Nov 28, Dehradun: A team of 26 from TATA Power Delhi Distribution Limited strengthened their team by trekking to Benog Tibba and George Everest peaks near Dehradun from November 25 to 27, 2023. This trek resulted in many takeaways and learnings for the group. 

“That was the best trek I have had with a beautiful and supportive team, leaders, and management. I learned a lot of things about nature, and I will try to imply that in my personal and official life as well. If I ever get a chance to do a trek again, it would be my pleasure. Thank you, Indiahikes and TATA Power,” said Jyoti Rai from the TATA Power DDL group. 

The impact of the activities was evident once the trek concluded. Conversations were free-flowing. Team members became aware of their strengths and weaknesses as a team. They also spoke highly of the sustainability practices followed by Indiahikes. And that they would implement that in their lives too.

The trek also brought everyone’s attention to the importance of learning by doing.

“Quite a few team members spoke about consciously working towards their objectives in life,” Pratik adds, pointing out a significant takeaway.

This transformation has laid a strong foundation for the team to work collaboratively at TATA Power DDL, which is the need of the hour for most modern workspaces.

At Indiahikes, we have constantly observed this transformation. Since 2016, several reputed companies from a diverse cross-section have come on this program with us. In a short period, we have seen that they have become a strongly bonded team. 

A team of 26 from TATA Power Delhi Distribution Limited strengthened their team by trekking to Benog Tibba and George Everest peaks near Dehradun from November 25 to 27, 2023.

How a Weekend Trek Transformed the Team from TATA  Consultancy

TATA Consultancy - Indiahikes - trek - transformation - george everest - benog tibba 

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.

warmee - warmers - warmees - warmer - body warmers - hand warmers - foot warmers - heat pack - heat pouch - is body warmer safe - what is body warmer - what is the meaning of warmee - body warmer decathlon - self heating warmer - warmee body warmer - body warmer pouch - warmers for winter - body warmer machine - warmee hand warmers - smart warming products - body warmer for ladies - body warmer for men - thermal body warmer - warmer price - warmer for car - self heating warmers - leg warmees - baby warmees - body, hand and foot warmers combo - are body warmers good for winter - what is another name for body warmers - is body warmer a jacket - what are the benefits of warmers - what is heat warmers - what is in heat warmers - how are heat warmers made

Are Warmers / warmees safe for you and the environment?

Dec 11, 12:00 p.m.: We have opened two new groups to the Mount Kilimanjaro trek in March and August 2024. These groups start on March 3rd and August 11th respectively. 

Given that there is an incredibly high demand for the Mount Kilimanjaro trek, we don’t expect these groups to remain open for long. So register soon if the Mount Kilimanjaro trek has been on your list of treks to do.

Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer but rather dry and wet seasons. January to mid-March is usually dry, warm, and clear, with light, unannounced rain showers. On the other hand, July and August are the coldest months in Kilimanjaro. These months are ideal to do the trek as there is no cloud cover with fewer chances of rain and snowfall. 

Kilimanjaro is one of the most celebrated treks in the world, despite being a difficult trek. The trail, though difficult, is beautiful with diverse terrains and climatic zones. Trekkers go through cultivated fields, moorlands, rainforests, deserts, snowfields, and glaciers—"so it is adventure mixed with dramatic changes in terrain. Therefore, fitness is the most important criterion to be approved to do this trek,” said Nandana Kamasani, Head of Experience Coordination at Indiahikes.

We have opened two new groups to the Mount Kilimanjaro trek in March and August 2024. These groups start on March 3rd and August 11th respectively.

Indiahikes opens two new groups to Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024!

kilimanjaro - tanzania - africa - Indiahikes - trek

Dec 8, 2023, Bengaluru: 14 trekkers completed their Dayara Bugyal Adventure Therapy Trek, marking the end of the 5th Adventure Therapy group from Indiahikes. The influence of the trek became evident as it concluded. As it fostered effortless conversations, there was a rise in self-awareness among trekkers regarding their strengths and weaknesses.

