In April 2022, we introduced Adventure Therapy treks at Indiahikes. The response, even to our very first group, 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 growing openness towards therapy,” she adds. 

We had a few more Adventure Therapy groups after that, again with the same impact. 

So after several extremely successful groups, we are very excited to announce our next Adventure Therapy trek groups.

When: March 6th to 11th, 2024
Where: Kedarkantha Trek
Available Slots: 12
Trek Fee: 13,725 + 5% GST

When: June 10th to 15th, 2024
Where: Dayara Bugyal Trek
Available Slots: 12
Trek Fee: 12,845 + 5% GST

When: September 16th to 21st, 2024
Where: Dayara Bugyal Trek
Available Slots: 12
Trek Fee: 12,845 + 5% GST

When: November 11th to 16th, 2024
Where: Dayara Bugyal Trek
Available Slots: 12
Trek Fee: 12,845 + 5% GST

Click here to register for the Adventure Therapy trek -- https://indiahikes.com/registration?batchId=10026

To give you context, he's a story narrated by Izzat Yaganagi, the head of Experiential Learning at Indiahikes. It is a story that dates back to 2011, 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 mountainsides, 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. 

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. 

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.” 

"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. 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.

Read the popular travel guide book Lonely Planet's story on How India is Embracing 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 therapists or coaches who are trained to facilitate a specialized program like this. 

The Adventure Therapy treks were initiated, and led by Ms Izzat Yaganagi, who is a Psychological Counselor with a practice of over 15 years. She heads the Experiential Learning division at Indiahikes.  

We also have Mr Vivek Saxena on our team that facilitates Adventure Therapy treks. He is an Executive Coach and Counsellor with his own practice of over 15 years.

While the trek is going to work on its own, our therapists 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 are the Adventure Therapy treks going to be held? 

The treks are going to be held on the beautiful Kedarkantha and  Dayara Bugyal Treks. The base camps, the campsites, the meadows, and mountain views, all lend themselves to a great setting for therapy. 

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

When: March 6th to 11th, 2024
Where: Kedarkantha Trek
Available Slots: 
Trek Fee: 13,725 + 5% GST 

This is what the itinerary will look like:

Day 1: Reach the Grand Legacy Hotel, Dehradun on your own. Reporting Time: 6.30 am | Drive from Dehradun to Kotgaon | Basecamp: Kotgaon. Briefing and orientation about the Adventure Therapy Trek by Mr. Vivek Saxena

Day 4: Trek from Bhoja Dhadi to Khujaai via Kedarkantha summit

Day 6: Drive back from Kotgaon to Dehradun

The adventure therapy trek fee for the group is priced Rs 3,000 higher than our regular groups:  ₹13,725 + 5% GST (base camp to base camp). 

You’ll find more details about the Kedarkantha Trek on this page.

Where: Dayara Bugyal Trek
Available Slots: 12
Trek Fee: 12,850 + 5% GST

Day 1: Reach the Indiahikes Community Campus at Raithal, Uttarkashi on your own. Reporting Time: 4 pm | Location: Raithal. Briefing and orientation about the Adventure Therapy Trek by Mr. Vivek Saxena

Day 4: Trek from Chilapada to Nayata via Dayara Top

The adventure therapy trek fee for the group is priced Rs 3,000 higher than our regular groups:  ₹12,845 + 5% GST (base camp to base camp). 

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

If you’d like to be a part of our Adventure Therapy trek, follow this link to register - https://indiahikes.com/registration?batchId=10026

We will keep the group small, with around 12 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. We hope these Adventure Therapy treks spread the healing power to those who need it too. 

Adventure Therapy Treks - Outdoor Counselling - Indiahikes

Adventure Therapy Dates Announced for 2024

Himalayan winter treks are truly nature’s gift to mankind. Even the toughest of trails feels like a walk in paradise, thanks to the majestic snow-covered landscape. Below are seven winter treks in India that you must do in the upcoming winter.

September is the month when you should start planning your winter trek. It is wise to choose from the best winter treks in India as early as possible, so that you can decide on dates and book your flight tickets at a reasonable price. An early decision helps you prepare physically and mentally for the snow trek.

