Himalayan Trekking Summer Camps 2026

1. Trekking and Camping Skills

This is where children discover independence in the outdoors. The trek is designed to give them hands-on experience in survival basics — from building shelters and cooking to navigation and campsite selection. These skills make them resourceful and confident in unfamiliar situations.

• Building a shelter using minimal resources
• First aid training through mock drills
• Navigation using maps and GPS tools
• Choosing and setting up campsites
• Cooking in the outdoors
• Crossing mountain streams safely

2. Nature Skills

Being in the heart of the Himalayas, children interact directly with forests, wildlife, and night skies. They don’t just learn about nature; they live it. This immersive exposure deepens their curiosity, observation, and respect for the natural world.

• Observe forests, plants, and wildlife up close
• Identify birds and animals endemic to the region
• Experience the stars and Milky Way in pristine skies
• Maintain a nature journal
• Immerse themselves in the forest ecosystem
• Witness the grand Himalayan ranges and hear the stories behind them

3. Sustainability Skills

Through our Green Trails initiative, children experience what it means to live minimally and responsibly. From trail clean-ups to learning waste management, they understand the importance of leaving the outdoors better — lessons they carry back home.

• Adopt minimal living by interacting with remote mountain communities
• Participate in trail clean-ups and learn to leave the mountains better
• Learn the value of conserving natural resources
• Understand waste management — including segregation and composting
• Learn to build and use composting toilets in the wild

4. Life Skills and Behaviours

Perhaps the most lasting change happens here. Within a week, children begin showing qualities like resilience, teamwork, ownership, and confidence. These life skills go far beyond trekking — they shape who children become as adults.

• Gain deep-rooted confidence after climbing to a summit
• Learn to endure and grow through hardships
• Build emotional and physical resilience
• Develop teamwork and collaboration skills
• Take ownership and share responsibilities
• Learn to navigate and resolve healthy conflicts
• Improve interpersonal communication and social awareness

Day 1: Reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm and drive to Rishikesh

Drive Distance: 22 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour

You can either choose to bring your child to Dehradun on your own or opt for chaperone services. Click here for the details of chaperone services. If you have opted for chaperoning, you need not worry. If you haven't opted for chaperoning and your child is travelling alone, make sure to book a flight that reaches Dehradun airport by 6.00 pm. We will have the pick-up arranged from the airport to Rishikesh. These will be non-AC vehicles. If you are travelling along with your child, you can either choose to drop them off at Dehradun Airport or directly at Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh.

Day 2: Drive from Rishikesh to Raithal

Drive Distance: 205 kms | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Start Time: 6.30 am

The Summer Camp adventure starts right from this drive along the Ganga. Ahead of the confluence at Devprayag, the drive winds along the gurgling Bhagirathi River all the way upto Raithal. On the way, children cross the timeless town of Uttarkashi and witness the massive mountains of the Yamunotri Range opening up for the first time. At the exclusive Indiahikes Community Campus in Raithal, set against the majestic backdrop of the Gangotri Range, children are welcomed by our team members.

Day 3: Trek from Raithal to Gui

Trek Distance: 4.5 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,142 ft to 9,630 ft

Today's trek takes children through magical forests oaks, maples and rhododendrons. Birdsongs are a continuous accompaniment on a sunny day. Expert facilitators pace the team based on the children's abilities, take care of their safety and conduct meaningful experiences to help children understand the richness of the landscape they are amidst.

Day 4: Trek from Gui to Chilapada

Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 2-3 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,630 ft to 10,515 ft

It's a short trek but for the first time, children start seeing the iconic conifers of the Himalayas. Once they reach campsite, the day is spent exploring the forests and engaging in activities in the grand backdrop of the Gangotri Ranges. If the weather is clear, a magical sunset awaits.

Day 5: Explore the Forests around Chilapada

After two continuous days of trekking, this day is designed to delve deeper into the programme's objectives. Children participate in bird watching, nature journaling and thoughtfully designed activities that foster a strong connection to nature and imbibe life-skills.

Day 6: Trek from Chilpada to Nayata via Dayara Top

Trek Distance: 9.25 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Change: 10,515 ft to 9,186 ft

Today's trek takes children above the treeline and into the endless expanse of the high-altitude Dayara meadows. With giant peaks of the Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges rising from the meadow's edge, this is a day that will perhaps stay with your child forever.

Day 7: Explore Nayata

After the long trekking day, this day is reserved to help children recuperate and also explore the Nayata Campsite. Nayata is a huge clearing set amidst beautiful forests. It is perhaps the best place on the entire trek for children to run free and connect closely with their surroundings. While they enjoy and have fun, they also observe and learn from the myriad natural elements around them. We facilitate activities designed to foster a love for the natural world and stewardship towards it.

