Last year we introduced our Adventure Therapy treks. The response to it was unexpectedly overwhelming. 

“Within three days, over 178 people applied to participate. I was truly surprised,” Izzat Yaganagi, Head of Experiential Learning at Indiahikes says. “Even though we could select a maximum of 18 participants, it was heartening to see that the taboo surrounding therapy was slowly going away,” she adds. 

So after an extremely successful group, we are launching another Adventure Therapy trek group. 

When: Feb 21-26, 2023
Where: Dayara Bugyal Trek
Available Slots: 18
Trek Fee: ₹12,845 + 5% GST

Click here to register for the Adventure Therapy trek -- https://indiahikes.com/registration?batchId=9066


But first, I want to share a small story. 

It was narrated to me by Izzat Yaganagi, the head of Experiential Learning at Indiahikes. It is a story that dates back 11 years, when Izzat was on her first Himalayan trek. The story gains more significance if you know Izzat’s background. She is a psychological counsellor, who has worked extensively with couples, youth and families.

“It was September 2011,” begins Izzat. “I was going through a difficult phase in my life. I was at a crossroads with everything — my personal life, my professional life. I felt low. I wanted to get away from everything.” 

“That’s when, on the recommendation of a colleague, I signed up for a Himalayan trek with Indiahikes. Not to cure myself, but just to get away from everything for a while. Little did I know that the trek would change everything about my life,” she reflects. 

“I remember this one moment I was sitting by Gadsar Lake, watching the blue waters lapping the shore. Small rivulets trickled down the mountain sides, feeding the lake. On my right, I could see the Gadsar valley stretching into the horizon. 

“It was at this point that somehow, my mind hit a reset button. I felt all my problems disappearing away. I felt light and relieved, like no problem was too big. For the first time in the past few months, I could feel a sense of lightness in my heart,” recollects Izzat. 

Later that night, when Izzat was reflecting on the trek, she realised that what she had gone through was very different. The trek had a big role to play in it. “The trek had helped me get out of a troublesome environment into a space where I could see my own problems from a bird’s eye view. In the city, I was constantly rushing from one day to the next, never able to give myself the mental space required to heal. I felt trapped in a bubble of my own thoughts.” 

“But on the trek, I had the luxury of time and space to open up. I was never in a rush. I had no other responsibilities. I felt calm. I could see things more objectively. The feeling of being overwhelmed all the time withered away and my problems seemed manageable.” 

“This is what most therapists do in the process of working with their clients. But the trek was naturally lending itself to such a profound outcome – in such a short duration,” she says.  

“After returning I strongly felt  ‘why not bring my clients here. It would have such a deep impact on their state of mind. It could do what months of therapy could not,” recalls Izzat. 

When Izzat sat by the lake, she saw the true potential that trekking could have on those going through personal issues. Picture shot on the Tarsar Marsar trek by Nitesh Salkade.

It was back then that Izzat decided to join Indiahikes with the intention of using trekking as a medium to help those struggling with personal issues. 

In these 11 years, Izzat Yaganagi among other things, set up the Experiential Learning Division at Indiahikes. Today, we work with innumerable professional institutions and schools to bring these learnings from the outdoors into our daily lives. The impact of these programs has been enormous. 

Group sessions and one-on-one sessions will play a key role on our adventure therapy treks.

Adventure Therapy is not a new concept. It is something that has existed in many forms for over a century. 

In his paper on outdoor therapy, Stephan Natynczuk, one of the foremost adventure therapists, writes on different ways of adventure therapy — “Some rely on nature as a co-therapist; others on experiential learning. Some utilise talking therapy and others successfully blend each of these with an adventurous journey.” 

At Indiahikes, we are building on this thought of blending nature therapy, talking therapy and experiential learning to help those struggling with personal issues. 

“We’ve noticed that even on our regular treks, trekkers go through a near-therapeutic experience. It is where nature creates its own impact without human intervention,” explains Izzat. 