Use this guide to make a wise choice among the top winter treks in India. Do not miss the pro tips mentioned along with the trek information.

Top 8 Winter Treks to do in the Himalayas

Not all winter treks are snow treks, as India offers a variety of landscapes in different regions. While one can choose from winter treks in Himachal Pradesh, other regions like Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Pune and Chattisgarh also offer mesmerising options for trekking in the winter.

It is obvious that winter treks in the Himalayas are completely different from winter treks in Maharashtra. However, both regions offer equal opportunities to enjoy and soak in the beauty of nature while simultaneously learning from your surroundings. Here are the seven best winter treks you can do in the winter season.

Also, check out our winter camp for children.

Dayara Bugyal

Duration: 6 days (Including travel to and from the basecamp)

The snow-laden meadows of Dayara on a winter trek. Picture by Ravi Ranjan

This is a trek I love simply because it’s such a relaxing climb and yet gives you such grand returns. You never expect such views and experiences on such an easy trek! Dayara Bugyal Trek is one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand, thanks to the meadows blanketed in shimmering white snow. It feels like an unending snow trek!

Protip: Given the ease of the climb, it is one of the easiest winter treks for beginners and family groups. But don’t let that stop you if you are an experienced trekker—you can go on this trek ten times and you won’t tyre. I would also recommend it to those who have already seen it in another season. It’s a completely different trek in the winter.

Brahmatal Trek

The frozen lake of Brahmatal. Picture by Devang Thapliyal

Most of the staff at Indiahikes love winter treks. Brahmatal is our co-founder Sandhya’s favourite trek. When she went last year, she stood at the summit with a riveting view of two of the most celebrated mountains—Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. She also saw the entire Roopkund trail laid out before her—literally a bird’s-eye view. I would highly recommend reading this personal note she wrote after her Brahmatal trek to get an idea. It is one of the perfect winter treks in India when it comes to mountain views.

Brahmatal vs Dayara Bugyal: Which is a better snow trek?

Protip: It is one of the best winter treks in the Himalayas. So, choose this if you want a grand snow experience. Most trekkers come back raving about the snow here. Also, be physically prepared because it has some good climbs.

Deoriatal – Chandrashila Trek

3. Deoriatal – Chandrashila Winter Trek

Trekking to the summit of Chandrashila in winter. Picture by Satyen Dasgupta

Once popular as one of the best winter treks in India, Deoriatal-Chandrashila witnessed a fall in its popularity when the forest department closed some crucial campsites in the recent past. However, winter treks with Indiahikes can never be dull, so we have found new alternative campsites on this grand snow trek.

The trail, of course, remains charming with its vibrant forests, the lake and the climb to the Tungnath temple and Chandrashila summit.

Protip: This trek gives a highly unfair reward for the amount of effort you put in. You get to see almost all the most magnificent peaks in the Indian Himalayas, including Mt. Nanda Devi, India’s highest summit. You get the real experience of winter treks in Uttarakhand, thanks to the never-ending blanket of snow. If the dates suit you, don’t think twice; just go for it.

Kedarkantha

The oak and pine forest on the Kedarkantha trek. Picture by Boppaditya Chandra

Do I need to introduce this trek? This trek exploded in terms of popularity when we opened it up in winter 2011. Since the beginning, Kedarkantha has been among the most popular winter treks. It has endeared campsites and a thrilling summit climb, which makes it one of the most difficult winter treks in India. 

Most trekkers treat it as a bucket list trek, and they’re completely justified because it’s not every day you come across such a perfect winter trek. Here's everything you need to know about Kedarkantha trek.

Protip: We are doing this trek from the Kotgaon route and not from Sankri. This new trail is isolated and it bypasses the crowd. I have to say it is a lot prettier than the older route as well.

Sandakphu – Phalut

Duration: 7 days (Including travel to and from the basecamp)

Molley campsite on Sandakphu Phalut trek in a winter setting. Picture by Dwaipayan Purkait 

If you are not interested in winter treks in Himachal or Uttarakhand, then Sandakphu – Phalut in West Bengal can be the best choice for trekking in the winter. It offers you a strong cultural experience. You get a peek into what the Nepali trekking culture is like. It’s a trek on the border of India and Nepal, constantly weaving in and out of the two countries (feels very international, I tell you!). It feels as if you are doing one of the winter treks in Nepal.