“From initially dismissing Himalayan trekking as not being my cup of tea, to successfully summiting one, this one with Indiahikes has been truly transformational. While the very ordeal of climbing was a therapeutic symphony by itself; the timely directive interventions of a mental health professional on board, seamlessly woven into the trek led to immense reflection, introspection and contemplation,” said Tushar, one of the trekkers in the group.

The trek was facilitated by Vivek Saxena, an executive coach and counsellor, with over 15 years of experience in the field. Kavinaya Mohandas, one of our senior trek leaders supported him in this program. 

“Being together and walking together in the high mountains creates the conditions of trust and possibility that may otherwise take months in usual urban or corporate conditions,” said Vivek Saxena. 

"We've noticed that even on our regular treks, trekkers go through a near-therapeutic experience. It is where nature creates its own impact on mental health, without human intervention. But not everyone realizes this impact, especially if they're in a troubled state of mind,” explains Izzat Yaganagi, Head of Experiential Learning Team at Indiahikes. “Many times, it needs facilitation by someone who can nudge them to enhance what the trek is already doing," she adds.

This is a transformation that we have observed since our first adventure therapy group in April 2022. Trekkers start looking at issues with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. They also have a better sense of somatic awareness (mind, body and spirit interconnection). 

“I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this adventure therapy as it gave me a chance to explore a different side of me. It delivered more than what I had expected. This therapy let each one of us share the side which we'd seldom shown to the world and that's the reason that a deep sense of comfort was built among us. Each and every day was a learning experience for me. This trek gave me a lot of answers to the questions that were pestering my mind. I've returned from the trek much more confident, having more clarity and peace of mind,” said Sahana, a trekker from the 2022 Adventure Therapy group. 

“We have realized, after 5 groups, that this really works. Trekkers have very strong takeaways, answers to many of their questions and they also find healing. The facilitation itself, the process and the design of the program plays a big role in this program being a success. Along with this, trekkers coming in with the right intentions makes a huge difference,” said Izzat.  

At Indiahikes, we have always believed that trekking has an impact on our mind, body and spirit. Since 2022, we have had five groups of trekkers from diverse cross-sections coming together for this Adventure Therapy Program with us. Trekkers have realised that nature has healing powers and they can step into it whenever they want peace of mind and clarity in thoughts. The Indiahikes Adventure Therapy Program also helps trekkers seeing the value of support, by encouraging them to either seek or offer it. 

View our Upcoming Adventure Therapy Programs

14 trekkers completed their Dayara Bugyal Adventure Therapy Trek, marking the end of the 5th Adventure Therapy group from Indiahikes.

Adventure Therapy trekkers return after a transformational traverse through the mountains

Trek - Adventure Therapy - Dayara Bugyal - 

Dec 4, Bangalore: A team of 11 members from the Bangalore office attended a training program on climbing and bouldering conducted by Gowri Varanashi and Nikhil Bhandari on December 3, 2023. This training program resulted in many takeaways and learnings for the team. 

“The training started with the basics of bouldering and exploring the space. The second half, gave importance to facilitation and the methods used to facilitate bouldering to fellow trekkers, irrespective of age. And all of this, in just a few hours!” added Nayana Jambhe, head of operations at Indiahikes. 

At Indiahikes, we place a lot of emphasis on upskilling all our team members—be it our Trek Leaders, guides or members from the Bangalore office—especially on safety and technical skills. These trainings focus on enabling them to secure any trekking trail to make it safe for our trekkers.

To do this effectively, such trainings give utmost priority to the using technical tools during tricky sections, knowledge of ropes and knots, and basics of medical safety. It also focuses on polishing the soft skills to facilitate technicalities effectively with our trekkers.

