I have a list that will change the way you look at documentaries. That is if you’ve been untouched by the charm that real-life mountain documentaries hold over scripted movies.

While mountain movies have their share of gripping drama, mountain documentaries, steeped in real-life, are edge-of-the-seat thrillers.

So while at home during the second wave of Covid-19, catch up on these mountain documentaries packed with candid tales of successful and failed expeditions, behind-the-scene realities, and inspiring stories bursting out of the mountains.

Most links here feature the entire documentary. So, take a look and tell us, which one of these is your favourite?

The first in the list is a documentary about our Green Trails initiative. It takes you through our journey of leaving the mountains better than we found them.

“When Ambuj approached us to make the documentary, we were a bit skeptical. Though many filmmakers have tried to make a film on Green Trails, rarely has anyone been able to showcase Green Trails with the depth it requires. We were wary of that,” shares Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes.

And when we finally watched the film, “We were stunned! Suffice to say it’s one of the finest documentaries made on Indiahikes’ Green Trails I’ve seen”, exclaims Arjun.

We thought you must watch this documentary. If you’re an Indiahiker, you’ll be extremely proud that you’re a part of this community.

And if you’re not an Indiahiker, you’ll still love the film. This film on the Heroes of Himalayas is a terrific documentary.

Out of all the mountain documentaries, this one is clearly for nomadic souls. At Indiahikes, we relate to the idea behind this documentary, one that revolves around a simple, yet impactful life. 

It is a documentary set in 2013, based on the journeys of three friends who climb peaks, fight white-outs at 20,000 feet, cross jungles, survive unforgiving beaches while volunteering through every country they pass. At the heart, this film inches towards the charm of leading an adventure-filled, simple life and making a difference all along.

3. Breathtaking Look at the Man Who Climbed Everest 21 Times

Even with so many flocking to Mt .Everest, lives of sherpas remains tough and economically challenging. So, Apa Sherpa, who started working as a high-altitude porter by the age of 12, took it upon himself to make a difference. He became the world-record holder for summiting Everest. And has founded the Apa Sherpa Foundation to promote education in the lives of Sherpas.

What does it take to summit all the fourteen 8,000-plus-meter mountains without bottled oxygen? Watch this inspiring National Geographic documentary based on Ed Viesturs, who is the first American to achieve this. In this documentary, Ed also talks about how he emerged stronger from the experience.

This one’s a treat! Made by climber and filmmaker Richard Pattison, it takes you on a journey to the handsome Mt Ama Dablam. In this mountain documentary, Richard documents his team through the expedition and reveals what it takes to achieve a goal. Sometimes, it involves battling lack of oxygen too!

It would take you approximately six million steps to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Those who loved watching Wild, the story of Cheryl Strayed finding herself on the same trail, will love this one. It is a collection of lives of people and their transformations after undertaking the hike. Watch it to see how a hike can indeed change your life.

7. Pobeda: Climbing North Hemisphere’s Coldest Peak

If you’ve ever shivered and cursed the cold on a Himalayan trek, this one is a must-watch for you. This North Face documentary will take you to the coldest place in the world – Pik Pobeda, the highest mountain in Siberia. While the temperature on our winter treks dip to -15 degree Celsius. Here, the minimum temperature reaches a new low. The lowest temperature recorded here was -71.3 degree Celsius. And two alpinists find themselves here in February 2018.

In 2018, Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison, climbed 27,940-foot Lhotse to only descend the towering peak on skis. This documentary by North Face brings forward what it can take some time to gain clarity, to understand our existence. Watch it for the breathtaking landscape and framing of shots.

K2 was summited in 1954 after many unsuccessful attempts. And this candid documentary will take you through those failed attempts. It includes the story of British climbers Charley Houston and Fritz Wassner, who were unsuccessful in summiting the formidable K2.

This deeply shocking and engaging documentary takes us through the grim reality of what happened in August 2008. For those who have watched The Summit, this movie opens up the real-life behind that movie. It revolves around the incident when out of 25 climbers who had gathered to climb K2, 11 simply vanish.

