"It was by chance that I landed on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek by Indiahikes. That trek changed the way I looked at trek leading. 

I was born and raised in Chhattisgarh. In the environment I grew up, independent thinking or non-traditional career choices were frowned upon. I struggled to break free from the set notions. Finally, I quit my full time job in 2019 and joined an International NGO.

In 2021, I was all set to travel to Croatia to represent the India Chapter for the NGO. Unfortunately the conference was cancelled and I had 7 days in my hand. That’s when I decided to trek to Kashmir Great Lakes. 

On the trek I was in awe at how Indiahikes was actively working towards sustainable trekking. It felt like a new dimension had opened up in my life. Moving forward I wanted to actively practice sustainability. 

I also observed how impactful it was to work as a trek leader. 

Throughout my career I attended many leadership programs. But this was the first time I witnessed a role where you could apply all the learnings to impact people’s lives in a very short span of time.

Soon after the trek, I wanted to be associated with Indiahikes. Around the same time Indiahikes opened recruitment for Weekend Trek Leaders. I decided to apply and got selected. 

In the past two months, I have led three groups as a Weekend Trek Leader. As I lead treks, I meet new people, talk to them about values like sustainability. 

Looking back at my journey I notice that these conversations give me a deep sense of love and pride about the work that I am doing. Being a Weekend Trek Leader here fills me with gratitude.”

Why I Became A Weekend Trek Leader with Indiahikes 

I have always wondered what goes on a family trek. Recently I got an opportunity to lead a Deoriatal Chandrashila family trek with 7 families!

What I witnessed throughout the trek was sheer love, compassion, empathy in kids and their parents. 

Our conversations were around, friendship, kindness and love. 

We also talked about having hardships at school like bullying and not being kind.

The parents realised that treks are the best way to connect and to know the untapped potential their children possess. 

Shachi with children on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek

They became kids with them, climbing trees, eating wild strawberries. They saw how children were helping each other out climbing steep sections, crossing streams and rivers, giving out helping hands, washing their own dabbas in cold water, taking so many responsibilities and pushing each other to reach the summit together, even when they were tired to go on. 

One kid, Vidushi, talked about how even living under one roof did not get quality time from her parents. This was the first time she actually saw mom dad being together, taking care and loving each other. "Not just the trek, even preparing for the trek helped us bond really well.. We haven’t spent time this way in a long time". her father added. 

I deeply thought about how parents just shower kids with gifts, but the true gifts kids want is time, stories, building things together, experiencing things together, affection. 

Kids got closer to nature, tracing leaves on Trek memory books, running around in the forest to find that one perfect leaf which resonates with them, hugging the trees, drawing them to learn different perspectives.

During bad weather they were grateful for rain poncho, hot food, eating hailstorms and finding happiness in smallest of the things, like moss which they called "the fluffy".

I am so grateful to be a part of something which brings families together. It gave me a purpose.

The families after completing the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek

These kids are the future of us, the values they hold will define the course of the future. Treks help them be kinder, loving, grateful and caring. Families after the trek provide them a cradle to grow, be more supportive and loving.

“I Have Always Wondered What Goes On A Family Trek.”

Being hit by acute mountain sickness made me realise that it can happen to anyone. 

I was leading the first team of Rupin Pass trek this summer season. The day before going to the Rupin Pass we were at the Upper Waterfall campsite and it snowed heavily for about 12-14 hrs. At night my SpO2 (Oxygen Saturation) level was 99%. My pulse rate was 67. 

Thankfully the weather cleared up quite a bit on the pass crossing day. It was extremely sunny and the entire trail was covered with 2-3 feet of snow.

We started the pass crossing climb at 6:08 am. It took us 6 hours to reach the Rupin Pass.

After staying at the summit for half an hour we started descending. 

While descending, I realised that around 3 trekkers were too slow and were lagging behind.

So, in order to check on them I quickly went 1 km up towards the pass. It was a 15 minutes walk up again. 

After a while I got a throbbing headache and I started feeling pukish. The headache soon turned severe. It was a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10. I was extremely fatigued, dehydrated and hungry at that time. 

I immediately took Paracetamol 650 and Pan-D and ate some food afterwards.

Because of my condition I took the call of reshuffling the team. I went ahead with the lead guide descending down as quickly as possible. 

My SpO2 level was around 90% at the altitude of 13500ft. 

As I reached Ronti Gad campsite, I ate some snacks, drank a lot of water and rested for one hour. By then the headache had subsided considerably. I was still feeling fatigued. 

My SpO2 level came up to 95% at 12,600 ft. By night time my headache and all other symptoms were gone. 

An incident like this makes me realise how AMS can hit anyone. I have been in a high altitude region for quite some time. I had even done a recce of the Rupin Pass trail upto 13,000 ft on 18th May. 

What went wrong was not eating enough breakfast and lunch on the pass crossing day. I also drank very little water till I reached the pass.



Being Hit By Acute Mountain Sickness Made Me Realise That It Can Happen To Anyone

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

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

Please note that this is a special trek. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 14 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

You are joining our waitlist. Your chances of getting a confirmation are high, but not certain. We will notify you as soon as a trekker cancels their trek.

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

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

We are pioneers of treks in India

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow. 

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

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

Our treks are transformative

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

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