“These skills will only help us take Indiahikes forward as we give unique experiences to our trekkers in every group. Thanks to Gowri and Nikhil for passionately teaching us every technical nuance in climbing. It was so heart-filling and refreshing that we all became children under the guidance of these two veterans,” said Gautam Singh, the Finance Manager at Indiahikes

The impact of the activities was evident once the training concluded. As for experience coordinator, Debadrita Ghosh, the training took her back to a moment in time when she, as a 12 year old, was climbing the Tenzing’s rock along with her father. “After that climb, everything changed. I still do not know what. But yesterday felt like that day. After years of suffering from Osteoporosis and Tendonitis, I took the first step of climbing yesterday,” she said. 

At Indiahikes, we have constantly observed a requirement for training and upskilling. Eversince the inception, we have had several such training programs from diverse cross-sections for our team members. This is because, when we call ourselves ‘safe’; it is not just something we mention on our website or on posters. This is why we have continuous training programs on upgrading people’s abilities  to keep themselves and others safe. 

At Indiahikes, we place a lot of emphasis on upskilling all our team members—be it our Trek Leaders, guides or members from the Bangalore office—especially on safety and technical skills. These trainings focus on enabling them to secure any fromtrekking trail to make it safe for our trekkers

Indiahikes conducts climbing and bouldering training for our Bangalore office members

bouldering - climbing - training - bangalore office - indiahikes

Nov 28, 10:00 a.m.: It has been snowing since yesterday at Kuari Pass, leaving at least 6 inches of snow across the Khullara and Taali campsites. Trekkers opened their tents this morning to witness the landscape draped in snow, something every trekker dreams of. 

Given that it is the onset of winter, this snowfall was expected. The temperatures have been dropping almost -8 degrees every night. Additionally, winters in Kuari are known to be notoriously cold, much colder than other winter treks.

Currently, all our trekkers are safe and happy on the trek. Even though one team did not get a chance to go to the summit because of the sudden snowfall, all trekkers were in high spirits after witnessing a snowfall. The climate right now is still cloudy, and another wave of snowfall may be on the horizon. 

Upcoming trekkers must come geared up with the right layers (at least 5 layers for the winter). Keep in mind that snow also raises the difficulty of the trek by a notch. Fitness is key to having a comfortable trek. 

If you’d like to trek in snow or even witness a snowfall, plan your winter trek soon (choose Jan and Feb for higher snow!) 

It has been snowing since yesterday at Kuari Pass, leaving at least 6 inches of snow across the Khullara and Taali campsites.

Snowfall at Kuari Pass leaves trekkers thrilled

snowfall - snow - kuari pass - winter treks

The long awaited Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar pre-orders, have finally started shipping!

The first batch of 300 calendars was shipped today (November 21st). 800 calendars have been booked already, which our team is speedily shipping this week!

What’s really exciting is that we not only have our iconic wall calendar, but a classy desk calendar too. :)

The desk calendar costs Rs. 320. And the wall calendar costs Rs. 520. This includes all taxes and shipping. There’s also a 15% discount if you order two or more calendars. 

If you have not yet ordered yours, now is the best time to do it. We have just a few calendars left. Last year, our calendar sold out in a few days!

Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar 2024

calendar - Indiahikes calendar - mountain calendar - calendar 2024

On November 18th, our first ever group of Minchukallu Betta trekkers successfully completed their trek. And they loved it!

We’ve been waiting for this moment ever since we explored the Minchukallu Betta trek in August of this year.

“The summit of Minchukallu Betta is a sight to behold. One gets a 360 degree view of hillocks around,” shares Suhas Saya, head of the DIY team at Indiahikes.

Even those trekkers who had successfully completed the legendary trails of Har ki Dun and Sandakphu Phalut loved the Minchukallu Betta Trek. “The walk to the base, the views from the summit, and the trek itself are all very rewarding,” said an experienced trekker.  

After the first group returned, the 2nd group quickly filled up. The next group of the Minchukallu Betta trek is on December 2nd. Stay tuned to our website for the latest updates on our winter camps, including the Minchukallu Betta Trek. 