Arjun Majumdar, CEO-Founder of Indiahikes, once suggested how trekking helps in getting to know your partner better. Being out in the wild exposes different personality traits of people. On similar lines, this mountain documentary touches upon a story, set in picturesque Appalachian mountains, of three climbers who set out to climb a rock. And they realise their biggest challenge is not really the rock but finding a rhythm, a middle-ground between themselves.

Rising tall at 7555 meters, Annapurna is the 42ns highest mountain in the world. While Mt Annapurna has been summited from the North-East, David Lama and his team attempt to climb it from the South-East. Watch this mountain documentary for some thrilling climbs on a razor-sharp ridge.

If you lean towards mountain documentaries revolving around the locals, here’s a touching documentary on the life of Sherpas. It follows Dawa, who has summited Everest 13 times and closely looks at his life as he guides a group of 13 European climbers.

What does it mean to ski down a high mountain on the Karakorum range? This thrilling documentary follows the journey of a team which is inexperienced at mountaineering but find themselves in the heart of the cold, rugged landscape where they cover 150 kms over five weeks.

A must-watch for those who seek thrill in mountain documentaries. El Capitan is a 3000 feet high vertical rock located in the north of Yosemite Valley. In June 2017. Alex Honnold attempted to climb it in free solo style. Watch this documentary for gripping moments when Josh is hanging almost by his fingernails.

Did we miss your favourite mountain documentary? Drop the name in the comments to tell us which ones did we miss, so that we can catch up on it too!

Candid truths and grim stories tumble out of these brilliant mountain documentaries. Take a peek to check which documentaries made it to the list

15 Thrilling Mountain Documentaries to Watch During Lockdown

I want to share a special list with you today. It’s a list of TED Talks on hiking and the outdoors. And there are two reasons why this list is special.

First, these TED Talks can change the way you think. I say this because they changed the way I look at things, especially trekking and our relationship with nature.

And second, they are suggested by Lakshmi Selvakumaran, Head Of Green Trails and Training at Indiahikes, who deepens the perspective with candid insights on TED Talks she connected with.

Towards the end, you will also find inspiring TED Talks featuring leaders at Indiahikes.

So, if you’ve been searching for a dollop of inspiration – here it is! Watch these, and tell us – which ones inspired you the most?

Lakshmi shares: Last week, Sandhya UC, Co-Founder/COO of Indiahikes, shared an article talking about the need to rethink our way of learning post COVID. The article was very thought-provoking. The author, an expert in the field of education, makes a case for using this opportunity to rethink and perhaps, reboot the way our Indian education system is set.

I couldn’t agree more. Most of you, I am sure, also agree with her.

This article made me realize something. Treks present an opportunity for kids to learn to be better human beings – being self-sufficient, caring, compassionate and resilient is naturally built into treks. Something we call Experiential Education.

So, how would it be to imagine a future education system that incorporates experiential learning through outdoors?

That brings me to this video. I cannot imagine an 8 and 9-year-old completing a 2,185-mile hike. But they did. I can bet they are better adapted to tackle the world and its uncertainties much more than many of the adults I know around me. So if anything, it made me realize that experiential learning is something we must strongly consider as a way of preparing kids for life.

I know you must be thinking – not all kids can go on a similar journey. I agree with you. But I do think, trekking and outdoors in general, however, difficult they are, brings the same effect on kids. That should get us thinking.

In this video: David Kallin, an outdoor adventurer set off on a courageous journey with his family. This was the 2,185 mile Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine. This spanned over five months. And David got on the stage for this TED Talk on hiking to share how he saw his kids – aged 8 and 9 – step out, struggle and adjust to the wild.

Lakshmi shares: It is the same reason here. Our children are spending more time indoors than outdoors. Our kids are more scared of elements of nature they are unfamiliar with, and it is sad. Many of our kids are losing their basic instincts – curiosity towards nature and its elements. In the long run, our children will lose out.

