InTrek (Indiahikes Trekking) Club

On August 24, 2025, 64 participants—including 26 children, 33 parents, and 5 volunteers—successfully summited Vengundram Hill in a lively, educational trek designed for young adventurers.

The group began their ascent at 6:30 AM, carrying eco-bags as part of the Green Trails initiative. Along the trail, volunteers kept the children engaged with fun facts about local wildlife and flora, making the experience both exciting and informative.

The 3 km rocky trail offered plenty of adventure as the children navigated boulders, spotted mountain goats, and encountered playful monkeys. Reaching the summit, they were rewarded with panoramic views, taking time to refresh before starting the descent.

The trek was completed in just 3 hours, and true to the club’s zero-waste ethos, the team ensured the trail was left cleaner and greener than they found it.

On August 24, 2025, a team of 24 trekkers set out on a documentation trek to Bhairavadurga—one of the legendary Navadurgas and reputedly the toughest among them. Rising from the 3.5-billion-year-old Dharwar craton, Bhairavadurga is both a geological wonder and a true test of endurance.

Choosing an unmarked, lesser-known trail, the team navigated dense forests, steep rocky slopes, and rugged terrain, relying on topography and teamwork to progress. The climb demanded resilience, but it rewarded trekkers with a deep sense of adventure and awe-inspiring landscapes.

At 1,011 meters, the summit opened up a spectacular 360° panorama of surrounding ranges—Shivaganga, Chinnaga Betta, Minchinakallu, Hikkallu Betta, and beyond.

This trek not only marked a successful documentation but also reinforced the community’s commitment to preserving unexplored trails for future adventurers.

On August 16, 2025, the Hyderabad Chapter conducted its first regular trek to Koilkonda Fort after the documentation trek earlier in June. This event marked a significant milestone as it introduced the use of eco-bags for waste collection, aligning with Indiahikes’ Green Trails initiative.

Koilkonda, located about 130 km from Hyderabad, transforms into a lush green paradise during the late monsoon season, with the Koilsagar reservoir adding a stunning backdrop. Despite heavy rains in Hyderabad the previous night, 11 determined trekkers (out of 27 registered) showed up to make the most of the pleasant weather.

The prior documentation work proved invaluable, helping the group navigate the rocky terrain and tricky boulder climbs. To ensure safety, four skilled members assisted others at challenging sections. At the summit—a historic vantage point and ruined watchtower—trekkers enjoyed panoramic views of Koilsagar Lake, surrounding farmlands, and boulder-strewn hills.

A unique highlight was practicing Shinrin-yoku (Japanese forest bathing), suggested by a member, which brought a calming, reflective touch to the experience.

Koilkonda is generally an easy trek with pockets of moderate difficulty, making group travel advisable for safety. The trek concluded at 12 noon after a debrief and feedback session, reinforcing the spirit of learning and sustainability.

On August 17, 2025, a group of 10 trekkers, including a 9-year-old participant, set out on a documentation trek to Uttari Betta, near Bangalore. The primary objective was to prepare a detailed trail documentation report within seven days of trek completion.

Before the trek, participants received training on documentation techniques and were assigned specific pre-trek and post-trek responsibilities—a first-time experience for most of them.

The trail offered an engaging mix of rocky monolith climbs, grassy patches, and scenic viewpoints overlooking nearby villages and the Savanadurga summit. At the top sits a historic Shiva temple with a Nandi statue, adding cultural significance to the trek.

In line with the Green Trails initiative, the team collected 11.4 kg of trash on their descent—marking the highest amount of waste ever cleared during a documentation trek so far.

This trek not only mapped a popular trail but also showcased the power of community-driven sustainability and knowledge sharing.

On August 10, eight club members joined Lakshmi and Umar from Indiahikes for an engaging nature walk through the Avalahalli Forest.

During the walk, participants discovered fascinating life forms—a zombified fly, orb weaver and two-tailed spiders, ants, caterpillars, termites, and grasshoppers. Each sighting came with stories and insights that deepened the group’s understanding of the forest ecosystem.

One participant, Pradeep, reflected on the experience: “It was my first nature walk. Their knowledge of plants and animals that inhabit the forest was both interesting and thought-provoking. I can say it made me look at nature from a different perspective.”

The walk turned out to be a refreshing reminder that even the smallest creatures have incredible stories to tell—if only we pause and notice.

