommodated until road access opens again.

Valley of Flowers

The 1st September Valley of Flowers group, which reached base camp yesterday, has begun their return journey to Rishikesh. Full trek vouchers have already been issued to this team.

Meanwhile, the 2nd September group, who were accommodated at Pipalkoti last night due to landslides, has now moved ahead to Karchi. With permits unavailable for the Hemkund Sahib on the 3rd and 4th of September, they have been given the option of doing a hike near Karchi.

The 29th August group has successfully completed their trek and returned to Rishikesh.

Looking ahead, the 5th September Valley of Flowers group stands cancelled due to weather conditions. Our Experience Coordinators are in direct touch with all trekkers from these groups, updating them regularly over email.

A decision on the 6th September group will be taken once there is further clarity on the weather. More updates will follow.

Because of unsafe weather and blocked road conditions, we are calling off our Manali treks — Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake, Beas Kund, Chandrabhaga Glaciers, Bijli Mahadev, and Chanderkhani Pass — till 7th September. This decision is absolute, taken with trekker safety at the core.

Pin Bhaba Pass

For the Pin Bhaba teams that began their journey back towards Shimla, the road conditions have turned challenging. Multiple landslides between Rampur and Shimla have forced trekkers to halt short of their destination.

The 23rd August team, which moved from Yangpa today, has been accommodated at Geori after being stopped by a landslide at Jakri. They could not move ahead.

The 25th August team, which set out from Reckong Peo this morning, has also been halted at Badhal for the same reason. 

Meanwhile, the 26th August team managed to move safely to Kaza this afternoon. They will be staying there tonight.

The 30th August team, descending from the first campsite at Mulling, is stationed at Yangpa for now. It is prudent to hold them here until the road situation clears up.

Kanamo Peak

The Kanamo Peak team too had plans of moving back to Shimla today. But given the same road conditions and landslide risks, they have also been halted at Geori. 

Across Pin Bhaba and Kanamo, our teams remain safe and accommodated at secure locations. We will move them forward to Shimla the moment the road situation improves.

Valley of Flowers Trek

The 2nd September group is on its way to Karchi, while the 28th August group, completing their trek, is travelling back towards Rishikesh. Both teams are progressing and are expected to reach their destinations as scheduled. 

However, the 3rd and 4th September groups have been cancelled. Permissions to Hemkund Sahib have been suspended, and the Badrinath temple has been closed owing to extreme weather conditions.

From 5th September, the trek is likely to run as scheduled.

Chandrabhaga Glaciers Trek

Because of extreme weather conditions and fresh snowfall on the trail, it is not possible to run the 7th September group of the Chandrabhaga Glaciers trek. The group is being called off.

Our Experience Coordinators are in direct touch with all trekkers from these groups, updating them over email.

Kanamo Peak Trek

After being held at Jakri for the past few days, the 30th August Kanamo Peak team is finally making its way back to Shimla. 

The team could not proceed further towards Kibber and onward with their trek due to the road blockages ahead. The decision to bring them down has been taken keeping trekker safety at the centre.

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Alongside Kanamo, all Pin Bhaba teams are also descending.

The 23rd August team, which had been halted at Yangpa, is moving back to Shimla today.

The 25th August team, which had been stationed at Reckong Peo, is also returning to Shimla.

The 26th August team reached Mudh, but with multiple rockfalls reported on the road to Kaza, they will stay put at Mudh for now. Their movement ahead will depend entirely on the road conditions.

The 30th August team has already moved down from the Mulling campsite. Once they descend from the trek, they will start their return journey towards Shimla.

At every stage, the safety of our trekkers is guiding the decisions being made.

Across all treks, every decision continues to be guided by trekker safety. Movement is being managed step by step, in close alignment with ground conditions.

Further updates will follow as soon as we have them.

In the wake of persistent weather conditions in Himachal, two upcoming groups have been cancelled.

• The Hampta Pass 4th September group will not run.
• The Bijli Mahadev 6th September group is also called off.

Our Experience Coordinators are in direct touch with all trekkers from these groups, updating them over email.

At every step, trekker safety remains the uncompromising principle guiding our decisions.

All trekkers across our Himalayan treks are being offered a free rescheduling option till the 7th September groups. 

Kanamo Peak Trek

The 30th August Kanamo Peak team is still halted at Jakri, near Rampur. We will move them onward as soon as the road restores.

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

• The 23rd August team remains at Yangpa.
• The 24th August Pin Bhaba team managed to cross the landslide at Nigulsari on foot and is now on their way to Shimla. Movement on this route remains unpredictable as of now, and we will only move trekkers when conditions are stable.
• The 25th August team is stationed at Reckong Peo.
• The 26th August team has reached Mudh.
• The 30th August team is held at the Mulling campsite due to bad weather. 

All trekkers are safe..

We are monitoring the road situation closely and will move trekkers the moment conditions allow.

Valley of Flowers Trek

The trek continues to progress on schedule.

•  The 27th August group has travelled from Karchi to Rishikesh.
• The 1st September team is currently on their way to Karchi.

Further updates will follow as soon as we have them.

Kanamo Peak Trek

The 30th August Kanamo Peak team remains halted at Jakri, near Rampur. Multiple landslides across the route have brought movement to a standstill. 

We are in constant touch with the authorities, and the team will be moved forward the moment the road opens.

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

A similar situation continues here. The 23rd August team remains halted at Yangpa. Their movement towards Shimla depends on the road clearance.

The 24th August team, which started from Mudh today, also could not make it to Shimla. They are safely accommodated at a hotel in Reckong Peo.

Valley of Flowers Trek

Valley of Flowers is progressing. Two teams were on the move between Rishikesh and Karchi. The 31st August team is en route from Rishikesh to Karchi, while the 26th August team is returning from Karchi to Rishikesh. Both are expected to reach their destinations shortly.

We will continue to share fresh updates as the situation develops

Kanamo Peak Trek

The 30th August team, meant to reach Kaza yesterday, could not make it. They are still halting at Jakri, close to Rampur.

The plan is to move them onward as soon as the road blockages are cleared.

Pin Bhaba Pass trek

• The 30th August team has started the trek today after the rain stopped.
• The 23rd August team is still halting at Yangpa. And the 24th August team started from Mudh to Shimla as of now. We are assessing the road situation continuously.

More updates on these two groups as soon as we have them.

Valley of Flowers

There are two teams that are travelling between Rishikesh and Karchi.

• The 31st August team is traveling from Rishikesh to Karchi to begin their trek.
• The 26th August team was stuck in a landslide in the morning, but it got cleared soon and they are also on the move.

The trek is running on schedule.

We will share more updates as soon as we have them.