In a proud moment for La Martiniere Girls’ College, five of its students were honoured with the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award at a grand ceremony held at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by Mr. Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.

The awardees — Shatakshi Shahi, Shinay Oberoi, Navya Khanna, Fadilah Farhat, and Zulekha Fatima — received their Gold Award Badges and Certificates in recognition of their exceptional commitment to personal growth, community service, and adventure.

As part of their adventurous journey, Shatakshi undertook the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, while Shinay, Navya, Fadilah, and Zulekha completed the Dayara Bugyal trek — both high-altitude Himalayan expeditions facilitated by Indiahikes.

“I want to personally thank Indiahikes from the bottom of my heart for organising these trekking journeys for our college girls,” said Ms. Priya Dautlani, Award Coordinator from the school. “The treks played a vital role in their Gold Award journey, shaping their confidence, resilience, and spirit of adventure.”

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a globally recognised youth development programme that empowers young people to explore their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

We’re kicking off the biggest season of day treks with DPS Bangalore North today, and we couldn’t be more excited! Close to 3,000 students will be heading out for treks over the course of three weeks!

Last week, our team visited the school to meet the students and share what’s in store for them. And their enthusiasm is infectious!

Here's what Honey Ma’am, the coordinator from DPS Bangalore North, shared after last year’s treks:

“Life Skills play a very important role in the development of a child, and we at DPS look into various platforms to encourage our students to explore themselves and inculcate life skills that will help them become better individuals. Every year, we take our students on experiential learning treks with Indiahikes. From this experience, I have seen students learn to keep the environment clean. They feel motivated and gain a sense of responsibility for themselves and others around them. Their self-esteem and confidence clearly improve. They begin to value basic essentials such as water, food, and show more gratitude.”

This incredible vision was built by Manju Arif Ma’am and Renu Dimri Ma’am, Principal at DPS Bangalore North and West respectively, who have created a legacy of outdoor learning.

Now, the journey continues. We can't wait to see what these young adventurers will learn from the outdoors this time!

Last week, we hosted a group of IAYP (International Award for Young People) participants from Chennai Public School Global across all levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—for their Adventurous Journey in Kodaikanal. For each level, we customised the design of the activities such that it could meet the requirements of each level. For the students this raw and truly adventurous camping and trekking experience was enriching.

Through hands-on activities, students learned:

• Camping in the Wilderness: Setting up shelters and adapting to nature’s challenges.
• Navigation: Using both modern technology and traditional methods to find their way.
• First Responder Techniques: Basic emergency response skills for real-world scenarios.
• Igniting Fire & Cooking for Survival: Developing survival skills crucial for the outdoors.
• Understanding the Environment & Culture: Gaining insights into the ecosystem and cultural heritage within the AJ region.

The programme also focused on leadership development, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their individual strengths and collaborate effectively within teams.

The programme was designed to help students connect with the IB Learner Profiles such as inquirer, critical thinker, principled, risk-taker, caring, open-minded, and balanced, while also enhancing IG Attributes such as reflectiveness, communication, and adaptability.

This immersive experience not only equipped students with practical life skills but also fostered a deeper understanding of their own capabilities and leadership potential.

Rajghat Besant School, a Krishnamurti Foundation of India (KFI) school established over 80 years ago, recently joined us for a transformative OLP in the lush jungles of Chhattisgarh. At Rajghat Besant School, nature is an integral part of holistic education. InSOUL’s approach to outdoor learning aligned seamlessly with the school’s philosophy, making the collaboration a natural fit.

Teena, the trek leader, shared her experience of guiding the students through the dense forest trails. "It was truly a wholesome experience," she said. "We explored beautiful forest walks, stayed in a traditional mud house, experienced village life, walked through caves, enjoyed summit views, and took calming river walks."

The jungle trek offered an immersive experience in the wild, with students observing natural elements like sloth bear footprints, jackal scat, termite mounds, and snake skins. Birdwatching became a delightful pastime as they spotted various species along the trails.

Beyond nature immersion, the OLP focused on practical survival skills. Students took part in a treasure hunt that tested their ability to use coordinates, solve riddles, and practice fire-making techniques, compass usage, and shelter-building. The program also featured orienteering, stargazing, and meditation sessions, along with thoughtful debriefs that encouraged reflection on the experience.

Located in Sahakarnagar, our office often receives curious inquiries from parents wondering if there’s something special they can do with their toddlers.

With this in mind, we decided to create a platform for young families to experience the joy of the outdoors through a nature exploration walk. Our aim was simple: to introduce toddlers and their families to the wonders of nature and encourage them to embrace a morning nature walk as a refreshing weekend activity. And to make it accessible for everyone, we made this a free event.

To spread the word, we reached out to around 12 preschools in the area, requesting them to share the event with parents and anyone else interested. The response was nothing short of fantastic. On Sunday morning, we welcomed nearly 50 participants, all eager to explore the greenery of GKVK with their little ones.