They will be unprepared for life. They will mentally and physically face the brunt of it. We can change this. That is why I feel this video is another relevant one we need to watch.

In this video: Ben Klasky, CEO of IslandWood, points at a serious problem – kids are not spending enough time outdoors. In this TED Talk on hiking, he offers a peek into his personal life and talk about how he manages to coax his children to step out and explore. He talks about innovative ways that nudge us to think out of the box.

3. To South Pole and Back – The Hardest 105 Days of My Life

Lakshmi shares: Moving away from this topic, this next video is pure adventure.  Locked inside the home, our adventures are different (mine is in ensuring that I cook, clean, work, workout, catch up with friends and family and finish all the free online courses I signed up for).

But I do miss the outdoors.  I have started forgetting how cold it was last January in the mountains.  But this video brought me all of those memories back and in a good way.  So, enjoy!

In this video: In 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott set off on a polar expedition. But was unsuccessful. So, explorer Ben Saunders stepped up to complete it. He set off on a four-month, 1,800-mile round trip journey from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. And just five months after his return, Ben got on the stage to talk about it.

Lakshmi shares: This video is pure inspiration. This talk reminded me of a memoir I read – The climb of my life. The memoir is the story of a woman with a transplanted heart who scales all the top peaks in the world. I was crying by the end of the book.

The sheer determination and spirit to achieve much beyond oneself against all odds gives me goosebumps all the time. It makes my problems trivial.

This talk is very similar. While I am sitting inside home, it is giving me all the courage and motivation to scale my own challenges with a smile.

In this video: Nick Talbot suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. But that didn’t deter Nick Talbot. Even though he suffered from cystic fibrosis, a severe genetic condition that affected his lungs, he set out to climb Mt. Everest.

In this talk, Nick takes us through his arduous climb and what happened when natural disaster struck, not once, but twice when he attempted to climb the highest mountain in the world.

5. How Adventure Makes You Smarter, Stronger and Attractive

Lakshmi shares: This is one of the most engaging TED talks I have ever seen. I was laughing almost the entire talk. But I was also relating to every single thing he said. I have had my fair share of adventures and misadventures and they have made me the person I am. They have helped me become smart, strong and perhaps more attractive.

To the point, I wish misadventures to all people in life – because what is life without such fun.

So sit back and enjoy his talk. You will be nodding your head going, Yes, Yes, YES! or you will want to plan your next adventure when all of this gets over.

In this video: Tyler Tervooren, an independent entrepreneur, has stumbled upon a formula to harness the power of our brains, especially while navigating high-risk and high-stress situations. In this talk, he explains how combining passion and intuition with research and strategy can take the human mind to places.

You can find more information on Tyler’s risk tests, and adventure strategies at http://riskology.co

Lakshmi shares: This video reminded me of my recent trek to Brahmatal. It was not a normal trek. It was a trek with my team of 10 trek leaders. We were training while trekking.

Each day, Trek Leaders were taking turns to facilitate the trek. We were using the opportunity to learn from each other and make our own trek activities better.

On the first day, when we reached a part of the forest, the trek leader of the day stopped us. He gathered all of us. It was foggy. Beautiful trees around. He asked us to pick a tree, go to it, hug it and share a secret with the tree.

It felt odd at first. But I noticed that each of us unconsciously picked a tree and went towards it.

Soon, we all forgot everyone around us and focused on an intense conversation with the tree.

The silence was too powerful. All I could hear was myself and the sound of a stream flowing by (which I hadn’t noticed until then). I didn’t have anything to share. So I just talked to the tree. I noticed it, observed the tiniest details and hugged it for as long as I can.

After some time we all came back. I could see that this small exercise had deeply affected all of us. It was visible on our faces and in our silence.

We felt connected and a lot of us felt lighter, peaceful. For me, that instance stands out as a reminder of the healing power of nature.

This speaker shares the same thought, the same philosophy. I wish I can take you and make you find your tree, hug it and build a relationship with it. But for the moment, I want to leave you with a strong reminder of the potential nature has to heal us and make us better.

