Our registration process is entirely an online process. You'll be able to complete it in a few simple steps:

• Head to the upcoming treks page and choose a trek.
• Click on View Dates/Register and select a date of your choice. Then click on register.
• Go through the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions (don’t ignore this step) 
• Create an account for yourself if you don’t already have one. 
• Fill out the form that appears with all the details
• Make the payment online.

See this video on how to register will help you through the process.

Once you start the registration process, we will block your booking for 24 hours. You will have to complete the booking within 24 hours. The booking automatically becomes inactive if you do not complete it in 24 hours.

If the group you are looking for is full, it is best to opt for an alternative date or look for another trek starting on the same date. From our upcoming treks page, you can book the trek that suits your preference.

It's great that you wish to trek with your loved ones :) 

Before completing the payment, You can add participants once you register for the trek. To do this, head over to your dashboard, reach the "Add Participants" step and add details of your friends/family.

Suppose you have completed the payment for the trek. In that case, your friend/family member will have to register separately using their email ID and follow our usual registration process.

The Indiahikes team will be there to guide you once you register for a trek. We will create a Whatsapp group where other trekkers from your group will join in as well, so that you can get to know each other better. 

This video by Nandana Kamasani, Head of Experience Coordination at Indiahikes, will give you a clear picture of what happens after you register for a trek.

If the trek group you have registered for is full, then you will enter the waitlist. This slot will get confirmed only if someone in the group cancels their trek. 

If there is a cancellation in the group, we will send you an email immediately. You'll be able to make the payment and confirm your trek. You have 24 hours to do this. 

If you don't complete the payment within 24 hours, the slot will move to the next person on the waitlist. We have a total of 5 waitlist slots for each group. It works on a first-come-first-served basis.

Note: If you have registered for more than one person on the waitlist, we will notify you only if there is a cancellation of the total number of trekkers you have registered for.

For example, suppose you have registered for 2 trekkers on the waitlist. In that case, we will send you a confirmation email only if 2 slots open up.

Signing up for a waitlist is a bit of a gamble. We have 5 waitlist slots that work on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• If you sign up more than 30 days before the trek date, the chances of it getting confirmed are higher.
• But if you sign up closer to the trek date, the chances of getting a confirmation are meagre. You are better off choosing an available date. 

We advise you to sign up for the waitlist only if your dates are not flexible. You do not have to pay to be on the waitlist, so you have nothing to lose. 

If your dates are flexible, choose an available date. That way, you'll be able to plan your travel and start prepping for the trek.

The answer is no. Do NOT book your flight tickets if you’re on the waitlist. The waitlist is not a confirmed slot. Book your travel only after you have paid and confirmed your trek.

We have a maximum of 5 waitlist slots. The waitlist works on a first-come-first-serve basis. Once you join the waitlist, you will see your waitlist number on your dashboard

To be honest, we cannot predict when you'll get a confirmation. You'll get confirmation only if there is a cancellation.

If you have registered on our waitlist, we recommend you keep an eye on your email. Our notifications are automated. We will notify you immediately by email and a Whatsapp message if there is a cancellation.

Mark all emails from Indiahikes as "important" so the email doesn't end up in your spam.

Please note that we close our waitlist 7 days before the trek. This means we stop sending out notifications to trekkers on the waitlist, even if there is a cancellation. We believe that you need a minimum of 7 days to prepare for the trek and book your travel. Anything after that is too late.

You don’t have to make a payment to be on the waitlist.

Only if there is a cancellation and the slot is allotted to you will you have to make the payment to confirm your trek. You will have to do this within 24 hours of receiving our notification.

But start preparing for the trek after joining the waitlist.

You can register for waitlist slots on more than one trek or group. However, the dates for which you are registering mustn't overlap. Our system will not allow you to register if the dates overlap.

Each trek is unique and may include different things in the trek fee. You can find out exactly what's included in the "What's Included" section on the relevant trek page.

Generally speaking, your trek fee includes all costs while on the trek, including:

• Accommodation (e.g. tents and/or lodges)
• All meals (simple, nutritious and vegetarian)
• Expert trek leaders and support team
• Trekking and safety equipment
• All permits and camping charges

Your fee usually does not include expenses incurred while getting to and from the base camp or your equipment, such as your backpack, shoes or clothing.

Your fee usually does not include: 

• Expenses incurred while getting to and from the base camp like food, transport and accomodation.
• Your equipment, such as your backpack, shoes or clothing.

The transportation to and from the basecamp is not included in the trek fee (excluding a few treks). But we will organize your transport from the pickup location to the basecamp. Trekkers will travel together and share the cost.

If you are a team of ten members and above, we will waive off of the fee of one person. If you have such a large group, please write to us before registering.

Indiahikes is not registered with Indian Mountaineering Foundation for you to avail Special Casual Leave. However, you, as an individual can register with IMF, register for a trek and avail special casual leave. Please enquire with IMF for the same.

If your transaction has failed, please contact us by mailing us at info@indiahikes.com. We will review the transaction and guide you through the next steps in the next 24 hours.

In such a case, drop an email to info@indiahikes.com. We will check if we have received the payment. If we have received payment, we will confirm your slot immediately.

If we have not received the payment, we suggest you wait for 4-5 days in such a scenario. Usually, it will get refunded to your account. If that doesn't happen (rarely), get in touch with us by writing to info@indiahikes.com. We'll see how we can help you.

We're sorry about the inconvenience. Sometimes, the payment gateway fails with international transaction if your credit doesn't have certain facilities.

Please write to info@indiahikes.com with your issue and we will help sort it out with a special payment link for you.

We accept online payments of all kinds. We have an excellent online portal where you can make a payment using debit cards, credit cards, net banking, UPI, Wallets and even international cards and Amex cards. We do NOT accept cash or cheque payments.

We do not accept partial payments. You will have to pay the entire trek fee to confirm your slot.

We do not have the option of paying for the trek via EMI.

You need to make the full payment - either using a Debit card, Credit card, Net Banking or UPI.

It's true. We have a Trek Again Philosophy. :)

There are some thoughts and ideologies that we hold close to our hearts.

Our Trek Again Philosophy: As trekkers, there are times when you have to let go of a trek midway. Sometimes you fall ill, or get hit by AMS or at times simple fatigue pulls you down. It can also happen that your Trek Leader sends you down due to a safety or health issue.

Should such a situation occur, we want you to know that we feel as bad as you do. You can always come back another time, repeat the same trek and finish your adventure. For this you do not have to pay Indiahikes any money.

2. On the other hand, there are times when you fall in love with a trek. So much so that you want to do it again, perhaps see it in another season. If you ever desire to do a trek again, please do so. You don’t have to pay Indiahikes any money for repeating this trek. Just email your Experience Coordinator who will guide you through a special internal process to register for the trek. 

Note: The Indiahikes “Trek Again Philosophy” does not apply on our international trek routes. It also does not apply on any special treks, such a photography treks / stargazing treks / collaborative leadership programs or any themed treks we introduce in future. It applies only on our regular treks within India.

Hampta Pass is at a height of 14,065 feet/4287 meters above sea level.

Starting at Jobra (9379 ft/ 2858 m) you climb to Hampta pass (14065 ft/4287 m) over two and half days of trekking. That’s an average of 2000 ft/600 m of height giant every day.

Hampta Pass Trek is a moderate trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Manali which is at an altitude of 6,725 ft and reach an altitude of 14,000 ft in a matter of 4 days.

For the most part though, it is an easy hike through the valley. However, the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to the pass. The pass crossing day is a long walk of almost 9 hours.

The trail climbs steadily until Balu Ka Ghera followed by a steep climb to the pass. The descent from the pass is steep to Shea Goru beyond which is a gentler descent.

This makes the trek a moderate one. It is a good trek for fit first timers.

Read more on why Hampta Pass is of moderate difficulty here

There is no network connectivity on this trek. Network will stop right after you climb up from Prini.  Prini is the last place you will get network on the way forward.

On your return, you will get a network near Rohtang Pass and Manali only.

Before leaving Manali, call your family and friends and know that you won’t be available for them until you get back to Manali on Day 6.

A Himalayan trek like Hampta Pass requires a good fitness level. The trek has long walks daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 35 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 20 km a week or 80 km in a month. It's a minimum mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us

Once you get confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trek experience.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

There is no electricity throughout the trek. The only place you’ll find a plug to charge your phone or camera batteries will be Manali before and after the trek.

Therefore use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note the cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Having extra batteries or a power banks help.

Yes, we have an option of leaving behind extra luggage at the basecamp. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge. Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage.

Your luggage will be handed back to you at Chhatru on the last day of your trek.

You can leave behind any kind of bags, including backpacks, suitcases, duffel bags or kit bags. Ensure you leave no valuables (laptops, cash, electronics) in this luggage. 

You can collect any rental gear you have ordered at the basecamp, which is the Indiahikes Jungle Line Campus, Manali, on Day 1. 

After your trek, you can return the gear at Chhatru, where the security deposit will be returned.

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem. 

The total cost of offloading on the Hampta Pass trek is Rs 1500.

The basecamp, Indiahikes Jungle Line Campus, Manali is located at Sarsai which is on the Manali-Naggar road, about 3.5 km away from the 15 Mil bridge. If you're traveling by bus from Delhi or Chandigarh, simply get down at 15 Mil bridge stop. From here, a pick-up cab will be arranged by Indiahikes.