Parents were thrilled with the initiative, expressing their gratitude and curiosity about other activities we organize for young children. Many even asked to be notified about the next nature walk, and some have already joined our waitlist for future events!

As our founder Arjun Majumdar shared, “It would be wonderful to see something like this happening in all areas of the city, led largely by community members. It’s a simple idea that can have a profound impact on how young families interact with nature.”

The success of the GKVK Nature Walk has inspired us to continue building such connections within our community and especially through our club activities. 

Last weekend we had the 7th and 8th standard students from Vidya Shilp School join us for a 3 day 2 night camping trek in Kodaikanal.

It is the first time they are trekking with us and our major objective was to introduce them to the outdoors, build on team work (which is already a major focus of their school) and plant the seed for a love of adventure.

For most students, these three days included many firsts. First trek, first camping experience, first multi day trip with their classmates, first time washing their own dishes and first time seeing so many stars in the night sky!

Our programme design played out beautifully, with several moments unfolding as delightful surprises. We timed our stargazing session to begin just as the moon rose—something they had never witnessed before. Through well-structured games and activities, they discovered just how much learning could happen through play. Over time, they began to recognize that every element of the three-day journey was intentional, designed to build resilience, curiosity, and confidence.

One of the most profound moments came during the reflection session on Day 3. Many students shared how rewarding it felt to push themselves to reach the summit, realizing they were far more capable than they had believed. Some spoke about how the adventure made them feel bold and independent, while others cherished the deeper bonds they formed with their peers. The stargazing session emerged as a highlight, not just for the sheer spectacle of the night sky but also for the stories that accompanied it. For city-bred students, the quiet, vastness, and beauty of their surroundings left a lasting impact.

Beyond the structured activities, we made space for students to simply be—to soak in the landscape, play in the sun, and explore whatever intrigued them. Watching them fall in love with the outdoors was a rewarding experience in itself.

Students from Harrow International School Bengaluru recently completed the Bronze Level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at the Indiahikes Southern Campus.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is a globally recognized program operating in over 120 countries, empowering young people aged 14 to 24 to develop essential life skills, resilience, and leadership through adventure and service. At Harrow International School Bengaluru, this initiative aligns perfectly with the school’s mission to foster courage, honour, humility, and fellowship in its students.

During their time at the Indiahikes Southern campus, students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities embraced numerous first-time experiences—pitching their own tents, navigating through unfamiliar terrain, and even attempting to sleep under trees when the heat became intense. They tackled challenges with enthusiasm, taking on navigation and map-reading tasks among others with remarkable engagement. Their ability to immerse themselves in new environments and adapt to unexpected situations demonstrated the holistic development that programs like this encourage.

This experience not only reinforced their outdoor skills but also highlighted the growing importance of experiential learning in India. With initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award gaining momentum, education is evolving beyond classrooms, preparing students for a future where resilience, collaboration, and adaptability are key.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting 45 students from Vizag Defence Academy for a three-day experiential learning program at our Southern Campus. The program was designed to build confidence, enhance communication skills, and strengthen their connection to nature through hands-on outdoor experiences.

Over the course of three days, the Special NDA students immersed themselves in essential outdoor skills, including navigation, fire-making, and campsite setup. They were eager to test and showcase their leadership skills, they took initiative in every challenge and supported their peers, especially when they needed help.

Despite facing challenging weather, they were determined to march through each day in true army style. Their unmatched energy and discipline left a lasting impression on us. We have no doubt that the skills and mindset they improved during this programme will serve them well in their future defence careers.

Since September last year, Sunday treks have become a weekly ritual at Jain International Residential School in Bangalore.

Yesterday, this trekking ritual came to a close for the academic year with nearly 300 students having joined us, bright and early every Sunday morning.

But it's not about the treks, it's the why behind the treks that's truly inspiring.

JIRS Bangalore believes that exposing students to environments beyond their comfort zone where they face hardships are necessary to help students see what they are capable of.

According to Mr. Parswanath, Director at JIRS, “education should focus on shaping young minds to face life's challenges with confidence and resilience.”

In a world where prestigious schools often shield students in a bubble, JIRS is breaking the mold.

They're redefining what it means to provide a 21st century education. One rooted in experiences, hands-on learning and a connection with the Earth.

Their idea was to begin with day treks on the weekends and slowly progress to more challenging treks for longer periods of time to truly give students an immersive experience in the outdoors.

We look for forward to sharing new trekking adventures in the coming academic year!

This January, we welcomed participants from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode, marking a series of firsts, the first time IIM Kozhikode has come with us, and the first time we are conducting a CLP on our Central Indian treks rather than a Himalayan trek.

What Made This Edition Special?

Self-Discovery at the Core
IIM Kozhikode’s emphasis on introspection and self-awareness added a distinctive flavor to the program. Participants were encouraged to connect deeply with nature, reflecting on their strengths, limitations, and personal growth, all of which are crucial steps in developing authentic leadership.

