The Indiahikes Weekly Digest brings you the latest news, updates, articles, and videos from the trekking world.

It takes you through everything new in the trekking world. You will find that you cannot ignore any of the sections in this digest.

We hope you find this digest useful, and at some point in time, contribute to it too!

The First Snowfall of The Winter is Here!

The snowfall, which began on the night of December 5th continued until December 6th. All trails are covered in snow from around the second campsite.

Despite the snowfall, the schedules of the treks have not been affected. Treks are running as planned, and trekkers are thrilled to have experienced the first winter snow.

Watch the below video to see the latest from our winter treks. Photos and video footage are from Dayara Bugyal, Brahmatal, Kedarkantha, and Deoriatal-Chandrashila. Scroll further to see the latest from Kedarkantha. 

We will soon have more from Sandakphu and Kuari Pass too. Ensure you subscribe to our Youtube channel to remain updated!

IIM-Lucknow all set for the Himalayan Mountain Challenge

Yesterday, Izzat Yaganagi, Head of Experiential Learning at Indiahikes, held an introductory session to the Himalayan Mountain Challenge at IIM-Lucknow.

To give you a background, every year students of various IIMs learn through an immersive experience in the Himalayas. In this specifically designed experiential learning program, students plan and execute their own trekking expedition. This program is called the Himalayan Mountain Challenge (HMC). 

So come December end, 132 students from IIM Lucknow will be trekking at Dayara Bugyal. In peak winter, these students will be overcoming challenges on a trek, day in and day out, as a team, testing and developing their skills of collaborative leadership.

There are some roles that are written straight out of MBA textbooks. This is one of them.

If you are keen to assist our Trek Leaders on our treks, learn leadership from them along with management skills, then this is the perfect opportunity. If you do well, you could become a Trek Leader with us.

Trek leadership is not about taking trekkers from point A to B. It is about creating an experience that stays with a trekker for a lifetime. These are no ordinary trek experiences. These incorporate the best of outdoor learning on our treks.

As an Assistant Trek Leader you will learn management skills that are at par with the best of MBA training across the world.

Open to both men and women. Women make very good trek leaders!

Must have done at least two Himalayan treks. Treks to Kheerganga and Triund do not count.

Work experience in other industries is given preference.

Must have excellent English and Hindi communication skills.

Must follow an active fitness regimen. BMI (Body Mass Index) must be between 18.5 and 23.9.

Indiahikes Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar 2022 – Almost SOLD OUT!

Over the past week, more than a thousand trekkers have placed orders for the Indiahikes annual calendars. While it was overwhelming, we were not surprised at how excited trekkers were to book and receive the Indiahikes Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar 2022. It is a collectible after all.

Just like every year, this is a large wall calendar, 19 inches in width and 14 inches in height. So the calendar bursts to life, giving you the wonderful feeling that the mountains are truly in your room. Take a look at it yourself.

We’ve chosen these pictures after sifting through thousands of photos.They have all been taken by trekkers and the Indiahikes team. And what an honour it is for them to be featured in this calendar!

Like every year, it’s truly a calendar for mountain lovers.

12 rare professional pictures of our Himalayan trekking trails. It’s easily a head-turner.

The 220 GSM art paper used ensures you can cut out the pictures at the end of the year to make picture frames out of them. It’s matt finish as well, so the photographs won’t glare from any angle.

The Mountain Lover’s Gold Calendar makes it a very unusual and thoughtful gift in case you want to surprise anyone. We ship it in a wonderful hard case cylinder which keeps the calendar in shape.

The calendar costs ₹ 490. This includes all taxes and shipping.

Winners Announced – Trek Photographer of the Month October 2021

It was a treat to go through photographs from October 2021! Simply because of this one reason — October in the mountains makes for stunning shots of landscapes. The grass is a magical sun-baked golden and is sprinkled with fresh frost every morning. You can also see the clearest views of the big mountains of our country. 

For our October contest, we received over 500 entries. Each photograph was unique in its own way – interesting frames, great perspective shots, unique night photographs, and never-before-seen photographs of some of the world’s highest summits.

Trekkers Mesmerised by Kanchenjunga at Sabargram. Picture by Sanghamitra Kumar.

But after a lot of deliberation, here are the winners of the Trek Photographer of the month October 2021 and the Trekker’s Choice Award Winner.

Snowfall on the #Kedarkantha Winter Trek! Dec 6th, 2021

On the Kedarkantha trek, the snowfall, which started on the night of December 5th, lasted all night until the morning of December 6th. 