For a detailed travel plan, head over to how to reach section.

Yes you can! If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

Once you reach the basecamp, there is no way to withdraw money. The last ATMs will be at Prini on the way to the base camp.

There are no ATMs after the pass crossing too until you get back to Manali. 

We would definitely recommend using two trekking poles. It gives you greater stability, good balance and saves 40% of your energy. It also reduces the impact on your knees while covering long distances and descending. 

So we strongly suggest everyone in using two trekking poles. You can watch this video to know more about our thoughts on this here.

Yes, we will provide you with microspikes and gaiters if there's snow or ice. You will not have to bring your own.

We recommend reaching Chandigarh because it is closer to Manali. The travel time is lesser. We also suggest you reach one day in advance so that you get good rest. 

However, if the cost of the flight ticket to Chandigarh is too high, fly to Delhi and travel to Manali by bus. Here are the few options for the bus provides - Lakshmi Holidays or Zing Bus. 

Read more on how to travel in detail here.

Yes, you will. Even if you are trekking during the monsoon season, your thick padded jacket or the down jacket forms your outermost layer.

The temperature can drop to 1-4 degrees at night. An outer padded jacket keeps the wind and cold at bay, thereby keeping you warm on the trek.

There is no dedicated parking space at our Jungle Line Campus.

If you are getting your own car and want to park, the best option is to park at the hotel where you're staying. Otherwise, you need to park the vehicle outside the Jungle Line Campus at your own risk. Indiahikes will not be taking responsibility for it. 

Also, trekkers will be dropped back after the trek at a different location, the Beas Bridge, Manali. So we wouldn't recommend driving to the campus.

Starting from Gulaba ), the Bhrigu Lake trek is approximately 22 km, which you cover over 4 days.

Here’s a quick itinerary to give you an idea:

Day 1: Drive from Manali to Gulaba. Then an hour trek to the campsite (Jonker Thatch).

Day 2: Jonker Thatch (10,285 ft) to Rola Kholi (12,950 ft); 3-4 hours, 5 km

Day 3: Rola Kholi (12,950 ft) to Bhrigu Lake (14,009 ft) and back to Rola Kholi; 5-6 hours, 10 km

Day 4: Rola Kholi (12,950 ft) to Gulaba (9,875 ft); 3-4 hours, 5 km. Drive to Manali. You are expected to reach Manali by 3:30 PM.

The Bhrigu Lake trek is classified as a trek of moderate difficulty. You start from an altitude of 8,530 ft at Gulaba and you reach the highest point of the trek at 14,009 ft.

There are steep climbs on this trek. You gain around 5,480 ft over just two days of trekking. This can make the trek quite demanding. So, it is necessary to train well for the trek. Focus on cardiovascular and strength training if you are planning to go for the Bhrigu Lake trek.

Read more on why Bhrigu Lake is considered as moderate here.

The Bhrigu Lake trek starts from Gulaba, which is 24 km from Manali.

You can read more on how to reach here.

The network starts getting sketchy once you leave from Manali. But you may find Vodafone and Jio network at Rola Kholi campsite. And, 100 metres from Rola Kholi sometimes you even find an Airtel network. 

But all these are subjective to the weather. The network gets affected when clouds roll into the valley.

You won’t find any electricity after you set off from Manali.

Therefore use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note the cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Having extra batteries or a power banks help.

Manali is your last stop for an ATM. You won’t come across any ATM after Manali. So, if you need cash, withdraw it from Manali and only then set off for Gulaba.

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The total cost of offloading on the Bhrigu Lake trek is Rs 1200.

If you're able to meet the fitness requirements, you can definitely do this trek. 

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes. 

On the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, you cover 75 km in 6 days (7 days including the drive to and from the trek). 

The altitude ranges from 6,175 ft in Srinagar to Gadsar Pass at 13,715 ft. You’ll trek long distances around 10-11 km on average every day. This is why the Kashmir Great Lakes trek requires good preparation.

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is rated as moderate-difficult. 

Despite being one of the most beautiful treks in India, there are mainly three factors that make it a moderate-difficult trek: 

• Three strenuous pass crossings – Gadsar Pass, Nichnai Pass, and Zaj Pass.
• Long hours of trekking every day. Each day involves around 8-9 hours of trekking.
• Considerable altitude gain every day, of around 1,500 – 2,000 ft.

You’ll get to enjoy its rewards only after a bit of hard work and toil. The trek is not as easy as the pictures make it look. To learn more of the trek's difficulty, watch this video.

The Kashmir Great Lakes trail is safe. It is in the remote regions of Kashmir, away from the hotbed of turmoil. It is in the more touristy Sonamarg region. On the trekking route, there are three army camps as well. And we set up camp close by. The trekking route itself is therefore perfectly safe and secure.

However, political unrest, curfews, and clampdowns have occurred in the past during our trekking season. We have tackled these efficiently, never compromising the safety of trekkers. We take precautions to pick up or drop off trekkers at the airport safely and travel outside of curfew hours.

Sometimes, we call off treks if the situation is too serious (for instance when Burhan Wani was shot and the political situation in Kashmir was out of control). Calling off a trek is a worst-case scenario and has not occurred too many times in the past.

Keep in mind that if we are running the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, you can assume that it is safe. We would not compromise anyone’s safety by running it during dangerous times. 

Watch this video where we discuss safety in Kashmir

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) has a narrow window for trekking. It is possible to trek in Kashmir for only 3 months a year. The season starts in July and goes on until the middle of September. 

But the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is one of the most popular treks in our country. Trekkers eagerly wait to do this trek.

This is why when we open groups for KGL early in the year or even a year before the season — they get fully booked within 2 weeks. Ideally, book your trek by February or March to ensure you get the slots that you want. 

Pro-Tip: We post regular updates about group openings on our social media and newsletter. Make sure to follow it!

You will get mobile connectivity only till Srinagar. After that, the network is sketchy and almost nonexistent.

Make sure you finish all your important telephone calls before starting your journey to the base camp. Inform family members about poor connectivity during the trek.

Note: Prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir. Airtel/Jio/BSNL postpaid connections work.

You will be able to buy a SIM card once you reach Srinagar. There are plenty of counters at the airport. You will be asked to submit a copy of your ID proof and have it activated in 3–4 hours' time.

Tip: If you are using a prepaid connection, you can port it to a postpaid connection before starting from home. It takes about 24–48 hours for the SIM to get activated.

A Himalayan trek like the Kashmir Great Lakes requires a really good fitness level. You should be able to run 5 km in 32 minutes consistently before your trek. 

The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. This trek also has three pass crossings and a boulder section. The 3 passes and the boulder section from Satsar are things that trekkers often underestimate on the trek.

As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. The consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum, mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

High-altitude trekking experience above 14,000 ft or at least moderate-difficult trekking experience, is a preferred requirement. Additionally, you must attach a screenshot of a 5 km run in under 32 minutes only to get approved for the trek.

Once you are confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trek experience.

You won’t have access to electricity or charging points anywhere during the trek.

Use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel, and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note: the cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Carry a power bank to charge your batteries. And keep all batteries as warm as possible (perhaps in your jacket pocket).

We have a cloakroom facility available in Srinagar for extra luggage. It costs Rs 200 per bag. You can keep up to 10 kg, which can be collected again from the same place after your trek.

Please do not leave behind any valuables. (The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag, or anything similar)

This is a tough one! The treks are so vastly different from each other, despite being in Kashmir. A basic way to make your decision would be based on your fitness. The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a lot tougher than the Tarsar Marsar Trek. It involves crossing three mountain passes, long distances every day, and a longer duration of being in the wilderness.

Tarsar Marsar is the easier sister trek of the Kashmir Great Lakes. The trekking days are short and friendly, and you have long leisure time at the campsite. So the trek is very beginner-friendly.

We would recommend reading this article, where our co-founder Sandhya beautifully compares the two treks in terms of scenery, variety, and difficulty.

Before you register for the trek, we would like you to understand the challenges and the fitness required.

If you are above the age of 58 years, your Experience Coordinator will need a detailed account of your health. If you have done a Himalayan trek in the past or they have an active fitness lifestyle (marathons/cycling expeditions), we’ll need to see your Treadmill Test and fitness proof (Fitness proof: 5 km in 38 mins). 

But if you do not have any experience, we strongly advise you to start with an easy-moderate trek. 

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The cost of offloading on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is Rs 3,675 including 5% GST for the trek.

You will have to reach Srinagar on Day 0 and meet the Indiahikes team at 5 pm. Your rental gear collection will take place in Srinagar at a common place, close to Dal Lake.

The next day, the team will leave at 5.00 a.m. and drive to Shitkadi. The drive will take around 3-4 hours.

Trekkers will be collecting the pre-ordered rental gear from Srinagar on Day 0.

All trekkers will be collecting at a common place in Srinagar.

Every year, the stay in Srinagar can change according to the situation in the valley. So it is always better to get in touch with your Experience Coordinator about the places to stay.

The ideal option is to select accommodations that are close to the pickup location. 

We often get trekkers asking if staying on a houseboat is a good option. Staying on a houseboat is an experience. But not something out of the world. You can think about taking this option after your trek.

Not recommended: Do not stay at a houseboat before your trek because your pick up is at 5.00 a.m. and ferries from the houseboat to the main road won't be open so early in the morning. 

Not recommended: The other option that trekkers often look at is staying at Zostel. This place is again about 10 km away from the pickup location and not a suitable place to stay.

