Family trek page

How Trekking in Families Can Impact Your Wellbeing

Over the past 13 years of organising treks, we have seen more and more families taking to trekking. As we see them trekking together we notice a trend.

“Most modern families are struggling with new age problems. Children are not getting an opportunity to experience and express gratitude. They are not accustomed to hardship. As they grow, every minor issue gets blown out of proportion. Opportunities to become more independent and gain confidence are sorely lacking,” says Izzat Yaganagi, the head of our Experiential Learning Programme, who has conceptualised and designed our family treks.

With the advent of the pandemic, the situation is much worse. The camaraderie children would feel in school is no longer present. They don’t play in groups, they rarely step outdoors, they don’t get a chance to explore their own boundaries.

This is where trekking comes in.

“We have found that trekking provides immense opportunities for children to practise empathy, express gratitude, become more confident and get accustomed to hardship — all this with a sense of joy!” adds Izzat.

How Trekking in Families Can Impact Your Wellbeing

Over the past 13 years of organising treks, we have seen more and more families taking to trekking. As we see them trekking together we notice a trend.

This is where trekking comes in.

Multi-Day Treks Handpicked for Families and Children

These 6-day treks are tailor-made to provide a lasting experience for your family as a whole.

You will trek for 4 days, with 3 nights' camping in tents.

The minimum age criteria is 8 years.

2 Days

Easy-Moderate

Family Treks at Southern ...

A Weekend Trek From Indiahikes Southern Campus...

6 days

Easy-Moderate | Level 1

Dayara Bugyal Trek

The Most Beautifully Landscaped Meadow in our Country...

6 Days

Easy-Moderate | Level 2

Deoriatal Chandrashila

The Best Trek For Summit Views...

How Do We Do It

How Indiahikes Family Treks are Different from Regular Treks

Families become a lot more empathetic towards each other

Many times, a family of four becomes four different people living under the same roof. But going on a trek helps them function as one unit. They give each other undivided attention — no Hotstar, no cartoons, no office calls.

Right from Day 1, we see that they show a lot more care and empathy towards each other. This has a tremendous impact later. We have noticed that this continues for a long time even after they end their trek. When we talk to these families after many months, we are surprised (and sometimes not so surprised) at the change in family dynamics.

A chance for children to learn from the outdoors

Trekking has tremendous effect on the Mind, Body, and Spirit. This effect is magnified when tenfold when it comes to children.

During the course of the trek, and through the many activities conducted the children are able to learn and experience several things –

Firstly, their capacity to observe. Away from the city, and from electronic distractions children are more immersed in the moment and in the environment.
This also makes the curious, and they develop an interest in nature as well. Children ask many questions about flora, fauna and life in the mountains.
A Himalayan trek is not easy. But working together to achieve a single goal, enhances the students’ sense of responsibility.
Students’ mental, physical and spiritual endurance is built in the duration of the trek. There are always hard sections, or moments on a trek. But working together, they overcome this.
Further, the body gets accustomed to hardship as they joyfully trek.

Trekking with families is an opportunity to meet other like minded families

Families who consider trekking rather than other forms of holidaying share many common ideals. They see the immense value of being in touch with nature. They believe that the best way to deepen family bonds is by doing things together. They consider holidays as an opportunity to broaden their children’s mental horizons.

Children get to trek, participate in several activities, and interact with other children. The friendships they form with other children on a trek are very special. They do this in an environment free of distraction, competition and judgement.

“I’ve noticed that these bonds go much beyond fleeting friendships. They are meaningful relationships that families maintain for years to come. Today, there is a thriving community of families that trek, which I am a part of. I can see that it is one of the most active communities where families are discussing treks around their cities, about sustainability and more,” shares Prathima Chhabria, who is an Expert Experience Coordinator for families at Indiahikes.

Trekking families are fit families

We love seeing this happen. When families get fit for their trek together, most often they make fitness a part of their daily lives.

Take a look at this family for instance:

“We started preparing three months before the trek. We began with a 500-meter run. After a few days of practice, Saanvi could complete 3 km in 30 minutes. We also practiced climbing stairs. Initially, we would tire easily and not finish the climb. A week later, our stamina increased. We could climb till the 17th floor!” shares Sidheswaran KP, who took his 7 year old daughter on the Dayara Bugyal trek.

You’ll see a lot more stories on how these trekking families got fit here.

Defining Safety Standards of Trekking

As industry leaders, we have innovated and set the safety standards in the trekking industry. Our people, our processes, our equipment, these are what make Indiahikes the safest trekking organisation in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Indiahikes Family treks are designed keeping in mind the children as young as 8 years. However, it is very important for your child to prepare for the trek physically and mentally.

Get in touch with our Experiential Learning team to know how you can prepare your child for the trek. Drop an email to prathima@indiahikes.com, and Prathima will get back to you within 12 hours.

Our Family treks are of easy-moderate difficulty. We rate these treks based on the altitude gained, the distance covered, the elevation gained, and the terrain you walk on, each day. Having said that, preparing well for the trek determines how easy or difficult it gets.

On an average, you and your child will have to walk for 5-6 hours each day of the trek.

Watch this video by our Experiential Learning team member, Prathima Chhabria, to know how you can prepare your child physically:

There is a vast difference between our family treks and our regular treks.

Firstly, family treks are taken up by children up to 14 years, accompanied by their parents. But on our regular treks, trekkers of all age groups come on the trek.

Secondly, family treks involve activities that are specifically designed for children and parents so that they bond well with each other. You will not get to see this exclusivity on our regular treks.

Families can meet other like-minded families. This builds friendships between each other, and children mingle with other children to have an experience of a lifetime.

Families and Children Share Their Indiahikes Experience