We have an important update for our trekkers! Indiahikes is now officially registered with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) under the ‘Tour Operators’ category. This brings a valuable benefit for those trekking with us—you can now apply for IMF approvals through us.

Note: This applies only for trekkers who have booked a trek with us and are registered on our website.

IMF approvals can be beneficial for trekkers, especially professionals working in the Government Sector. With this approval, you may be able to:

Avail Special Casual Leaves if your workplace recognizes IMF certifications.

Have an official acknowledgment of your trek from a recognized mountaineering body.

Strengthen your trekking profile for future high-altitude expeditions.

Note: Please check with your workplace regarding whether IMF Certifications are recognized for Special Casual Leaves. The Special Casual Leaves Policy is applicable only for Government of India Employees. Also, you must apply for this before your trek starts. Applying for a certificate after you have finished your trek is not allowed.

We apply on your behalf, making the process simple and hassle-free. The IMF charges a processing fee of Rs. 250/- per application, which we collect from you before submitting the request.

You just need to fill-up this form, which will ask you for the following details. Please keep these details and documents handy before you start filling it up:

Are you registered for a trek with Indiahikes ? Name of the Trek, Duration and Registered Email-ID and your Trek Confirmation Invoice

Are you affiliated with IMF? (If yes, share your Affiliate ID)

Are you a registered trekker with IMF? (If yes, share your User ID)

Full Name. Please have an ID proof handy. You’ll need to upload it to the form

Are you applying for Special Casual Leave?

Once submitted, IMF takes 15-18 days to process the application. To avoid delays, we recommend applying well in advance before your trek

While we handle the application process, we are not responsible for approvals or rejections. The decision is entirely up to the IMF. If your application is rejected, the cost has to be borne by you.

Once approved, you will receive a confirmation certificate from the IMF. From that point, it is up to you to use the approval as needed.

Indiahikes is now registered with IMF, which means Government Employees can now avail Special Casual Leaves if you come on a trek with us.

Indiahikes is Now Registered with IMF – Here’s What It Means for You

Indiahikes IMF Special Casual Leaves Government Service

Dec 15, 6:00 p.m.: We are noticing that more and more trekkers are bringing warmers/warmees on treks, so much so that we have had to ban them on our treks. Here's why.

Warmers, also known as hand warmers or pocket warmers, are small packets that are activated by shaking or pressing and generate heat to keep the hands or other body parts warm. Warmees are similar, but they are larger and intended to be worn on the body, such as in a jacket or pants. These are often used by outdoor enthusiasts to stay warm in cold environments. However, there are several reasons why it is important to avoid using warmers or warmees on a trek.

First, warmers and warmees rely on chemical reactions to generate heat, which can have negative environmental impacts. These chemicals can leach into the soil and water, causing long-term damage to ecosystems. In addition, the packaging for these products is often not environmentally friendly and can contribute to waste and litter in the mountains.

Second, they are unreliable and can potentially cause harm. The heat generated by these products is not always consistent, and can sometimes stop working or become too hot to use. This can be a problem in cold environments where reliable warmth is essential for survival. In addition, some warmers and warmees can cause burns or other injuries if they are not used properly.

Third, warmers and warmees are not a long-term solution for staying warm in the outdoors. They only provide temporary heat. Instead of relying on these, it is important to use proper clothing, insulation, and other gear to stay warm and comfortable in cold environments.

Here are some of the alternatives to warmers:

You can use a simple plastic or steel water bottle and fill it up with hot water. (Do not use a flask.)

Use hot water bags. Either bring your own or rent it from our rentals page. They are available on the campsite for emergencies only.

In all the common spaces (the dining tent and the kitchen tent) in our campsites, we have introduced the traditional heat-generating system called ‘Angithi’.  Here, heat is generated by burning coal. 

“These things work in the same way, as would a warmer. I feel when we already have an alternative, there is really no need to buy other items,” said Senior Trek Leader Diptarka Gupta.

