You’re not alone if you’re anxious about sending children on their first Himalayan trek. 

But has anxiety about the trek taken over your life; so much, that prepping for it feels like a final exam? 

Children must, of course, be “ready” — physically, mentally, emotionally. And so, we checklist them into shape. 

In the process, prepping for the trek becomes tedious or worse still, unappealing for a child.

Here are 6 easy ways to get children both prepared and excited for a Himalayan trek.

Adults’ tone tends to become serious and stern when talking about treks.

 “It will be tough.” “You will need to be strong.” “No phones allowed.” “No junk food.” 

While well-intentioned, it can cause anxiety more than confidence. Use language that encourages curiosity, not fear.

“It will be tough.”
Try: ✅ “It will be tough and exciting.” Follow up with details, “You will get to climb mountains, cross icy streams, and sleep under thousands of stars – things most adults don’t/can’t do.”

“You will need to be strong”
Try: ✅ “You will come back feeling invincible.”

“No phones allowed.”
Try: ✅ “Can you live without phones for 5 days? Take it up as a challenge.”

“No junk food.”
Try: ✅ “You’ll eat like proper explorers do”

Additionally, swap warnings for wonder. “We’ll walk through the clouds.” “You might see snow before breakfast.” 

Positive language doesn’t dilute the challenge. All you’re doing is reframing the experience through a child’s lens.

2. Involve children in planning and decision-making

Help children feel capable before they even take the first step. 

Instead of handing over a packed bag and an itinerary, involve children in packing. Refer to the InSOUL packing list. Assemble all their trekking gear and check items off a list together. You can even turn it into a game.

Show them day-by-day pictures of the trek on the Indiahikes webite to visualise where they will be going and what they will see.

Create a visual countdown calendar together leading up to the trek. You can cross off each day ( e.g. 20 days left for the trek) or have a small, trek-related activity or discussion. Build anticipation as the day gets closer.

4. Visit a Nature Centre or Watch Nature Documentaries: 

From books and shows to nature documentaries and websites - engage with nature-related content beforehand to build excitement and a sense of wonder. Look up the flora, fauna, and landscapes they might encounter on the trek.

5. Turn everyday things into subtle physical training 

Children don’t need regimented training routines. Give them small, consistent nudges instead.

Go on weekend walks that stretch just a bit longer than usual

Incorporate fun, active games into everyday routines that mimic some of the movements involved in trekking, like uphill climbs (stairs become "mini-mountains"), balancing on a line (a "log crossing"), or carrying a small weighted backpack during a playful walk.

Tiny shifts quietly build a child’s strength, stamina, and a sense of achievement.

6. Get them excited (not nervous or grossed out) about camping

Camping is an adventure and an absolute treat. How you describe it can ensure whether children look forward to it or completely dread it.

Frame it as an exciting new adventure, rather than a basic necessity or a potentially uncomfortable situation. 

The uniqueness of sleeping outdoors - something most children (or adults) don't usually get to do their whole lives

Getting to see and play with snow (depending on the trek and month)

Waking up to birdsong right outside your tent

Sleeping in cosy tents in the middle of nowhere

Pooping in the outdoors - how pooping in bio toilets is an act of kindness to the planet. Read more here - https://indiahikes.com/blog/deep-pits-vs-shallow-pits-toilets-himalayan-treks

A Himalayan trek is both wild and wondrous. And for children, the experience is as much about discovery as it is about resilience. 

The journey doesn’t begin at the basecamp. It begins at home—with positive reinforcement, words and activities that build confidence, and routines that lay the foundation for adventure.

Prepare them, yes—but more importantly, inspire them. The mountains will do the rest.



6 Engaging Ways To Mentally Prepare Children For A Himalayan Trek 

April 10, 2025 | India International Centre, New Delhi

On a proud and memorable day for La Martiniere Girls’ College, five remarkable students were honoured with the Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award at a prestigious ceremony held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on April 10, 2025.

The five Gold Award recipients from La Martiniere Girls' College: Shatakshi Shahi, Shinay Oberoi, Navya Khanna, Fadilah Farhat, and Zulekha Fatima.