There is a science behind this impact, which our founder, Arjun Majumdar, covers in his TEDx talk. “Trekking has an immediate calming effect. Our nerves start soothing. Laughter flows easily. There is a spring in our step.

There is a science behind these feelings. It is to do with hormones. 

Arjun continues, “When we trek, our body releases large doses of endorphins, the hormone that makes us happy. Added to that there is a boost of serotonin, which relaxes us. We get strong doses of Dopamine, which makes us feel accomplished, it triggers our reward centres. And there’s also a good amount of oxytocin, which gives us a sense of tranquillity and love.”

 “But not everyone realises this impact, especially if they’re in a troubled state of mind,” explains Izzat. “Many times, it needs facilitation by someone who can nudge them to enhance what the trek is already doing,” she adds. 

This is what we will be doing in our adventure therapy treks. 

A trek, on its own, has the power to impact your mind, body and spirit. But not everyone realises this impact. This is where a trained professional comes in, to nudge you to enhance what the trek is already doing. Picture by Faizan Shaikh

This is not going to be like our regular treks. It is specially designed and facilitated by team members who are trained to conduct therapy. 

The first trek is going to be led by Ms Izzat Yaganagi herself, who is a Psychological Counselor with a practice of over 13 years. She heads the Experiential Learning division at Indiahikes. 

While the trek is going to work on its own, Ms Izzat Yaganagi will be playing a big role through one-on-one sessions, and group sessions. Talking therapy and experiential learning will be a key features in the adventure therapy trek.

These treks are meant for those going through some difficulty in their lives. If you’re feeling low, underconfident, or finding it hard to overcome difficulties, this trek is meant for you. If you’re overcoming the loss of someone, or are unable to focus on your professional life, this trek will work wonderfully for you.

When and where is the Adventure Therapy trek going to be held? 

This trek is going to be held at the beautiful Dayara Bugyal. The base camp, the campsites, the meadows, mountain views all lend themselves to a great setting for therapy. 

This is what the itinerary will look like: 

Day 1: Drive From Dehradun to Raithal (8 hour drive). Briefing and orientation about the Adventure Therapy Trek by Ms Izzat Yaganagi.

Day 4: Chilapada to Nayata via Dayara Top 

Day 6: Drive back from Raithal to Dehradun

The adventure therapy trek fee for the group is the same as our regular group:  ₹12,845 + 5% GST (base camp to base camp). 

You’ll find more details about the Dayara Bugyal trek on this page. 

The Dayara Bugyal trek lends itself beautifully to a setting where adventure therapy can be conducted.

If you’d like to be a part of our Adventure Therapy trek, follow this link to register. 

We will keep the group small, with around 18 members. The slots will be confirmed on a first-come-first-served basis. 

We all know how beneficial a trek can be for the mind, body and spirit. Terms like nature therapy and forest healing have firmly embedded themselves in conversations of therapists. Medics in countries like Canada, UK and New Zealand are suggesting nature prescriptions and green prescriptions as healers. At Indiahikes too, we not only believe in it, but have seen the healing powers ourselves. 

“Nature grounds us, and while the patches of green at home are helpful, there’s nothing like being out in the wide open spaces to soothe the wounded soul. To be able to commune with nature, especially with the help of an experienced facilitator, is healing,” says Mahesh Natarajan, certified counsellor and founder member of Innersight, a collective of counsellors. 

How Trekking Impacts Your Mind, Body And Spirit &#8211; A Full Script Of Indiahikes Founder&#8217;s TEDx Talk

How Trekking Can Transform Your Outlook: A Trekker&#8217;s Personal Story

My Happiest Trek Moment – Personal Stories of Gratitude, Transformation, and Learning – Part 5

We&#039;re Starting Adventure Therapy Treks At Indiahikes

Adventure Therapy Date Announced for February 2023

If you’re reading this article, I’m assuming that you’re considering taking your child on a trek. And that’s wonderful!