Day 8: Trek from Nayata to Raithal

Trek Distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,186 ft to 7,142 ft

Children are welcomed back to the Indiahikes Community Campus in Raithal after spending six magical days in the wilderness, immersed in nature and away from the digital world.

Day 9: Drive back from Raithal to Dehradun Airport

Drive Distance: 210 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours

Children retrace the magical drive along the Bhagirathi back to Dehradun Airport.

If you are planning to pick up your child from Dehradun Airport, please be there by 4 pm. If you are opting for chaperone services, the chaperones will accompany your child till Bangalore/Mumbai airport. The drive from Raithal to Dehradun will be in a non-AC vehicle.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 1: Reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm and drive to Rishikesh

Drive Distance: 22 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour

You can either choose to bring your child to Dehradun on your own or opt for chaperone services. Click here for the details of chaperone services. If you have opted for chaperoning, you need not worry. If you haven't opted for chaperoning and your child is travelling alone, make sure to book a flight that reaches Dehradun airport by 6.00 pm. We will have the pick-up arranged from the airport to Rishikesh. These will be non-AC vehicles. If you are travelling along with your child, you can either choose to drop them off at Dehradun Airport or directly at Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh.

Day 2: Drive from Rishikesh to Karchi

Drive Distance: 255 kms | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Start Time: 6.30 am

The drive from Rishikesh to Karchi is a beautiful one, winding along the Alakananda. The road goes along hugging the mountainside, and you will see the forests and valleys of Garhwal below you. After crossing the Pipalkoti, the scenery shifts suddenly as you get closer to the Greater Himalayan Range. The Hathi and Gauri Peaks pop up at the horizon. At the exclusive Indiahikes Community Campus in Karchi, set against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Dronagiri, children are welcomed by our team members.

Day 3: Trek from Karchi to Akhrotghetta

Trek Distance: 2.75 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,785 ft to 9,264 ft

Today's trek starts from Karchi, where children walk past the villages, mountain streams and beautiful clearings with Mt Dronagiri rising like a silent guardian. Gentle switchbacks through magical forests of pine, oak and maple lead them higher until a lone walnut tree signals the day’s campsite at Akhrotghetta. Expert facilitators pace the team based on the children's abilities, take care of their safety and conduct meaningful experiences to help children understand the richness of the landscape they are amidst.

Day 4: Explore around the Akhrotghetta Campsite

The day at Akhrotghetta is light, with fun team-building activities and short acclimatisation walks. With Hathi Gauri peaks and Mt Dronagiri in view, and a stream flowing nearby, it is a safe and beautiful space for children to explore. Facilitators create safe and meaningful experiences that allow the children to enjoy the outdoors, and internalise learnings. They watch the sunset together, and wake up to the first golden rays lighting up the mountains.

Day 5: Trek from Akhrotghetta to Khullara

Trek Distance: 2.5 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,264 ft to 11,014 ft

The trail climbs gently towards Khullara through enchanting oak forests. All along the way, snow-capped mountains peek through the trees. Children walk past unique dwarf rhododendron patches before reaching their campsite at Khullara, a wide open clearing with Mt Dronagiri, Brahmal and the Hathi-Gauri peaks in view. On clear days, they even see distant giants like Kamet.

Day 6: Trek from Khullara to Tali via Kuari Pass

Trek Distance: 7.65 km | Trek Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude Change: 11,014 ft to 11,053 ft and back to 12,516 ft

Today is the summit day. From Khullara, the trail climbs steeply out of the tree line to a ridge in about an hour, opening up 360-degree views of the Himalayas. From the windy ridgewalk to Jhandi Top, the push to Kuari Pass and magical Chitrakantha meadows, this is an incredible day spent in the high Himalayas. Along the way, children see iconic peaks like Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Trishul, and the shoulder of Mt. Nanda Devi. At Tali Camp, golden oaks surround them in silence, with sunlight filtering beautifully through the trees and a small stream flowing nearby.

Day 7: Explore the forests of Tali

After the long trekking day, this day is reserved to help children recuperate and also explore the forests of Tali. While they enjoy and have fun, they also observe and learn from the myriad natural elements around them. We facilitate activities designed to foster a love for the natural world and stewardship towards it.

Day 8: Trek from Tali to Auli. Drive to Karchi

Trek Distance: 8.10 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain: 11,053 ft to 8,546 ft | Drive Distance: 40 km | Drive Duration: 40 minutes

The trek begins with a short climb to Tali Lake, offering the first clear view of Mt Nanda Devi. The peak stays with them throughout a thrilling ledgewalk to Gorson Bugyal. The trail then descends through the forests surrounding Padiyar Temple, towards Auli. From Auli, a short drive, children are welcomed back to the Indiahikes Community Campus in Karchi after spending six magical days in the wilderness, immersed in nature and away from the digital world.

