Volunteers needed for our Himalayan Programmes with Top B-schools

We are about to conduct our next Collaborative Leadership Programmes with some of the top B-schools in our country. 

Just as in the past 13 years, we are giving our best trekkers the chance to join us as volunteers to assist with facilitating this programme. 

So if there’s something you should look forward to in the coming months, it’s this.

What is the Collaborative Leadership Programme?

If you’re not familiar with it, this is a programme we have been organising since 2011. It is a flagship programme of our Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

During this experiential learning programme, management students plan and execute their own Himalayan trekking expedition. It is designed to test the endurance, grit, strategy and planning capability of the students. At the end of it, students take back real-life management skills from the world of mountains.

It’s a highly acclaimed programme that several IIMs and other B-schools have included in their curriculum. Although it began with IIM Indore, over time, IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow have made it a credit course, along with other B-schools such as the Goa Institute of Management. It has extended to several other universities, too. 

For Indiahikes to organise it is a huge pride and responsibility. It’s an equally big responsibility for our volunteers to shoulder.

Why being a volunteer is a huge learning experience

Volunteering for the Collaborative Leadership Programme carries a lot of weight. You learn effective leadership skills. You support the InSOUL team in facilitating a programme where students trek in the Himalayas for the first time, step out of their comfort zones, and draw learnings from the experience.

As a volunteer, a lot of the programme’s success depends on you.

You are assigned a team of 8-10 students. You are not only trekking with them but are also representing the InSOUL team. It is your responsibility to ensure that the students complete the programme successfully.

What are we looking for in our volunteers?

We are extremely picky about our volunteers. This is for two reasons.

First, volunteers must be able to facilitate this for B-school students. This is not easy, considering these B-school students are some of the top minds in our country!

Volunteers play a big role in managing the whole programme. This requires good people skills, excellent communication skills, time management skills and basic qualities of humility and eagerness to go beyond your duty.

Every volunteer:

• Must be between the ages of 25 and 35
• Must have at least 3 years of work experience
• Must have done at least one Himalayan trek with Indiahikes
• Must be extremely fit
• Must have excellent communication skills

If you fit the bill, you’re welcome to apply as a volunteer. 

I understand you may not meet some of the criteria. If that is the case, please spread the word to your inner circles. It's a wonderful opportunity for anyone. 

As a volunteer, you will not be able to select the trek you will join.

When and where is the Collaborative Leadership Programme happening?

The programme will be held on different treks like Kedarkantha, Surya Top, Dayara Bugyal, Kuari Pass and for just one team, the Pench Tiger Trail. Each trek will have about 35 students.

(Volunteers do not get to choose the trek. They will be classified based on their skills and experience.) 

Here are the dates of the different programmes:

• Sep 16-24
• Sep 17-25
• Sep 19-27
• Oct 26-Nov 3

Your pickup to the basecamp of the trek will be scheduled at 6 am on Day 1 from Live Free Hostel, Dehradun. If you’re chosen for the Pench Tiger Trail, the pick-up will be from Nagpur Railway Station, at 11 am. Further details about transport will be confirmed with you after you're selected. Please accept these as approximate pick-up times.

Indiahikes will sponsor your volunteer work throughout the trek. All stay, food and trek costs are borne by Indiahikes. You have to get to Dehradun/Nagpur and out of Dehradun/Nagpur on your own. 

Note: While these are the confirmed dates, do keep one one-day buffer at the end. Given the current weather conditions in the Himalayas, it is also important that you book flexible air tickets in case the institutions change their plans. 

Cancellation policy for volunteers: In case Indiahikes or the institution calls the programme off at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, Indiahikes will accommodate you within our regular groups during the same dates. This cannot be converted into a voucher or a refund. 

If you’d like to apply as a volunteer

We have a two-step process to select volunteers.

Step 1: A questionnaire to get to know you and your skills

Step 2: A video interview to assess your potential as a volunteer

Please fill out this application form based on your experience:

There are limited slots available for these volunteerships. So apply soon.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the specific responsibilities of a volunteer prior to the trek, during the trek and after the trek is completed?

Pre-Trek Responsibilities

• Training and Orientation: Attend all mandatory training and orientation sessions to understand the program's objectives, itinerary, and safety protocols.
• Preparation: Ensure all personal gear and supplies are ready and meet the program's requirements. Familiarize yourself with the route, terrain, and potential challenges.

Health and Fitness : Share your fitness routine and medical certification.

During the trek: 

• Monitor the health and safety of all participants, ensuring they are taking care of themselves, are well fed. 
• Report any health concerns, first aid concerns to the Trek Leader or Game Master. 
• Serve meals to students at times when Indiahikes provides meals. 
• Take charge of deeper reflections with students every night and after an experience. Make a note of it. 
• Daily day end reflections with the Game Master, Trek Leader. 