At Indiahikes, we strongly believe that children must trek. When they’re young and observant is the best time to expose them to the outdoors. They absorb lessons of resilience, confidence, leadership and also learn to protect the environment. These are deep values that take a very long time to imbibe in a person, but it can happen over just a few days on a trek.

With further ado, here are the best treks for children. These are all treks in the Himalayas. These are good treks for children. They have just the right mix of trek and leisure.

Duration – 6 days | Pick up point – Dehradun | Recommended age: 7-10 years

Out of all our easy-moderate Himalayan treks, Dayara Bugyal would be the best suited for children. It involves just 3-4 hours of trekking everyday. The whole trail promises lots of learning, as your trek mostly through dense forests and open meadows.

Big, snow-clad mountains of the Garhwal Himalayas follow you from day one! So if you want to expose your child to the mountains for the first time, this is the best trek. It also has easy access and an easy exit in case your child does not take well to trekking.

The meadows of Dayara Bugyal offer a great setting for children to trek. Photo by Arjun Majumdar

Duration – 5 days | Pick up point –  Haridwar | Recommended age: 7-10 years

Everything about Deoriatal – Chandrashila trek lends itself as one of the best treks for children. The drive to the base camp, Sari, is short.

The first day’s trek is just around 2-3 hours long. The second day is slightly long, but on relatively flat terrain through lovely forests. The next day involves a grand summit climb, which is just difficult enough for children to get the thrill of completing it!

The scenery of the lake, the big mountains and the quaint villages offer great exposure to the outdoors. So it’s a perfect trek for children and first timers too!

Explore the Deoriatal – Chandrashila Trek

The view of Mt. Chaukhamba from the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek makes a deep impression on the mind of a child. Photo by Jothiranjan.

Duration – 6 days | Pick up point - Dehradun | Recommended age: 8-12 years

Kedarkantha has been the go-to trek for families for a long time. Because of the short distances, beautiful campsites and the grand summit climb, it makes for a great trek for both parents and children.

What makes it difficult are the steep ascents. Right from the onset, it climbs and gains altitude quickly. But the daily distances are short. If your child is fit and active in sports, he/she will be able to do this trek comfortably.

The trek distances and campsites are perfect for children to start experience a Himalayan trek. Photo by Sitabja Dasgupta

Duration – 6 days | Pick up point - Rishikesh | Recommended age: 12-14 years

Kuari pass is a mountain lovers’ delight. You have an unending vista of the biggest mountains in India opening up right from day one. You even get to see the clearest view of the full face of Mt Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain.  

More than this, Kuari Pass is a near-perfect trek. You go through ancient forests filled with oaks and rhododendrons. Just as your eyes are getting used to the tree canopy above, the trail opens into meadows. This interplay of different kinds of landscapes makes the trek very exciting.

Kuari Pass offers a brilliant view of Mt. Nanda Devi. The highest peak in India which children read about in their textbooks. Photo by Vaibhav Jain.

Duration – 6 days | Pick up point - Rishikesh | Recommended age: 11 -15 years

Out of the other meadow treks in our country — Dayara Bugyal, Gidara Bugyal, and Bhrigu Lake trek — Ali Bedni has the grandest of mountain views. That’s because of one thing —  the sight of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti jutting right out of the meadows.

Jutting out doesn’t mean you see the tops of these mountains, you see the entire face — almost 6000-7000 feet of it — rising right in front of you.

For children, trekking on the meadows of Ali Bedni Bugyal at tender age is unforgettable. Photo by Sandhya UC.

We have several other treks that might suit children. But the above are the best of them. If your child already has some high altitude trek experience, you can consider some of our moderately difficult treks for him/her.

Here are the 5 best and safest Himalayan treks for children to do. All the treks are in Uttarakhand, and they make for a great experience.

5 Best Himalayan Treks for Children

5 Best and Safest Himalayan Treks for Children

Here is an exciting opportunity for trekkers who want to hone their leadership skills.