The awards were presented by Mr. Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., who applauded the awardees for their dedication to self-development and service.

Each of the five students received the Gold Award Badge and Certificate, a recognition that celebrates commitment to service, skill-building, physical fitness, and adventure — the four key pillars of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

IAYP participants from La Marts during their Adventurous Journey in the Himalayas.

Shatakshi Shahi took on the challenging Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, while Shinay Oberoi, Navya Khanna, Fadilah Farhat, and Zulekha Fatima completed the equally beautiful Dayara Bugyal trek, a high-altitude meadow trek renowned for its vast open landscapes. 

Living away from comfort, carrying their own gear, setting up tents, and navigating trails tested the participants while instilling a deeper appreciation for nature.

"I want to personally thank the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning from the bottom of my heart for organising these trekking trips for our college girls that played a vital role in the success of their Award journey" said Ms. Priya Dautlani, IAYP Award Coordinator from La Martiniere Girls' College in Lucknow.

The Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning has been a trusted partner in outdoor learning and the IAYP Adventurous Journey for several schools across India, offering programmes that go beyond adventure, creating space for reflection, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a globally recognised youth development programme that empowers young people to push their boundaries, build confidence, and make a difference in their communities.

La Martiniere Girls’ College and the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning take immense pride in the achievement of these five students. Their journey stands as an inspiring example for younger students, showing what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.

Five La Martiniere Girls’ College Students Receive Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award

For many schools and colleges, the idea of taking students on a trek is met with a smile—and a polite, non-committal “maybe next year.” 

Trekking, after all, is fun…for other people. Adventurous, “sporty” people. Adults who wear harnesses and hang off cliffs in icy conditions. Surely not for young people in schools and colleges?

Not quite. Trekking as a sport has been muddied by assumptions and misunderstandings—many of which are outdated or plain incorrect. 

It’s time we cleared up some of these myths.

Let’s begin here. Trekking is not an extreme sport. You won’t need ropes, ice axes, or a daredevil attitude. Mountaineering is a different sport altogether—with very different risks and requirements. The two should never be confused.

In fact, organised trekking (the kind that InSOUL facilitates) is more an immersive outdoor classroom than a high-risk expedition. 

Trekking is a walk in nature (just more intense than your average walk), at a pace that suits your group, with accessible trails and thoughtfully designed activities. 

Our expert trek leaders ensure excellent levels of care for student groups. They are fantastic with young people and help bring out the best in them while outdoors.

Myth 2 Everyone Can’t Trek, Especially Children

Reality: Who can trek? The short answer: almost everyone—with the right preparation.

Trekking doesn’t need you to be an athlete. It’s building functional fitness, embracing minimalism, and embracing a spirit of exploration. 

We’ve had 7-year-olds and 60-year-olds complete Himalayan treks. What they had in common wasn’t superhuman stamina—it was preparation, curiosity, and embracing unpredictability in the outdoors.

Myth 3: Trekking means eating Maggi and dry bread.

Reality: The food is tasty, nutritious and an experience in itself.

We don’t exaggerate when we say food is among the highlights of high-altitude treks with us.

On the menu includes nutritious, delicious food such as: hot rotis, seasonal sabzis, rice, dal, khichdi, rajma chawal, pancakes, sandwiches, and sometimes, our beloved high-altitude cake. 

There's science, research, and method to our menu. Every meal is designed with the nutritional needs of children in mind. From energy-rich carbs in the morning to protein-packed dinners, the food we provide supports endurance and recovery on a trek.

Food is freshly cooked and locally sourced where possible, keeping our sustainability goals in mind. 

Myth 4: Tents are freezing and miserable.

Reality: Children camp in custom-designed Hillman Expedition tents built to withstand rain, wind, and the most tempestuous Himalayan moods. The tents have a separate zone in front for shoes and wet gear, too.

Inside, a thick foam mat and carpet insulates trekkers from the cold ground. Children sleep in high-altitude sleeping bags with liners for hygiene and extra warmth.

