How Milan Daju Went From Being a Mule Man to a Guide with Indiahikes

“Back in 2018 when I started working as a mule man with Indiahikes, I noticed many locals spoke harshly with the trekkers walking slowly. I didn’t like their way of guiding people.

Trekkers have travelled from far away cities. They have come to the mountains to explore. I strongly felt that trekkers should be treated with a lot of respect.

So I decided to become a guide.

Two years later, I went on my first trek with Indiahikes as a co-guide. I was accompanying Buddha Daju. He taught me what it means to be a guide with Indiahikes and what it takes to give a good experience to trekkers.

After the trek, a few trekkers appreciated my support in helping them complete the trek. Their words boosted my confidence.

I started working with Indiahikes as a full-time guide.

Working with Indiahikes brought a lot of changes in my life. I have become financially stable. Now I can support my family better.

I am also learning a lot. Meeting new people from different parts of the world has made me more aware of the varied culture in our society.

Working with Indiahikes has also brought some shifts in the way I live life.

Earlier, I didn’t pay attention to keeping the environment clean. But the Green Trails discussions with our trekkers have made me conscious of my actions.

Now, I have started picking up waste from the trails, even when I am not on a trek as a guide.

I collect soft plastic waste like chocolate and toffee wrappers at home. When I have a good amount of pile, I make bottle bricks out of the waste collected.

Lastly, working with Indiahikes has made me more confident. I can now share my thoughts in front of different teams of trekkers who come here every week.

I feel confident when I see trekkers sharing how the whole experience has helped them become better people. It makes me realize that my work is for the greater good of our community.”

- Milan Daju, Guide with Indiahikes