Introducing the Educator's Scholarship: Witness the Impact of Trekking!

We have something extremely special to share with you, something we have never done before.

We are introducing a full scholarship for educators on our treks. This is a special initiative by the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

This initiative stems from a simple observation we've made: when educators personally undergo the transformative experience of a trek, they become aware of the impact it has. They suddenly see the possibilities it opens up for their students’ holistic growth.

This experience will dispel their fears and misgivings about the outdoors, instead opening them up to the immense possibilities that the outdoors has to offer students.

We want educators to witness the impact of trekking firsthand, so that they can pass on the goodness of it.

How does it work?

If you are an experienced educator and have been considering incorporating the outdoors into your curriculum, then this is perfect for you.

You can apply for any of our easy and easy-moderate treks, to join us and observe how we design our trekking programmes. These are not specifically experiential learning programmes, but you will get a clear picture of how it can translate to your students.

If you have a young child or family members who want to accompany you for the trek, you could join one of our special family treks where the rest of your family members sign up as regular trekkers.

If you qualify for the scholarship, we will cover the entire cost of your trek. This means that every aspect of your journey, including food, accommodation, guidance, and the complete trekking experience from base camp to base camp, will be fully sponsored by Indiahikes. The only thing you need to take care of is getting to and from the base camp.

After the programme, if you're convinced that you'd like to introduce this at your institution, our InSOUL team will hand-hold you with workshops and world-class reference material on experiential learning. Working with the best institutions for over 11 years, they know exactly what each institution needs to take this step.

Eligibility criteria for the Educator's Scholarship:
This program is open to experienced educators who are keen to explore how trekking can enrich learning in their institutions.

• School teachers and university professors with minimum 5 years of teaching experience
• Must be physically fit and able to meet the trek’s fitness requirements
• Genuine interest in outdoor learning and bringing it into your classrooms

What Documentation Is Required:

To apply, you’ll need a letter from your Head of Institution on the school or university letterhead, stating the purpose of availing the scholarship. This could be to:

• Understand how outdoor education can be introduced in your institution
• Observe and evaluate our safety protocols and student experience
• Recce a trek in preparation for a student group already scheduled to trek with us

You will also need to upload a personal letter of intent showing how you qualify for the scholarship.

What Happens Next:

Once you submit your application form, you’ll be scheduled for a call with our programme advisor from InSOUL. This conversation will help you understand what to look out for on the trek such as facilitation methods, student engagement, safety practices, or planning your own school’s journey.

Why Teachers Who Trek Become Change-makers

We’ve seen that when an educator goes on a trek, they see in a very real way how powerful this experience can be for young people. The long walks, the shared challenges, and the time spent in nature all play a role in shaping character, building confidence, and bringing out a deeper connection with nature in students.

They’re not fazed by the discomfort of the cold, using bio toilets or a steep climb. They see the bigger picture. And once they do, they often return as our strongest advocates, wanting their students to experience the same learning and growth they have they’ve glimpsed on the trail.

When an educator returns from a trek with conviction, they become the spark that inspires an entire school to follow. They’ve seen the impact for themselves and that lived experience makes them the best people to talk to hesitant parents, fellow educators, and school leaders. 

We’ve seen this clearly with Renu Dimri Ma’am and Manju Subramaniam Ma’am, Principals of DPS Bangalore West and North respectively. After they, and a few other teachers trekked with Arjun Majumdar, our founder, something shifted. 

They came back deeply moved by what they had experienced not just as individuals, but as educators. That experience gave them the clarity and confidence to bring trekking into their schools in a meaningful way. 

Today, both DPS Bangalore North and West have made trekking a yearly tradition. For the last five years, students across all grades have been going on treks, and it all began with school heads and a few educators who saw the value and chose to lead the way.

What  Do Students Learn on a Trek?

We are often asked “what do students really learn on a trek”? The truth is, the impact isn’t always loud or immediate. When children spend a few days in the outdoors, carrying their own backpacks, walking long distances, setting up tents, managing without phones or creature comforts, they start to see themselves differently.

They learn to rely on themselves and on each other. They discover that they’re capable of much more than they thought. We see them come back with more confidence, a sense of responsibility, and a new kind of clarity. 

Many students reflect on their goals, their habits, and their mindset. Back at school, this often shows up as greater focus, more emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of purpose. 

However, we cannot say it in better words than Renu Dimri Ma’am, Principal of DPS Bangalore West:

“They come back much more engaged. Learning imbibed through first-hand experience remains with you forever. A classroom provides only one type of atmosphere where the academically inclined tend to thrive. Children who are quiet in class often get overlooked. The same children come back more confident after trekking. The trek perhaps gave them opportunities to achieve something significant, such as helping others. On a trek, there will be moments when you need support, even if you don’t want it. Children begin understanding that it’s good to ask for help. They don’t need to fight their battles alone”.

What Will Educators Experience on a Trek?

When you join us on a trek, you step into the experience as a participant, but  also as an observer and learner. 

All of our Easy and Easy-Moderate treks both in the South, Central India and in the Himalayas are suitable for fit beginners. These treks would give you a good idea of whether the trek is suited for students in terms of terrain and overall difficulty.

You will get a first-hand view of how we design and run our Himalayan and Central Indian treks from the way we structure each day, to how we manage logistics, safety, and group dynamics in a high-altitude setting. 

You will get to interact closely with our trained trek leaders and facilitators, and understand how learning can be intentionally built into the trek. You will get to visit our campuses at the base where a lot of behind-the-scenes planning and reflection happens. 

Through all of this, you will leave with a deep understanding of how trekking can be a structured, safe and an incredibly powerful learning experience for students. You will be able to leave with an understanding of how outdoor learning can be meaningfully integrated into your school’s culture.

Does our school have to sign up for a programme after this?   

Even if your school is unable to  sign up for a trek programme after this, we’re completely okay with it. What matters to us is that the educator who went comes back galvanised by the experience, with a deep understanding of the outdoors as a powerful space for learning. That in itself is a big step forward.

Outdoor Learning for Every Child and Young Person

At Indiahikes, we’ve always believed that trekking is one of the most powerful tools for learning and growth. Over the years, we’ve seen how the outdoors can shape young people in ways that classrooms often can’t. This is what led us to start the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

Through InSOUL, we’re working to bring meaningful outdoor learning experiences through trekking to children and young people across the country as a core part of their education. 

We want to see a future where learning through nature and challenge is woven into the fabric of every educational institution, where every young person has the opportunity to build courage, self-awareness, and connection through the outdoors. 

It’s a big vision, but we know it starts with small, committed steps and sometimes, with just one educator who sees the value and chooses to begin.

Still not sure if you are eligible or fit enough for this?

Write to our programme advisor for any clarification at learning@indiahikes.com