While it’s difficult to do other Nepal winter treks, this one gives you views of four of the tallest mountains in the world—Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga with moderate climb. No other trek gives you that.

Protip: Not many trekkers know this, but on this trek, you stay in tea houses for a few days, and you also get the Indiahikes camping experience for two days. It’s a great way to experience the best of both worlds. The snow on this trek will give you the feel of winter treks in Kashmir, Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh. So do keep that in mind.

Kuari Pass

The summit push to Kuari pass. Picture by Anshuman Kumar

Looking for one of the easy winter treks in India? This should be your choice. Irrespective of you being a seasoned trekker or a beginner the Kuari Pass is a snow trek you need to do. It is a must-do for the views of some of India’s most celebrated mountains – Mt. Nanda Devi (25,673 feet) and Mt. Dronagiri (23,182 feet) – in any season.

Protip: In winter, there is an added attraction. The snow in its almost perfectly crafted forests. Snowflakes settled on the Oak leaves above a white carpeted forest floor take you instantly to the land which would be Santa Claus’ envy. All this gives you an unmatched winter trekking experience in the Himalayas!

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

A bliss of walking along the Gopat river. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

While most winter treks in India are situated in the Himalayas, this one goes through the heart of the dense jungles of Chhattisgarh.

It’s hard for the jungles to not set your imagination ablaze. The jungles constantly transport you to the mysterious world of the jungle book. As you trek to the jungle, you feel the omnipresence of wildlife and tribal life as well. For every trekker, this trek is a must-do.

Manali Kaisdhar Hike

On the Manali Kaisdhar hike, you hike in the best forests of Manali. Photo by Akhil Sharma

At Indiahikes, we want everyone to trek because trekking transforms lives. However, for everyone to trek we need treks that can be done by everyone. 

On the Manali Kaisdhar Trek, the trails are short and flat. There are hardly any tricky sections to navigate. And the best part is that it requires no preparation and can be done by anyone.

The rewards you get out of the Manali Kaisdhar hike are much greater than the effort you put in. In just four days, you get a chance to immerse yourself in nature. You walk in the deep woods dominated by dense coniferous trees, come across a waterfall, walk to the ridge: the highest point of the trek, and get a glimpse of the culture of remote Himalayan villages. If that’s not enough, you are treated to stunning views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. 

As we come to an end to this list of seven winter treks, we recommend you to explore at least one this year. To enjoy a grand snow experience, you can plan your winter treks in December or any other month till the end of March.

For a hassle-free experience, choose from the list of upcoming treks and book your winter trek with Indiahikes.

If you need help making a decision, drop in a comment below. 

What are some of the most popular winter treks in India at the moment?

Some of the most popular winter treks in India include the Kuari Pass Trek, the Kedarkantha Trek, the Chopta Chandrashila Trek and the Sandakphu Trek. While all these treks are easy for beginners and family groups, Indiahikes offers necessary guidance and helps you prepare mentally and physically for your winter trek.

Which are the best winter treks in India for beginners?

Dayara Bugyal and Brahmatal are among the easy-to-moderate winter treks for beginners. Both of these Uttarakhand treks are equally rewarding, as they offer vast meadows blanketed in shimmering white snow in winter. From Brahmatal summit, you get a view of majestic mountains like Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti.

Here are some of the best winter treks in the Indian Himalayas. Go through the list now and plan your next winter trek with Indiahikes!

8 Best Winter Treks in India (December, January and February)

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Today, I want to talk to you about how to time your winter trek correctly. 

Talking to trekkers every day, I notice them making two wrong assumptions about trekking in winter: 

They believe that winter starts and ends in December 

They believe winter to be a uniform season from start to finish

Firstly, winter starts in early December and lasts all the way until mid-March. December is the mere beginning of winter. Real winter sets in only in January and February! 