In this video: Thanks to the lockdown, we won’t take venturing out for granted now. But as Lakshmi mentioned, there’s another reason why you should step out of the house and into a natural space. In this inspiring TED Talk, Dr. Nooshin Razani touches upon the healing power of nature. In fact, she officially prescribes it to treat health conditions.

7. How Trekking can Make You Mentally Fit!

In this inspiring TED talk on hiking, Arjun Majumdar, Founder-CEO of Indiahikes, talks about the impact of trekking. Here, more than the physical transformation, Arjun focusses on how treks can change mental makeups. Watch it to get a holistic perspective on what really happens when you trek.

8. How I Climbed the Mountain of Entrepreneurship

Sandhya Chandrashekharayya, Co-Founder/COO of Indiahikes, takes the conversation one step further with this TED Talk on hiking. She talks about how trekking turned her into an entrepreneur. Here, she takes you along on a journey filled with passion and challenges. Sandhya certainly knows a thing or two about living her life to the fullest.

9. Life’s Short! Work Somewhere Awesome

In this thought provoking TED Talk, Swathi Chatrapathy, our Chief Editor from the Digital Content team shares her wisdom and her thoughts are fresh, insightful and full of practicality.

Swathi talks about what it means to make your work your identity (it is a new thought), why the “why” of working is even more important and finally she dwells on the much debated work-life balance and comes up with her own understanding of it.

Finally, here’s Lakshmi in her element, pointing at some simple, yet brilliant ideas to make a positive impact on the environment. In this video, she talks about making a behavioural change, especially with respect to trekking. So as a trekker, if you wish to make an impact and leave the mountains greener, this TED Talk on hiking is a must-watch.

If you think we missed out on any TED Talk on hiking, please mention it in the comments below. We would love to add it in our list.

Stay at home. Stay inspired. And, stay safe!

Here's a list of inspiring TED Talks on hiking and the outdoors that will instantly connect you with nature and the lovely crisp mountain air

10 Inspiring TED Talks on Hiking and the Outdoors to Watch During Lockdown

It’s true that we cannot go to the mountains right now due to the second wave of COVID-19. We’re in a lockdown. But don’t let that keep you from revisiting stories and memories of some brilliant mountain expeditions through mountain movies.

After 19 Must-Read Books On Mountaineering And Trekking In The Himalayas, here are 21 mountain movies suggested mostly by Trek Leaders at Team Indiahikes. Watch these while being cooped inside your house, for they carry a whiff of crisp mountain air.

These mountain movies trace the journeys and lives of climbers and mountaineers who dreamt big and dared to climb some of the loftiest peaks.

So, take a look and tell us – did we cover all the great ones or did we miss a mountain movie you love?

The famous mountain climber Conrad Anker steps out of his comfort zone to climb Mt. Meru. This mountain, also known as Sumeru, stands between Mt. Thalaysagar and Mt. Shivling and is visible from the Gaumukh Tapovan trek. And it offers a challenging climb.

While Conrad was familiar with the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest, climbing Meru posed deeper challenges. The team, consisting of Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk, ponder if it is worth the risk. And conclude it was worth dying for! As if on cue, the team runs out of resources while still having 90% of the mountain to climb. What happens then?

We love this one! This movie is based on Jon Krakauer’s legendary book Into Thin Air.  It takes us back to May 1996 when many commercial expeditions gather at the base of Mt. Everest to summit it. The spotlight is on an incident when bad weather thwarts two teams while on their way to the summit. Based on the unfortunate 1996 Mount Everest disaster, this movie takes us through the grit of climbers who are struggling to survive in the Death Zone.

This mountain movie and book are close to our hearts because it brings us face-to-face with the ground realities, the challenges of being in the high altitude.

Here’s another favorite of Team Indiahikes. This is also based on a book, the real-life story is set in 1985 when two climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates set out for the virgin West Face of Siula Grande in Peru. Disaster strikes when a surprise storm hurtles Simpson off the mountain and he breaks his leg. Yates tries to pull Simpson up, but fails. Should he cut the rope and save himself from the impending storm? The movie meanders through the gullies of trust and courage.