We are looking for volunteers to help us with our Collaborative Leadership Program in the Himalayas. 

45 members of the Young Indians family have signed up for the Collaborative Leadership Program. They come from all over India.  

What is the responsibility of a volunteer during the Collaborative Leadership Program?

As a volunteer, you will facilitate the program for participants who maybe are stepping into the Himalayas for the first time. The program is designed by the Indiahikes team to bring out learnings and reflections among the participants. Volunteers will play a crucial role in helping participants internalise these learnings. 

It won’t be easy to facilitate as many participants would be are completely outside their comfort zone in the Himalayas. For this you need to have the right mix of skill and personality.

We will be selecting volunteers based on your prior trek experience, your empathy and care, your communication skills, your fitness, and your work experience. 

Where is the Experiential Learning Program Happening?

This program is taking place on the Dayara Bugyal trek. 

What Indiahikes will take care of for volunteers: 

All meals and accommodation throughout the duration of the program

Your safety and health throughout the trek

What volunteers will have to take care of: 

Your journey to the Indiahikes basecamp and back 

Meals during transit from the basecamp and back 

The program begins on May 16th and ends on May 21st at Raithal. You'll be expected to be at Dehradun a day prior to the program.

As mentioned earlier, we are looking for volunteers with sharp skills and personality to facilitate students in the Himalayas. We are picky about who we choose as a volunteer. 

To become a volunteer, you must tick the following criteria:

Must have at least 3 years of work experience 

Must have done at least one Himalayan trek with Indiahikes

Must be extremely fit (should be able to jog 5 km within 38 minutes)

Being a volunteer for an Experiential Learning Program is extremely rewarding. At the end of the volunteership you also earn a certificate.

It is something that will help you in your professional career as well. We hope you make full use of such an opportunity, especially when you do so in some of the most terrific locations of our country!

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

We’ll get back to you within 2 days if you’re shortlisted after filling out the form.

Volunteer for a Collaborative Leadership Program in the Himalayas

Mumma I did it! Dedda we did it! – I was shouting with joy.

“Oh! Mumma I can’t! Please stop!” 

“No beta! We have to complete five kilometres in 40 minutes. This is high altitude trek and we must be trained and fit for it” … blah blah blah… mumma continued. When I heard that we were going to Valley of Flowers (VoF) trek and I would be the part of the group, I literally jumped and danced with joy. Because last year in 2018 my parents had been to Rupin Pass trek and I had to stay at home. So, this time I was very happy about going with them. I love nature and flowers and my dedda showed me pictures and videos of the Valley of Flowers trek. Those beautiful, colorful pictures of flowers doubled my joy. 

But this physical training was disastrous for me. Alongwith dedda, mumma also became “Hanikarak” for me. After her duty hours my mumma took me with her for a walk. No! looooong Walk! Uff! I had blisters in my feet, my legs were swollen, but there was no mercy from my parents. “Beta, there is no free lunch, so to enjoy that gorgeous place you must be fit or you would be dumped.” Mumma warned me.  “How mean these people are!” I cried. 

I didn’t have any  other option. After some weeks, the fitness tracking app showed “Congratulations you finished 5 Km in 37 minutes”. I felt really proud of myself. I got one big chocolate and one scoop of ice- cream for my “great” achievement. That gave me more reasons to be happy. 

Next was the very interesting part of preparation. Yes! Shooooopiiiing! Yuuuuhuuu! Both the sweet devils took me to a big mall and purchased trekking gear like, poncho, trekking shoes, trekking pants, jacket and so many other things. I was very happy. 

Now, finally that day came, about which I was dreaming continuously. My dream of running with flowers was going to be true. Oh! So lucky I was! Weren’t I? 