Guidance and Support : 

• Show care to the students, help them navigate the trek and overcome challenges 
• Offer encouragement and motivation to maintain high morale in the team. 

Facilitating Experiences/activities 

• Lead and facilitate scheduled activities. Ensuring they run smoothly and achieve intended outcomes. 
• Provide clear instructions to the students.
• Foster a positive team dynamic by encouraging open communication, trust and collaboration among participants. 
• Mediate conflicts and ensure that all team members feel included and valued. 
• Help students on day 01 and then slowly let them take charge of the team. 
• You are not part of the team, you are a facilitator and an observer who is looking whether students are picking up skills and practicing them. 

Reflections 

• Lead reflection sessions after every activity, guiding them to analyze their experiences and help them extract valuable lessons. 
• Encourage students to share their thoughts and insights, fostering a culture of continuous learning . 

Logistical Support : 

• Ensure that everyone gets rented items, and is returned post trek. 
• Ensure that a fine, if applicable, is collected and there is a record of it. 

Post trek 

Feedback and Reporting 

• Provide detailed feedback to the program coordinators about the team you led. One form will be shared with you, where all of you have to put down your observations together. This needs to be submitted within three days after the trek ends.

Debriefing 

• Offer constructive feedback and take feedback to help us apply learnings in future. 

General Responsibilities 

Professionalism : 

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and commitment throughout the program. 
• Represent Indiahikes and uphold its values and mission. 

Communication: 

• Communicate effectively with Game Master, Trek Leader, fellow volunteers, and participants. 
• Keep Trek Leader, Game Master informed of any issues or concerns that arise during the trek. 

Adaptability and Flexibility: 

• Be adaptable and flexible in responding to changing circumstances and unpredictable situations. 
• Demonstrate problem solving skills and positive attitude in the face of adversity. 
• Chances may arise where you might have to evacuate the trekkers and discontinue the trek. 

Please Note : As representatives of Indiahikes, it is crucial to uphold the values and standards of our organization at all times. 

2. What kind of training or preparation is provided for volunteers before the trek?

Volunteers for the Collaborative Leadership Programme go through mandatory training and orientation to prepare them for their role. This training covers:

Understanding the Programme Design

1. Orientation on the objectives, itinerary, and safety protocols.
2. Insights into Adventure Programming Theory and how it shapes the trek experience.

Learning Frameworks for Facilitation

1. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle – how to guide participants from experience to reflection and application.
2. Learning Zones (Comfort, Learning, Panic) – helping students operate in the optimal “learning zone.”
3. 5 Ps in Experiential Learning – understanding participant behaviors (Pilot, Participant, Passenger, Prisoner, Protester) to facilitate effectively.
4. Reflection and Facilitation Skills

• How to lead reflections after activities so students can extract management lessons.
• Techniques for encouraging open communication, trust, and inclusivity in groups.

Communication Training

1. Active Listening – practicing attention, empathy, and feedback to improve group dialogue.
2. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) – learning to handle conflicts constructively, express needs clearly, and build trust.
3. Awareness of frames of reference and how diverse perspectives influence group dynamics.

Role-specific Preparation

1. Guidance on balancing roles as facilitator, observer, and supporter (not a participant).
2. Practical responsibilities such as monitoring safety, supporting logistics, and conducting daily debriefs with Trek Leaders/Game Masters.

Assessment and Feedback

1. Volunteers must complete a pre-program assessment.
2. Post-trek, they also provide detailed feedback on student teams and their own facilitation experience.

In short, the training equips volunteers not only with outdoor facilitation tools, but also with communication and reflection frameworks, ensuring they can guide B-school students to meaningful leadership learnings during the trek.

3. What is the typical number of volunteers for each trek?

There are typically 4 volunteers in each trek. Each volunteer is responsible for one group of students of approximately 8-10 members.

4. What is the team structure like, and who would I be working with during the programme?

As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a well-defined facilitation team:

• Trek Leader: Responsible for overall trek safety, logistics, and smooth execution. You will report health and first-aid concerns to them.
• Game Master: Leads the Collaborative Leadership Programme, designs the learning process, and guides daily reflections. You’ll collaborate closely with them to align facilitation.
• Volunteers (like you): Each volunteer is assigned a group of 8–10 B-school students. Your role is to trek with them, facilitate reflections, support team bonding, and ensure their learning objectives are met.
• Student Teams: These are the participants, B-school students, who plan and execute their expedition. You act as a facilitator, not as a team member, observing and guiding them through challenges.

Together, the Trek Leader, Game Master, and Volunteers form the facilitation core, ensuring that students not only complete the trek safely but also take back deep learnings in leadership, collaboration, and communication.

5. Do volunteers receive a certificate of completion for their time and effort?

Yes. All volunteers are awarded a prestigious certificate from Indiahikes, recognizing their valuable contribution in facilitating a leadership programme for IIM students.