View more dates for the Minchukallu Betta Trek!

The first group of Minchukallu Betta trekkers return feeling "rewarded."

Minchukallu betta - trekkers - tumkur - first group of trekkers

On November 18, 2023, Indiahikes, in collaboration with Decathlon, hosted a workshop for the trekkers in Bangalore. While we regularly conduct online meetings with our trekkers to prepare them, this was the first face-to-face meeting we were hosting. 

"While around 200 trekkers expressed interest in the workshop, we were wondering how many of them would actually turn up. We were surprised that a whopping 124 members not only came but actively participated in the workshop," expresses Nandana, head of experience coordination at Indiahikes.  

During the workshop, our expert facilitator, Ravi Ranjan, ran trekkers through important information on "how to prepare for a winter trek," covering key aspects of layering, fitness, packing, and traveling, including rare tips that only someone with 5 years of trek leadership expertise can share. 

Trekkers found the event to be extremely helpful. "I feel more confident about my preparation for the trek!” said a trekker. 

At Indiahikes, we love meeting our trekkers, but we rarely get a chance to do so before their treks. Community meet-ups have always been a pipe dream. But it looks to us like trekkers love such workshops. We hope to conduct more such workshops, not only in Bangalore but across the country. Stay tuned to our website to learn more about such workshops.

On November 18, 2023, Indiahikes, in collaboration with Decathlon, hosted a meet-and-greet for the trekkers in Bangalore.

Trekkers show up in large numbers for meet-and-greet by Indiahikes and Decathlon

Decathlon - meet and greet - Indiahikes - winter trek - trek preparation

Trekkers show up in large numbers for workshop by Indiahikes and Decathlon

A big challenge on winter treks is washing cutlery in ice-cold water. To bring in some respite, we do provide hot water for this on our treks. But water is a precious resource, especially when most of it freezes in the Himalayan Winters. 

This is where the One-Bucket Challenge comes in. As a part of this challenge, the entire group uses one steel bucket of warm water to wash their tiffins. 

Understand the challenge of water scarcity, especially in the Himalayas

Save fuel consumption by not boiling water multiple times. 

Take the learnings of sustainability back home in cities. 

Starting this week, trekkers at all campuses and campsites at Indiahikes will take part in this challenge. If you're thinking it's too tough, here's an eye-opener. 

“At Kuari, we started One Bucket Challange two weeks ago. It's not been difficult. In fact, trekkers are using only 50-75% of the water,” shares Slope Manager Akshay Pawaskar from Karchi in Uttarakhand. 

This shows how intention plays a strong role in active conservation. And at Indiahikes, we believe active conservation is key to leaving the mountains better than we find them. 

Trekkers take up the ‘One Bucket Challenge’

The minimum temperature on treks is dipping below 0°C and treks have started witnessing their initial snowfalls.

This week, the Har Ki Dun and Kedarkantha experienced a handsome dusting of snow.

“We witnessed a snowfall at Har Ki Dun and at Boslo campsites. As a result, the entire valley got covered in snow!” shares Trek Leader Gagandeep, who was leading the Nov 7 group of Har Ki Dun.

The presence of snow usually raises the difficulty level of treks. But that isn’t the case so early in the season.

“It’s easy to trek in fresh snow. You get a good grip. And the snow is not too much; it melts quickly when the sun is out. So we did not face any tricky sections due to snow this time,” Gagandeep adds.

The case was similar on the Kedarkantha trek where Trek Leader Rahul Paul was pleased to see the higher altitudes of the mountain covered in snow.

We’re now at the beginning of winter. It will take a few more good snowfalls for the blanket of snow to thicken on treks. That’s likely to happen by January. So, if you’re planning to trek in snow, plan it accordingly.

Snowfall at Har Ki Dun and Kedarkantha treks. See latest photos!