We took a flight from Ahmedabad to Dehradun. Within a couple of hours we reached Dehradun. I enjoyed the journey. We took a taxi to Rishikesh. I loved the greenery and big trees on the road. We reached there and had some rest in our hotel. We had a scrumptious lunch of veg. Biryani, and Subji. When we reached Rishikesh there was light rain. I loved it but it made my parents a little bit disappointed. I didn’t know why! 

In the evening, the sky was clean and everything looked fresh. I wanted to swim in the swimming pool of our hotel. But my dedda asked us to put on our shoes. We were going out. Wow! Even that wasn’t a bad idea! I realized after some time that we were going out for a loooong walk! Oh ghosh! But now I was not afraid of walking. 

We went to Ram Jhula on foot from our hotel. It was a very beautiful place. I loved walking on the rope bridge. First time in my life, I saw such a type of real bridge and river Ganges. Roaring white water of Gangamaiya made us feel differently. We had ice cream and we returned. We had delicious pasta for dinner at one well decorated Italian Restaurant. We walked almost twelve Kilometres to and fro. We all were too tired and we had to wake up early in the morning so we slept instantly on the cozy bed. 

“Please maa, let me sleep!” But my horrible mumma didn’t allow me to sleep and woke me up early in the morning at five o’clock. With sleepy eyes I got ready and we started walking towards Zostel, Rishikesh. It was not so far but walking with my backpack was a bit difficult for me. One Bolero was standing near Zostel. My dedda inquired with the driver, and yes it was from Indiahikes for Valley of flowers. Great! Driver uncle loaded our luggage. Mumma saw two ladies standing near Zostel. She told me to ask the ladies where they were going. Yes! They were Vani Auntie and Divya Auntie, our co-passengers, you know! 

On a sunny and breezy morning we started our journey. I was too thrilled. Very soon I was friends with both the new ladies and started chirping with them. After some time we had a coffee break at a roadside eatery. The view of the river and mountains was incredible. I loved it a lot. 

Suddenly it started raining and we had to sit inside our vehicle quickly. On the way, the car stopped abruptly and we were asked by our driver uncle to look down the road. It was cake for our eyes. Two rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi were meeting there and forming River Ganga and the place was called Devprayag. I had never seen the confluence of rivers before. It was a sure thing that I would be getting lots of surprises and gorgeous views on this trek. 

We were talking and enjoying our journey. We passed the Rudraprayag and I remembered the horrifying stories of “Man-eaters of Rudraprayaga” by Jim Corbet. Thunder passed through my spine. How scary it was! Our journey was smooth till lunch. 

After lunch, it started raining and we had to wait at many places due to landslides and traffic. So boring! Mumma, Vani Auntie and Divya Auntie started worrying if we would reach Govindghat in time or not. Being only boy with four gal’s gang, my dedda assuring us we would reach in time. So Vani auntie and Divya auntie started calling him “Baba Himanshu”. After Karnaprayag it became very difficult to move further. And it was decided to stay for night at Chamoli. I wanted to cry at that time. But, our other team members also reached there and we got a not-so-bad room to stay. Thanks to team Indiahikes for their continuous guidance on the phone.  

“He Bhaggu! Our All the clothes are wet !” my mumma cried. We all started moving and dancing here and there to hang up the clothes to dry up fast. We couldn’t sleep at night.

The morning was pleasant. One team leader from the following batch was there with us and briefed us for the next programme. We left for Govindghat at six in the morning. It was a sunny day so we didn’t have trouble reaching Govindghat. Our team leader Shashank uncle and guides Debu uncle and Manoj uncle welcomed us. We had a delicious breakfast of Idli and Sambar. 

After documentation formalities we left for the taxi stand to get a taxi to Pulna.  We were getting late so we started walking for a while and got into the vehicle on route. We reached Pulna and our actual trekking started. 

Trail was made of concrete steps. There were lots of pilgrims and mules on the road. I was walking with front leader Debu uncle, Divya Auntie and Sagar uncle. Oh god! Why so much litter on the road? I was busy collecting wrappers and other garbage in my green eco bag as I didn’t want to lose any points on the green trail initiative. I enjoyed light showers and beautiful views. 