We wouldn’t recommend staying at Sonamarg. Due to the Amarnath Yatra (which happens at the same time as the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek), there are various barricades and travel restrictions with respect to timing. You will not be allowed to cross these checkpoints at any time.

Adding to this, your cloakroom, rentals, and briefing will be done in Srinagar on Day 0. 

So it’s better to stay in Srinagar and join the rest of the trekkers to travel to Sonamarg together.

There are freshwater sources on the trek and at the campsites. In fact, that is how trekking trails are planned as well.

However, if you are sensitive to changes in water, you can carry a water filter bottle/water purification tablets with you.

Swimming inside the lakes of KGL is not allowed. 

Adding to this, at high altitudes, your core body temperature can drastically fall if you take a dip in the cold water, which can lead to more severe issues such as hypothermia.

Since you are trekking close to the borders of India and with several army checkposts, carrying a drone on the trek is not allowed.

On the Bodpathri Lakes Trek, you cover around 47 km in 5 days (6 days including the drive to and from the trek). The altitude ranges from 6,175 ft in Srinagar all the way to Pamsar Lake at 13,060 ft. You’ll trek long distances around 8 km on average every day.

The Bodpathri Lakes Trek is safe. It is in the remote regions of Kashmir, away from the hotbed of turmoil. It is towards the more touristy Srinagar region. So the trekking trail itself is completely safe.

However, political unrest, curfews and clampdowns have occurred in the main city of Srinagar in the past. We have tackled these efficiently, never compromising on the safety of trekkers. We travel during non-curfew hours and take measures to safely pick up or drop trekkers at the airport.

Sometimes, we call off treks if the situation is too serious (for instance when Burhan Wani was shot and the political situation in Kashmir was out of control). Calling off a trek is a worst-case scenario and has not occurred too many times in the past.

Keep in mind that if we are running the Bodpathri Lakes Trek, you can assume that it is safe. We would not compromise anyone’s safety and run it during dangerous times.

Bodpathri Lakes Trek is classified as Moderate-Difficult | Level 2. The main reasons are longer trekking days, boulder sections on the trek and steep descent on the last day.

You trek on an average of 7-8 km every day. There are boulder sections to navigate on almost all days of the trek. This can be really taxing on your legs. You need to have a good fitness level. Lastly, there is a long and steep descent on the last of the trek. These are what make Bodpathri a Moderate-Difficult level trek.

On the Bodpathri Lakes Trek, you'll come across 6 pristine alpine lakes. They are all turquoise blue. You’ll get to witness all these lakes on Days 4 and 5—all in 2 days!

• Pamsar Lake 
• Lokutsar Lake
• Bodsar Lake
• Navkansar I 
• Navkansar II
• Damamsar Lake

The uniqueness of this trek, along with the lakes, is the boulder sections with many stream crossings!

The Bodpathri Lakes Trek takes you through 5 valleys —  Ashtaar valley, Guruwansar valley, Pamsar Valley, Bodsar Valley, and Gadtar valley.

The vast meadows, pine forests, glades, sweeping landscapes, and stunning snow-capped peaks are all bundled together in the valleys of this trek! You get to witness this 5 times, all on different days!

A Himalayan trek like Bodpathri Lakes requires a really good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum, mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

After you register, you will be sent a questionnaire about your trekking experience and medical history. Additionally, you must attach a screenshot of a 5 km run under 35 mins only to get approved for the trek.

High-altitude trekking experience above 14,000 ft or at least moderate-difficult trek experience is a preferred requirement.

Once you are confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trek experience.

Since the trek ends at Tosa Maidan (different from where you start), you cannot leave anything at the base of Doodhpathri. Also, Doodhpatri doesn’t have a homestay / lodge. You’ll be camping at the base.

However, you can leave behind your extra luggage in Srinagar. It costs Rs 200 per luggage. You can keep up to 10 kg.

(The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar.).

Ensure you do not keep any valuables. Laptops, mobile phones, cash, or any other important items shouldn’t be kept here.

There will be no network on the trek. 

You will get mobile connectivity only till Srinagar. After that, the network is sketchy and almost non-existent. 

Make sure you finish all your important telephone calls before starting your travel to the base camp. Inform family members about poor connectivity during the trek. 

Note: Prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir. Airtel/Jio/BSNL postpaid connections work.

You will be able to buy a SIM card once you reach Srinagar. There are plenty of counters at the airport. You will be asked to submit a copy of your ID proof and have it activated in 3-4 hrs' time. 

Tip: If you are using a prepaid connection, you can port it to a postpaid connection before starting from home. It takes about 24-48 hours for the SIM to get activated.

You won’t have access to electricity or charging points anywhere during the trek. 

Use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel, and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note: the cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Carry a power bank to charge your batteries. And keep all batteries as warm as possible (perhaps in your jacket pocket).

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The total cost of offloading on the Bodpathri Lakes trek is Rs 2,100

Trekkers need to reach the pickup point on their own after having breakfast and meet the Indiahikes team at 8 AM for rental gear collection and cloakroom.

Transport will be organized at 10 AM. The cost of the cab is approximately Rs 600 per person and needs to be paid directly to the driver.

After the trek is done, you travel from Tosamaidan to Srinagar is via Sitaran. The cost for the return journey will be approximately Rs 900 per trekker. Trekkers will have to change vehicles at Sitaran and then drive to Srinagar. Usually, the vehicles will change from smaller ones to bigger ones and trekkers need to take care of their own belongings. 

Note: On the way to reach the base camp, trekkers have to carry their own backpacks (even if you have offloaded for the duration of the trek) until the campsite point.

Yes, you can!

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

The Tarsar Marsar trek is situated in the Pahalgam district. It is in the western part of Kashmir. The trek starts from Aru, a picturesque hamlet, that is 12 km from the famous touristy town of Pahalgam.

If you see the map, notice how the trek moves along with the Lidder river and touches three alpine lakes – Tarsar (12,435 ft), Marsar, and Sundersar (12,945 ft). Observe how the route climbs over the Marsar pass (13,201 ft), drops to Homwas (11,300 ft) and then comes back to Aru.

Yes, it is safe to trek in Kashmir. Talking about Tarsar Marsar, while the trek remains untouched during times of unrest, getting to the base camp or onto the trail might raise concerns in times of unrest.

So, here are certain pointers to keep in mind when you are traveling from Srinagar to Pahalgam and then Aru:

• If you’re staying overnight in Srinagar, stay in touristy areas like Dal Lake or Lal Chowk.
• Blend in with the crowd in terms of dressing and behaviour.
• Avoid going to downtown areas. Stick to tourist spaces, as they tend to be safer and well-protected during times of unrest
• Don’t panic if there is a curfew. Keep calm and wait for it to pass.

On the Tarsar Marsar Lakes trek, you cover 47.6 km in 6 days (7 days including the drive to and from the trek). 

The altitude ranges from 6,175 ft in Srinagar all the way to Marsar View Point at 13,165 ft. You’ll cover an average of 5-6 km everyday, except the last day, when you cover 13 km. This is why the Tarsar Marsar Lakes trek requires good preparation.

The Tarsar Marsar trek, which climbs to 13,201 ft, is not really difficult. It is rated as 'moderate'. That too is only because trekking days are slightly long. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days with a few steep climbs (example: climb to Tarsar Pass, Marsar View Point). This makes it a notch more difficult than the easy-moderate treks like Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal.

Even the last day is a challenge since trekkers have to trek from Homwas to Aru, give back the rentals, collect your cloakroom luggage and leave by a certain time, usually 1.30 pm to avoid the travel restrictions and reach Srinagar. 

But the trek has easy exits, and there are no technical sections.

To get a clear picture, imagine covering a total of 47.6 km in 6 days. You gain approximately 5,243 ft during this journey, which is mild when spread over 6 days.

That means, on average, you cover 8 km every day. This includes gradual ascents and descents.

That's doable on a well-paced itinerary, like the one we follow for the Tarsar Marsar trek at Indiahikes. The key is to pace it out. It's important because you consistently trek above 10,000 ft for four days.

But if you cut it short, say, by skipping camping at Shekwas, then you are exposed to the risk of AMS. In such a situation, be very cautious for any discomfort in your body that may point to AMS.

A Himalayan trek like the Tarsar Marsar Lakes trek requires a good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. The consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum, mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

Once you are confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trekking experience.

Tarsar Marsar Trek has a narrow window for trekking. It is possible to trek in Kashmir for only 3 months a year. The season starts in July and goes on until the middle of September.

But the Tarsar Marsar trek is one of the most popular treks in our country. Trekkers eagerly wait to do this trek.

This is why, when we open groups for this early in the year or even a year before the season, they get fully booked within 2 weeks. Ideally, book your trek by February or March to ensure you get the slots that you want. 

Pro-Tip: We post regular updates about group openings on our social media and newsletter. Make sure to follow it!

You will not get mobile connectivity after Srinagar. After that, the network is sketchy and almost non-existent. 

Make sure you finish all your important telephone calls before starting your travel to the base camp. Inform family members about poor connectivity during the trek. 

Note: Prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir. Airtel/Jio/BSNL postpaid connections work. 

You will be able to buy a SIM card once you reach Srinagar. There are plenty of counters at the airport. You will be asked to submit a copy of your ID proof and have it activated in 3-4 hrs' time. 