Secondly, there is an incredible transition in the landscape from the beginning of winter to the end. So dramatic is the transition that you’ll not believe it is the same season! 

Here’s an example shot: Both of them were shot in the winter.

The Pukhrola Campsite on the Kedarkantha trek, before and after snow. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

So whether you want to see a dusting of snow or massive fields of snow, or you want to experience snowfall, or even if you want to see no snow, I’ll help you plan your trek correctly. 

1. To experience the onset of snow, minus the difficulties of winter: Early December to mid-December

Many trekkers believe that winter starts late in December. But that’s not true. 

Our co-founder, Sandhya UC, says, “We start experiencing extremely cold winds in the mountains right from November. There’s a layer of frost every morning. This usually melts away within an hour. But post sundown, it gets as cold as winter, minus the snow. By the middle of November, we get the first dustings of snowfall. They melt quickly, but a bit sticks as well. The upper reaches of our treks start accumulating more snow.”

From early December to mid-December is when the mountains usually receive the first snow. It is usually a mild dusting of snow that melts away within a day or two, but it does not melt totally. A bit stays on the ground. But if you get to experience this first winter snow, it’s extremely special. You see a magical sight of white as well as golden. 

A few benefits of trekking from early December to mid-December: 

There are high chances of experiencing the first winter snow

You get terrific, clear skies and crisp mountain views. Following October and November, this is the best time for stargazing and astrophotography

This season has the highest trek-completion success rate compared to the rest of winter.

The temperatures are not as harsh as the rest of winter

A slight dusting of snow in early December at the Khorurai campsite of Brahmatal. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

2. A light layer of snow, with chances of 1-2 snowfalls - mid-December to end of December

This is by far the most popular winter trekking time. It's the holiday season when most trekkers in the country end up in the mountains. 

Frankly, if I were you, I would choose the seasons before and after this to trek. Unruly crowds often destroy the serenity of the mountains. Popular treks like Kedarkantha and Brahmatal see a footfall as high as 1000 trekkers per day.

If you ignore the crowd, though, there are some lovely things about trekking between mid-December and the end of December. 

Benefits of trekking from mid-December to the end of December: 

There are at least 1-2 Western disturbances bringing in snowfall this season.

With dropping temperatures, this snow doesn’t melt away easily. It forms a light layer of snow. 

Ankle deep snow makes for lovely snow-walks. 

The chances of completing the trek are still high, compared to January and February


From mid-December to end of December, expect around ankle-deep snow, that is if India has a good snowfall in December. Picture by Praveen Kumar

3. The Big Snow Season - January, February, until mid-March 

Now this is when real winter sets in. Jan, Feb, and until mid-March are what we term the “Big Snow Season” at Indiahikes. This is when luxuriant blankets of snow cover most Himalayan treks. 

With at least 3-4 more Western disturbances and plummeting temperatures, the deposit of snow increases from ankle-deep to knee-deep to waist-deep and sometimes even chest-deep in sections! 

For trekkers who are craving to experience snow, this is the most delightful time of the winter to trek. Right from Day 1, when you’re in the forests, you see fairy-tale-like snowy settings. The boughs of trees are beautifully laden with snow. The treetops are drizzled with frost. As you climb higher, you see meadows and clearings covered in a vast white blanket. The ground below you is a soft, powdery carpet. Our camps are usually in the heart of this snow deposit.

Frankly, most winter photos of Himalayan treks that you see are taken in this Big Snow season and not in December.

There are many benefits to trekking in January, February, and mid-March: 

It has the maximum snow deposit compared to all of winter 

There are greater chances of experiencing snowfall 

It has the fewest crowds. You’ll have the mountains all to yourself  

Snow experiences like snow-slides, snowball fights, snow-caves come alive in this season

True, there are 10% chances that heavy snowfall may not allow you to complete the trek. But even that experience is worth it. The fact that you are covered by Indiahikes' Trek Again Policy is a good sweetner. It allows you to repeat your trek later without having to pay us for it. 