After hours of walking we reached the lunch point near a river  bridge. That journey was tiring but interesting. We all were very hungry and there was a very delicious lunch of Kadhi Chaval and papad. Mumma did some bird photography there. Light rain converted into heavy rain after lunch and so we had to stop at one chai shop. I was freezing so my mumma took me inside the shop near the angithi (brazier). Everyone was praising me and I liked that. 

We resumed our journey after some time, and this time I was accompanying one old man, my dedda. Suddenly, I heard a big noise, so I looked at that fatso. That budha admi (old man) was smiling slyly. What a surprise! There was one helicopter roaring in flight. It hovered and flew into the sky. I really loved it. That trip was seriously a bunch of surprises. 

Finally we reached our home stay at Ghangaria. I was among the trekkers who reached first, so I got chocolate from Shashank uncle. I want to talk so much with Divya Auntie and Vani Auntie, but due to tiredness I slept immediately after dinner. 

After a sound sleep I was feeling fresh in the morning. We had breakfast and marched towards Valley of flowers. Butterflies were flying in my stomach due to excitement. Thank godit was a sunny day! 

Now, I knew many members of our team due to an introduction game last evening. Amazing Arpit, Chirpy Disha, Dazzling Divya, Yogi Shikhar, Sarcastic Mohammad, Wonderful Vani, Surviving Asma, Sahana, Latifa, Milind, Anoop  some  more and above all Baba Himanshu. He he he ! I was calling uncle and auntie to everyone but I should have called “bhaiya” and “didi” to some young guys and gals. No one had an objection about that to this little monster! 

First, we saw a big waterfall on the river Pushpavati. It was marvellous. We reached at the gate of VOF and had some registration there. There was an ocean of lovely flowers with riots of colors in front of me.  The trail was not so tough and the scenery was mind blowing. My dream of running with flowers came true and I felt like I was a little butterfly. The further we went, the more magnificent it became. In my mumma’s words the beauty was indescribable. We saw blue poppies, Himalayan balsams, dog flowers and many other beautiful flowers. 

Debu uncle, Divya Auntie, Sagar Uncle and Anoop Uncle and I reached a very big stone in the valley. Voila! We were the first to finish the trek. I was on cloud nine as the view from there was really mesmerising. Lots of flowers, and a big valley and glacier were in front of me. 

We had delicious veg. pulao there and we wen

t further into the valley and returned. We reached our homestay and had nice coffee made by Sagar and Anoop Uncle. Everyone came but my dedda didn’t. I knew my lovely fatty teddy was a fit person but I couldn’t understand why he took so long. So, I started sobbing. Mumma and Vani auntie pampered me. 

At last dedda came. He had lost his mobile in the valley! Oh! Very bad news! We had lots of photos and videos of our trek in his mobile. Mumma took control and shouted “let’s have party! your dedda is going to have a new mobile and my dika has completed her trekking superbly.” We went to a nearby shop and had hot delicious rabdi. 

One more good thing was that I had the highest oxygen level among all trekkers. I was too tired so I skipped my dinner and slept very early.

There was rain in the morning. We had a breakfast of pancakes and started our journey to Hemkund Sahib. Many of our teammates were going up by mules. I also wanted to go by mule but my dedda insisted on trekking. 

After half an hour of trekking I realized I had made a very big mistake yesterday. I was free horse that day and I didn’t have enough water. I didn’t even eat anything at night. Hence, I started feeling low. I was unable to move further and my lips started turning blue. 

Now, it was dedda’s turn to take care of me. He gave me plenty of water and started walking with me. He was assuring everything for my wellness and safety. I got lots of temptations and promises on successful completion of trekking. I had my favourite Maggie on the way. After halfway mumma joined us. They both were encouraging and pushing me. Even ongoing pilgrims were also saying, “Sat Sri Akal Bachcha! Bas ab thoda hi hai!” Mumma suddenly screamed, “Hey look!” It was one more surprise for us. There was a very rarely sighted flower which could be seen only at Hemkund Sahib trek; and that was Brahma Kamal. Yuuuuuhooooo!