Nov 8, Bengaluru: Last weekend, a team of 22 from S&P Global, a data resource management company, strengthened their team by trekking to Makalidurga near Bengaluru. This team bonding was crucial, as the team was newly formed owing to a recent merger in the company.

“It was a very successful event and some of them are looking forward to next one. We hope to have more participants next time,” Srikanth from S&P Global shared soon after the trek.

This trek was organised as a part of S&P Global’s Wellness Program. And it was heartening to see how the team members forged stronger bonds on the trek and got to know each other better.

“We consciously included certain activities on the trek that would trigger communication and nudge them to step up and help each other as a team,” shares Tilak Rawat, Experience Coordinator at Indiahikes, who led this trek.

The impact of the activities was evident once the trek concluded. Conversations were free-flowing. Team members became aware of their strengths and weaknesses as a team.

At Indiahikes, we have constantly observed this transformation. Since 2016 we have had several reputed companies from a diverse cross-section come on this program with us. We have seen that in a short span of time they they become a strongly bonded team. 

The trek also brought everyone’s focus on importance of staying fit and healthy.

“Quite a few team members spoke about consciously starting their fitness journey,” Tilak adds, pointing out a significant takeaway.

This camaraderie and transformation have laid a strong foundation for the team to work collaboratively at S&P Global, which is the need of the hour for most modern work spaces.

How a Day Trek Transformed the Team at S&P Global

team building - day trek - makalidurga - S&P Global

The biggest challenge of trekking in winter is keeping your hands and feet dry. This is why we’ve brought back water-proof socks and gloves. Their incredibly effective waterproof membranes keep your extremities dry on high-altitude treks in snow. This helps in maintaining your core body temperature.

The Waterproof Gloves are made of Butterfly Mesh Fabric, with a polyurethane coating on the palms. What’s interesting is that the gloves offer a touchscreen function.This means you can operate your smartphone even while wearing the gloves!

The Waterproof Socks are made of 96% nylon 3% spandex 1% rubber band. It has a waterproof middle layer that prevents water from seeping in. The inner layer is made up of 45% cotton which makes it feel warm and snug.

Since the time we launched these—in 2020—they’ve sold like hotcakes, going out of stock within days of opening the orders. So, if you are looking to stay dry during your winter trek, don’t delay ordering these. They’ll be out of stock soon.

Water-proof socks and gloves are back in stock! Pre-order now

The latter half of December is a great time to be on the Sandakphu-Phalut trek. At this time, you get to witness some incredibly sharp views of the highest mountains in the world.

Trekkers know this. So most of our December groups are already full. But new requests from trekkers are consistently pouring in. 

Honestly, we do not want trekkers to miss out on trekking in this incredible season. Apart from the stunning mountain views, it’s a golden time to witness some stellar sunsets and sunrises in the eastern Himalayas.

So we’ve opened new groups for the Sandakphu-Phalut trek, starting on:  
December 12th
December 19th
December 28th

A heads-up: December groups of Sandakphu-Phalut get booked way in advance. We’re anticipating even the new groups to fill up within a week. So register soon!

Why we were compelled to open new December groups for Sandakphu-Phalut

Our Indiahikes Trek Leaders are engaged in an intense 4-day learning session with seasoned naturalists from National Conservation Foundation (NCF) at our Sari Campus in Uttarakhand.

The thought behind it is simple—to enable our trek leaders to appreciate the depth of biodiversity on treks.

“It will make the Indiahikes Experience richer. These skills that Trek Leaders are building will help them unravel the mysteries of nature surrounding us on the trek. And sharing these stories with our trekkers will in turn help trekkers appreciate the depth of biodiversity present on the treks,” says Lakshmi Selvakumaran, Head of Learning and Development at Indiahikes.

To take it forward, Harsh J and Payal Mehta, who have led many nature field trips in India, Mexico, Brazil, in Himalayan regions of Bhutan and Nepal, are spearheading these learning sessions on behalf of NCF.