The dilemma in this movie – of whether to cut the rope or no – is real. In extreme situations, mountaineers need to take this tough call. And Touching The Void beautifully touches upon this dilemma.

This is a story of climber Peter Garrett who is attempting to climb K2 with a team. His sister is also in the team and during a mishap, she hurtles through and gets stuck in a crevice. Now, it’s up to Peter to get her out, alive. Will he be able to do it?

We recommend this one for the action-packed sequences. You also get a great insight on Acute Mountain Sickness and how it affects the body in this movie.

Released in 2014, this movie is based on a book that tells a true story. That of Cheryl Strayed, who decides to set off on a 1,100 mile long Pacific Crest Trail. This is a tale of self-discovery as Cheryl sheds her fears, but what does she step into?

The Matterhorn in Alps is one of the world’s most challenging mountains. It was conquered around 150 years ago. 1865 two rival teams were on a race to the top. British against Italian mountaineers. The triumph of the Britishers turned tragic as four men fell to their deaths. The ascendents of the climbers go back to find out what went wrong. Forensic tests provide clues and there are new sources. Was it an accident, foul play or murder?

Released in 2007, this film traces the journey of a young graduate, Christopher McCandless, who decides to hitchhike across America with no money and limited possessions. On this journey, Christopher encounters some life-changing situation, some subtle, some extreme, and his isolation in parts starts taking shape. A beautiful movie of self-discovery while on an adventure.

Ever wondered what life of an instructor to the 14th Dalai Lama looks like? This movie gives you a peek into it. It revolves around Henrich Harner, an Austrian climber who finds himself in Lhasa after breaking out of prison. A curious tale of how surprising twists and turns.

In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins set on a journey from Ventura, California to Patagonia, Chile. Almost four decades later, Jeff Johnson decides to retrace that journey. This movie is based on Jeff’s journey as he sets his goal to climb Corcovado Volcano in Patagonia as a part of this journey.

In Feb 2011, Cory Richards became the first American to climb an 8000-meter peak in winter. A time when cold at this height can chill you to the bones. How did Cory brave it? This movie offers freezing insight.

This is a South Korean adventure drama film. But one that’s based on the real-life of climber Um Hong-Gil’s life. The movie traces how Um Hong-Gil goes back to the mountains with his bad legs to the bodies of two climbers under his mentorship.

Dawn Wall is an impossible 3000-foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, California. But in 2015, two American climbers – Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson attempt this impossible climb. The movie revolves around their attempt.

Why is climbing mountains so attractive? It is certainly not comfortable. In fact, three centuries ago, entertaining such thoughts were considered as lunacy. What changed? This movie explores the relationship between humans and mountains. So, if you have ever wondered, why do we climb? This is a must-watch.

Set in a village in the Uttarakhand, this movie takes you to the heart of local life in the mountains. It is a candid slice of life if you are missing the rustic flavours of the base camps and Himalayan villages.

 In 1925, dog-sled teams had to transport diphtheria antitoxin serum across 700 miles in the harsh climate to save Nome, an Alaskan town. Togo, released in 2019, revolves around this page of history. A heartful movie that touches upon valiant efforts to prevent an epidemic. 

This is a mysterious tale from K2. It happened in 2008, when out of 22 climbers, who had met on the last stop before the K2 summit, 11 disappeared. As the story goes, they either got killed or simply vanished into thin air. But what happened? Perhaps the first man to summit K2, Ger McDonnell, has a clue. 

Was it British climber George Mallory who summited Mt Everest first, in 1924? This movie digs deep into the question and puts some baffling facts on the table. Is history different than what we have been told?

 Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary officially summited Mt. Everest in 1953. Like in most great mountain movies, this movie too takes us along on their historic journey. If you’ve ever been curious about how did they do it, then Beyond The Edge is a must-watch.