Many trekkers questioned this practice of banning warmers on treks. A few trekkers even mentioned that we should allow them. But they don’t realise the massive difference they make using alternative sources for warmth.

By not getting warmers and warmees, trekkers not only help us leave the mountains better but also the flora, fauna and people of the region. Through our experience, we have observed that proper layering has always worked better than anything else. 

Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything we do. We want everyone to trek in a way where we not only leave no trace, but leave the mountains better than we found them. This extends to everyone working at Indiahikes and our trekkers too. And we strive to do this sustainably.

By not getting warmers and warmees, trekkers not only help us in leaving the mountains better, but also the flora, fauna and people of the region. Through our experience, we have observed that proper layering has always worked better than anything else. 

Warmers / warmees are now banned on Indiahikes treks.

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Are Warmers / warmees safe for you and the environment?

We have some good news. The Office of the District Tourism Development Officer removed the prohibitive-order on trekking in the Kullu-Manali region that was issued on July 15th. This means the Hampta Pass, Beas Kund  and the Bhrigu Lake treks are now back open. 

On July 15th, the District Tourism Development Officer prohibited trekking and other adventure activities in the Kullu-Manali region between July 15 and September 15, stating safety in the monsoons as a worry.

However, earlier today, on July 16th, the District Tourism Development Officer (Kullu) issued another order today omitting trekking from the previous order. Rafting, paragliding and other adventure activities still remain closed.

This brings relief to thousands of trekkers who set out on treks to Himachal Pradesh every year.

Most treks in Himachal — including Hampta Pass, Beas Kund, Bhrigu Lake — are accessible only between the months of July and September, making these months the peak trekking season in Himachal Pradesh.

Before monsoon, the trails are rendered inaccessible with high snow. After September, the onset of winter makes the trail dry, cold and susceptible to the risk of winter snow.

The safest and best time to trek, despite rains, is July, August and September. It is during these months that Himachal becomes a hub for trekkers from all over India.

This also brings the much-required tourism that the state has missed out on because of the lockdowns in 2019.

You’ll find all details about the treks by clicking on the trek names – Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake, Beas Kund.

If you have any questions, drop in a comment below and we’ll write back to you.

Himachal Pradesh Removes Prohibitive Order on Trekking in Kullu-Manali

Today, I’m writing to you from a different setting. I’m sitting amidst a large group of trek experts, innovators, sustainability champions and trek documentors. I’m with the entire Indiahikes team. 🙂

For the first time, all our Trek Leaders have descended to Bangalore from the mountains. One by one, they marched in over the past two days, all of them pink, sunburnt, wearing big smiles after a successful month of trekking. 

We’re all gathered here to reflect on how the October season went — the challenges, the successes, the learnings.

Despite working here for almost 6 years, I’m still surprised at how deep our conversations about trekking are. All our conversations revolve around 4 of our core beliefs that often define the future of trekking — Safety, Green Trails, The Indiahikes Experience and our Trek Information. 

But this time, I sense a tremendous change in the Indiahikes team. 

During the lockdown, we got the luxurious time to reflect on our beliefs and processes of the past 12 years. (Funnily, in the midst of running treks for 12 years, we haven’t gotten time to do this.) 

Now, when I take a step back and observe, I see that we’re headed in a new direction. I can go as far to say that we’re about to change how you will look at trekking forever. 

I know that the trekkers who trekked with us in October vouch for this. No matter what mindset they came with, every single one of them ended their trek saying they had never imagined trekking in this way. 

Today, in my own small way, I’m bringing to you thoughts from Indiahikes 2.0. 

And I’ll do this by sharing some insights on how trekking was different in the month of October.

Here’s a picture of all of us right now. It might surprise you that in a formal meeting we’re all sitting here on the floor, but this is how we are. This is how our meetings are in the mountains and in office.