“It’s fascinating to see how the learning sessions are unfolding. We’re blown away by how interconnected the elements of nature are! We’re realising how much life is packed into a tiny patch of forest. It is opening our eyes to a holistic way of looking at the ecosystem in which we are trekking,” shares Experience Manager Shachi Tripathi, who is part of the learning sessions.

We’ve always believed that trekking is much more than moving from Point A to Point B. It’s a way of connecting deeply with nature. And these learning sessions are a journey in that direction.

Learning sessions with naturalists help Indiahikes Trek Leaders uncover mysteries of nature

Lots of worried calls are pouring in from trekkers' families after last night's earthquake in Nepal. The good news is that all our teams in Uttarakhand and Sandakphu (West-Bengal) and Goechala (Sikkim) report that they felt no tremors on the treks. They are all safe and continuing on their treks.

Some of our team members in Delhi felt tremors in their homes for 30 seconds. With the epicentre of the earth quake being in Dhime in Nepal, it looks like the effects were mostly felt towards the South-western part of the region.

There are increasing number of earth quakes in the Himalayan region these days. The good thing is that our trekkers are mostly camping outdoors in tents and are safe. At our basecamps, they are in our own campuses in Swiss tents. "We have intentionally not created concrete / multi-level structures at our campuses, knowing that the frequency of earth quakes is increasing," says Manisha Hegde, our in-house architect who has designed our campuses. 

If we hear any more reports from the mountains, we will keep you posted right here. But rest assured that all our trekkers are safe.

Nepal Earthquake: Our teams in Uttarakhand and West Bengal report no tremors felt

Nov 3, 10.00 a.m.: Since the beginning of the autumn season, trekkers were forced to take a longer route to reach Lohajung. But that changes as of today. 

“Now the bridge between Tharaali and Deval is repaired and functional. Trekkers can start taking this shorter route to reach Lohajung,” shares Abhishek Tiwari, Slope Manager at Lohajung. 

The journey from Rishikesh to Lohajung is a long—255 km, 8 hours—on the route via Tharaali. But post monsoon, the bridge between Tharaali and Deval was damaged due to heavy rains. The alternative route was a bumpy detour of 40 km that went through Gwaldham. Till now, trekkers were taking this longer route to reach Lohajung by late evening. This journey would take more than 10 hours. 

“The journey through Gwaldham was also more tiring due to the winding turns and bumpy roads,” Abhishek shares. 

But now the bridge between Tharaali and Deval is repaired. This brings a much needed respite to trekkers. It saves 2 hours of travel time. Trekkers who took the shorter route today have reached Lohajung by 3 pm. That's brilliant, because it gives them time to settle in at the Campus and start preparing for the trek which begins early next morning.

“Now the bridge between Tharaali and Deval is repaired and functional. Trekkers can start taking this shorter route to reach Lohajung,” shares Abhishek Tiwari, Slope Manager at Lohajung.

Repaired bridge between Tharaali-Deval shortens the route to Lohajung. Here’s how it affects trekkers

After the heartening success of summer camps in the Himalayas, we are announcing a Winter Camp for children closer home. This will be conducted during the winter holidays at the Indiahikes Southern Campus, close to Bengaluru in Karnataka.

The Indiahikes Winter Camp is a 3-day programme where children go on trekking adventures and camp outdoors. 

During the Winter Camp, children will trek to the ancient Channarayana Durga Fort and camp near its base, at the Indiahikes Southern Campus. They’ll learn crucial camping and trekking skills like, pitching their own tents, navigating their way. They’ll also connect deeply with nature by learning about the biodiversity in the Tumkur and Madhugiri district, by birding and also stargazing on clear December nights.

For over eight years, we have taken thousands of children trekking in and around Bangalore. We notice extraordinary changes in the children within just 4-5 hours of trekking. They discover a new connection to nature, find an unknown confidence in themselves, and unlock a different level of camaraderie with their peers.