Tip: If you are using a prepaid connection, you can port to a postpaid before starting from your home. It takes about 24-48 hours for the SIM to get activated.

You won’t have access to electricity or charging points anywhere during the trek. 

Use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel, and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note: the cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Carry a power bank to charge your batteries. And keep all batteries as warm as possible (perhaps in your jacket pocket).

We have a cloakroom facility available at Srinagar for extra luggage. It costs Rs 200 per bag. You can keep up to 10 kg which can be collected again from the same place after your trek. 

Please do not leave behind any valuables. (The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar)

Yes, you can! If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The total cost of offloading on the Tarsar Marsar trek is Rs 2,400

You will not have mobile connectivity on the trek. Manali would be the last place where you would find electricity and charging points on the trek. 

There might be an intermittent network a little after Solang Valley, but don’t bank on it. Make all your important calls beforehand.

There is no electricity throughout the trek. The only place you’ll find a plug to charge your phone or camera batteries will be Manali before and after the trek.

Therefore, use your electronic equipment wisely. Fully charge your batteries before leaving your hotel, and use your electronic equipment minimally.

Another thing to note is that cold temperatures drain the batteries faster. Having extra batteries or a power bank helps.

We do have ponchos, backpacks, shoes, and trekking poles available for rent. You can order them online here. 

You can collect any rental gear you have ordered at Manali before starting your trek. 

After your trek, you can return the gear at the same place, where the security deposit will be returned.

Beas Kund climbs up to around 12,700 ft. Expect it to be very cold, even in the summer. 

In May, June, and July, during the night, the temperature could be as low as 1-2 degrees, and even lower if there is snow.

There won't be any snow in August, September, or October, but the evening temperatures could drop as low as 3 or 4 degrees.

If it starts raining while you’re trekking, we will continue on the trail as planned. 

Your poncho/raincoat should protect you from the rain. Carry a backpack cover to provide your stuff with additional rain protection.

When it rains at the campsite, we usually get together in the dining tent and play games. You will be dry within the tents you will be sleeping in, which include the dining tent, kitchen tent, and toilet tent.

You are likely to find snow on this trek in the months of May, June. However, the level of snow depends on the amount of snowfall that happened in the preceding winter.

Yes, you can! If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The total cost of offloading on the Beas Kund trek is Rs 1,260

On the Gurez Valley Trek, you cover around 36 km in 5 days (6 days including the drive to and from the trek). The altitude ranges from 7,870 ft in Srinagar to Patalwansar II lake at 13,188 ft. You’ll trek long distances, around 7 km on average, every day.

This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. This means trekkers, along with a trek leader, are going to be doing the trek all with a semi-support system. 

You will be helping carry a few of the gear and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 9-10 kg per trekker.

A lot of people are asking about the safety of The Gurez Valley trek. We want to say that this trail is completely safe even though it's next to POK. It is in the remote regions of Kashmir, away from the hotbed of turmoil. There's also a high military presence around the trek. So the trekking trail itself is completely safe.

However, political unrest, curfews, and clampdowns have occurred in the past during our trekking season. We have tackled these efficiently, never compromising the safety of trekkers. We travel during non-curfew hours and take measures to safely pick up or drop off trekkers at the airport.

Sometimes, we call off treks if the situation is too serious (for instance, when Burhan Wani was shot and the political situation in Kashmir was out of control). Calling off a trek is a worst-case scenario and has not occurred too many times in the past.

Keep in mind that if we are running the Gurez Valley Trek, you can assume that it is safe. We would not compromise anyone’s safety and run it during dangerous times.

We will have a senior trek leader and a cook join the team in addition to the team of 15–18 trekkers.

We'll help by sending a few horses on the trail to carry the equipment needed and other essential supplies like a living tent, toilet tent, and other big items.

On the Gurez Valley Trek, you'll come across two pristine alpine lakes. They are turquoise blue. You’ll get to witness all these lakes on Day 4 at almost 13,188 ft and you'll even be camping next to one! - Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II

A Himalayan trek like Gurez Valley requires a good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and walks daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 35 minutes before your trek. The consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 20 km a week or 80 km in a month. It's a minimum, mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us

Having more footprints through porters or mules on any trail isn’t good for the ecosystem. Keeping this and the spirit of DIY trekking in mind, there will be no offloading available on this trek.

Check out ways to make carrying your backup easier

We have a cloakroom facility available at the base camp for extra luggage. It costs Rs 200 per luggage. You can keep up to 10 kg.

(The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar.)

The team of trekkers will assist the cook by pitching in to help with food preparation.

We use Premix and dehydrated food to make things simpler. This facilitates hassle-free meal preparation.

The Pin Bhaba Pass is roughly a 50 km trek starting at Kafnu in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. The trek ends at the village of Mudh in the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.

Be prepared to walk long distances on the first and last couple of days of the trek. It can be jarring.

Especially, on the final day of the trek, when you’re already exhausted, you’re staring at a 16-18 km long day.

Kafnu is the last point that is electrically connected.  However, the electricity is extremely intermittent and can be absent for most of the day.

So, we strongly encourage you to bring additional batteries for your cameras and a power bank with more than 10,000 mAh to last you the entire trek.

Protip: Beware that the power from your batteries will drain faster in the cold temperatures of this region.  So, put the batteries in a small pouch and keep them inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm during the night.

At Indiahikes, we understand the time, energy, and efforts that you put into preparing for a trek.

And it is awful to have to leave the trek incomplete and come back because of any weather-related issues. Especially a trek as beautiful as Pin Bhaba.

Therefore, we account for a buffer day to take care of any delays caused by weather or terrain related challenges that cause a delay in proceeding with the trek.

If buffer day is utilized, you will need to pay Rs 2,500 plus 5% GST. This amount is to be handed over to your trek leader.

The Pin Bhaba Pass lies at a height of 16,105 ft.

Starting at Kafnu (7,878 ft) you climb to Pin Bhaba Pass (16,105 ft) over the next 4 days of trekking. The trail climbs until Mulling followed by a steady climb until Phutsirang where the trail climbs again. The descent that follows too is not an easy one.

This trek does require a great amount of cardiovascular endurance as well as strong legs. Prepare well.

Rampur Bushahr is the last place en route Kafnu to make withdrawals to keep some cash handy. All major private and public sector banks have their ATMs and even branches in Rampur.

Once you cross the pass, Kaza has an SBI ATM, but there have been regular reports of it being out of order or out of cash.

Therefore, Rampur Bushahr is your best option if you want to withdraw cash. Although there is no opportunity to spend money while on the trek (except in case of a buffer day being used)

You will find mobile phone networks — Airtel, Vodafone, and BSNL at the base camp. But after that, there’ll only be Airtel 4G network at Kafnu. 

On the other side of the pass, Kaza has a mobile phone network and internet connection, but don’t count on them to be reliable.

Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem. This is why, at Indiahikes, we do not encourage offloading. A trekker carries his/her own backpack in the true spirit of trekking. Added to this, Pin Bhaba Pass is a difficult trek for mules to cross. 

But if — due to a medical condition — you are unable to carry your own backpack, you may offload your backpack. You need to get the approval from your Experience Coordinator for this. 

The total cost of offloading on the Pin Bhaba trek is Rs 3,500 plus 5% GSTPin Bhaba Pass

Before you register for the trek, we would like you to understand the challenges, and the fitness required.

On Difficult treks, you’re likely to trek around 12-20 km each day. Expect extremely steep ascents and descents. Expect maximum altitudes above 15,000 ft, which can go up to 19,000+ ft. Technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, glacier walks, boulder, and scree sections) are an everyday affair. Some sections can only be crossed with the help of our Technical Staff.

Difficult treks are the most demanding, which is why we only take trekkers with prior trekking experience on them. 

To do a difficult trek, target running 10 km within 60 minutes consistently. This will be possible only if you can comfortably run 5 km within 30 minutes before signing up for a difficult trek.

This detailed fitness guide will help you get there by following the plan for 8 weeks (or 2 months) before the start of your trek.

You will also receive a questionnaire asking for your current fitness level and high altitude experience. Only those who have prior high altitude trekking experience will be allowed to sign up for difficult treks.

If you’re above the age of 58 years, you’ll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of completing your registration.

You can plan on including the visit to Badrinath on Day 6 after the trek is over.

The team will have to trek down to Poolna and then head over to Dhak where the stay is arranged for everyone. This is also the place where the trek leader will have a debriefing with the team and for everybody to collect their cloakroom or submit the rentals.

We do get requests from a few to visit Badrinath on Day 5. However, there are high chances of trekkers being unable to come back to Dhak before the timing restrictions by the checkpost. There are also higher chances of landslides happening post-afternoon and travel being stalled during the return. 

Also, going on Day 6 will help you explore more - including Badrinath, Mana Village, Tapoban and other locations in the region.

The Valley of Flowers Trek is 38 km long. And you cover this distance in 4 days, where you trek approximately 6 hours every day. You also need to keep two days for travelling to and from the base camp of the Valley of Flowers trek.

The trek begins from Govindghat, which is an 11-hour drive from Rishikesh. From Govindghat, you trek to Ghangria. This will be yours on the trek base. Each day you will trek for about 6 hours, and return to Ghangria.

During the trek, you will witness a wide array of things – from blooming flowers, gushing rivers, tall mountainscapes in front of you, delicate bridges, stone paths, lakes, and much more.