Myth 5: The trail is steep and dangerous.

Reality: Trekking trails are well-marked and well-trodden.

Trails are chosen based on terrain, weather, and the age group. Every group is led by trained trek leaders, support staff, and equipped with medical backup. 

Reality: You need to be fit for the trek you choose. And that’s highly achievable.

We don’t expect pro-athlete fitness levels. What we do expect is a fitness commitment—one that includes walking, cardio, strength, and consistency for a few weeks prior. 

Not only does being fit make your trek enjoyable, it also helps prevent injuries on the trail.

Myth 7: Someone will always carry your bag.

Reality: Not unless absolutely necessary.

Carrying your own backpack is part of the learning journey. It teaches self-reliance, resilience, and respect for the environment. 

Offloading (hiring someone else to carry your bag) isn’t just discouraged—it’s against the spirit of trekking at InSOUL. It adds unnecessary load on animals or people, which we actively try and avoid.

Myth 8: You need fresh clothes for each day of the trek.

Reality: You need 2-3 sets of quick-drying clothes.

Children don’t need fresh clothes for each day of the trek. Just 2-3 sets of quick-dry clothes, and fresh inners every day. That’s enough, even for multi-day treks. It’s easy to rinse and reuse clothes as needed.

Packing light is part of trekking minimalism. It makes you more efficient while walking. 

When you’re not worried about clothes, you enjoy the experience of disconnecting from urban life and connecting with nature, others, and your own self.

Myth 9: Getting to the trek location is difficult.

Reality: Not at all. Every Indiahikes basecamp is accessible by air or rail and then onwards by road. The trek itself is far from city life, but getting there is easier than you think.

Myth 10: Children will go hungry and need to carry packaged snacks from home

Reality: There’s absolutely no need for junk food on our treks.

Our daily food plan includes multiple meals, high-calorie snacks, hot beverages, soups, and more. Meals are planned at the right intervals throughout the day to fuel energy and recovery.

Trekking builds a child’s character, confidence, and curiosity—qualities every student needs, but few classrooms can teach.

At InSOUL, we design every trek to nurture those values—while keeping students safe, happy, well-fed, and warm at night.

The Biggest Barrier To Children Trekking? Adults. Here’s Why, And How We Can Fix This

The past few months have been buzzing with energy here at the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning! We’ve had the joy of hosting students from different schools for their IAYP Adventurous Journeys, and each one has been an adventure in itself.

Back in January, we welcomed participants from Harrow International School for their Bronze and Silver practice journey at our beautiful Channarayana Durga campus near Bangalore.

Participants from Harrow International School at a rest point along the Channarayana Durga Trek.

And just last month, CPS Global School joined us at our Kodaikanal campus with participants from all three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each group went through a carefully designed programme, to meet their level-specific needs, while still staying true to the spirit of adventure and learning.

Let’s just say, an Adventurous Journey with InSOUL is not a walk in the park. The journey begins with a steep uphill trek to our basecamp, a far cry from the comforts of city life. But that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Participants trekking up a steep trail during their IAYP Adventurous Journey.

We’ve put together a photo story that captures some of the most incredible moments from their journey, snapshots of courage, learning, and laughter in the outdoors.

Read the full story here: A Glimpse into CPS Global’s IAYP Adventure.

Since then, we’ve also hosted Aachi Global School in Kodaikanal and another group in Coorg. It’s been heartening to see so many young people step into the outdoors, step out of their comfort zones, and step up as future leaders.

Aachi Global School's IAYP participants at the summit of Avocado Hill in Kodaikanal.

Chennai Public School's IAYP participants at the summit of Nelji Hill in Coorg.

And here's some more exciting news! In addition to being a Trained Activity Provider, we now have four certified Award Leaders in our team. They play a key role in supporting the design of impactful journeys, coordinating on-ground activities, and ensuring that every participant, teacher and support staff member understands the ethos of IAYP deeply and meaningfully.

Since 2023, we have been sending one member from the InSOUL team for the Award Leader Training.

Thank you for being a part of this growing movement of experiential learning through the outdoors. We’re just getting started!