The snow deposit on all treks is the highest in the months of Jan and Feb, the Big Snow Season. Picture by Dhaval Jajal shot on the Dayara Bugyal trek

The forests of Dayara Bugyal in winter. Picture by Dhaval Jajal

The frozen Brahmatal Lake in peak winter. Picture by Ashish Bhatt

The Deoriatal Lake in winter, surrounded by snow, with the Chaukhamba massif hiding behind the clouds. Photo from Indiahikes archive.

Peak winter in Kedarkantha is a challenging experience. But every bit of effort rewards you manifold. Picture by Bappaditya Chandra.

The oak forests of Kuari Pass covered in snow. Picture by Sandhya UC

Sandakphu is one of those few trails where you have the luxury of staying in a warm tea house despite the chilly weather outside. Picture of the Molley camp by Dwaipayan Purkait.

Bonus: The Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek in Winter

Finally, I have a very special winter trek for you. Every trekker who has been here has come out loving the experience! I'm talking about the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek. 

This is among those rare treks that you'll come across only once in your lifetime. Everything about it is unique — dense forests reminiscent of The Jungle Book, an entire day's walk through a beachy river, caves with inscriptions that date back thousands of years... 

If you're looking for an exotic experience this winter, then plan a trek to Chhattisgarh. This deep-dive video (an interview with our founder) on the trek will give you some rare inside information about this trek.

That brings me to the end of this email. It’s already October, and most of our popular winter treks are getting full quickly. So plan soon. 

If you have any doubts, please feel free to comment below. I’m here to personally help you out. 

An expert guide on how to time your winter trek between December 2023 and February 2024

Winter Treks In  India - Best Winter Treks For Beginners To See Snow - How To Time Your Trek

The past few days have been some of the most harrowing at Indiahikes. Not just at Indiahikes, but for everyone affected by the heavy rains, floods, and landslides in Himachal Pradesh.

Over one hundred fifty of our trekkers were stranded on treks. Roaring rivers had torn apart bridges and eaten into connecting roads. Without crossing these rivers, there was no way for our trekkers to return. 

This is the story of how these trekkers were rescued from three such treks -- Beas Kund, Pin Bhaba Pass and Hampta Pass.

Our team members have been narrating extraordinary stories to us ever since they returned. 

There are no fanciful airlifts or heli-rescues in their stories. No airdropping of supplies. No rescue forces rushed to their aid. It's the story of the hard realities of mountain rescues in our country, where the geography of the Himalayas does not allow the luxuries of filmy style rescue missions.

All these rescues were done without electricity, mobile connectivity, or external food supplies, and amidst continuous rain. Our mountain teams have pulled off something heroic with minimal supplies. This is their story.

Here's a glimpse of what went into evacuating trekkers from these three treks. 

Beas Kund: Where trekkers were not airlifted, they were JCB-lifted!

Nithyam Nachappa, Trek Leader with Indiahikes, was stationed at our base camp in Manali when the rains began. When we realised that trekkers could not move from their campsites because of the swollen Beas river, Nithyam, along with a rescue team from Indiahikes, headed out to bring trekkers down. He shares the story of how two teams of trekkers were evacuated from the Beas Kund trek. 

“Who would've imagined that a trek like Beas Kund could be so troublesome?” he begins.

“One of the challenges of Beas Kund was that, we, at Manali Base, had no information about the condition of 37 trekkers, 3 trek leaders, and our kitchen team at Beas Kund Trek. This made us anxious.

On July 10, the decision was made to form a team to evacuate both Hampta and Beas trekkers. I, along with Raju Seth, Harsh Mohan, Anuj, and Jugnu, started from Sarsai (our Manali Base) along with some technical equipment. 

The entire journey to Dhundi threw many curve balls at us. As the roads were blocked at multiple locations, we walked, changed vehicles, and walked again. When we thought we would finally reach Palchan within a few kilometres, the vehicle got stuck in wet soil at Shanag, near Burua. The tyre was stuck and refused to move. We decided that we would walk to Palchan. We moved to Palchani and found our local coordinator from Manali, Arjun Thakur, already there. (Arjun helps Indiahikes arrange guides, transportation and mules for Beas Kund and Bhrigu Lake treks)

Vignesh was on the other side of the river, constantly coming down from Dhundi to check the flow of the stream. He must've come at least 10 times for this. 