Trekkers can expect to reach Rishikesh from Dhak at around 7 pm. 

Keep all your plans for further travel or exploring Rishikesh after 8 pm or the next day to be more safe.  

A Himalayan trek like the Valley of Flowers requires a good fitness level. Even though the trek to Valley of Flowers is not too challenging, the climb to Hemkund Sahib will test your ability and strength. 

As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 35 minutes before your trek. The consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 20 km a week or 80 km in a month. It's a minimum, mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

Yes, the Valley of Flowers trek is a good first-time trek. You get to experience high-altitude trekking.

However, be sure to work on your fitness before the trek. Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges.

On the Valley of Flowers trek, you stay in lodges. Each accommodation includes a bathroom that the trekkers staying in the room share. 

The room size can vary from 3 to 5 beds, depending on the number of beds inside the room. The accommodations are separate for men and women.

These are the only available rooms in the valley, maintained by the locals, and camping is not allowed. 

The room size of the lodge can vary from 3 to 5 sharing, depending on the number of beds inside the room. The accommodations are separate for men and women.

Each accommodation includes a bathroom that the trekkers staying in the room share.

You can expect a signal until Govind Ghat, where your trek starts. Airtel and Jio work better here on the trek. 

At certain spots on the trek, there might be a signal. However, this depends on the connectivity strength and also on the weather conditions. 

Valley of Flowers is not a city, but a National Park located in the North Chamoli district of Uttarakhand around the Pushpavati river. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 for its rich biodiversity. Later, it became a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere. 

The main attraction of the Valley Of Flowers is its flowers. There are more than 500 varieties of flowers that bloom during the monsoon season. These even include the rare Himalayan Brahmakamal.

Trekkers can drive their own vehicle to our base camp in Karchi and then further towards Govind Ghat, where a paid parking option is available. 

The pricing, however, is dynamic and can change depending on availability. 

Note: Before making this decision, you should be an experienced driver because driving on mountain roads might be challenging. During the monsoon season, you often see landslides on the way. You must know how to navigate these sections well. Additionally, because of rain and landslides, there are almost always delays on this route. So prepare yourself before the drive. 

Most of the time, hot water is available for a bath in the lodges. But understand that these are high altitude regions where resources are scarce. Electricity is intermittent. At Ghangaria, the lodge owners typically provide a bucket of hot water for about Rs 100, which you will have to pay for. 

If you have registered with Indiahikes and are going on the Valley of Flowers trek, all you need to do is update your User Dashboard and opt for this option of travel. 

Most of the trekkers select this, and we have the transport arranged for the team. 

However, if you are planning to travel on your own, then ensure you keep your Experience Coordinator in the loop.

If you’re an Indiahikes trekker,  there is no major need for cash once you arrive at the base camp. All meals, accommodations, permits, and related expenses are taken care of by Indiahikes.

If you are trekking through Indiahikes and opt for transport, this payment takes place through UPI. So you don't have to carry cash for this as well. 

Apart from travel, a decent rule of thumb is to bring Rs 2,500 extra to cover for rental gear deposit, and personal expenses en route to the basecamp. If you are planning to visit Badrinath after the trek, we advise you to carry more.

Joshimath is the last town where you’ll find ATMs to make some cash withdrawals. All major private and public sector banks have their ATMs and some even have branches in Joshimath. However, cash runs out quickly at the Joshimath ATMs. Hence, Rishikesh is your best bet to make last-minute cash withdrawals.

We advise you to carry around Rs 2,000 in cash to pay for your transport to the basecamp, for rental gear deposit, and personal expenses en route to the basecamp. If you are planning to visit Badrinath after the trek, we advise you to carry more.

Yes, you can!

As a safety step, however, if you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. 

As a fitness criteria, ensure you are able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes. This will ensure that you’re fit enough to do the trek.

Being a UNESCO World heritage site, Valley of Flower is a popular trek not only in India but also the world.

We advise you to book this trek 3-4 months in advance.

Rishikesh has plenty of options to select from. These are a few of the options which trekkers have recommended: 

➤ Hostel Live Free

Hostel Live Free is situated on the prominent Laxman Jhula Road in Rishikesh. It offers decent accommodation options in dorms and also in private rooms. 

Contact number: 099990 20248
Book online: Book online through Booking.com or Trip Advisor
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/9H8Xakmt8p2TpYFS6

➤ Shiv Shakti Hostel is another good, decent option at a similar price range to Zostel. This is a hostel like Zostel. They also have rooms.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qLs5wAThyyP8cmfR8

On Day 6, you should arrive in Rishikesh around 7 p.m.

However, due to any road delays or landslides, it is better to schedule your return journey for Day 7. 

Even during peak monsoon, it does not mean that it rains all the time on a trek. In reality, you could get heavy rain for a few days while it might be sunny and dry on other days. Very often, you can do a full trek without any rain or with only light showers.

In addition, the government is well aware of the landslides and keeps heavy machinery on standby to clear the debris swiftly. On the roadway, engineers and equipment carefully examine the critical regions and enable vehicles to move one at a time.

In the event of a roadblock, the path is cleared in 2 to 3 hours.

Trekking during the monsoon is not something to be worried about. Many trekkers imagine Mumbai-like rains during the monsoon. It is not really like that. If you choose your treks wisely, the monsoon is one of the best times to trek in India.

Trek Inclusions:

- Accommodation: The fee includes the cost of your accommodation throughout the trek. You will be staying in lodges throughout.

- Meals: All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6 are included. We provide simple, nutritious vegetarian food on all days of the trek.Trekking permit charges: All trekking permits and forest camping charges are included

- Safety equipment: First aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers etc. will be available at all campsites to deal with emergencies.

Trek Exclusions:

- Transport to and from the base camp: We will arrange shared taxis for trekkers to pick you up from Rishikesh and drop you back at Rishikesh. This cost is not included in the trek fee.

- Accomodation: Any additional cost incurred due to landslide that happens before or after the trek will have to be borne by trekkers.

- Food during transit to and from the base camp: The trek fee does not include meals purchased during the journey to and from Gangotri

- Cost of rental equipment: If you choose to rent gear with Indiahikes, it is not included in the trek fee.

- Cloakroom: We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge. Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. (The luggage could be a backpack / suitcase / duffel bag or anything similar.).

- Anything apart from inclusions

Yes, what you have heard is the correct information. Unlike all other treks, the forest department and the local authorities have made it mandatory for trekkers to show their Covid vaccination certificate for us to obtain permission for their trek. 

If you do not have a vaccination certificate, reach out to your Experience Coordinator immediately.

Even though our trek ends at Auli, you drive from Auli towards Dhak or Karchi. We will have your extra luggage arranged safely here. 

This is also where you have your debriefing after the trek and you return your rented gears on the last day of your trek.

If you are carrying your own backpack, then you don't need to get a daypack for your trek. 

However, if you are offloading your backpack, then it is mandatory for you to carry a daypack and carry your essentials with you on the trek. 

We do have the option of offloading on this trek. But please note that we encourage trekkers to carry their own backpacks and work on their fitness accordingly. Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem.

The total cost of offloading on the Kuari Pass trek is Rs 1260

Find more details about the offloading process here

We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for your extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge. Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. (The luggage could be a backpack / suitcase / duffel bag or anything similar.).

Please ensure that you do not leave valuable belongings in our cloakroom facility. If you do, inform our staff so that they can take the necessary precautions to keep them safe.

Yes you can!

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

Technically speaking, Yes - Pangarchulla Peak is part of the route when you are trekking on the ridge and heading towards Kuari Pass. 

However, Pangarchualla cannot be done all year round. The trek is open only during the months of March-April when there is a good amount of snow to navigate and tackle the big boulders.  

Also, this trek is treated as a separate one and cannot be combined with your Kuari Pass trek. The difficulty level and the challenges are much higher compared to the Kuari Pass trek. 

There is no restriction imposed for trekkers to carry a camera or drone for the Kuari Pass trek. 

You can go ahead and carry your equipment to capture the best of mountains, meadows and forests. 

You will not get a good network signal. On the trail, you might have intermittent signals on the first and last day of the trek. At the base camp in Karchi, you will get Jio and BSNL network coverage if the weather conditions are good.

Note: Beware that the power from your batteries will drain faster in the cold temperatures of this region.  So, put the batteries in a small pouch and keep them inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm during the night.

You will not get a good network signal. On the trail, you might have intermittent signals on the first and last day of the trek. At the base camp in Karchi, you will get Jio and BSNL network coverage if the weather conditions are good.

Note: Beware that the power from your batteries will drain faster in the cold temperatures of this region.  So, put the batteries in a small pouch and keep them inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm during the night.

There is no ATM at the base camp of Karchi. Carry enough cash when you leave Rishikesh or from your base city.

Our campuses at Karchi and Dhak will have concrete toilets. On the other days, bio-toilets will be set up along each campsite. A bio-toilet has a deep pit, where one can answer nature’s call. There will be a mound of soil and a shovel to cover it up. 

These are dry toilets, where you’ll have to use toilet paper. There will be a room freshener as well. Please use plain toilet paper and do not use wet wipes since they are not biodegradable.

These bio-toilets designed by Indiahikes through years of global research are the most hygienic and environmentally-friendly way to answer nature’s call in the wild. 

Even though our trek ends at Auli, the team drives from Auli to Dhak or Karchi. This is where we have our debriefing. It's also where you return your rental gear and collect your cloakroom luggage. 