A Six-Credit Course
IIM Kozhikode set a precedent by offering the CLP as a six-credit course, embedding experiential learning into its academic framework - another significant first for the institution.

Redesigned for the Forests
Led by facilitators Izzat Yaganagi and Lakshmi Selvakumaran, the programme was reimagined to suit the forest terrain. The CLP until now has always been conducted in the Himalayas, where the terrain adds a layer of challenge and hardship. The team successfully created an environment where collaboration thrived amidst the challenges posed by the unfamiliar jungle landscape.

A Lesson in Universality
The program underscored a universal truth: the principles of collaborative leadership transcend geography. Whether amidst Himalayan peaks or dense forests, with a well-designed structure, shared purpose, and clear goals, students can achieve extraordinary results through the CLP.

Yesterday, Indiahikes and InSOUL were specially invited to the JIRS Annual Day. We brought a slice of the Himalayas to the school, creating a sample campsite complete with a pitched tent, a sleeping bag, a segregation station, and a display of all the safety and rental equipment we use on Himalayan treks.

JIRS has recently only been coming with us on day hikes to Hari Hara Betta. For these students, our exhibit offered an exciting window into the world of multi-day Himalayan treks.

Walking into a tent, testing microspikes, and playing with walkie-talkies, students explored our stall with curiosity and enthusiasm.

This was our debut experience with exhibition stalls, and it proved to be a fantastic platform to connect with families, inspiring a deeper interest in trekking as a journey of growth and discovery.

Last week, students from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) descended a Himalayan slope with beaming smiles and high spirits. Behind those joyful faces lay an extraordinary feat of endurance and teamwork in extreme conditions.

The setting? A Himalayan trek in December with temperatures plunging to -5°C and fierce, icy winds. This was the backdrop for IIM Bangalore’s Collaborative Leadership Programme, conducted by the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

The challenge requires students to summit a high peak within a specified time frame while demonstrating essential teamwork and self-sufficiency. They pitch both personal and community tents, cook meals without generating food waste, and adhere to a "Leave No One Behind" ethos, where success is measured by every participant reaching the summit together.

Management education goes beyond the classroom, and this challenge tested their leadership and collaboration in a real-world, high-stakes setting. Facilitator Faizan Devdiwala praised their spirit: “The students were grounded, respectful, and open to any challenge. They trusted the process." Reflective debriefings revealed that success wasn’t just about the summit; it was about supporting each other. Facilitator Rahul Paul noted: “The human aspect of each individual took over, and we saw true collaboration.”

InSOUL thanks Prof. Shubha Patvardhan, Prof. Ritwik Banerjee, and Prof. Manaswini Bhalla for their support.

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of trekking to Hari Hara Betta with the spirited Grade 8 students from The Foundation School.

It felt like we had stepped back into childhood ourselves, climbing trees alongside the students, stacking stone towers, and soaking in the beautiful summit views. 

We were happy to see familiar faces — students who had trekked with us before — now stepping up as leaders, guiding their peers on our Green Trails initiative and forming smaller teams to care for the environment.

Witnessing this sense of responsibility and teamwork was truly inspiring.  Despite the heat and the challenges of the day, the students’ enthusiasm never wavered.

By the end of the trek, many were already setting their sights on a bigger adventure: a Himalayan trek! Their excitement reminded us of the endless possibilities that outdoor exploration can unlock.  We can’t wait to see where their adventurous spirits will take them next!

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting students and professionals from the Mensa Project on a trek to the breathtaking Dayara Bugyal and Deoriatal Chandrasila.

Mensa is the world’s oldest and largest high IQ society and their India chapter works tirelessly to create unique growth opportunities for gifted individuals in India.

The trek, designed as an experiential learning program, aimed to foster self-confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection with nature among Mensa scholars and professionals. Komal Yadav, Vice President of Mensa India Dhruv Chapter, reflected on the profound impact of the journey: The 5-day trek was more than an adventure, but a deeply transformative experience.

What we carry with us as we return home is more than just memories—it’s a sense of inspiration, motivation, and strength that will continue to guide us. We return with a sense of belonging—a home within ourselves, knowing that those who trek together, stay together.”

On September 27th-28th, Mrudula from InSOUL joined the IAYP (International Award for Young People) Trained Activity Provider (TAP) refresher course in Kolad. This two-day program highlighted an alarming trend: 60% of student reports from India last year were rejected for not meeting the authentic AJ standards. Cutting corners, overly comfortable setups, and unethical shortcuts like pre-filled report templates undermine the true essence of the Adventurous Journey (AJ). The AJ is designed to build resilience, independence, and leadership through genuine outdoor experiences. At InSOUL, we stand firm against these practices. We believe that real learning happens when students are challenged—carrying their own gear, setting up their own camps, and walking every step of the way. We rigorously prepare them for this, ensuring a journey of growth, resilience, and authentic self-reflection.