The mighty Beas River had washed off the entire bridge and the road that we use to come to this side of the road. 

Aniket’s (Trek Leader) team was stuck at Lohali, the second camp, for two nights, and Sahil’s (Trek Leader) team was at Dhundi, the first camp. 

The entire camp was flooded; sleeping bags were wet; tents were wet; and streams were overflowing. The water was entering the kitchen tent and the dining tent. Nala bana bana ke thak gayi team. 

We didn't want trekkers to stay there another night. Also, the rain had reduced to a mild drizzle, so it was safe to come down. 

But how could we bring trekkers across the river—a JCB?

When we reached Palchani, we saw the river flow, and it was horrible. At first, we decided we would build a Tyrolean traverse. But we did not have a proper base, and sadly, the length of the rope was not sufficient for the swollen river. 

But then an odd idea struck. We spotted a JCB near the river. What if we ferried trekkers across the river on a JCB?

Arjun Thakur spoke to the JCB person, but the person refused to help, saying it was risky to do it without permission from their engineer. 

I decided to approach him again. I literally begged him and somehow convinced him to start the JCB and ferry trekkers. A lot of calculation and planning went into this decision. We considered all safety factors and felt it was safe and possibly the only option we had.

We took a call to descend both trekking teams on the same day. They all reached the Dhundi camp. 

Just as we started our mission, we noticed the JCB was extremely unstable in the water. The river was so furious that even an 8 tonne machine was shaking. 

We immediately decided to abort the mission. 

Now, we had 37 trekkers near the stream. We had no tents, sleeping bags, or enough food. We decided to move the entire team to the power house (it's a huge concrete structure) close to where they were. 

At around 8 p.m., we built a Tyrolean traverse across the river. We had always seen supplies being airdropped in such emergency situations. This time, we had to send all supplies across the river in a traverse. 

In the dark, amidst rain, the teams on both sides did a fantastic job! Trekkers lent a hand too. 38 sleeping bags, mats, blankets, and tents went across the river to the trekkers. 

Meanwhile, the kitchen team cooked at Dhundi and sent down the food to trekkers at night. Incredible effort by the kitchen team, guides, and trek leaders. The rescue team that had left from Manali returned to Arjun’s place at 12 a.m. and rested for the night. 

The next day, we would attempt the JCB-ferrying again in the early hours when the water level would be lower. 

The next day, we arrived at the spot by 6:15 a.m.

After the JCB and trekkers arrived, our attempt began at 8 a.m. This time, albeit with a little difficulty, the JCB could get onto the other side of the river! What a relief it was! 

It took two nervous hours, but all our trekkers were evacuated safely. We immediately moved them all to a safe place where they could eat breakfast.

In hindsight, in my career, I have never seen a team work so selflessly and efficiently to make something possible. Our three trek leaders, Aniket, Sahil, and Vignesh, showed great teamwork. At no point did they let trekkers face any difficulty. The PFA was on point, and trekkers were joyful. They felt safe, were happy, and had zero complaints or any kind of trouble. I don't know how they managed this. 

A lot happened on the same day. After we evacuated the trekkers, we brought down all the camps and our kitchen team as well. 

For those of you who don't know Arjun, he is our transport coordinator, and he's been with us for many years. Without him and his family, this wouldn't have been possible. From arranging logistics to provisions to technical equipment, he was on his toes day and night. I cannot tell you all how many times we drove back and forth for many things. He must've driven his Jeep for at least 10 hours in a day. Hats off to him and his team of drivers. 

I am very grateful to the JCB driver (Sushil), without whom this wouldn't have been possible. Patiently, he drove, navigated through the gushing Beas River, and rescued all trekkers safely. A hearty thanks to him and his team.

Harshu, Raju Seth, Anuj, Jugnu and the Beas Kund team—nothing seems to shake them. "Aaj toh team ko neeche lakar hi rahenge" was their chant throughout. Not to forget the base team for superb coordination throughout. 

3 rescue stories from Himachal - Extraordinary stories of how the Indiahikes team rescued 300 plus trekkers from the Manali floods

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