It’s no secret that the Coronavirus pandemic completely wiped out the travel industry for nearly 8 months. Trekking was hit much worse — it was considered completely “inessential.” 

So when the government eased the lockdown restrictions in August, it was with a lot of anxiety that we announced dates for the month of October. We wanted to start trekking again, but we had a big question mark about whether trekkers would step out at all.

“We were also apprehensive about organising treks during a pandemic. How would we keep trekkers safe? Could we deliver the new Indiahikes Trek Experience? Could we ensure trekkers followed Green Trails practices despite the fear of catching an infection?” shares Sandhya UC, the co-founder of Indiahikes.  

It was with all these worries that we announced trek dates. But it was not just the dates we announced. Our core team sat together and put down an exhaustive list of 31 safety protocols. This was not just reassuring to trekkers, but it immediately brought about a leap of interest in trekking. 

*This graph shows how traffic on our website dramatically increased as soon as we announced trek dates and our safety protocols.

*The second graph shows a sudden boom in trek registrations. Of course, it did not catch up with our earlier numbers (and still hasn’t), but it was a considerable increase.

“Seeing these numbers, we got a lot of reassurance that trekkers wanted to head out and trek. And that’s when we started our preparations in full swing”, shares Suhas Saya, the head of our Trek Coordinators team.  

I want to give you a bit of a background here. We did not enter the October season like we did during any other time. 

For 8 months, the trekking world had gone cold. Our Trek Leaders were locked in at home. Our mountain staff had moved back into agricultural work. Many of our transport and lodging partners had shut their businesses. 

Not just that, much like anyone in the travel industry, Indiahikes had taken a big financial hit during the lockdown. Whoever was coming back to work did so with a pay cut. 

But it did not take long to bring our mountain folk back to work, and to get back in touch with our other partners. Our Trek Leaders, too, were waiting to head back to the outdoors.

By late August, our preparations for October had begun. We booked tickets for all our Trek Leaders to visit Bangalore for a 14 day training. 

Just when all Trek Leaders were set to visit Bangalore for a training, tragedy hit.

“It was like a big storm hit us. Arjun is usually the heart of such training programmes,” shares Lakshmi Selvakumaran, the head of the Indiahikes Experience. “But when we work in the outdoor world, we learn to tackle these storms. We postponed tickets, digitised our entire training programme and carried it out online and were just as successful,” she adds. 

“The training changed how we looked at trekking,” says Ravi Ranjan, our Slope Manager. “Until February, we would take trekkers safely on the trek, enrich their trail experience, and bring them back with a great experience. Trekkers would come back happy and gratified with their experience. 

“But this time, we had a higher calling. We wanted to bring about an internal transformation in trekkers,” shares Ravi.

This is where the Indiahikes difference lies

At Indiahikes, we don’t look at trekking as a sport. We look at trekking as a journey that impacts the mind, body and spirit. 

Trekking touches the core of who you are. You shed the mask you wear in the city. You’re not a “team lead” or a “student” or a “colleague” anymore. You’re just you. I’m just me. 

We see extremely intimate moments when trekkers drop to their knees, in tears at what they’re experiencing. Many weep their hearts out. 

For many trekkers, this is a side of themselves they have never met. It makes them extremely vulnerable and humble. I’m sure you’ve felt it too. 

At Indiahikes, we’ve always tried to enhance this impact. And we’re going deeper into that journey. 

Sitting here today, our Trek Leaders shared lovely stories of trekkers. No matter what background they came from, they went back home transformed — more confident, more zealous about life, more real, more conscious of the world around them. This is an impact that’s going to remain imprinted for years to come.

This trekker herself shares her experience. She was someone who was extremely apprehensive about continuing her trek after the second day. She almost gave up. But then, her whole experience transformed her from within. 

Here’s another trekker who was so inspired  by our Green Trails initiative that she came back and organised a clean up drive in a park in Mumbai. Several of them have made sustainability a part of their lifestyle now. 

