How Indiahikes Ensures the Safety of Women on Treks

We get a lot of questions from women trekkers about safety. And rightly so. It’s not easy stepping into the outdoors, especially into remote, unknown spaces, with largely strangers.

At Indiahikes, we’ve always held one non-negotiable belief: the outdoors must be a safe space for everyone, especially for women. This isn’t just a statement on paper; it’s a mission we’ve worked towards relentlessly for over a decade.

And the results are visible. Today, nearly 40% of our trekkers are women: a huge leap from the 5–10% we saw ten years ago. Many come solo. Many are trekking for the very first time. And many walk away with a newfound confidence that changes how they see themselves.

What’s equally remarkable is the shift within our team. Many of our trek leaders are women in what used to be a male-dominated industry. At the leadership level, five of our seven top decision-makers are women. 

In this article, we’re answering the most important questions we get from women trekkers. No fluff, just 8 quick points to give you clarity before you head out on your trek.

Each one is drawn from real experience, and everything you read here is something we’ve worked on over 16 years.

Will women be assigned women trek leaders?

We get this question a lot: Do women get women Trek Leaders?

The truth is, it’s not always possible. There are still very few women Trek Leaders in the system, so we can’t guarantee that.

However, every Indiahikes Trek Leader goes through training on respectful and professional behaviour with women. It’s part of their induction. 

Our male Trek Leaders are also sensitised to handle women-specific concerns, including issues like managing periods in the outdoors. They’re trained to provide the right support, ensure privacy, and make sure you feel completely comfortable bringing up any concern.

Beyond this, we have strict harassment prevention policies, with an internal POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. We are extremely strict about any deviation from our behavioural protocols.

Do I get to know my trek mates before we actually start the trek?

About a month before your trek, we create a WhatsApp group for your group. We want you to know who you’re trekking with. 

You’ll see how many women are in your group, and you can even connect with them in advance. These days, almost every group has women trekkers. And if you’d like to be extra sure, you can always call us before booking a date. We’ll tell you transparently how many women are in a certain group so you can choose a group you’re most comfortable with.

This early connection makes a big difference. Conversations start early, and names become familiar. By the time you meet your team at the base camp, it won't feel like you're meeting strangers. There’s already a sense of comfort.

And if you’ve opted for our transport, we make sure you travel with your batchmates right from the pickup point. So even before you reach the base camp, you already know each other.

How are the stay arrangements on the trek? 

On the trek, if you’re staying in a homestay, men and women trekkers are given separate rooms. If you’re in tents, it’s usually two in a tent—and as a woman, you’ll share with another woman. Unless you choose something different (say, if you’re with your partner.) 

If you’re a solo woman trekker, you will be sharing your stay with another woman. In the rare case that you are the only woman in your group, we will give you a tent to yourself, with additional warmth in the tent. 

These are questions we ask you at the base camp and plan accordingly. 

Should I keep my loved ones in the loop before the trek?

Yes. You must do three things before you head out on the trek. 

• Apprise your family of the golden rule in the mountains: No news is good news. What does this mean? There is no network on most trekking trails. It is only in case of emergencies that our teams reach out to the base camps to convey emergency news and get help. So as long as there’s no news, it is understood that things are going well. 
• Share the right emergency contact information with us. We don’t use this only for emergencies. Even in the case of bad weather, we usually share safety updates with emergency contacts, so that they know you’re safe. 
• Finally, share your Experience Coordinator’s number with a family member, so that in case of any emergency from your family’s side, they can get in touch with us, and we can pass the information to you, through our walkie-talkie relay system.

So even if you’re off the grid in the mountains, your family knows exactly whom to call. And that gives them peace of mind.

What if I get my period during the trek?

It’s normal for women to get their periods earlier than expected due to physical exertion on treks. 

If you’re not prepared, don’t worry about it. On every trek, we ensure there are sanitary pads available, along with ziplock bags for safe disposal. If you need a hot water bag or medication for cramps, our team is prepared for that, too. 

But more importantly, our Trek Leaders are sensitised. They know how to have that conversation without awkwardness. So you can feel free to talk about it with them. 

Read more on how to manage your periods while on a trek. 

Are behaviour agreements a part of every trek?

Yes, they are.

If you’re a first-time trekker, you may not know this.

Before every trek begins, our teams sit down with you for something called the Trek Experience Agreement.

This isn’t a form. It’s not a checklist either. It’s a conversation.

Is this helpful so far?

It’s where we talk about what the trek is going to be like—what’s expected from you, and what you can expect from us. It sets the tone for the entire experience.

And we do this very intentionally. Because when you’re out on a high-altitude trek, clarity and trust matter. 

What’s the consequence for people who don’t follow it? 

If someone crosses the line, whether it’s through sexual misconduct, physical or verbal abuse, disrespect, inappropriate behaviour, or even a comment that makes someone uncomfortable, there’s no sweeping things under the rug. We terminate the person’s trek and return them to the base camp. It’s one of the five reasons we send trekkers down.

It’s one of the most important things we do to keep our treks safe for everyone.

Are our games/activities/experiences designed with women’s safety in mind? 

Yes. When it comes to the games/activities/experiences we plan on a trek, we think it through.

Over time, we’ve had several internal conversations about how certain games might make someone uncomfortable. Maybe it puts them on the spot. Or it pushes someone into a space they’re not ready for.

We’re very conscious about the way we design every activity. We steer clear of anything that could feel uncomfortable, especially in closed spaces or with physical interaction.

If a woman has to descend mid-trek, how is her safety ensured? 

There’s a strict protocol for how women trekkers are sent down. Women trekkers are never sent down alone. One of our trained guides always accompanies them.

And it’s not just about having someone along. All our guides go through POSH training. They’re deeply aware of what safety means on the ground, especially for women.

Concluding thoughts: 

At Indiahikes, we have always worked towards a vision that Everyone Must Trek. This includes people from all genders, all strata of the society and all age groups. Our efforts have been to make this possible for everyone in a safe and sustainable way. It’s not for no reason that trekkers consider Indiahikes the safest trekking organisation in India. 

We are always here if you have more questions about your safety. Our team of Experience Coordinators and Trek Advisors will help you with any question you have. 

Just give us a call on 080-468-01269 or fill out this form, and we’ll get in touch with you.