The Latest News from our IAYP Adventurous Journey's 

Recently, we had students from a school join us for their first overnight camping trek in Kodaikanal. They were thrilled to visit a campsite so remote and pristine and were excited to have the adventure of a lifetime by camping with their friends in an outdoor setting.

Their first apprehension was, “Will there be snakes?” Then others chimed in, “I think I would die if I saw a spider in my tent,” and, “Don’t get me started on lizards.”

As a parent of a child growing up in the city, have you ever rescued your child from a fitful fright when they saw a spider or a lizard in their room?

These fears of insects and other creepy-crawlies are common. However, if you leave it unaddressed, these fears can turn into lifelong phobias, and prevent them from enjoying the outdoors and miss out on the wonders of nature. 

The natural world holds a magical charm that shapes their understanding of the environment and their relationship to it.

The first step in helping your children overcome their fears is to ensure that you’re not unintentionally passing on your own. Children are highly perceptive and easily pick up on how you react to the natural world. 

If you feel uneasy or fearful, begin by acknowledging where you are. Start with aspects of nature that you feel comfortable with, and when you're ready, work on confronting your own fears. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to guide your child through theirs.

If you believe it is important for your child to witness and engage with the natural world around them, but a fear of insects and creepy-crawlies is preventing them from stepping outdoors, here are five tips you can use to help your child overcome their fears.

A child and a Trek Leader exploring the textures and movements of creatures along the trails.

Understanding the Fear
Start by understanding what exactly scares your child. Is it the sudden movements, the way these creatures look, or something they've heard? Listen to their fears without dismissing them. Let them know it's okay to be afraid but also explain that fear can be managed. The more they learn about these creatures, the less scary they become.

The joy children experience when they are able to face their fears! Picture Credits: Harsh Patel, Trek Leader, Indiahikes.

Harsh, a Trek Leader at Indiahikes, shares how on a recent trek to Coorg, the adults in the group were quite terrified of the leeches they might encounter on the trail. A 7-year-old trekker, Nila, did not know what leeches were. 

Harsh made sure to tell her that if she had any concerns on the trail, she should ask him. When she got a leech bite, she showed the blood to him. 

She was not scared, just curious. He picked up the small leech and asked her to hold it in her palm (since they cannot bite through the thick skin on the palm of our hands) and showed her how to observe the harmless creature, explaining how to deal with the bite. 

She later began seeing it as a largely harmless and, in her understanding, a friendly creature.


Little Nila, holding a leech. Picture Credits: Harsh Patel, Trek Leader, Indiahikes.

2. Educating Through Positive Information

Knowledge is a great antidote to fear. Share simple facts about insects, worms, and snakes. Explain how worms help keep the soil healthy and how snakes control pests. Use books, videos, and documentaries that portray these creatures positively. Seeing them in a non-threatening light can change their perception.

Here are a few examples of some facts that often get children curious and excited about the creatures:

Butterflies taste with their feet! They stand on a leaf to see if it’s good to eat.

Grasshoppers can leap up to 20 times their body length, the same as a human jumping the length of a basketball court!

Ladybugs play dead and release a smelly liquid to protect themselves from predators.

A young trekker holding a beautiful lady bug. Harsh Patel, Trek Leader, Indiahikes.

Children often develop fears based on myths and misconceptions. Help them differentiate between what's real and what's not. Explain that not all snakes are dangerous and that many insects are more afraid of us than we are of them. Teach them to identify which species are harmful and which are harmless. The more they understand, the less likely they are to react with fear.

A young trekker fascinated by the exoskeleton of a cicada. Harsh Patel, Trek Leader, Indiahikes.

Introducing children to insects and other creepy-crawlies doesn’t have to be scary. The key is to make it fun and gradual. Start small—look at pictures in books or watch animated shows that feature friendly insects. Cartoons like “A Bug’s Life” or the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” can make these creatures seem less intimidating and more relatable.

Your own garden can be a magical world of discovery. Spend time observing ants marching in a line, a butterfly resting on a flower, or earthworms wriggling in the soil. Turn it into a game of who can spot the most bugs. This not only builds curiosity but also reduces fear.