Despite the snowfall, our trekkers have been able to make it to the summit of Kedarkantha. So trekkers are thrilled at experiencing a snowfall and trekking to the summit. It’s an experience they’ll remember for life.

Some of these are going to take you by surprise. Some others, you may empathise with, and some could be dangerous if they are truly believed.

7 Things You Must Not Forget On A Winter Trek

In this video, Trek Leader and Trainer Syama Krishna shares the list of items you absolutely must not forget when going on your winter trek.

Once the main route from Dehradun to Mussoorie, Kipling trail is now an exciting trek far removed from the traffic and overcrowding that marks the new Mussoorie road.

The trail follows a winding serpentine path with the Himalayan foothills on one side and spectacular views of the Dehradun valley on the other side.

This trail has been named after the celebrated writer Rudyard Kipling, who had walked this trail in the 1880s and been inspired by the beauty of the Himalayan foothills. He set his walking experience in the famous novel ‘Kim’. Also known as the Bridle Path, this trail has often been described by Ruskin Bond in his books.

The trail is steep with a 30-35 degree incline all the way to the top. Although the incline is steep along almost the entire 9 km route, it is not a cause for concern and can be negotiated by keeping a slow and steady pace.

Please note that this trek is suitable for fit beginners

The trek starts from Shahanshahi Ashram or the Christian Retreat. They are located in Rajpur in Dehradun.

Get Complete Details on Kipling Trail Trek

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Trek News from the Himalayas -- First Snowfall! IIM-Lucknow participating in HMC

Kedarkantha Trek

Choharnag Lakes Trek

Kuari Pass Trek

Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Ranthan Kharak Trek

Everest Base Camp (Classic Route)

Dayara Bugyal Trek 

Nag Tibba Weekend Trek

Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Brahmatal Trek

Surya Top

Narmada Backwaters Trek

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek 

Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Tarsar Marsar Trek

Buran Ghati Trek

Bhrigu Lake Trek

Phulara Ridge Trek

Odisha Debrigarh Sanctuary Trek

Bijli Mahadev Trek

Har Ki Dun

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek 

Gurez Valley Trek

Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Bali Pass Trek

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

Kedartal Trek

Rupin Pass

Miyar Valley

Warwan Valley Trek

Beas Kund Trek

Valley of Flowers

Nafran Valley Trek

Goechala Trek

Chandrakhani Pass Trek

Tulian Lake Trek

Manali Kaisdhar Trek for Beginners

Hampta Pass Trek

Goa Netravali Forest Trek

Brammah Valley Trek

Pench Tiger Trail

Pir Panjal Lakes Trek

Aancha Top Trek

Bodpathri Trek

Minchukallu Betta Weekend Trek

Georgia Atsunta Pass Trek

Khopra Ridge Trek

Channarayana Durga Weekend Trek 

Kuari Pass Summer Camp Trek

Kedarkantha Summer Camp Trek

Gidara Bugyal

Dayara Bugyal Summer Camp 

Mural Danda Exploration

Coorg Nelji Hill Trek

Mount Rinjani Trek

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Benog Tibba Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Chirbatiya Weekend Trek

Ala-Kul Trek - Kyrgyzstan

Kodaikanal Avocado Hill Trek

Roopkund Trek

Youth Camp on Ali Bedni Bugyal

Kanamo Peak Trek

Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek

Ghepan Lake

Dafeybhir Pass Trek

Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Winter Trekking Camp for Children

Vellore Amirthi Forest Trek

Deoban Weekend

Gutirayan Peak Trek

Bananthimari Betta Trek

Brahmagiri Peak Trek

Valikunja Trek

Brahmagiri Peak Trek- Blog

Kumara Parvatha Trek

Parvathamalai Trek

Nishani Motte Trek

Kugti Pass Trek

Netravati Trek

Satpura Forest Trail

Karnala Fort Trek

Neelkanth Mahadev Lake Trek

Kamalgad Trek

Horagina Betta Trek

Chadar Trek

Arshan Valley Trek

Makalidurga Trek

Halu Chilume Gange Trek

Kudremukh Trek

Bekal Beach Trek

Bijli Mahadev To Naggar Trek

Harishchandragad Trek

Doodhpathri Trek

Triund Trek

Pin Parvati Pass

Channarayana Durga Trek

Bhimashankar Trek

Please note that this is a special trek designed for stargazing enthusiasts. The trek fee is slightly more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

This is a trek specially designed for trekkers above 58 years. The itinerary is specially designed to be different from a regular trek. The trek fee is also Rs 3000 more than the regular fee (Please note this is only for Himalayan treks) Know more about the trek here.  