So if your child is between the ages of 10 and 16, the Winter Camp is a priceless adventure tailored for the Winter Holidays.

Read More about Winter Camp with Indiahikes

Winter holidays get adventurous! Bengaluru kids can now join the Indiahikes Winter Camp

The autumn season of Ranthan Kharak—a trek in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand—was short but highly successful. Although it started and ended in October, it’s left us with some stunning insights.

“This trek has a brilliant forest section, small stream crossing, charming kharaks (clearings), meadow walks, thrilling climb till Thal tok, the beautiful Balchan kund, and a stunning view of Mt. Nanda Devi. This trek can really beat many treks in Garhwal region,” shares Alveera Ansari, Trek Leader who led the last team of the autumn season.

Trekkers make final summit push to Ranthan Top. Photo by Prathamesh Jickhar

To top it, trekkers who stepped on this pristine trail prepared well for the trek.

“There were only three teams, but the quality of trekkers who came for this was great. They came with the correct mindset and proper preparation. These are the most ideal trekkers,” shares Debadrita Ghosh, Experience Coordinator for the Ranthan Kharak trek.

This season has shown us that the Ranthan Kharak trek holds great promise. And truly it can beat many treks in Garhwal. 

Is Ranthan Kharak in Kumaon better than our Garhwal treks?

Oct 29, 10.00 a.m.: Today we are conducting our first ever training for store managers in collaboration with the Golbal Sports Retailer Decathlon. Store managers from Indiahikes stores at the Raithal, Sari, Kotgaon and Lohajung campuses are presently attending a training at Decathlon, Dehradun. The aim of this training is to create an impactful store experience. 

For that, the team at Decathlon will take our store managers through a series a topics: factors to consider while setting up a store, impact of store set-up on shelf life of equipment, and managing inventory.

"This would be a good exposure for all our store in-charges. I am sure it will trigger a lot of thoughts in their minds," shares Nayana Jambhe, Head of Operations at Indiahikes. 

The impact of this training will be visible in the Indiahikes Stores across all Campuses in the coming months.

Store managers from Indiahikes stores at the Raithal, Sari, Kotgaon and Lohajung campuses are presently attending a training at Decathlon, Dehradun. The aim of this training is to create an impactful store experience.

Indiahikes Store Managers learn from the Global Sports Retailer Decathlon

Oct 28, 4.00 p.m.: 23 Team Members across various divisions of Indiahikes underwent an intense training to shift the way we look equipment and store management at Indiahikes. This training was conducted by Operations Manager Ravi Ranjan at Sari (Uttarakhand). 

"This training empowers our camp in-charges and store managers to play a pivotal role in maintaining equipment quality on treks, thereby enhancing their life and efficiency," Ravi shares. 

Store Managers from various divisions like equipment, rentals and ration attended this training. So the direct impact of this training will be on the experience of an Indiahikes trekker.

Extending the efficiency and life of equipment also makes trekking more sustainable in our country. The same goes for storing and usage of ration. And the team at the base plays a crucial role in this. 

This training aimed to create an impact precisely in this area.

"After the training, I see a future where the ground team takes a greater ownership of their work. The next five months are going to be a litmus test on our performance. I am quite hopeful though," Ravi says.

Indiahikes Camp In-Charges Undergo Intense Training to Enhance Life of Trekking Equipment

Indiahikes - Camp Incharge - Training - Trekking - Equipment

Oct 27, 10.00 a.m.: This time, Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek had an early start. And our first group got to witness a different side of this dense jungle. 

"I have never seen this forest with such green undergrowth!" shares Senior Trek Leader Nitesh Kumar. He has observed the forest three years in a row now. "The water level in the streams is high and the birdlife in the forest is also more vibrant, compared to Dec-Jan season," he adds. 

We have always conducted the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek in December-January. But this time, we started the season in October. This shift allowed trekkers to witness a strikingly green jungle! 