On August 10, 2025, 20 trekkers from the Hyderabad Chapter embarked on an adventurous trek to Khilla Ghanpur, led by Nandu Sir and Abdul. This was not a typical route—the team chose unusual, less-traveled trails, making the experience truly unique and filled with surprises.

The day began with serene stretches flanked by lush greenery, setting a calming tone before the challenge ahead. Soon, the trail demanded more—a thrilling patch of rock climbing that tested grit and balance, adding an adrenaline rush to the journey.

As the team reached the fort’s summit, they were greeted by an ancient cannon, a relic of the fort’s storied past, standing guard as a silent witness to history. From the top, the group soaked in panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, a reward well worth the effort.

The trek beautifully blended nature, history, and teamwork, leaving participants with a sense of accomplishment and stories to cherish. It was yet another reminder of why the road less traveled often leads to the most memorable adventures.

The workshop, led by Mr. Rajesh and his team of expert coaches, struck the perfect balance between theory and practice. The hands-on pool sessions were particularly impactful, leaving participants with a strong sense of confidence and practical survival skills.

“The only way to overcome fear of water is to be in it with excellent coaches,” shared the participant. “I feel I have truly learned a useful life skill. It was worth every minute and every rupee spent.”

Members are strongly encouraged to join the upcoming session in Bangalore on September 6–7. This is a fantastic opportunity to build confidence in water, learn essential survival techniques, and get a taste of freediving under professional guidance.

On August 3, 2025, the Bangalore Chapter of the Indiahikes Trekking Club celebrated Friendship Day with an adventurous trek to Siddarabetta, coordinated by Sanjay. The group of 28 members began with an introduction to the Intrek Club’s vision and a Green Trails sustainability briefing.

A small mix-up in finding the correct starting point—between the forest and temple routes—added a touch of fun to the morning. The trail, rated moderate, was enjoyed by all and felt relatively easy. The highlight came with nearly two hours of barefoot cave exploration near the temple, reminiscent of Anthargange but with even more intrigue.

Trekkers supported each other through tricky slopes, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. The day closed with a reflective debrief, inspiring several participants to consider leadership roles for future events. The trek was more than just an outing—it was a celebration of friendship, exploration, and community.

On August 3, 2025, the Hyderabad Chapter hosted its third monthly Walk & Run event at the scenic Durgam Cheruvu Lake. Designed to build physical endurance for long-duration treks, the session attracted 12 participants, ranging in age from 13 to 65.

To suit different fitness levels, members could choose between a full 7.5 km run or a 3.5 km walk-run. Six participants opted for the longer route, while the rest enjoyed the mixed-pace option. The lake’s 3.6 km track, framed by the iconic cable bridge, offered a mix of climbs, steps, and rolling plains, surrounded by well-maintained greenery and exotic trees from countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.

The event began at 6:30 am and concluded by 8:00 am, leaving participants energized for the day. Alongside fitness, the gathering fostered camaraderie and appreciation for the natural setting, complete with open workout spaces and opportunities for yoga and calisthenics.

On July 26–27, 2025, the Bangalore Chapter embarked on its first-ever herping trip—an exploration of reptiles and amphibians—at Thirthahalli in the Western Ghats. A group of 20 enthusiastic members arrived at Balagatte Homestay, their base for the weekend, greeted by classic Malnad monsoon weather and an early visitor—a green vine snake spotted right outside the dormitory.

After a hearty homemade lunch, the group gathered for an insightful session by herping expert Mr. Vinay, who introduced them to the biodiversity of the region, animal behavior patterns, and what to expect during the night herping walk. The session, rich with fascinating photos and anecdotes, set the tone for the evening adventure.

By 7:30 PM, equipped with ponchos, headlights, and a healthy dose of excitement, the group ventured out into the dark rainforest. Despite heavy rain, the trail revealed a stunning variety of frogs—including the Malabar gliding frog—along with frog eggs that resembled strings of pearls, cicadas in the middle of moulting, fruit bats, lizards, and night birds. While the group hoped to spot more snakes such as the cobra, krait, or Malabar pit viper, those species remained elusive. A late-night road patrol also yielded no sightings.

The following morning, after a relaxed breakfast, the group hiked up to Navilu Kallu Gudda, a hilltop known for its panoramic views and literary connection to Dr. Kuvempu. The short hike rewarded everyone with sweeping views of the mist-draped Western Ghats—an awe-inspiring end to an already immersive trip.

The experience was a first for many and a meaningful expansion of what trekking with Intrek can offer—beyond summits and trails, into the fascinating, hidden world of the rainforest at night.