Day 9: Drive from Dhak to Dehradun

Drive Distance: 210 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours

Children retrace the magical drive along Alakananda back to Dehradun Airport.

If you are planning to pick up your child from Dehradun Airport, please be there by 4 pm. If you are opting for chaperone services, the chaperones will accompany your child till Bangalore/Mumbai airport. The drive from Raithal to Dehradun will be in a non-AC vehicle.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 1: Reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm and drive to Rishikesh

Drive Distance: 22 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour | Pick up Time: 6.30 pm | Approx arrival at Rishikesh: 7.30 pm

Reach Rishikesh by vehicle (Non-AC). You can either choose to bring your child on your own or opt for chaperone services. Click here for the details of chaperone services. If you have opted for chaperoning, you need not worry. If you haven't opted for chaperoning but your child is travelling alone, make sure to book a flight that reaches Dehradun airport by 6.00 pm. We will have the pick-up arranged from the airport to Rishikesh. If you are travelling along with your child, you can either choose to drop them off at Dehradun airport or directly at Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh.

Day 2: Drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung

Drive Distance: 260 kms | Duration: 10-11 hours | Pick up Time: 6.30 am | Approx arrival at Lohajung: 5-6 pm

Lohajung is the base camp for the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. The drive ahead of Dewal is scenic, winding through forests and mountain roads, with glimpses of the Garhwal peaks on a clear day. Upon arrival, children are greeted by the towering Nanda Ghunti, which glows beautifully at sunset.

The village sits at the centre of several nearby hamlets. Mobile networks are available in most areas here. Locals share that Lohajung means “the war with Lohasur,” named after the battle Goddess Parvati is believed to have fought with the demon.

Day 3: Drive from Lohajung to Wan. Trek from Wan to Gehroli Patal

Drive Distance: 3 kms | Duration: 1.5 hours | Trek Distance: 6.3 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,550 ft to 10,350 ft

Reach Wan by vehicle (Non-AC). Reach the Indiahikes community campus at Lohajung by vehicle (Non-AC). The journey begins with a short 45-minute drive from Lohajung to Wan, followed by a cemented trail through village houses. Soon, children come across a cluster of ancient cypress trees, so huge it would take four people to wrap around one — perfect for a big group hug. A short deviation leads to the Latu Devta temple, where ringing the bell is believed to bring protection on the trek. From here, a 30–45 minute climb takes them to Ranaka Dhar ridge, with views of Wan, Lohajung and the valley below.

A gentle descent leads to the iconic Neel Ganga, where a wooden bridge and cool, tumbling waters offer a refreshing pause. The trail then begins a steady climb through oak and rhododendron forests, with dry leaves crunching underfoot and birds like flycatchers and magpies flitting about. After about three hours of walking, a clearing with a small green hut opens up to the magnificent view of Mt Trishul. This is Gehroli Patal, your child's first campsite.

Day 4: Explore Gehroli Patal

Gehroli Patal has trails winding gently through oak and rhododendron forests, with dry leaves crackling underfoot like a natural carpet. Children may notice walnut and pear trees, Himalayan roses, and even spot birds like magpies or playful flycatchers. On a clear day, the towering Mt Trishul rises above the landscape, adding to the magic of the walk.

An acclimatisation day means children get the chance to rest and let their bodies adjust to the mountains. The day is light and playful, with team-building activities that bring laughter, teamwork and exploration. The forest and campsite turn into a safe, open classroom where every moment is a chance to learn and have fun.

Day 5: Trek from Gehroli Patal to Abin Kharak via Bedni Top

Trek Distance: 5.6 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain: 10,350 ft to 11,145 ft via 12,550 ft

The day begins with a steep climb through oak and rhododendron forests, crossing the tree line to reach the vast meadows of Bedni Bugyal. Just ahead lies the serene Bedni Kund, and a short walk of 800 metres takes children to Bedni Top, the highest point of the trek, with grand views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti.

The weather here changes quickly, with sunshine giving way to clouds or sudden rain, so raincoats must stay handy. From the top, the trail descends to meet the main Roopkund route before turning towards Ali Bugyal. This gentle walk across rolling grasslands brings magical sights — clouds drifting like waves and horses with their foals running free across the meadows. On the ridge, tucked in a small depression, lies Abin Kharak, the campsite for the night.