Our Adventure Therapy Trek is led by a trained therapist, who will guide you through reflective and therapeutic exercises during the trek. To accommodate this expertise, the fee is ₹5,000 higher than our regular trek fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 18 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

Please note, this is an open Collaborative Leadership Programme with a focus on networking and building Collaborative Leadership skills for young professionals and university students. The trek fee is 5000 more than the regular fee. Learn more about the trek here: https://indiahikes.com/blog/open-collaborative-leadership-program

The Indiahikes Summer Camp aligns with the Adventurous Journey of the IAYP programme. Our treks provide a challenging outdoor experience where participants plan, train, and trek in an unfamiliar environment. They develop teamwork, leadership, and resilience while navigating trails, camping, and engaging with nature—fulfilling all the requirements of the IAYP Adventurous Journey.

You are joining our waitlist. Here are a few guidelines that you should keep in mind:

The chances of getting a confirmed slot totally depend on the cancellations we receive from confirmed trekkers. The cancellations cannot be predicted hence are uncertain.

We close the movement of the waitlist 7-15 days before the trek starts.

You don't have to pay right now. You will receive a notification upon confirmation of your slot. You will have 24 hours to pay and confirm your booking.

We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with—everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes. When you join our treks, we first make our No-Compromise Safety Promise. It’s our unwavering commitment to keep you safe, no matter what.

Our No-Compromise Safety Promise

Our commitment to the environment is relentless. We don’t just encourage responsible trekking; we insist on it. That’s why our Green Trails principles are non-negotiable. They don’t involve just our trekkers or our staff members. Our entire trek processes and policies are designed to favour the environment, even if it is often counterintuitive to our business.

Our No-compromise Sustainability promise

More than 30,000 trekkers trek with us every year. In addition, our outdoor learning division (InSoul) has participants from the who’s of the education organisation in India, from the IIMs to BITS to top international schools. More than 5,000 participants from these institutions trek with us annually. We do not spend a single rupee on advertising to get these participants. Our reputation precedes us.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have documented and brought out most of India’s famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023-24 alone, we brought out nine new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own. We believe everyone must trek.

Being pioneers of trekking in India

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey. 

Our treks are transformative

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

Trekking in the Himalayas comes with challenges such as heavy rain, roadblocks, floods, landslides, and permit restrictions imposed by the government. These situations are not within Indiahikes' control. 

Before you register, please be prepared for the possibility that your trek might be called off due to these uncontrollable factors. In such cases, Indiahikes will make every effort to offer you a safe alternative trek. If that isn't possible, we will cancel your trek and issue a voucher for the trek fee in line with our standard cancellation policy.

However, if you would like to receive a full refund of your fee under such circumstances, opt for the Indiahikes Shield while registering. This shield grants you the option to receive a refund in case your trek is cancelled due to external reasons. 

Why you should opt for Indiahikes Shield 

Security concerns and government orders often lead to last-minute cancellations in Jammu & Kashmir. While we make all the preparations to run the trek, we cannot guarantee that the trek will run. If such a situation occurs, we will try to organize an alternate trek within J&K or Himachal Pradesh, wherever possible. If not, we will cancel the trek and our cancellation policy will apply.

Such circumstances are under nobody's control, but it's best to be well-prepared.  As trekkers ourselves, we understand the loss that you go through when such circumstances arise. To protect against such circumstances, we have the Indiahikes Shield - where you can avail a return of your full trek fee by paying a small additional charge.  

We suggest you opt for the Indiahikes Shield, which will protect your trek fee during such uncertainties. You will find the option during the registration process.

Why you must opt for Indiahikes Shield on Kashmir Treks

When you offload, a mule or porter will carry your belongings.

Offloading is for those with injuries, health issues or other limitations

Book via Your Profile after trek registration. 

We will provide you with a weather-resistant kit bag to transfer your belongings.

The kitbag will be carried by mules or porters.

You will not need a backpack if you're offloading. However, you will need a small day pack.

Find details about the Indiahikes Offloading Process here.

At Indiahikes, we strongly believe that children must trek. Children aged 14 and below qualify for a 30% trek fee scholarship. Check out this article to learn more.


For every ten adult members (aged 15 and above) of the group, we waive off the trek fee for one person. Indiahikes will reimburse the said trek fee after you complete your trek.

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