When your child seems comfortable, move to gentle, hands-on experiences. Let them observe a butterfly up close or watch a ladybug crawl on a leaf. There’s no need to force interaction; just being close to these insects helps them get used to their presence.

You can also demonstrate calm behavior when encountering insects. If you see a spider, instead of reacting with fear, point it out with curiosity: “Look at how it spins its web! Isn’t that amazing?” Your response teaches them that insects are a natural part of the environment.

Treks and nature walks are excellent places to introduce children to the outdoors. In the open environment of a trail, they can observe insects in their natural habitat such as caterpillars munching on leaves, or dragonflies zipping by. 

TMS Students on a day trek on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Trekking offers a balanced mix of excitement and learning, where children can explore without feeling confined or pressured. Being surrounded by other curious children also creates a supportive atmosphere, making it easier for children to overcome their fears.

By gently exposing them to the world of insects in a fun and safe way, you’re helping them build confidence and curiosity. Who knows? Your child might even grow up to be a little explorer, fascinated by the wonders of the natural world.

5. Celebrating Progress and Taking Small Outdoor Steps

Overcoming a fear of insects doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey made up of small steps. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how tiny it may seem.

Encourage them to share their experiences through storytelling. At bedtime, ask them to recall their outdoor adventures: “What did you see in the garden today?” Let them weave their observations into fun stories. You’ll be surprised by the imaginative tales they come up with.

By celebrating their progress and gradually introducing them to the outdoors, you help them replace fear with fascination.

Who knows? One day, they might just become fearless explorers, eager to learn about every creepy-crawly that crosses their path.

Helping your child overcome their fear of insects and creepy-crawlies is a game of gentle exposure, education, and patience. The more they understand and engage with the natural world, the less intimidating it becomes. By guiding them through this journey, you’re not just helping them overcome fear, you're opening up a world of curiosity, adventure, and wonder. Let us know if you have tried any of these tips and how it worked.

5 Steps to Help Your Child Overcome a Fear of Insects

A group of participants from Chennai Public School Global recently joined us for their IAYP (International Award for Young People) Bronze and Silver Adventurous Journey in Coorg. 

According to our Trek Leader Yashwant, the participants not only met but exceeded the requirements and expectations of the programme. 

Participants from Chennai Public School trekking together on the Nelji Hill in Coorg.

One student, during a nature walk, reflected, “Whatever we do, we do it for ourselves. Whether saving bees or saving fig trees, it’s all for our benefit.” Their words resonated with the group’s growing awareness of how intertwined their well-being is with the environment’s health.

Trek Leader Yashwant engaged in one of many conversations with the IAYP participants on the flora and fauna found in the region.

Yashwant and Vishal, our trek leaders, shared how touched they were, to see the impact of the Adventurous Journey on the participants when they raised how, more often than not, our attempts to “save the environment” do not come from a genuine love and concern for the planet that we share with other creatures.

Another student emphasised the beauty of hard work and resilience by sharing, “The harder the climb, the better the views. If we went up in a helicopter, we wouldn’t have savoured it so much.” The sentiment reflected their realisation that genuine achievement and fulfillment come through effort and perseverance.

Participants enjoying the summit views after a difficult climb. Picture Credits: John Xavier, Video Editor, Indiahikes.

The journey proved to be an incredible bonding experience. Students who often spent their meet-ups buried in their phones now found themselves cooking, chatting, trekking, and even playing games like UNO together. They noted that this was the first time they truly connected as a group while facing and overcoming various challenges together.

Participants pitching their tents and setting up campsite. 

Participants neatly arrange their prepped vegetables and spices. All participants eat in their own lunch boxes.

With continuous insights from our trek leaders about the natural world, the students became more conscious of the importance of conserving nature. What started as curiosity quickly grew into genuine admiration and love for the outdoors. 

They even handled instances, such as leech bites, with newfound resilience. While the initial panic was evident on the first day, by the last day, they remained calm, assured by sessions on insect bites and safety conducted by the trek leaders.