So do not plan anything on Day 5 of your trek. You can keep your future plans of travel or exploring on Day 6.

The total distance covered during the Kuari pass trek on the Dhak-Kuari Pass-Auli trail is around 21.5 km.

One of the best things about the Kuari pass trek is the flexibility it has in terms of itinerary and trails. If you approach the trek from Dhak as your starting point, you can reach Khullara campsite by two different trails, with Guling and Akhrotghetta as the distinct campsites.

At the pass, you can choose to descend back down to Karchi or take another beautiful trail to Auli. If you do the latter, then you again have an option to camp at exquisite locations like Chitrakantha or Tali on the way down!

At Indiahikes, we chose the route from Karchi-Akhrotghetta-Khullara-Tali-Auli

Kuari Pass trek reaches a maximum altitude/height of 12,516 ft.

From Karchi, the trek climbs a height/altitude of more or less 5,600 ft during the length of this trek. You steadily climb up the first three days of the trek to the summit and then descending down to Auli.

Rishikesh is a hub for travellers and trekkers. Finding an option of stay should not be difficult. Just keep in mind to have your stay selected towards the Tapovan side and not towards the other side of Ganga. 

However, based on what trekkers have opted for and their experience, here are a few recommendations from them: 

Hotel options at Rishikesh

1. Hostel Live Free
Contact number: 099990 20248
Book online: Book online through Booking.com or Trip AdvisorLocation: https://goo.gl/maps/9H8Xakmt8p2TpYFS6

2. Joey's Hostel. The bunk beds cost Rs 550. The rooms cost Rs 2,800.

Location: https://g.page/joey-s-hostel-rishikesh?share
Phone : +91 - 7217482824

3. Shiv Shakti Hostel is another good, decent option at a similar price range to Zostel. This is a hostel like Zostel. They also have rooms.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qLs5wAThyyP8cmfR8

4. Zostel, Rishikesh

Book Online: https://www.zostel.com/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ugqLXUBcbgxnFt638

Hotel options near Jolly Grant Airport

1. Sun n Soil Backpackers hostel is a great option, if you want to stay near Jolly Grant airport. 

Location: https://g.page/sun-n-soil-backpacker-hostel?share
Phone: +91 - 9634570743

During the autumn season, you can expect day time temperature ranging between 10 °C and 15 °C. However, during night time, temperatures can drop to zero

In this season, you must also keep in mind that we are moving towards winter. The days get shorter and the nights start to get much colder.

Trekkers will need 3-4 warm layers. September will need 3 warm layers. However, when you move towards October and November, trekkers need to carry 4 warm layers.

It's terrific that you're planning to start trekking in the Himalayas. You'd be happy to know that around 70% of our trekkers are beginners.

You must choose your trek wisely -- something that is not too difficult yet will allow you to experience the grand settings of the Himalayas.

From over a decade of experience, these are the treks we find best suited for beginners:

• Dayara Bugyal
• Deoriatal-Chandrashila
• Brahmatal
• Kedarkantha
• Kuari Pass

Check out 15 of the best beginner treks here

December until February are the best months to experience winter snow.

8 Of The Best Treks in Winter (December, January and February)

As long as you are fit and prepared for a trek, you can choose slightly difficult treks as well. 

However, there are some treks that require previous high altitude trek experience. 

You can see what trek difficulty means here: https://indiahikes.com/difficulty-ratings-mean

Although the upper age limit is mentioned as 58 years, it is not a strict upper age limit that we exercise. We have mentioned it on the website so that anyone above 58 can get in touch with us for better guidance. You are going on a high altitude trek after all, which requires certain fitness and medical health. 

Having said that, we have had several 60+ and 70+ year olds trek with us and complete their treks comfortably and safely. All you need is a good level of preparation and fitness to do these treks. If you have doubts / questions, do call us and we will guide you with trek suggestions.

In addition, we have recently introduced Special treks exclusively for seniors. Please read about it here - https://indiahikes.com/blog/trek-for-seniors

Many people are intimidated by the idea of a Himalayan trek. There are indeed significantly real risks and challenges.

However, almost everyone can participate in a Himalayan trek as long as they are physically fit and mentally prepared for their treks. Around 75% of our trekkers are beginners, and they trek comfortably.

What will help you is that after you register for your trek, the Indiahikes Pre-Trek Experience Team will guide you on how to prepare for your trek. They will give you a fitness routine to follow and guidance on what to bring for the trek. They will also put you in touch with the rest of your trekking team so that you know your trek mates well in advance.

You can also check out this article on how to get fit for your trek. 

You can register and pay for a trek but give yourself enough time to prepare. If you do not have a fitness routine, register for a trek that starts after 2 months. This will provide you with enough time to prepare and become fit.

How to get fit for your trek

Your level of fitness can make or break your trek. Four things happen when you are not fit:

1. You do not enjoy the trek
2. You struggle to be a part of the team
3. You miss out on a profoundly transformative experience that trekking can offer.
4. You may also be sent down if you are highly unfit for your trek. 

This is why it’s essential to be fit for a trek. The good part is it’s not difficult. All you need to do is start following a fitness routine 45-60 days before the trek begins.

Watch this video where Trek Leaders at Indiahikes, who have led hundreds of high-altitude treks in India, share real-life experiences of trekkers who were not fit.

Yes, you can, but only if you prepare physically for the trek. 

If you have a high BMI, and this is your first trek, or don’t have a very consistent workout routine, we recommend starting with an easy-moderate one. These treks have gradual ascents and descents and do not put too much pressure on your body.

https://indiahikes.com/trekking-with-high-bmi-all-your-questions-answered

Yes, you can. It also depends on the severity of your attacks. You can watch this video from Dr. Shree Lakshmi to know more

If you have a heart condition, you need to get a TMT test before you come on the trek. After your doctor's consultation, you can carry on the trek if they give you a green signal.

Watch this video to understand why it's good to get a TMT done before going on a trek.

 For many years, we have wanted to capture what safety means to us at Indiahikes in a film. The idea of safety has evolved so much (and is still evolving). 

Finally, we have been able to put the journey of safety down in a film. It is not only the story of how we look at safety at Indiahikes but also a story of how safety has evolved in Indian trekking.  

The Head of Video Production at Indiahikes, Dhaval Jajal, has somehow been able to capture the thoughts beautifully. He does this in a short film of less than 10 minutes. Check it out!

At Indiahikes, we believe that there are three things that are key to keeping trekkers safe -- people, processes and equipment. 

Check out the video below where we show you what equipment we use to keep trekkers safe.

No news is good news from the mountains. We take your emergency contact number at the time of registration. If there is any emergency, we will call the emergency number. It would be best to inform your family that you will not be in the network area until you return to the base.

You're welcome to join us as a solo woman trekker. We take great pride in knowing that 35% of our trekkers are women, many of whom trek solo with us. This percentage means that there are usually at least 4-5 women in any trekking batch. So you can comfortably join us on a trek as a solo woman trekker.

To make sure you know your trek mates before you meet them, we have a WhatsApp group and a pre-trek briefing where you can meet them virtually. That way, you'll not be trekking with strangers. 

When you're on the trek, our Trek Leaders are sensitized to handle all kinds of women's issues. So whether you're on your period or anything is making you uncomfortable, you can speak to our Trek Leader.

Regarding your safety and privacy, you will stay with another woman in a tent. We also have separate toilet tents for men and women. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask questions on our community forum. 

Yes, you can!

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

Check out this article to know why we introduced the TMT test.

Please head over here to read our cancellation policy in detail - https://indiahikes.com/blog/cancellation-policy

You can go through our cancellation policy at The Indiahikes Standard Cancellation Policy

We rarely cancel our treks. We may cancel a trek due to natural calamities (snowstorms, thunderstorms, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unexpected political unrest, curfews, local riots, government orders, pandemics or any related issues.

In that case, the polilcy mentioned on our Cancellation policy applies. Read it here - https://indiahikes.com/blog/cancellation-policy

You can log in to your dashboard and cancel the trek directly from there. If you used a voucher to make the booking, send an email to your experience coordinator requesting a cancellation. They will get back to you and help you out.

After you have cancelled your trek, if you have opted for a refund, the refund amount will land in the same account in which you have made the payment. It will take 7-10 working days. 

If you have chosen a trek voucher, it will land in your inbox within an hour. You will also be able to see it on your Trek Dashboard.

If you do not show up for the trek, you cannot avail the 'Trek again' policy.

Frankly, this has seldom happened in the history of Indiahikes that we have cancelled a trek because there have been no trekkers.

Almost all our trekking groups run full, so it's not a worry. Even if our groups have just 4-5 trekkers, we will run the trek. So you can go ahead and register without worrying about it.

In a one off case, where only 1-2 trekkers have registered in a group, we may merge the group with a previous date / next date, in a way that it does not inconvenience your travel.

The transportation to and from the basecamp is not included in the trek fee. But we will organize your transport from the pickup location to & fro the basecamp. Trekkers will travel together and share the cost

We organize the transport from the pickup location to the basecamp and from the basecamp to the drop location. You will have to divide the cost with the fellow trekkers and pay directly to the cab driver, preferably through the QR code provided.

It depends upon the size of the group and availability of vehicles. Generally, we arrange for a Bolero or a Tempo Traveller.

We do not provide Innova for transportation of trekkers. But we will organize a safe and comfortable transport vehicle.