This is the story of how an impromptu stroll in the woods turned into an adventure. It is a page from the life of famed author Bill Bryson, who set off on a journey to cover the Appalachian Trail. A treat, if you’ve loved reading books by Bill Bryson.

This one traces a historic route too – the John Muir Trail. It is an endearing tale of how five friends decide to follow in the footsteps of John Muir and cover the distance in 25 days. And how, while on the journey, people start joining them.

A lesser-known of mountain movie, and yet such an inspiring watch based on the life of Malavath Poorna, the youngest girl to climb Mt Everest. The movie traces how Poorna, belonging to a Telugu-speaking tribal family, becomes the youngest girl to scale the tallest mountain in the world.

From the list of mountain movies, this one is close to our hearts simply for the grit and determination that shines through Poorna’s actions and efforts. An inspiring watch that will surely lift your spirits.

After this list of mountain movies, we are coming up with a list of great mountain documentaries too. If you would like to suggest some must-watch mountain documentaries, please drop the names in the comment section below.

An excellent list of mountain movies that explore the relationship between humans and mountains. Ever wondered why we climb? Watch to know.

21 Must-Watch Mountain Movies During COVID-19 Lockdown

Raju HK is an adventure sports enthusiast. His passion for trekking and outdoor sports led him to start Adventure Worx. Being an avid reader, Raju is well known amongst his peers for his vast knowledge in the field of trekking and mountaineering. 

From time to time our trekkers ask us for book suggestions. So when Raju visited our Bangalore office, we knew that he was the right person to share an authoritative list of books you can read during lockdown as the second wave of Covid-19 hits or country. 

Famous writer Stephen King had once said, “Books are uniquely portable magic”. He got it right. 

I owe my love for the outdoors, my introduction to the world of hiking and climbing to books. 

The book that motivated me to explore the outdoors and the trekking world was an account of first ascent of Everest. I have long since forgotten the name of the author and the title of the book — but I remember  the picture of Everest on the cover with an inset of Ed Hillary (sadly no Tenzing!) peeking among the pile of old Reader’s Digest in my house.

I remember the exhilaration in reading about the adventure on a mountain that people thought was too high to climb.  The adrenaline of an adventure that was not mine, but I could still experience it from my armchair.

A few years later, my brother lent me Rosy Is My Relative by Gerald Durrell and Born Free by Joy Adamson which influenced my interest in wildlife. Books became my refuge for the time I wasn’t in the outdoors. 

There are, of course, no substitutes to feeling the sun on your face, breathing fresh air, walking on trails or listening to birds chirp — but we can always indulge in a bit of armchair adventure by reading books on high adventure and wildlife.

Here are some of my favourite books on mountaineering and adventure that have the power to transport you!

Here are some of my favourite authors on wildlife:

There are way too many books to put in this list but these are my top picks. What about you? What are your favourite outdoor books? Share it with us in the comments below!

A book-list of must reads in the field of trekking, mountainerring and exploration with additional short list of best books on wildlife.

19 Must-Read Books on Mountaineering and Trekking in Himalayas During Lockdown

We miss the mountains. This lockdown has been difficult for us, and I’m sure it has been for you too. We hope you and your loved ones are all safe. To keep you company, here are a list of 12 best trek videos made by our own trekkers.

We’re all trekkers who crave for the outdoors — the mountain views, meadows, river crossings, the forests, and so much more. Being cooped up indoors is really making us miss everything about the mountains.

The only thing that is giving us some respite are these 12 best trek videos our trekkers have made on their trek. We’ve found some terrific videos!

We’ve already shared some thrilling documentaries, must-watch mountain movies, and inspiring Ted talks to watch, but there’s nothing like watching videos made by our own trekkers.

We couldn’t help but share some of them with all of you. I hope you will enjoy them as much as we did.

In the comments below, let us know what trek you’ve done, or which was your favourite trek video. If you’ve made a trek video, drop a link in the comment for us and for other to watch.

We would love to see more videos while we are waiting to get back to the mountains.

So here goes, a playlist of 13 best trek videos, made by our very own Indiahikes Trekkers.

