We are very excited to see more and more parents considering treks as a meaningful and fun way to spend the summer holidays! We are delighted to announce two special ways to enable children to trek this summer.
Exclusive treks for families with children
Trekking together deepens family bonds and benefits children immensely. The joyful memories created and the natural learning they experience last a lifetime! For this we have selected a few treks that are child friendly and encourage you to bring your children along.
These teams will only have families, so your child can mingle with other children. There will be other parents coming along. We will have special activities for the children on these teams, and the experience will be a lot different from our regular teams.
Trek To Dayara Bugyal
Dayara Bugyal is a fantastic trek for families. It has the right mix of trekking, adventure and scenic beauty. It is neither too difficult nor too easy. It’s the perfect family trek!
- April 14 – 19
- April 26 – May 1
- April 27 – May 2
- May 4 – May 9
- May 20 – May 25
- May 23 – May 28
- May 24 – May 29
- June 23 – June 28
Trek To Chandranahan Lake
This is another special trek for families. Tucked away in a remote corner of southern Himachal, the trek is untouched by civilisation. The culture value is extremely high — the trek starts from Janglik, an ancient village. For children to witness this is deep learning. The trek itself has perhaps the most beautiful campsites on our entire Indiahikes list. The adventure of climbing to an alpine lake makes it perfect for families.
We have just one date right now:
- June 3 – June 7
Trek To Deoban (Weekend camping trip for families with 4-12 year olds)
Deoban is a recent discovery that has taken us by surprise. Just at 9,280 ft, you see 55 Himalayan peaks! It’s an incredible view for such a short climb. Since we are taking really young children, this trek is going to be easy on the legs, and we will arrange vehicles too. It has easy access, since you just have to come to Dehradun.
- May 18-19
Exclusive trek for children between 13 and 17
Trek To Kedarkantha
Almost everyone knows about the Kedarkantha trek. Not only does it have dense forest trails and pretty campsites, it’s a trek that comes with a huge sense of achievement upon climbing the summit at 12,500 ft! The bonus is that it covers short distances everyday and you’re at the next campsite before lunch everyday! So it definitely is up there amongst the best treks for children.
- May 5 – 10
Trek To Dayara Bugyal
Dayara Bugyal is perhaps our most ideal trek for children. With its campsites located at just the right distances from each other, it has just the right amount of trek time and the right amount of leisure. Mountain views and the alpine meadows like these are hard to find elsewhere at such ease. If you have time in May, choose this trek.
- May 17 – 22
During the treks children will be involved in camp related activities to enhance their experience. From our research, we know they will be more confident, empathetic and environmentally conscious children after the trek.
Overall scholarship for children this summer
We are offering a scholarship to all children trekking with us this summer. This is for the exclusive trek dates for them and also other treks.
- 8 – 12 year olds – 50% scholarship
- 13 – 17 year olds – 30% scholarship
This applies for the following treks: Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, Deoriatal-Chandrashila, Brahmatal and Chandranahan Lake.
Will My Child Be Safe On The Trek?
Who will ensure safety on the trek?
Our Trek Leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders and have been trained in wilderness survival and emergency medical aid. They are capable of taking care of any emergency on a trek. Our staff is constantly in touch with each other though radio communication to ensure that all the children and safe and sound.
On the exclusive trek for children only will have at least one trained woman staff with the team at all times.
What safety gear do you carry?
We carry fully stocked high altitude first aid kits, oxygen cylinders, ropes and stretchers. In addition to this these treks have easily accessible exit routes for any emergency evacuation.
What about safety during travel?
For the batch exclusive for children, we will meet the children at the Dehradun airport/railway station. Our staff will be with them throughout the journey to the base camp.
Will there be a woman Indiahikes member?
On the batch that is exclusive for children, we will have a woman staff member accompanying them at all times.
Our Experience With Children
From our records, 79 children aged 6-12 years and 55 children aged 12-16 years have completed the Dayara Bugyal Trek with us and we have had no untoward incident.
In 2018 alone, we have taken 943 children below 18 years of age on our Himalayan treks. This is not counting the 1000+ school students we have taken on local and Himalayan treks.
Are Trek Leaders are all good with children, and professional trekkers and mountaineers. You can rest assured that they will be safe with us.
If you have any questions and would like to talk to us, then drop in a comment, or write to izzat@indiahikes.com or call us on 7022175673.
What you should do now
1. If you want to know how you can prepare your child for a trek: Here are some useful reads: Do’s And Don’ts Of Trekking With Children; How Our Youngest Trekker Prepared For His Kedarkantha Trek; How To Enrich Your Child’s Trekking Experience
2. If you want to learn more about Experiential Learning: Dive into our archives to know more about how trekking can benefit children.
3. If you ended up here by chance and were actually looking for treks to do: Then head over to our upcoming treks page. You’ll find all our Himalayan treks there.
4. If you want to see the 13 best treks of India: Then get our free guide here.
Children and Family exclusive treks is a great idea. However, the summer vacations for kids in delhi schools start by 20th May and end by 30th June when schools re-open.
Please schedule the children and family treks during the above dates.
Hi Manan
Yes, we have opened a batch just for children who get holidays during the month of May.
You can have register for the batch starting on May 20th for Dayara Bugyal trek.
Plz organise treks in March also. Can my 11 year old son join trek?
Hi Anjani
There are regular batches in March for Dayara Bugyal which is ideal for kids.
You can check it out here Dayara Bugyal
My son will be 7 years and 6 months by April.
Can he be on trek to Dayara Bugyal?