We will only have the pick-up points as mentioned in the Trek Itinerary.

Yes. As soon as you register for the trek, you will be able to join a WhatsApp group from the dashboard a month before the trek.  

There, you will find all your fellow trekkers. You can start interacting with fellow trekkers and planning your trek as a team.

The total travel cost will be equally divided by all the trekkers travelling. You will pay the driver directly.

In a Bolero, about 5-6 trekkers can be accommodated. In a Tempo Traveller, about 10 trekkers can travel together.

On Trek days, toilet tents will be set up along each campsite.

A toilet tent will have a deep pit, where one can answer nature’s call. There will be a mound of soil and a shovel to cover it up. These are dry toilets, where you’ll have to use toilet paper. There will be a room freshener as well. It’s the most hygienic and convenient way to answer nature’s call in the wild.

Why Deep Bio Toilet Pits Are Ideal For Human Waste Management on Himalayan Treks

At high altitudes, your core body temperature can drastically fall if you bathe with cold water. It is also difficult to get hot water. Heating water leaves behind carbon footprints that we do not encourage at Indiahikes. This is why you cannot take a bath.

Wet wipes contain plastic content in it and do not biodegrade. It is harmful to the environment and not allowed on an Indiahikes trek. Please use plain toilet paper and refrain from using wet wipes since these are not biodegradable.

There are wet wipes that might be vegan and biodegradable, but the conditions in which they can decompose are warmer conditions. 

In high altitudes, the rate of decomposition is much slower. And it is not one or two people using wet wipes and discarding them in the pit, it is at least 20 trekkers, and many groups. 

The volumes then become unmanageable and the decomposition goes for a toss. 

Adding to the difficulty is the chemicals and perfumes used in the wet wipes. They inhibit micro-organic growth.

What you can do is to use regular water to wet some toilet paper and use it. Toilet paper decomposes very quickly. 

On easy-moderate treks, 2 trekkers share the tent. On treks climbing beyond 13000 feet, 3 trekkers will share the tent.

Most of our treks have a group size of 21 trekkers on average. 

This can change, though, depending on the difficulty level of the particular trek. 

For treks that are in the difficult or moderate-difficult category, there would be between 15-18 trekkers in every group, while treks that are relatively easier can have group sizes of between 21-24 trekkers.

There are no locker facilities in the cloakroom. We do not recommend you to carry your laptop to the basecamp. If you are getting any valuables like laptop, make sure the bags are locked and you inform the slope manager. But please note that you are leaving them in the cloakroom at your own risk.

There are no charging points at the basecamp or the campsites. We suggest that you bring your devices fully charged. You may also carry power banks as a back-up.

At the basecamps, your accommodation will be arranged in rooms. The sharing depends upon the number of beds and the trekkers present.

At Indiahikes, we aim to give our trekkers a unique community experience. For that, it is essential they get to know and gel along with each other closely. 

In fact, we have designed our basecamps in ways to get the community closer together and with great success!

That is why we don't arrange for a separate room.

 "If you are unfortunate, you'll get mobile network on the trek!". We consider not having any network on the trek as a highly positive thing.  

Having said that, network on the base camp depends from trek to trek. You can visit the trek-specific FAQs on the trek page to find out.  

 Please inform your friends/family members about the network situation in advance. 

There is a cloakroom facility available for most of Indiahikes treks. The cloakroom is available at the basecamp. Check your trek page to see the availability of cloakrooms.

Just make sure you are not keeping any fragile items or valuables in the luggage.

We provide you with healthy, nutritious food thrice a day on your trek. There will be snacks in between too, and sometimes pocket snacks for the trail.

You’ll be served mostly North Indian vegetarian food coming to your meals. So your typical meal will include roti (Indian flatbread), sabzi (vegetable), rice and dal (lentils).

You’ll also find familiar food like khichdi, rajma chawal, pulao, pancakes and sandwiches. There will be copious amounts of hot chai and soup, of course!

Yes. We do serve Jain, Gluten-free or Vegan foods on our treks. 

If you want to opt for Jain or vegan or gluten free food, you can mention that to your experience coordinator via call or an email. 

If you have a personal preference that is practically possible for us to arrange, inform your experience coordinator to confirm.

No. We do not serve non-veg food on the trek.

Non-vegetarian food is tough to digest. While doing any physical exercise, your body needs good fats and complex carbohydrates. This requirement is easily fulfilled through simple vegetarian food.

 Yes. You need to carry the cutlery on a trek. Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leak proof.

Tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is easier to wash in cold water.

We will provide you with pocket snacks on the trek. You do not have to carry any food on the trek. 

However, If you really wish to carry some snacks, you can check this video to be a zero waste snacker on your trek. 

You can carry any lunch box as long as it is leak proof. We suggest you carry a stainless steel one as it is easier to wash in cold water. 

Also the flat ones are more convenient to carry and don't take up more space

Usually, there are freshwater sources on the treks. Infact, that is how trekking trails are planned as well.

However if you wish to, you can carry a water filter/water purification tablets with you.

We provide hot water at night. If you need hot water at other times of the day, we suggest you carry a thermos flask.

Yes. Carry two 1-litre water bottles or a 2-litre hydration bag on a trek. By doing this you won’t generate additional waste by buying water bottles. You also will not be stranded for water while on the trek.

W strictly prohibit smoking and alcohol consumption. These can be fatal at high altitude. So even if you are a smoker, you are expected to keep away from it during the trek. You will be sent back to the basecamp if you are found smoking or drinking or even carrying alcohol.

At Indiahikes, we take fitness very seriously. We believe that to enjoy a trek, you must be fit. If the trek leader does not find you fit for the trek, she will send you down. In this situation, there will be no refund or voucher, but you will be allowed to complete the trek once you reach the desired fitness level.

At Indiahikes we place a lot of importance on the safety and care of our women trekkers. Here are some steps we have taken to ensure you as a female trekker can feel comfortable to trek with us:

• Know who you are trekking with before you see them on the day of your trek- There is a whatsapp group created for each batch a month prior to trek date.
• Your optional travel from pickup point to basecamp is in groups (with your fellow trek mates). 
• Male and female trekkers stay in separate rooms or tents. 
• A lot of our trek groups have a solo female in them. If not, there are other women in the group. In the rare case that you are the only woman in the group, we let you know about it and give you the option to either continue in the same group or shift you to another group or trek. 
• There is no guarantee that you will get a woman trek leader for your group. However, all our trek leaders get training on professional and appropriate behaviour. We also have an internal POSH committee. 
• Friends and family might be concerned about your wellbeing. For this you can share the contact details of your trek Experience Coordinator to them. They will communicate your whereabouts and if there is an emergency will be the communication bridge for it. This is all with your consent. 
• If you have your periods on your trek, we have sanitary napkins and ziplock bags for disposal. We also have hot water bags and medication to help if you have cramps. 

There is no guarantee that you will get a woman trek leader for your group. However, all our trek leaders get training on professional and appropriate behaviour. We also have an internal POSH committee. 

Trekking with periods is very normal. A lot of the women at Indiahikes trek during their periods. Most of them use menstrual cups.

Most trekkers have concerns with

• Sanitary pad or tampon disposal: You will not be able to throw them in the toilet pits and we have dustbin-free basecamps. You will have to wrap your used pads in newspaper and seal it in a ziplock bag. If you do this, both the smell and leak concerns are sorted. Dispose of them back in the city. There is no waste management system in the mountains.
• Changing on the trek: If on the trail, you can find a women buddy and change it in a discreet spot. Again, no throwing sanitary waste on the trail. Please pack it and keep it in your bag. At the campsite, you can use the toilet tents.
• Maintaining hygiene on the trek:In the toilet tents, use your toilet paper to wipe. You can use some water to dampen the toilet paper to make it easier to use. Strictly no readymade wet wipes.

Nearly 30% of our groups have women trekkers and the percentage is increasing year on year. We also have women as Trek Leaders.

In the rare case that you are the only woman in the group, we let you know about it and give you the option to either continue in the same group or shift you to another group or trek. 

Male and female trekkers stay in separate tents and rooms. In most of our treks, it will be 2-sharing tents.

For treks above 13,000ft, we have 3-sharing tent policy.  

We have trekking shoes, backpacks, jackets, gloves, trekking poles and more available for rent for all Indiahikes trekkers. You can order these only AFTER you have confirmed a trek with us.

If you have registered for a trek with us, here's the process to follow:

• Head over to this page to choose the gear you want.
• Add everything you need to your cart. (Make sure you choose the correct sizes)
• Make an online payment.
• Save the receipt on your phone.

The gear will be handed over to you at the base camp. You will have to return it to the base camp after your trek.

We strongly recommend you to rent rather than buy the gears for your trek. It is more environmentally friendly and pocket friendly. The more you save, the more you trek!

The rental gear will be available a month before the trek on the rental site.

At the moment, you can rent gear with us ONLY if you trek with Indiahikes. One of our goals is to make rentals available for all the trekkers, not only to Indiahikes trekkers. But right now, you can rent only if you trek with us.

Renting gear is an online process and has to be made in advance. Offline rentals or renting at the basecamp is subject to availability.

You need to cancel the gears from the website and re-book it. At the base camp, you won't have the option to change your gear size.

Even if you are registered/booked for a trek, you still need to create a new account. 

Please ensure that the same email ID is used for booking both your trek and the rental of gears.

These are two independent systems.