Listening to these stories of inspiration has filled me with a renewed sense of excitement.

I know it has been just a month since we restarted trekking, but my instinct tells me that something is about to fundamentally change in the way you experience trekking. 

It is going to be more powerful, deeper and transformative. It’s not going to be the same as before.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Drop in a comment below with your thoughts.

Why Trekking With Indiahikes is About to Take a New Turn

At Indiahikes, we have been committed to increasing the safety of our treks, one step at a time. Now we finally have a measure that we have worked almost three years to get!

We have now introduced a Trek Insurance for trekkers. With Religare, we have worked out an accident insurance plan that is applicable to all our treks, right from weekend treks to the Everest Base Camp trek.  Arjun Majumdar, our founder says, “Insurance in trekking is something that we have been pushing since three years now. Insurance companies were just not ready to make a product that provided insurance to trekkers. Most insurances that we have back home, especially medical insurances, become null and void if anything happens to you on an adventure sport such as a trek. This year IRDA and a few insurance companies have come together to put forward accident insurance for trekkers. ”

He continues, “The Trek Insurance is pretty comprehensive. It covers most situations. Injury out of slip and fall. Covered. Accidents on a road journey on the way. Covered. Emergency evacuation, covered. Death on a trek, covered. The insurance premium rates are very reasonable too (most of them less than Rs 100). What’s more even our elderly trekkers are covered, up to the age of 65. So are our very high altitude treks, up to 20,000 feet.

This is much welcome news for trekkers. We don’t want to sound proud, but Indiahikes has once again taken the leadership in bringing in something that was much required in Indian trekking fraternity. All Indiahikes trekkers can now opt for insurance with immediate effect.”

Last weekend, we ran the first batch of the recently explored Thakoor Top. This is Indiahikes’s first venture in the Kumaon region. In the very first batch, our trekkers were bowled over.

The trekkers from the first batch, led by our Trek Leader who explored the trail Indrajit Hazra, had  a lot to say about the trek!

“I was in first batch for this trek. Thakoor Top is probably the best weekend trek to enjoy so many varieties of forest. The pines, rhododendrons, streams and rocks — experiencing all these things together in just two days is the best part.  There are so many spots throughout the trek where you would like to sit and enjoy the nature. The second best part of the trek is that you find very less crowd throughout the trek. You can feel the wind and hear water splashing! It was music to my ears! Sitting at the top, watching snow capped peaks is just awesome. In few words, Thakoor top is a must-do trek.” – Shashank Shekhar, February 2017 batch

The rhododendrons are in bloom on the forest trails of Thakoor Top! PC: Rahil Ahmed

Fresh from the success of Thakoor Top, our Trek Leader Indrajit has left for another exploration in Pithorgarh region. We hope this one turns out to be a success as well. 

Snow is fast disappearing at Prashar Lake

Even with harsh winters up on the Himalayas, the snow on Prashar Lake disappeared within a week’s time. Here is what the trek looks like now:

Prashar Lake. PC: Dashod Rangar, our Technical staff

The last two batches of Brahmatal, however, experienced inclement weather. With wind and heavy snowfall, the 19th February batch had to stay put at Bekaltal camp until the weather settled down. The 18th February batch couldn’t summit because of extremely bad weather conditions.

Here is a video that our Trek Leader Karthik Maddineni sent in yesterday. It will show you what we mean by difficult weather.

When you know u gotta save your breath but u also know u need to keep shouting and motivating #trek #brahma #tal #lake #summit #himalayas #india #trekking #wanderlust #traveldiaries #snowtrek #instatravel

A post shared by Karthik (@karthiknomad) on Feb 23, 2017 at 1:42am PST

Temperature has dipped at Sandakphu, but the weather has cleared up

Moving onto to our eastern slope, Sandakphu has been extremely cold and windy. Do make sure you get your padded jackets! The last batch enjoyed clear views of the Sleeping Buddha and the Everest sisters. They are descending from Phalut today, after having seen clear views of the Sleeping Buddha. Here is what our trekkers have to say about their Sandakphu experience.