Answering our concerns about hot weather, Nitesh adds, "Surprisingly, it doesn't get hot here in the national park. Trekkers did not feel drained with heat at any point of time. Afternoons are exactly the same as in Dec-Jan, in fact better, with clouds floating in, a gentle breeze blowing, bringing in some moisture. After sun down, one fleece jacket was enough to keep warm," Nitesh shares, describing a perfect weather for trekking.

It's been a promising start  for this year's robust season of Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek, spanning over four months. And we'll soon share more detailed updates from this trek.

We have always conducted the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek in December-January. But this time, we started the season in October.

Lush forests, full of birds welcome trekkers on the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

Chhattisgarh - Jungle trek - Birds - Forest

Oct 25, 12.00 p.m.: Trekkers are witnessing a stunningly clear night sky on treks these days. These clear skies are characteristic of autumn treks in the Himalayas. 

"The Boslo campsite on the Har Ki Dun trek is a great place for stargazing. We could easily spot the Andromeda Galaxy and the Pleiades Cluster of stars near Jupiter throughout the night," shares Trek Leader Gagandeep after returning from the Har Ki Dun trek. 

"Pushtara campsite on the Phulara Ridge trek is ideal for stargazing but if you don't camp there then Bhoj Gadi also provides open vistas for fantastic stargazing experience. Last time we spotted the trail of Elon Musk's Starlink Satellites near the horizon after dinner from Bhojgadi," shares Trek Leader Harsh Patel. Tilandi on Brahmatal is also a great spot for stargazing.

Trekkers gearing up for a trek right now can note that a partial lunar eclipse is coming up on Oct 29th. You'll see a shadow of earth falling on the moon between 1.19 a.m. to 2.24 a.m. on Oct 29th. This will be visible from all our treks. 

For stargazing enthusiasts we also have special treks coming up.

The Boslo campsite on the Har Ki Dun trek is a great place for stargazing. We could easily spot the Andromeda Galaxy and the Pleiades Cluster of stars near Jupiter throughout the night.

Trekkers treated to a clear view of the Andromeda Galaxy

stargazing - andromeda galaxy - night sky - stargazing trek

Oct 24, 10.00 a.m.: We’re presently crossing the peak autumn season and moving towards winter. At this time, Goechala is experiencing clear and sunny weather. But nigh-time temperatures at the higher campsites—Dzongri and Thansing—are dropping to -5°C. 

These are freezing temperatures pose considerable challenge, especially when trekkers are climbing to View Point 1 at 15,100 ft.

“That’s a long day. Trekkers start trekking at 1.00 a.m. at night. The cold temperatures hit them at that time. Simple tasks like tying your shoelaces, getting ready for the trek become challenging at such freezing temperatures,” shares Slope Manager Sanket Shitole. 

These temperatures will continue to dip as we move closer to winter. By mid-November trekking to Goechala becomes incredibly challenging. It’s freezing cold and snowfall begins to set in.

Our last group to Goechala starts trekking on 29th october.

On the other hand, Sandakphu experiencing mixed weather.

“It's sunny in the morning, cloudy and windy in the afternoon, and clear skies and cold at night,” shares Slope Manager Areeb Parvez from Sepi. And while Aal witnessed a hailstorm last week, this week there have been no such reports of precipitation.

Our treks on Sandakphu-Phalut will now continue till the end of April 2024.

We’re presently crossing the peak autumn season and moving towards winter. At this time, Goechala is experiencing clear and sunny weather. But nigh-time temperatures at the higher campsites—Dzongri and Thansing—are dropping to -5°C. 

These are freezing temperatures pose considerable challenge, especially when trekkers are climbing to View Point 1 at 15,100 ft.

News

Treks by Categories

Treks by Season

Treks by Month

Treks by Duration

Treks by Difficulty

Treks by Region

Treks by Experience

Follow Us

Contact Us

Bengaluru Office

Dehradun Office