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Why trek the Do-It-Yourself Way

Quietly, under our feet, trekking is changing in our country. More and more trekkers are taking to the mountains. But they are trekking differently. They are trekking on their own without the support of any organisation. They are trekking the Do-It-Yourself way. 

DIY trekking is not new in our country. In fact, much before Indiahikes started, DIY was the only way I trekked.

Today, many years later, I realise how different trekking has become. While at Indiahikes, we have consciously tried to recreate the experience of DIY treks, it can never be the same as a true DIY trek. 

This is why at Indiahikes, we have launched DIY treks.

– Arjun Majumdar
Founder, CEO, Indiahikes

Why trek the Do-It-Yourself Way

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Quietly, under our feet, trekking is changing in our country. More and more trekkers are taking to the mountains. But they are trekking differently. They are trekking on their own without the support of any organisation. They are trekking the Do-It-Yourself way. 

DIY trekking is not new in our country. In fact, much before Indiahikes started, DIY was the only way I trekked.

Today, many years later, I realise how different trekking has become. While at Indiahikes, we have consciously tried to recreate the experience of DIY treks, it can never be the same as a true DIY trek. 

This is why at Indiahikes, we have launched DIY treks.

– Arjun Majumdar
Founder, CEO, Indiahikes

How We Will Assist You

The Camping Kit comes with

  • Crosstrek Lite Expedition tents
  • Lightweight sleeping bags (-10 °C)
  • Mats and groundsheets
  • A shovel
  • Safety equipment (microspikes and gaiters + oximeter)
  • Kitchen kit (with required vessels/utensils + a camping stove and gas canisters)

The Food Kit has specially made dehydrated and premixed food used on expeditions

This kit is marked out, and you will get an instruction manual on how to cook your food. Each day’s kit has your

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

These food kits do not require cooking. To prepare your meals, you just need to add warm water, which is ready to eat.

Our R&D team has specially designed the menu. It is exactly what you need on a trek. It does not resemble home or restaurant food.

A DIY Guide will help you with:

Assisting in carrying a bit of load for the trekker and Safety on the trek.

As a DIY trekker, you will have to carry a weight of 9-10 Kg similar to any regular trekker. The additional weight will be supported by a DIY guide from the local village.

Since the DIY guide is from the same region, this will give you an additional net of safety on your DIY trek.

For treks around Bangalore, you can rely on the GPX file that are accessible for trekkers.

Some questions you may have

The DIY treks we have opened are easy to be attempted by beginners. If you have trekked locally, you can definitely attempt these DIY treks.

But if you have never trekked before (not even near your home), then it’s better you trek with Indiahikes first (with our regular teams) and then attempt a DIY trek. That way, you will be better prepared to trek on your own.

On another note, if you’re going with a small team of 3-4 trekkers, even if one or two of you have some trek experience, it will help.

The two biggest fears on a high-altitude trek are getting lost and getting hit by AMS. The GPX file (which comes with a tutorial on how to use it) will ensure you don’t get lost. As for AMS, we will equip you with a medical kit so that you can tackle initial symptoms on your own. Please make use of all our resources to learn about AMS here.

Additionally, we have opened treks in Uttarakhand, knowing that the regular Indiahikes teams will be camping nearby. You can fall back on them as a safety net.

The DIY kits cost on a per-person-per-day basis. For example, the camping kit costs Rs 650 per person per day. The food kit costs Rs 250 per person per day. The navigation kit costs nothing.

The costs of these kits include almost all expenses that you would incur on a trek.

To give you an idea of costs for a 4-day Himalayan trek, an average cost per person for a trek would roughly come to Rs 4,200, all kits included.

(There will be separate charges if you need accommodation at the base camp or guides and mules for your trek)

You can do any DIY trek with these 3 kits and our rental store. If you are trekking in a group, each trekker is expected to carry a backpack of 9-10 kg. This load is not something that will wear you down. It doesn’t spoil your trek’s enjoyment.

When we trekked on our own in the early days, our backpacks weighed around 20 kg. We didn’t like carrying so much weight. This is why we were conscious that our team designed the kits so that no one would carry more than 10 kg each with the help of the porter guide.

The DIY Kits are available for treks around Uttarakhand and Bangalore.

Additionally, when we have our season of Himachal and Kashmir, trekkers can collect the kits from our operational base office space.

How To Go About It

You can select DIY treks in Uttarakhand and Bangalore

Given this new trekking style, we are introducing DIY Treks with a local DIY guide.

You can select any trek of your choice in Uttarakhand. If you do not have enough trek experience of trekking at high altitudes, then it is better to always start with easy or easy-moderate treks and then taking up something more challenging.

Note: For treks in Uttarkashi, Himachal Pradesh and J&K, trekkers must have a mandatory guide.

Decide the gears you need for the trek

We have made three DIY Kits to make your trek easier - a Navigation Kit, a Camping Kit, and a Food Kit. These kits include everything you would need to trek comfortably and safely.