We kept walking and that’s it! Shashank uncle welcomed us and congratulated us. We reached there. “Mumma, I did it! Dedda, we did it!” I was shouting with joy. My bahubali dedda lifted me and my mumma simultaneously. But what did I see! That oldie rough and tough fatso was crying! 

We didn’t have much time as Gurudvara was about to close. We sat inside there and listened to sacred Gurubani. Both my parents were weeping  throughout that, but I couldn’t understand why! 

After that we went behind the Gurudvara. Was it a poster or the real thing? I was stunned one more time. All the mountains around us and Hemkund Sahib in front of us. It was a pleasing moment. Oh heaven! The blue sky turned into black and it started raining heavily. 

We took shelter in Lunger and had mouth-watering Khichadi. We had to rush back due to rain. Dedda and I enjoyed the path one more time while cracking jokes and eating Maggie together. At the basecamp we were welcomed by hot snacks and popcorn. I got lots of chocolate from other teammates. I was just happy, happy and happy. 

It was the final day of the trek and we were returning to Phoolna. We had tasty Puri Bhaji and marched on. One more time I saw a helicopter. Watching the helicopter taking sharp turns, and disappearing in the mountains, was a delight for my eyes. 

Suddenly, there was big sound. We witnessed a big landslide in front of us. Trees were rooted out and big boulders were coming down. It was not a movie scene but was real. I was too scared and started crying. Debu uncle Vani auntie and Divya auntie sympathized with me. Debu uncle and Shashank uncle asked us to hurry up and helped us cross the wooden bridge and risky section. It was showering slowly. We enjoyed the path and reached Poolna and at last Govindghat. We had a healthy lunch there. I got VOF magnets from Shashank uncle.  Divya auntie, Vani auntie and my parents decided to travel to Rishshikesh on the same day due to the rain and landslides. One more time we five were together in a vehicle. On the way, I vomited and was unwell.  We had to stay in Srinagar due to lots of landslides on the road. 

We started early in the morning and had superb Alu Paratha on the way. Almost at eleven o’clock, we reached Rishikesh. Divya Auntie and Vani Auntie had their flights on the same day so they left for the airport. Dedda had booked a nice resort with my favourite thing – a swimming pool. We enjoyed ourselves in the pool and rested. In the evening we walked to Laxman Jhula. The bridge was decorated with lights. I played in the sand of the river ghat. My parents meditated in front of Ganges. 

After a lovely dinner we returned back. Next day we left for Ahmedabad. 

Final Note: It was my first trek and I had a great experience. I have learnt so many things from this trek and my fellow trekkers. I understand there is no gain without pain. Being fit is very important. I realized my strict parents will support me and take care of me at my worst. I have written this two years after my trek, so you can praise my memory. Finally it is rewarding. I got a costly pair of inline skates as my gift. Yuuuuhoo!

6 Best and Safest Himalayan Treks for Children

How Trekking Changes Lives of Children

3 Hidden Benefits Of Trekking With Your Family

Valley of Flowers: The Experience of a 12 Year Old

For a long time, trekkers have been requesting us to open up our Collaborative Leadership Program to working professionals.

After nearly a decade, we have finally opened the program to students of professional courses, university students, and young working professionals all over the country!

If you don’t know about it, this is a program that we have been running for the students of a few of the Indian Institutes of Management for the past 11 years. Students participate in a 4-day program in the Himalayas, which is designed to bring about Collaborative Leadership Skills.  

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) of Indore, Lucknow, and Bangalore have found it so useful that they offer it as a credit course to their students.

But we notice that collaborative leadership is a skill required not only by management students. 

A team activity as a part of the Collaborative Leadership Program. Photo by Dr Dhaval Jajal

Most modern workplaces require you to have collaborative leadership skills. 