To define the feeling I experienced witnessing Kangchenjunga, Everest, Makalu all in one frame in one word would be “Divine”. The effort of fighting the cold and walking long distances seemed completely worth it in those moments of standing at Phalut Top. It was a fantastic experience! – Pooja Buch, February 2017 batch

If you want to know what our trekkers talk about when they talk of Sandakphu, I have THE video for you. It encapsulates the very essence of being on Sandakphu trail. This was wonderfully put together by our trekker Vijesh Mohan. Watch the video here.

We have opened fresh batches to Kedarkantha and Rupin Pass

We noticed that our Kedarkantha and Rupin Pass treks for April and May were all full. So we have good news for you! We’ve opened fresh batches for both the treks. Take a look at the dates here – Kedarkantha dates, Rupin Pass dates. 

Hiking Club students are preparing to go to Kuari Pass

Students from Canadian International School are headed to Kuari Pass in April. We can’t wait to see them on that trail. If you see this photostory, you’ll understand where our excitement is coming from!

In other news, our mountain staff at Lohajung are getting holistic training in medical know-how so that they can be as proficient as Trek Leaders in times of emergency.

Our cooks also underwent a four day program spearheaded by Trek Leader Sandeep and Chief of Operations, Manish Pasad. The program was about nutritional value of food on our treks and how to up its quality at campsites. We often conduct these training sessions during dip in the season to fine tune our operations. From nutrition that powers trekkers to the treatment and evacuation protocols when something goes wrong, every piece has a part to play.

We are looking to expand our Content Team and also our Slope Team. For the content team, we are looking for people who can write well. We have some part time options as well. A little love for the outdoors will help. And for the slope, we are looking for experienced trekkers who will make good Trek Leaders. If you’re interested in either of these roles, write to swathi@indiahikes.com.

We recently interviewed Vishal, about what it is like to take up trek leading as a career. Click here to watch the video.

Last week, we took a team from Robert Bosch out on a trek to Handi Gundi. There were about six families on the trek. “This was the first time I did Handi Gundi. We spotted so many birds! I sighted a hornbill! That was just wow! The sun was quite relentless. But if anyone wants to go on a one day trek before full blown summer hits us, this is the trek to do,” said our Ground Coordinator Suhas. You’ll find the documentation of the trek here.

Also, Sandhya, our co-founder has just returned from New Zealand. As is tradition at Indiahikes office, we had our story session the moment Sandhya walked into office. She regaled us with stories from New Zealand. She spent two weeks exploring the unique geography of the country: its mountains, seas, fjords, black beaches. She has come back with a very interesting takeaway from her trip.

“People over there treat the outdoors like their own house. Even the most conscientious of us here make a leeway with throwing biodegradable out in the open. Not there.  They will even take a fruit seed back with them. This is inbuilt in their attitude while trekking.”

There is much to learn indeed. I’ll leave you with that thought. Until next time! 

On all our Himalayan treks, trekkers can now avail a Trek Insurance that covers injuries, road accidents and more. Here are the latest updates.

Now avail a Trek Insurance while trekking with Indiahikes

After trying to malign reputation of IH during the last season of Chadar, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) disrupted the Stok Kangri treks again this year in Ladakh. In response to this nuisance the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Leh-Ladakh issued an order against ALTOA.

Stok Kangri season of 2014 began with full gusto on July 12th this year. As the batches progressed our staff started noticing a stir against Indiahikes that was initiated by ALTOA. The local operators began sending feelers that ALTOA isn’t in favour of Indiahikes working in the Ladakh region. Soon, Indiahikes staff was called to ALTOA office to apologise for the content posted against ALTOA on our website. Apart from this ALTOA also demanded a ‘donation’ amount of Rs 50,000/- if we wanted to run our treks in ‘their’ region.