We also understand that you may already have some gear, which you may not need from us.

You can discuss this with our Experience Coordinator and arrive at a final equipment list.

Collect your kits from our team

Our team at Dehradun for Uttarakhand or from our office at Bangalore can give you the kits required for your DIY Trek.

You will have to provide a security deposit of Rs 10,000 and an original ID Card (either an Aadhar Card or Passport).

Once you collect the kits, you can report and meet our Slope Manager at the basecamp before you start the trek.

With a loaded GPX file on your phone, and your camping and food kits, you are all set to go on your DIY trek.

Videos to help you on your DIY Trek

What Trekkers Say

Radhika Misquitta

DIY trek to Phulara Ridge, October 2023

The option for a guide made us more confident that this was something we could pull off.
To begin with, thank you to the entire India Hikes team. We felt so welcomed and everything was arranged superbly, from the kit in Dehradun, the car, the Kotgaon stay, and briefing. It was a very enco...Read More
To begin with, thank you to the entire India Hikes team. We felt so welcomed and everything was arranged superbly, from the kit in Dehradun, the car, the Kotgaon stay, and briefing. It was a very enco...Read More
Priyam Lath

DIY trek to Brahmatal, October 2023

I did anything and everything I ever imagined in my wildest of dreams. What an adventure everything was!
Hi Suhas Thank you so much for such a smooth and hassle free process right from booking till the end of the trek.  Indeed it was a great trekking experience and adventure on the trek. In 4 days, I'v...Read More
Hi Suhas Thank you so much for such a smooth and hassle free process right from booking till the end of the trek.  Indeed it was a great trekking experience and adventure on the trek. In 4 days, I'v...Read More
Alekhya Sattigeri

DIY trek to Kedartal, October 2023

I believe the experience as a whole has left an indelible impression on me.
Hey Suhas, let me begin by thanking you for all the help and assistance provided by you for my Kedartal trek. It is a trek I will never forget in my life, it holds a special place in my heart for very...Read More
Hey Suhas, let me begin by thanking you for all the help and assistance provided by you for my Kedartal trek. It is a trek I will never forget in my life, it holds a special place in my heart for very...Read More
Malay Kaunswal

DIY trek to Phulara Ridge, October 2023

The independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto
It surely is difficult and challenging but the independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto. From small things like deciding our own rest points to where to pitch the tent, there ...Read More
It surely is difficult and challenging but the independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto. From small things like deciding our own rest points to where to pitch the tent, there ...Read More
Radhika Misquitta

DIY trek to Phulara Ridge, October 2023

The option for a guide made us more confident that this was something we could pull off.
To begin with, thank you to the entire India Hikes team. We felt so welcomed and everything was arranged superbly, from the kit in Dehradun, the car, the Kotgaon stay, and briefing. It was a very enco...Read More
To begin with, thank you to the entire India Hikes team. We felt so welcomed and everything was arranged superbly, from the kit in Dehradun, the car, the Kotgaon stay, and briefing. It was a very enco...Read More
Priyam Lath

DIY trek to Brahmatal, October 2023

I did anything and everything I ever imagined in my wildest of dreams. What an adventure everything was!
Hi Suhas Thank you so much for such a smooth and hassle free process right from booking till the end of the trek.  Indeed it was a great trekking experience and adventure on the trek. In 4 days, I'v...Read More
Hi Suhas Thank you so much for such a smooth and hassle free process right from booking till the end of the trek.  Indeed it was a great trekking experience and adventure on the trek. In 4 days, I'v...Read More
Alekhya Sattigeri

DIY trek to Kedartal, October 2023

I believe the experience as a whole has left an indelible impression on me.
Hey Suhas, let me begin by thanking you for all the help and assistance provided by you for my Kedartal trek. It is a trek I will never forget in my life, it holds a special place in my heart for very...Read More
Hey Suhas, let me begin by thanking you for all the help and assistance provided by you for my Kedartal trek. It is a trek I will never forget in my life, it holds a special place in my heart for very...Read More
Malay Kaunswal

DIY trek to Phulara Ridge, October 2023

The independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto
It surely is difficult and challenging but the independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto. From small things like deciding our own rest points to where to pitch the tent, there ...Read More
It surely is difficult and challenging but the independence I got from doing it is surely something to hold onto. From small things like deciding our own rest points to where to pitch the tent, there ...Read More

Additional Resources to get ready

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A Complete Guide on How to Use GPX Files

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How We Introduced Lightweight Gear for DIY Trekkers

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Trekking Alone? Here Are Tips From An Expert Solo Trekker

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5 Signs You May Not Recognise as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

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What is Acute Mountain Sickness? Understanding AMS, HAPE and HACE

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10 Tips to Trek Like a Pro During Monsoon

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How to Prepare for a Himalayan Winter Trek - All You Need to Know