Top professionals are expected to collaborate, work across teams, gain trust with mutual respect among team members and collaborate with other stakeholders as well. Emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills have become central to a professional’s growth. 

We’re sure you may have already noticed this at your workplace.

The interesting thing is that the world’s biggest organisations and leaders are veering more and more towards collaborative leadership. It is critical to an individual’s growth, and consequently, the organisation’s growth. Earlier, collaborative leadership was expected only of the senior management. In the modern workforce, it is expected even at an entry-level. 

Unfortunately, the formal education systems in our country do not lend themselves to students developing Collaborative Leadership skills. The focus is still on individual development driven by a highly competitive environment. 

This is where our Collaborative Leadership Program comes in. 

A trek in the Himalayas, which is specifically designed for learning collaborative leadership skills, is an ideal setting for this program. In a short intense span of 4 days participants take away lessons of collaborative leadership that they can fall back on throughout their professional lives. 

We’ve seen participants take away key attitudes of collaborative leadership: 

Investing time to build relationships with teammates

Building trust through honest and transparent communication

Handling conflicts in a constructive manner

Sharing control and avoiding power struggles

Creating an environment that enables others to lead in their area of responsibility

Building connections with other teams and stakeholders

Being able to leverage the diversity in a team and tap its collective intelligence

Students of IIM-Lucknow participating in the Collaborative Leadership Program. Photo by Dr Dhaval Jajal

These are behaviours that usually come with years of practice while working with a team. With the Collaborative Leadership Program the learning is condensed quickly. The impact is immediate and long-lasting. 

This is because of the way the program is designed and facilitated. 

What happens on the Collaborative Leadership Program

In this specifically designed experiential learning program, competing teams have to plan and execute their own trekking expedition in a remote part of the Himalayas. 

The trekking expedition, under our supervision, requires them to reach a high point, usually a summit, and return down to the base camp safely. Most participants have never trekked in their lives. 

In this trekking expedition, participants are completely out of their comfort zones. They are forced to confront situations and overcome challenges that they have never encountered before. Each day is designed to inculcate collaborative leadership skills in a progressive intense way. 

Overcoming these challenges tests and develops participants’ skills of collaborative leadership.

Students doing a mood board activity as a part of the Collaborative Leadership Program. Photo by Izzat Yaganagi

When and where is the program happening? 

We have currently opened up only one date, April 2-7, 2022, on the Dayara Bugyal trek. 

The fee for the program is Rs 9750 + 5% GST.

This includes the program fee as well as all expenses of stay and food for the 4 days of the program.

At the end of the program, all participants will receive a certificate in Collaborative Leadership. 

Who can join the Collaborative Leadership Program? 

This program is open to anyone between the age of 20 and 35. It is open to university students or students of professional courses and working professionals.

If you are a manager and would like to organise a special program for your team, please email Ms Izzat Yaganagi, the head of our Experiential Learning Team on izzat@indiahikes.com. 

At the bottom of this page is a form. If you’d like to participate in the program, fill out the application form and wait to hear from us. We do have a selection process based on your background and aptitude. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

How Does Learning Happen On The Himalayan Mountain Challenge Program?

How We Keep Students Safe During the Himalayan Mountain Challenge Program

How The Himalayan Mountain Challenge Transforms Students Into Collaborative Leaders

Collaborative Leadership Program Now Open to All Working Professionals!

During the Dussehra holidays in 2017, my family consisting of my husband and two girls (then aged 8 and 11), headed out for a trek to Dzongri Top in Sikkim with 15 other friends. The trek was challenging, but we completed it successfully and came back with a bucketload of memories. We had gone expecting great views and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And we got that.

What I wasn’t expecting were the after-effects of the trek.

After the trek, I noticed subtle yet profound changes in my children.

Our exclusive family batches are unlike our regular treks. These are structured to reap life lessons from outdoors for children. Read about it here.

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