This video takes you through our most popular trek, Kedarkantha from start to finish. And we absolutely loved how neatly edited and compiled this video is!

We thought you must not miss watching how Kedarkantha looked in the start of this year.

The next best video according to us comes from Ravitej, who has beautifully shot and compiled it.

The spellbinding landscapes, sunsets, meadows and mountains are brought out so well, that we didn’t want you to miss out on this one.

Here’s another video from Ravitej from his time in Kedarkantha last year.

This vlog-style video impressed us because our trekker takes you through the journey right from the airport to the base camp, and to Dayara Top all in 4 parts!

We are certain that this video is the closest you can get to doing the Dayara Bugal trek virtually from the comfort of your home.

Here are the links to rest of the parts in the series: Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

We loved this video of Beas Kund because of the wide array of photographs and videos. The shots taken in snowfall, and under white out condition, gives a clear picture of what the Beas Kund trek to be.

It is a well known fact that at Indiahikes, we simply love the Buran Ghati Trek. Apart from being an amazing trek video, this video is a commentary, and a record of the Uttarakhand floods in 2018. Each of the visuals in this video are hard to forget. That’s why we love this video.

6. Dayara Bugyal Trek – Indrani Mallick

What makes this Dayara Bugyal documentary special to us is the commentary by two youngsters Ashmi and Udita, who went on their first trek.

This video brings out the immense learning, and joyful experience that children have on the trek.

Did you know that we have special family batches at Indiahikes? We believe that children learn and grow the most when in nature.

7. Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek – Omkar Mulund

A fast paced, beautiful vlog that shows you the entire Deoriatal Chandrashila trail through sun, rain, and snow, rhodo forests, and meadows. We love this video because it is packed with information. At the end, watch what the trekkers have to say about their trek experience 🙂

Watch this stunning video of one of India’s most popular treks. Right from river crossings, glacier walks, stunning shots of verglas, and the mighty Mt Shivling we think this video does full justice to the trek.|

This is a stunning walk through of the entire trek.This video will definitely convince you to go on a trek.

9. Goechala Trek – Creative Media – Aniruddha Mukherjee

You must watch this video for the terrific first person account of the Goechala trek. It is like a friend, who tells you about how their trek was. And what makes this video unforgettable, are the stunning time lapses.

Further, we love the commentary in this video – packed with information and facts about the trek. This is a must watch if you are going on the Goechala Trek.

This is a beautifully presented vlog we love! It shows this trekkers journey to Hampta Pass. There are some wonderful shots of the Jwara campsite and Balu Ka Ghera campsite. You can see the lush green valley on one side, and the desert like rubble valley on the other side. Each day is a rush of sceneries on this trek. Until the very end, when you see the pristine Chandratal lake.

11. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek – Adarsh Sidnod

Words can barely do justice to the pristine, wide expanse that the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is. This video walks you through the entire trek – showing the treks raw beauty, and difficulty too. Don’t miss the shots of Kishansar Lake, and the ascent to the Satsar pass.

We love this video because it is packed with information.

This is the final episode of a 4 part video series on the Kedarkantha trek.

This video is about Jay’s ascent to the Kedarkantha summit. One of India’s most loved treks. Starting as early as 2:00 AM, watch this summit ascent to Kedarkantha, and reflections of the trek that has gone by.

We loved this video becomes it brings out the thrills of a summit climb so well.

One of the longest, and most stunning Ridge walks on any trek. On the Phulara ridge trek, you are on the ridge for at least 4-5 hours, at 12,000ft. Surrounded by a 250 degree view of the stunning Garhwal Himalayn mountain range.

Not only does this video capture the ridge walk, but the wonderful campsites, and forests sections on the Phulara Ridge Trek, and that’s why we love this video.

Doing the Pin Bhaba Trek is like watching nature unfold, and change right in front of you. From the vibrant, and lush green valleys of Kinnaur, to the desert like rocky expanse of the Spiti valley, the Pin Bhaba Pass Trek the trek for adventure lovers.