By the end of the journey, the students didn’t just earn their IAYP certifications; they gained invaluable life lessons about resilience, teamwork, and their relationship with the environment. 

More importantly, they left with a shared experience that brought them closer to nature and to each other.

Participants at the Coorg Nelji Hill Summit. 

Chennai Public School Global's IAYP Bronze and Silver Adventurous Journey in Coorg

What is the Role of a Teacher on an InSOUL Programme?

Teachers often accompany students when schools sign up for an InSOUL Outdoor Experiential Learning Programme. What role do you play in this unique learning environment?

Not long ago, we had a teacher join us on an InSOUL Programme who, instead of enhancing the experience, unintentionally disrupted it. She projected her own fears onto the students, intervened at the wrong moments, offering snacks while they were pitching their own tents, and even brought school politics and drama into the outdoors. 

Rather than encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones, she loudly complained about the struggle of doing so. While the students themselves were eager to learn, her presence acted as a dampener rather than a source of support.

Teacher and students excited and eager prior the start of their trek.

With facilitators, trek leaders, and safety experts handling different aspects, where do teachers fit into an InSOUL Programme?

Are you here solely to represent the school? To watch over students? Or is there something more?

A teacher’s role in the outdoors is far more than just observing. You, as a teacher, play a key part in shaping the learning experience. 

The first and foremost step in this is to understand that outdoor learning is not the same as classroom learning.

In this new learning environment, the four walls of the classroom dissolve, replaced by open skies and unpredictable weather conditions.

This physical shift alone plays a role in transforming the way students learn. 

It also changes the role of the teacher from that of an instructor to an enabler, someone who supports adaptability and helps build a genuine connection to the outdoors.

MIS students on an outdoor learning programme in the Himalayas. Picture credits: Vishnu Sivanandan

Support the Spirit of Adventure in Students 

As a teacher your instinct is to protect your students. 

In the outdoors however, learning happens when students take calculated risks. 

They must assess situations, make decisions, and face real consequences to their actions, all within safe limits.

Risk-assessment is a life skill. Children are built to exercise it. It is how they learn about the world around them and their own limits. It helps children build confidence in their own capabilities.

As a teacher, allow students to navigate challenges rather than stepping in too soon. Let them experience the joy of learning through trial and error.

If they want to pick up a millipede to observe the legs closely, let them. If they want to try climbing a tree, let them. We're always looking out for them, making sure they have a safe space to practice assessing risks on their own.

Students from The Aalam International School climb a tree in Odisha under the supervision of our trek leader. Picture credits: Ankit Chippa, Trek Leader at Indiahikes.

In the outdoors, things don’t always go as planned. A sudden downpour. A detour. A steeper climb than expected.

When it drizzles, do you rush students to shelter? Or do you embrace the moment? 

We have seen that students on their own are not averse to a little shower or trekking in misty weather.

Every challenge is an opportunity to teach adaptability. 

When students see their teachers handling uncertainty with calmness and curiosity, they learn to do the same. Adversity becomes a lesson, not an obstacle. 

It is in such conditions that you see your students grow, adapt and rise to the challenge. As Namitha Thimmaiah (Teacher at Daffodils School, Bangalore) said “Students on a trek become very independent. For the first time they learn to do the simple work on their own. 

It really boosts their self confidence. I have practically seen how trekking instills values of empathy and generosity in them. 

Students are always very comfortable in their house and they get what they want. But when they come out and trek they face all kinds of hardship, such as sleeping in a sleeping bag on the hard floor, using minimal water, washing their own plates etc. 

They get to know each other at a much deeper level. Trekking really helps students in their overall development.”

Mindset makes all the difference. A little challenge here and there can be a lesson in adapting, and every setback is a chance to learn.

Students trekking in the rain. Picture credits: Vishnu Sivanandan, photo trekker, Indiahikes

Model Curiosity – Learn Alongside Students

For teachers who join an InSOUL Programme, it is an opportunity to model curiosity. It is an opportunity to be more than passive observers and become active participants in the learning 

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