Indiahikes refused to give in to the unlawful demands of ALTOA. As a result the August 9th batch of 20 trekkers that was set to begin trek on August 10th was stopped by officials of ALTOA led by their president Wangchuk and General Secretary Aungchuk while on their way to Shang – first camp site for Stok Kangri. Our trek leaders Soumya Jyoti Mitra and Saranbir Singh were manhandled by the errant association when Indiahikes decided to stand up against them. The batch, that also consisted of female trekkers, was understandably shocked at the way locals were treating tourists in this region. After stalling the batch for a considerable while ALTOA agreed to permit the group to trek on the condition that our trek leaders will visit their office for a meeting the next day.

During the meeting ALTOA again demanded a ‘donation’ of Rs 50,000 from Indiahikes and a penalty of Rs 15,000 from our local agent Luna Agency for letting us function in Ladakh. We were appalled. There was no basis to this donation or penalty. Clearly, it was extortion that ALTOA was demanding for letting us function in our own country. We refused, again.

We still stood strong on our grounds and against the unlawful demands of ALTOA when on August 18th the owner of The Auspicious Hotel, where our trekkers and staff were housed, received a threat from ALTOA president. Manager Vishal Redhu was threatened by ALTOA that if Indiahikes is not asked to vacate their premises, the hotel property would be damaged.

A police complained had to be filed. But ALTOA saw to it that even that was made difficult for us. And to our dismay the SHO decided to side with the criminal practices of ALTOA and refused to file an FIR against them. We were even asked by the police to make a ‘compromise’ and patch up with ALTOA.

We then decided to take it to the next level and got our advocate Kashi Vishweshwar from Delhi to help us with the case. Co-owners Arjun Majumdar and Sandhya Chandrashekharayya along with advocate Kashi presented the case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Leh-Ladakh. And Magistrate Pawan Kumar Sharma has passed an order against the criminal doings of ALTOA on August 10, 2014.

I am shocked that the complainant who is also an Indian national has been forced to go through mental agony and tortured for more than 15 days and the government agencies including police have slept over the matter. It appears to me that the police is in connivance with the ALTOA and it’s members. It is shocking to find that a private tour operator’s association has demanded Rs 50,000/- by issuing a written letter/order against the complainant and the police did not take cognizance of the matter. The situation appears to be lawlessness, the tourist who are very much Indian nationals are being forced by extortion, bribe and illegal money for travelling to this part of the country and the Govt. agencies are deliberately closing their eyes. It is more surprising and painful to note that Ladakh is a place known for its tourism and if such type of incidents are allowed to continue it will give a bad name to the state of J & K where tourism is one of the prime attraction to the public. The matter is very serious and involves multiple complications but nevertheless the state agencies in general and police in particular are bound to protect the rights of citizens which has not been done in this case.

A copy of the Magistrate’s order has been given at the end of this article.

A citizen of India has the fundamental right to carry out occupation/trade in any part of this country. It is also the fundamental right of an Indian citizen to be able to move anywhere in the country. The fact that a private organization can attempt to unlawfully take the right away from a trekker, an Indian citizen, and be backed by the police of our country is worrisome. We would request all to stand up against such unlawful practices.

Indiahikes will stand ground and fight ALTOA till we are successful in putting an end to their mis-dealings in Leh-Ladakh. As directed in the Magistrate’s Order we await police action on this case.

ALTOA has created a lot of mischief and allegations against Indiahikes. To get to know the true facts read the article here

Court orders action against ALTOA for disrupting Indiahikes treks

If you have signed up for a trek, or are planning to, your first questions are likely the basics:

Where will I sleep? What food will I eat? What about toilets? How safe is it?

You have probably come here looking for those answers. And we get that. In this article, we will walk you through exactly what to expect when it comes to your stay, food, and toilet facilities on a trek with Indiahikes.

You will also see that this experience is much more than just logistics.