Extra hype for this video from us, for this video because Amod has captured both sides of the valley, the gushing rivers, and the beautiful landscapes on the trek magnificently.

Every frame in this video is worth pausing, and staring at. Some beautiful captured photographs stitched into a video of the Tarsar Marsar Trek. Truly, it is one of the prettiest treks in India.

Indiahikes is the largest base of trek information in the country. And most of this is thanks to our trekkers who share videos, photographs, and trek information with us. In these times of COVID19 lockdown, this is a way to stay connected with the mountains.

Share your trek videos in the comments below, we would love to see them, and feature them on our website. I’m looking forward to more such videos.

Stay safe, and stay connected with the mountains!

Beautifully made and awe inspiring mountain videos by our trekkers. Let us know what according to you is the best trek video on this list.

15 Best Trek Videos by Indiahikes Trekkers

I hope you are safe at home as you browse this list of great trek stories.

Most of us at Indiahikes are back home and safe with our families. Unfortunately, some team members are stuck because of cancelled flights and now the lockdown. They are stranded. Far away from their homes and family members. Emotionally it is very difficult for them. The good news is they are within the safe walls of our Dehradun office.

These are tough times for all of us.   

So I thought I’ll take today to share some past best trek stories with you. Hopefully, for a few minutes, they’ll whisk you away from the Corona lockdown and to the mountains, where all of us yearn to be. 

This is Part I of this series of great trek stories. I’ll be back with Part II next week. They will surely keep you company until then: 

1. What I Learnt When I Trekked With Shepherds Across Pin Parvati Pass

Our first woman Trek Leader, perhaps one of the most courageous women I know, shares the story of how she crossed the Pin Parvati Pass with shepherds.

2. Some Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Women in the Mountains

Speaking of women in the mountains, this was the speech that our co-founder Sandhya UC shared on Women’s Day, with Women’s Web.

3. A Story From the Goechala Trek That Will Give You Goosebumps 

This story, written by our founder Arjun Majumdar, first appeared in Discover India. I pulled it out to share with you a night on the Goechala trek — the story of Samiti Lake in the middle of the night, a meteor shower; it’s too hard to believe (until you reach the end of the story. And no, it is not made up).

4. How Trekkers Help the Economy in the Mountains 

This is the story of how every trekker like you and me creates an impact on the lives of hundreds of mountain folk, just by going on a trek. It’s very relevant in these times, when COVID-19 has suspended treks, and brought life to a standstill in the mountains.

5. How I Climbed the Mountain of Entrepreneurship 

 This is one of the most engaging and valuable TEDx talks on entrepreneurship in the outdoor world, given by our co-founder Sandhya.The article has the script, as is, and the video too. 

6. How Trekking can Impact Your Mind, Body and Spirit 

 This is one of the most honest TEDx talks, given by our founder, Arjun Majumdar. We’ve put down his entire speech as it was, including the slides that he used in his presentation. You’ll also find the video of the TEDx talk inside. 

7. How We Managed Our First European Trek in Georgia 

This is the inside story of how we organised a trek in another country, and I think it’s one of the best stories I’ve shared in my Thursday mailers.

8. What I Learned After Battling a Snowstorm on the Everest Base Camp Trek 

One of the comments on this story says, “Made me remember some parts of the movie Everest.” That says it all.

9. How a Trek Changed the Way I Made Decisions

The head of our Trek Coordinators team shares the story of his unsuccessful exploration to Phachu Khandi and his biggest learnings from the exploration.   

10. Must-Read Books on Adventures in the Himalayas

 These are sure to keep you company over the next few months to come.

| Bonus reading to manage your home well during the lockdown:

11. 10 Ways to Keep Your Green Trails Spirit Alive at Home 

 Save for a few points, I think you can follow all of these points while you’re waiting it out at home. 

Staying indoors amid the COVID-19 lockdown is difficult for mountain lovers. Here is a reading list of great trek stories to keep you company.

Books And Film Recommendations

Treks by Season

Treks by Difficulty

Treks by Month

Treks by Region

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