Yes that would be a good age to expose him to the outdoors. And Dayara Bugyal is the perfect choice for that. 🙂
Can my son 13 year old with family (myself, my wife and my son) participate in treak
Absolutely! We have even 9-10 year olds going on these treks. So it will be completely fine for your 13 year old!
I really appreciate this idea of having a batch for children. This will really help and motivate children.
Is the 5th May batch for Dayara a regular one or Family trek?
Hi Ishan
Good to see you interested in going for this trek.
Yes, the batch of May 5th comes under the timeline of Family trek 🙂
Go ahead in registering for this batch.
Is there any snow in month of May on this trek?
Are children 4+ years allowed?
They have to be of a minimum age of 7.
4 or 5 is a little too young to take them on high altitude treks.
Hello
I want to trek along with my 10 yrs old daughter kindly suggest me and send me details of booking.
Hi Nikhil
You can go ahead to register yourself and your daughter directly from the trek guide page.
Are you looking at Dayara Bugyal trek?
If so, here is the link to register – https://booking.indiahikes.in/trek_info?trek_id=73&_ga=2.213859152.531818894.1549858939-579387088.1481614232
Once the registration is done, you can send an email to the trek coordinator and we will give the scholarship discount for your daughter 🙂
Hi,
My daughter is 6 years and 3 months now. Can she make it ?
Hi Chirag
6 and half year olds might find the trek a bit difficult.
We have the minimum age criteria as 8 year olds.
There are some exceptions for 7 year kids who are active and can make it.
I would suggest you to wait for another year and let her start for a high altitude trek.
She can start with some good easy local treks to get a taste of trekking in this year.
Hi Chirag,
Here is good news for you! We have opened a Junior Family trek on May 18/19 to Deoban. You may take your daughter for this trek.
I have a 2 year old son and an 8 year old daughter. May I join the trek with my daughter only as my wife would be home taking care of my son.
Hello Prabhat,
Yes, you can join the trek with your daughter only.
Hi
My son is 6 yrs and 4 months old but he is active ,have participated in 5 Km runs ,have trekked to some extent in Tinchuley.
Will it be possible to acocmodate and is their plan for Sandakpu Trek with Family .
I am very much looking forward to it.
Would love to hear yfrom you guys what to keep in mind when taking young kids for trekking.
One thing I am sure of is ,he absolutely love doing those.
Thanks
Bishnu Priya
Hi Bishnu, it’s wonderful to see your son being so sporty and outdoorsy! But I wouldn’t advise Sandakphu for such a young boy. You cover nearly 10km every single day of the trek. It gets exhausting. Why don’t you go for Dayara Bugyal or one of the treks mentioned in this article? They would make for a better experience.
Hi,
My son is 13yrs and have never done trecking till now, also he has cough and cold issues due to weather change. Can he be considered for exclusive trek for children between 13 and 17
If he is physically fit (if he regularly plays outdoor games and such), I’m sure he can tackle the treks we have to offer. Also, a good test is our pre-trek fitness routine – try it and see.
As far as the cough-and-cold issues, well, on the trek your son may face some extra discomfort, but that should not prevent him from completing the trek. (I speak as someone who was prone to such issues at that age, but still went for camps/treks). I think he should give it a try! 🙂
Do u have any Treks for 6 years old for summers?
See the Deoban trek, May 18th batch. Here is a link: https://indiahikes.com/deoban-weekend-trek/
Other treks – 6 years is a bit too young, still.
My daughter is 8 years and 6 months old. I wish to take her with me this time for her first trek to the himalayas. Which trek do you think is the best trek to start off for a child?
How about Dayara Bugyal? It’s short (3 nights in tents) and presents a challenge suitable for kids. Also, it offers some really nice views: the Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges are a really magnificent skyline, and will leave a big imprint in your kid’s mind!
Hey I have a 2 year old daughter.
Is there any easy, safe, family trek where she can come along?
Two years is too young for a Himalayan trek. One of my cousins did one at age 4 and she had to be carried by a guide because the physical exertion was beyond her at that age. But I have seen trekkers as young as 8-9 do some seriously cold, and easy-moderate treks, like Kedarkantha (Dec 2019).
Do you have any family treks after 15th June to 30th June?
We only have the Chandranahan Lake Trek early in June. We have no family treks planned after that – https://indiahikes.com/chandranahan-lake-trek/
Are there any treks for people over 60 years of age?
You’re welcome to join any of our easy-moderate treks. A lot of 60 yr olds do them. You just have to be fit! 🙂 You’ll find all our easier treks here – https://indiahikes.com/difficulty/easy-moderate
Hi! I have a 3 year old daughter and I wish to to introduce her to mountains. Can you suggest anything according to her age? Trekking seems difficult, but are there any camping options?
Hi Amruta, 3 years is a little too young. We don’t have an option with us. But you could take her to a place like SAri or Chopta, up to Deoriatal and back. Or you could take her to a place like Auli to introduce her to the mountains. 🙂
hi
thanks for your responses to questions about 4-5 yr old kids being taken to treks; my question is, is it the altitude that makes it difficult for the kids this young or its the distance to be covered on any day that is tiring for them ?
If its just the distance, the what if we carry them on our back using some nice harness/carriage (https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-baby-carrier-backpacks-hiking) would you recommend it for 5 yr old in that case ? if yes, which trek from your list ?
let me know please as we have a 14 and 5 🙂 and would love to go on any small trek/hike with all 4 of us
thanks
avadhut
Hi Avadhut, it’s not really the distance to be covered. For a 5 year old child, it definitely is the altitude. Even if they are feeling funny, any symptoms, they will not be able to talk about it. And AMS is not something that you want to tackle after hours. It’s something that needs to be recognised and treated immediately. I would suggest waiting for at least another year to take her / him.