Because when you register for a trek with Indiahikes, along with signing up for a few days in the mountains, you’re signing up for a thoughtful, ethical, and sustainable outdoor experience — one that reconnects you with nature, gently introduces you to minimalism, and helps you feel completely at home in the outdoors.

Over the years, we’ve redefined what camping means for trekkers in India. It’s no longer just about pitching a tent or eating “pahadon wali Maggi” (we’ll be honest — we don’t like that phrase at all).

With Indiahikes, it’s about finding your rhythm in the outdoors. It’s about snuggling into your sleeping bag after a long trek, sharing stories in the warmth of the dining tent, and experiencing a system built on responsibility, comfort, and care. It’s about leaving the mountains better than we found them.

Where do we camp?

The campsites you stay at during your trek are never chosen at random. Each Indiahikes campsite is carefully handpicked after weeks — sometimes months — of exploration.

The campsite at Nayata (Dayara Bugyal Trek, 3rd campsite). Picture by Vishnu Sivananda.

We choose them with intention, guided by five core principles:

Safety: from landslides, unstable terrain, poor water sources, and risky altitude gains

Scenic beauty: because every camp should make you stop and stare

Ecological sustainability: to ensure we camp where nature allows, not where it suffers

Minimal impact on local flora and fauna: to preserve the delicate ecosystems, we step into

Reliable access to natural water sources: so we can provide fresh potable water always

We rotate between campsites across seasons to ensure no single campsite gets overused. Our Green Trails team regularly inspects campsites to ensure they remain clean, safe, and ecologically healthy.

Some of the best memories our trekkers carry are of the tranquil evenings spent soaking in the views from their tents, watching the first light hit the mountains, or enjoying warm conversations under starlit skies.

What does the accommodation look like on the trek?

At every Indiahikes campsite, you’ll stay in our signature Hillman Expedition Tents — a symbol of years of relentless innovation and field-tested reliability.

These are not ordinary tents. Our founders and on-ground team have spent over 16 years perfecting them, designing every detail to meet the unique challenges of the Himalayan terrain and weather. These tents are expedition-grade shelters, built to withstand torrential rain, heavy snow, and brutal mountain winds, while still offering the comfort and security of a home.

The journey began with basic A-frame models. But when dome tents were virtually unheard of in India, we broke ground — importing custom four-pole, double-fly designs that could withstand the worst of Himalayan weather. Today, that legacy continues.

What you get may look like any other tent — it’s a battle-hardened shelter you can rely on. You’ll stay warm, your gear will stay dry, and your space will feel secure — even in the remotest, most unpredictable parts of the Himalayas.

What does the accommodation look like in the basecamp?

What about accommodation in the basecamps?

Right from the beginning, one of our biggest dreams at Indiahikes was to create a space where you could truly connect with fellow trekkers—not just during the trek, but even before it began. We didn’t want it to be just a place to stay. We wanted to build a community space, one that brings people together. 

That’s exactly what our Indiahikes Community Campuses are today. 

When you arrive at our campus, you’ll find yourself in a buzzing space filled with conversations, laughter, and shared experiences. You might find yourself chatting with someone from another group, watching children play in the open, or simply soaking in the energy of a shared outdoor experience. 

Even before the trek begins, you’ll start feeling like you’re already on one. Staying in tents, using common washrooms, sleeping in bunk beds—it all puts you in trek mode from the get-go. This early immersion helps you settle in quickly, so you’re more prepared and comfortable when the trek actually begins. 

Our community campuses have completely changed how trekkers experience a trek. This makes the journey deeper, more meaningful, and far more memorable. For many trekkers, this is what makes an Indiahikes experience so special. 

And this is just the beginning. Our campuses are growing into spaces more than just being basecamps for treks. We see them becoming experience centres and community homes that you’ll want to return to, again and again.

How many trekkers share a sleeping tent?