Day 6: Explore Abin Kharak

Today, children will see the vast, rolling meadows of Abin Kharak stretching in every direction. Children can slip off their shoes to feel the soft grass under their feet and enjoy the endless green ridges carved out of the mountainside.

This is also an acclimatisation day, giving their bodies time to adjust to the altitude while leaving plenty of space for exploration and play. Fun team-building activities are woven into the day, helping children bond, work together, and soak in the magic of these high mountain meadows.

Day 7: Trek from Abin Kharak to Tithak via Ali Top

Trek Distance: 5.7 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude loss: 11,145 ft to 10,515 ft via 11,600 ft

Morning at Abin Kharak begins with wide, rolling meadows that feel like a soft green carpet — perfect for slipping off shoes and running barefoot. From the ridge, acres of grasslands spread in every direction. The day’s walk explores Abin Kharak before heading to Tithak.

A short climb from camp leads to stone huts and a mound with the first grand view of Mt Chaukhamba, tall and striking against the horizon. Walking further across the undulating meadows, children are surrounded by endless stretches of grassland with thick forests lining both sides. At Ali Top, the highest point of the day, Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti stand close, making this one of the most scenic parts of the trek.

From here, the trail loops back past a shepherd’s hut, then dips into a dense forest. A slow 2 km walk under tall trees brings the group to Tithak, a quiet forest clearing and the campsite for the night.

Day 8: Trek from Tithak to Wan. Drive from Wan to Lohajung.

Trek Distance: 7 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 10,515 ft to 7,550 ft | Drive Distance: 6 km | Drive Duration: 35 mins

The trail begins with a steep zig-zag descent from Tithak, bringing children to Gehroli Patal within a short walk. From here, they retrace the path back towards Wan, moving through oak and rhododendron forests.

It’s a long descent of over 3,000 ft, which can feel tiring on the legs, so trek poles help ease the strain. By afternoon, around 2–3 pm, the team reaches Lohajung, completing their journey through the meadows and forests.

Day 9: Drive from Lohajung to Dehradun

Drive Distance: 275 km | Drive Duration: 8-9 hours | Drop off time at Dehradun: 3 pm

The drive from Lohajung to Dehradun will be in a non-AC vehicle. If you are planning to pick up your child from Dehradun Airport, please be there by 3 pm. If you are opting for chaperone services, the chaperones will accompany your child till Bangalore/Mumbai airport. Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending on the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

At Indiahikes, safety is non‑negotiable.

Over the years, more than 8,000 school students have trekked with us — without a single untoward incident. This comes from our robust Risk Assessment and Management System, built on three pillars: People, Processes, and Equipment.

• People: Our Trek Leaders are certified mountaineers with a Basic Mountaineering Course or Advanced Mountaineering Course. Trek Leaders assigned to lead summer camps are Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and NOLS certified. They have led several Himalayan treks, ranging from moderate-difficult to difficult treks. All our mountain staff too have gone through extensive training to handle emergencies. Additionally for our summer camps, women staff members compulsorily accompany every group of children.
• Processes: For over a decade, it is our water-tight safety process that has mitigated all kinds of risks — ranging from health-related and medical risks to outdoor risks. This process includes our initial safety check-in at the base camp, our thrice-a-day health checks, our medical protocol in case of any symptoms. Additionally, all risks associated with the programme are analysed in advance and a risk mitigation plan is developed. Every possible risk is properly planned for. Processes have been put in place for all common emergency scenarios. Our staff are trained to follow these processes stringently.
• Equipment: Most modern safety equipment regularly used on treks in India were introduced by Indiahikes. We have safety equipment of the highest standards. On the trek, the trek group will carry a fully equipped safety and medical kit, evacuation kit and technical gear kit. This provides support for the team to handle any emergency in a proficient way.

We provide chaperoning services from Mumbai and Bangalore to Dehradun. The two-way chaperoning service from Bangalore and Mumbai to Dehradun comes for a fee of Rs 4000 per child. Please fill this form to book Indiahikes Chaperone Services for your child. After you have booked the trek for your child, your Experience Coordinator will inform you about the flight details. If you plan to use this service, please book only the flights recommended by your Experience Coordinator. Do not book flights independently, as this may affect our ability to provide chaperone services. Do not forget to fill this form for booking Indiahikes Chaperone Services for your child.

If you are not opting for the chaperone service, please keep the following points in mind while planning your travel:

1. You must reach Dehradun before 5.30 pm on Day 1 of the trek
2. You must book flights out of Dehradun only after 5.30 pm on Day 9 of the trek

On a side note: We recommend booking the same flight even if you are not opting for chaperone services and your child is travelling alone.