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Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning

Integrating Learning with Adventure

Who Are We, And What We Do

The Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) designs thrilling mountain adventures with a focus on three distinct groups – Schools, Colleges, and Corporates. Our programmes blend treks and camping with targeted learning objectives.

InSOUL was born with a simple conviction: the outdoors teach what classrooms cannot. We believe:

  • Learning happens best through tangible experiences and reflection, with nature as the ultimate teacher, motivator, and healer.
  • Mindful trekking as a medium of learning closely mirrors life – the joys, the uncertainties, the possibilities, the challenges, and how best to navigate them.
  • Trekking with intention transforms the body, mind, and spirit. The impact is twice as profound when we integrating trekking with thoughtfully-designed learning programmes.

Our Outdoor Experiential Learning Programmes

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For Schools

Reconnecting children with the joy of being outdoors, and using treks to impart valuable life skills and leadership skills

  • Day programmes
  • Multi-day programmes
  • Workshops for teachers on Outdoor Experiential Learning
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For Universities

Building Collaborative Leadership skills for success in a rapidly-changing world

  • 6-day Himalayan programme
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For Companies

An immersive programme that elevates team bonding, productivity, and collaboration through trekking

  • 1-day programme
  • 2-day programme
  • 6-day Himalayan programme

Trusted by Organisations Across India

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Why Choose InSOUL?

Designing impactful outdoor learning programmes since 2011

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We customise learning programmes to meet the specific needs and objectives of every institute.

78+ organisations impacted

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The top schools, management institutes, and corporates in the country trek with us.

Member of the internationally-acclaimed Association for Experiential Education (AEE)

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We contribute to and learn from the global Experiential Education community.

Trained Activity Provider for the International Award for Young People (IAYP)

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Our programmes fulfill 100% of the IAYP Adventurous Journey requirements.

Highest standards of safety

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Our facilitators are certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and NOLS certified.

World-class programmes with experienced facilitators

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InSOUL facilitators are trained in global best practices of experiential education and adventure programming.

Latest News from InSOUL

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InSOUL at JIRS Annual Day
24/12/2024

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.

Outdoor Experiential Learning at InSOUL in videos

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Safety at InSOUL

Safety is our top priority at InSOUL. Indiahikes carries the legacy of being India's largest and safest trekking organisation. This is a responsibility we uphold with great care. We maintain rigorous standards with trained Trek Leaders, many of whom are certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and by NOLS. Regular refresher courses ensure they stay updated on high-altitude safety protocols. Our team, including technical guides and facilitators, are well-equipped to handle emergencies effectively. Each trek is meticulously planned with comprehensive risk assessments, particularly for student groups, ensuring that every step is taken with the utmost care.

Safety at InSOUL

Safety is our top priority at InSOUL. Indiahikes carries the legacy of being India's largest and safest trekking organisation. This is a responsibility we uphold with great care. We maintain rigorous standards with trained Trek Leaders, many of whom are certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and by NOLS. Regular refresher courses ensure they stay updated on high-altitude safety protocols. Our team, including technical guides and facilitators, are well-equipped to handle emergencies effectively. Each trek is meticulously planned with comprehensive risk assessments, particularly for student groups, ensuring that every step is taken with the utmost care.

Read more about safety practices on our experiential learning programmes

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How We Keep Students Safe On Our Experiential Learning Treks

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How Indiahikes makes Overnight Camping safe for children

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What Safety Means To Us At Indiahikes: A Short Film

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How We Keep Students Safe During the Himalayan Mountain Challenge Program

Why Learn Outdoors?

Every moment spent outdoors empowers people with the skills, attitudes, and behaviours to succeed in life.

Away from traditional learning environments:

Children begin to view their own selves and abilities in a new light.

  • They face real-time challenges and develop more confidence
  • They build emotional and mental resilience
  • They learn care and compassion for others and the self

Young adults at a crossroads develop a stronger sense of self.

  • They learn humility
  • They discover inherent courage to face challenges in their professional and personal lives
  • They find the confidence to go against the grain and make informed life choices 

Working professionals realise that success isn’t only about getting ahead or domain expertise. It's in how well they work with others.

  • They learn to collaborate instead of compete
  • They bond with team members at a deeper level
  • The mountains impart real-world lessons in conflict resolution, agility, effective communication, and empathy

Key elements of Outdoor Experiential Learning at InSOUL

Immersive and accelerated learning

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"Learning by doing" distinguishes Experiential Learning (EL) from other approaches. EL delves faster and deeper into aspects that otherwise take longer to emerge in classrooms, in boardrooms, or at home.

Real-world contexts

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There are no simulations or role plays on an Experiential Learning trek. Our programme design ensures that every action and consequence is real.

The role of the facilitator

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Expert facilitation is crucial to guiding participants toward sustained behavioural transformation. InSOUL facilitators refine and enhance participant learning, allowing them to revisit activities armed with new knowledge.

How All of it Began

The Indiahikes commitment goes beyond organising and documenting treks. We’re dedicated to creating new avenues of learning and growth.

Over the years, we’ve seen how trekkers come back from the mountains with not just memories, but profound learnings.

Indiahikes envisioned programmes that would amplify these takeaways - where nature became the ultimate teacher, healer, and motivator. 

The idea excited us. We knew we were onto something special and saw many people benefitting from the richness of the experience. With this vision as our north star, we took a leap of faith and InSOUL was born.

What is the ultimate aim of Outdoor Experiential Learning at InSOUL?  

To inspire collective reflection and action on what truly makes life worth living:

  • Continual learning and adventure
  • Discovering the self and others
  • Forging friendships
  • Finding and building a community
  • Building enduring relationships with the natural world

Read The Latest In Experiential Learning

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Tests And Textbook Learning Don’t Make Children Smart Or Successful. Here’s Why

November 27, 2024 | 2:09 pm
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What To Do Outdoors With Children When You Don’t Know What To Do – Preschool And Kindergarten

November 23, 2024 | 5:29 am
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Why Icebreakers Don’t Build Better Teams

November 12, 2024 | 5:17 am
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Why And How To Stop Overprotecting Children; Because Risk Is Worth It

November 1, 2024 | 1:02 am
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What Watching Birds And Wasps Taught Me About Ideal Learning Environments

October 18, 2024 | 5:14 am
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InSOUL at the IAYP TAP Refresher Course: Insights for the Future

October 10, 2024 | 5:01 am
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