Our tents are on a double-sharing basis. They are spacious for two people, with enough room for your backpacks and gear. We recommend double-sharing because it helps you stay warm at night. This makes a big difference in cold mountain conditions.

However, if you have a genuine medical concern or an unavoidable reason that requires you to have a tent to yourself, we do offer a single tent option. This comes at an additional cost and is subject to availability, which depends on the difficulty and length of the trek.

That said, we’re only able to accommodate a single-tent request per group, due to logistical constraints on high-altitude treks. So we encourage you to opt for it only if it’s essential.

To ensure cleanliness and respect for the outdoors, we follow certain etiquette inside the sleeping tents:

No shoes inside. Leave them outside on the balcony, where they will not get wet even if it rains. Your trek leader will guide you through this.

No food or snacks inside that tent to avoid attracting insects or animals

No open flames or smoking. It’s a safety hazard.

No waste dumping. Keep the tent free of wrappers or used tissues.

What’s Inside the Sleeping Tent?

A ground sheet (tarpoline) is placed below your tent to keep the base from getting wet

A foam mat placed on the inside of your tent acts as insulation

A sleeping bag to keep you warm at night. Since it’s not feasible to wash sleeping bags after every trek, you also get an inner hygiene liner at the base camp itself. You can put it on before getting into your sleeping bag. Hygiene liners are thoroughly washed and dried after every trek.

Note: We will give you the hygiene liner at the basecamp on Day 1. You must carry it throughout and return it safely at the end of the trek.

These ensure warmth and comfort no matter how cold it is outside.

What are Sleeping Bags?

A sleeping bag may look like a cosy blanket. But remember, it is your primary defence against the biting cold of the Himalayas. It works by trapping your body heat and creating a warm cocoon around you, which is essential for survival and rest in freezing mountain temperatures. Without it, a good night’s sleep outdoors is nearly impossible.

At Indiahikes, we don’t leave this to chance. We have designed Hillman sleeping bags, specially engineered for the extreme conditions of the Indian Himalayas. These are not off-the-shelf bags — we’ve built them with high-performance synthetic insulation and rugged outer shells that hold up against sub-zero temperatures, frost, and condensation. You can count on them, even at our highest camps, where temperatures drop well below freezing. 

What our trekkers appreciate about the sleeping bag experience: 

Hygiene-first: Every sleeping bag comes with a detachable inner liner, which is thoroughly washed after every trek.

Note: The liner will be given to you at the start of your trek. You will carry it with you throughout and return it at the end of your trek.

Fresh for every trekker: The outer bag is regularly aired and sun-dried, even at high-altitude camps, to keep it moisture-free and fresh. The inner bag is washed after every use and sun-dried to maintain hygiene.

Engineered for cold Himalayan nights: Designed to trap body heat and retain warmth, even in damp, sub-zero conditions.

Compact: Despite their warmth, these bags are lightweight and easy to pack, making them ideal for high-altitude trekking.

Watch this behind-the-scenes video on how our Hillman sleeping bags are designed and manufactured.

The Community Tent

The dining tent, also called the community tent, is at the heart of the Indiahikes experience. Along with being a place to eat, it is also a space where the community comes alive.

Every meal is served here — warm breakfasts, nourishing lunches, evening snacks, and hearty dinners. But just as important, this is where daily briefings take place, and where some of the most meaningful conversations unfold during post-dinner reflections.

These are spacious, high-altitude tents, built to host over 30 trekkers at a time comfortably. A great deal of thought has gone into their design — from the way they’re anchored to withstand harsh mountain winds, to the way they shield you from cold and rain, offering a warm, welcoming space no matter the weather outside.

Insulated floor mats or tarpaulin to keep the cold at bay

A dedicated food-serving area to keep things clean and organised

Lanterns or solar lighting for well-lit, cosy evenings

Note: Dining tents are cleaned after every meal and closed securely.

Where will I sleep on a trek? What food will I eat on a trek? What about toilets on a trek? How safe is it to trek?

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