If you lead an active lifestyle like brisk walking 4-5 times a week, cycling, yoga ; you can trek. We would suggest you go for easy day treks close to your home before going for longer duration treks.

Cold weather is a valid concern. But with warm layers, it will be manageable.

Seniors find it difficult with their joints- knees, ankles and shoulders especially. So that is something you need to mentally and physically prepare for.

Yes, absolutely! We have had both men and women above the age of 55 who have joined as solo trekkers in our groups.

We have started a new protocol for trekkers above the age of 58: the treadmill test. This is a measure we have established to ensure the safety of trekkers. We have observed that older trekkers may have underlying cardiac issues which do not turn up in a regular doctor screening or through our fitness checks. 

Here is the article explaining in detail why we have brought this out: https://indiahikes.com/treadmill-test-safety-protocol

We recommend the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek during Dec-Jan season. The flat terrain, pleasant weather and unmatched jungle experience make it an ideal introductory long trek for seniors.

In the Himalayas, we would recommend the Dayara Bugyal trek. The distances are shorter, with a manageable incline for seniors. You get grand mountain views and rolling meadows on this trek.

We have just launched our first seniors trek to Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek, though it is not a Himalayan trek, it is a multi-day adventure that your parents will really enjoy!

You will find more information for the same here: https://indiahikes.com/trek-for-seniors

If you are still keen on a Himalayan trek, we would recommend the Dayara Bugyal trek. The grade is gentler than other treks and the travel distance is just 6 hours from Dehradun. 

If you have a voucher, you will be able to select and apply it in the payment stage when you're registering for a trek.

If you're doing a group booking, please note that your voucher only applies to your registered account and no one else.

Should you have any trouble with this, please write to your Experience Coordinator and they will help you.

We can extend the validity of your voucher by six months. This is chargeable at 20% of the value of the voucher. Please note, we will extend the voucher only once, after which the voucher will expire.

If you're moving out of the country, you can try extending your voucher if it helps you. Otherwise you may have to forgo your voucher. Please write to your Experience Coordinator with your situation and proof of moving abroad. We'll try and help.

No, your voucher can only be used to book a trek. They are non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances, if you are unable to use your voucher within a year of its date of issue, you may extend it. For this you'll need to get on touch with your Experience Coordinator.

If you have a voucher issued during the COVID times, it’s transferable to your friend/family but is non-refundable.

We allow the extension of vouchers only once. We extend it for a period of 6 months, with a deduction of 20% of the value of the voucher.

If you would like to extend your voucher, please write to your Experience Coordinator. They will help you out.

Indiahikes vouchers are not transferrable to others. If you cannot use your voucher within the validity period, you can consider extending it for a period of 6 months. You will be charged 20% of the voucher value for this.

No. Indiahikes trek vouchers can be redeemed only to book treks.

Please write to info@indiahikes.com with all the details of your friend -- their full name, email id and the value of the voucher you would like to gift. We will help you further from there.

• You need to pick a voucher value of a minimum of Rs. 500. The upper limit is up to you. 
• The person with the voucher can use it for any of their Indiahikes trek booking. 
• Vouchers are specific to a person. It can only be used against their name. It cannot be used on another trekker's behalf.  
• This gift voucher is valid for 1 year from the date of issuing. 

There is a vast difference between our family treks and our regular treks.
Firstly, family treks are taken up by children up to 14 years, accompanied by their parents. But on our regular treks, trekkers of all age groups come on the trek.
Secondly, family treks involve activities that are specifically designed for children and parents so that they bond well with each other. You will not get to see this exclusivity on our regular treks.
Families can meet other like-minded families. This builds friendships between each other, and children mingle with other children to have an experience of a lifetime.

How is a Family Trek different from a Regular Trek?

At Indiahikes, we strongly believe that children must trek. Being young and observant is the best time to expose children to the outdoors. They absorb lessons of resilience, confidence, and leadership and learn to protect the environment. These deep values take a very long time to imbibe in a person, but they can happen over just a few days on a trek.
Check out this video by Swathi Chatrapathy, Head of the Content Team, who shares three main points that make a trek suitable for children and also recommends 5 treks that are suited for kids between 8-10 yrs old.
5 Best and Safest Himalayan Treks for Children

It is wonderful to get calls from parents wanting to know which trek to take their children on. Parents who are keen trekkers themselves see the value of the outdoors.
However, knowing when to take your children on a high-altitude trek is highly essential. 8 to 9 years old is the perfect time to take children on a high-altitude Himalayan trek.

Further, check out this article by Arjun Majumdar, founder of Indiahikes, on when to introduce kids to trekking.

When Do You Start Children On Trekking

Yes. Indiahikes Family treks are designed keeping in mind the children as young as 8 years. However, it is very important for your child to prepare for the trek physically and mentally.

Get in touch with our Experiential Learning team to know how you can prepare your child for the trek. Drop an email to prathima@indiahikes.com, and Prathima will get back to you within 12 hours.

Our Family treks are of easy-moderate difficulty. We rate these treks based on the altitude gained, the distance covered, the elevation gained, and the terrain you walk on, each day. Having said that, preparing well for the trek determines how easy or difficult it gets.
On an average, you and your child will have to walk for 5-6 hours each day of the trek.

Watch this video by our Experiential Learning team member, Prathima Chhabria, to know how you can prepare your child physically:

Schools are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of nature as a classroom. Learning in the outdoors greatly increases the understanding of concepts as well as retention of learning.

Students sense of observation is sharpened and their curiosity is aroused. Trekking and camping in the wilderness – and cooperating to work together in teams brings out and polishes the qualities and virtues latent in children. These create the right setting for the facilitator to direct their attention to the learning objectives in mind.

Some schools send their students on these treks as part of their educational field trips. For some schools it is a co-scholastic program that enhances students’ life skills and impacts their attitudes towards the environment. It is an ideal CAS program for IB Schools. It also fulfills the criteria of the gold level of the IAYP program.

The best time for these programs is either in May and June or in the autumn from September to November. The snowy winter in December and January is also possible (and the settings are fantastic) but students need to be mentally and physically prepared for a higher level of hardship.

Though we decide along with the school on this, an ideal age would be 11 to 17. Again we have taken younger students as well – but this is done only after consultation with the school and taking all issues into consideration.

Our vision is for more students to reap the benefits of our programs.  Our costs reflect that. 

Main cost heads involve trek fee, transportation to the base of the trek and back and the trek fee payable to the Forest Department. 

The final cost is decided after the components of the trek are finalized with the school.

As of now, we have four treks that lend themselves very well to the program. They are Dayara Bugyal, Kedarkantha, Brahmatal and Ali-Bedni Bugyal treks. All four of them go up to an altitude of about 12,500 feet, cresting in a summit. The treks are spectacular as well as safe for young professionals and students who haven't trekked in the high altitude.

The fee is Rs 11,950 charged on a per-participant basis. This includes all expenses, per participant, from basecamp to basecamp. All other services, such as transport and stay before and after the program, will be charged as actuals.

Inclusions

• Accommodation during the trek (camping – 3 per tent)
• All meals – vegetarian
• Trekking permits and forest camping charges
• Trekking equipment (tents, sleeping bags, ice axes, ropes, etc.)
• Safety equipment (first aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers, etc.)
• Services of an expert trek leader (qualified in basic/advanced mountaineering courses)
• Services of a support team (volunteers, guides, cooks, helpers, porters/mules)
• Expert facilitation team from Indiahikes

Exclusions

• Food during transit to and from the base camp.

If you wish to have this program at your college get in touch with us by emailing izzat@indiahikes.com or call +91- 7022175673. We can then schedule an appointment to meet in person or online and discuss the details. 

The college can offer it to all students across courses, or consider it as a program for a particular course. Some enter into an MoU with us and include elements into the design that are most suited to their needs.

If you are a student who wishes to have this program at your college, then do the initial groundwork and put us in touch with the concerned person so that we can initiate conversation and take it forward.

The Collaborative Leadership Program can very well be integrated into the curriculum to complement theoretical learning, especially around the concept of leadership. The best integration happens in subjects that include leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Furthermore, sustainability and subjects requiring a deeper awareness of self can greatly benefit from this experiential learning component.

The IIMs offer it as an optional credit program. IFIM offers it as part of the Social Immersion Program. Some Institutions offer it as an orientation program for all new students entering the Institute.

On the trek there is no electricity and the mobile network is hardly available. The last point for charging your mobiles and cameras is usually at the base camp.

At Indiahikes, we have a robust system to prepare all participants before the Collaborative Leadership Program begins. We guide you step by step starting a month and a half before your trek. We get you ready in terms of fitness as well as gear.

Pre Trek Approximate Preparation Guide

Fitness: By the time participants leave for the trek they must be able to jog 5 km in 42 minutes. 

Those with a BMI of 30 and above need to get it below 30 before the trek starts. Blood pressure readings need to be in the normal range as well.

Trek Gear: Participants will have to get all the gear they require well in advance. They can opt for renting gears to avoid spending too much on their first trek experience. However, renting gears must be done 30 days in advance as stocks don’t last.

You will stay in expedition dome tents. Three participants share one tent. Girls and boys stay separately.

Yes. We regularly announce Collaborative Leadership Programs on our website. If you would like to be contacted regarding this please fill in the inquiry form or send us an email and we will inform you about the same as well. 

We usually run an Open HMC when we have 20-30 participants interested in doing it. So do drop us a line and we will loop you in!