Kavya Chandrashekhar

The Montessori School and Kriyasthala

Founder and Guide

It’s vital for us to build a generation of people who can take care of themselves, who can take care of others, and who understand the value of interdependency. This is the ethos we follow inside a Montessori classroom. I think no other experience teaches that than being outdoors – treks bring out everyone’s true nature. You’re outdoors. You might be doing very well on a trek. But are you willing to stop, pause, and help someone struggling? We believe in the goodness of human nature and we want children to experience that day in and day out. The learning must happen both indoors and outside. We have certain value systems and beliefs and we wanted to collaborate with people who share and complement our values. We felt Indiahikes was a perfect fit.

Sourav Mukherji

IIM Bangalore

Professor

There is a strong need to bring in the experiential component where students learn about skills, values, and attitudes. This kind of innovative programme helps students not only learn about leadership and teamwork, but they are actually involved in tasks and doing things related to them. Values and attitudes are very difficult to inculcate in the classroom. Hence, experiential courses like the Himalayan Mountain Challenge very well fit into our mission. When I listen to the students who have attended this programme, they were talking about a transformative experience which I hope they will carry with them throughout their lives. I would like to have as many students as possible sign up for these programmes.

Amita Mani

Roopantara Cenre for Learning

Pricipal

On the trek I saw the stronger children helping the weaker ones. I saw kindness and I saw gratitude. This effect seemed to remain even after the trek where a new strong bond seemed to be formed between those who were mere acquaintances before the trek. The children felt more eager to come to school and were more attentive in class.

Sunayana Chatrapathy

Makkala Jagriti

Deputy Drector

Children from Makkala Jagriti had never heard of trekking before, nor had they ventured near the hills. It was a beautiful experience where they learnt about their own strength, helped each other and became one with nature. They were so inspired by the Green trail experience that they went door to door in their community to speak about waste segregation. They love to often reflect about the trek and the constant question lingers – ‘When are we going on the next trek? Trekking is fun, adventurous and a great way to learn.

Honey Chandra A

DPS Bangalore North

Coordinator

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

Rittuu Goel

Little Millennium Preschool - Vajarahalli Branch - Kanakapura Road.

Director

Organizing a hiking trek for preschoolers aged 3-6 years is no small feat, but the InSoul team made it seamless, inspiring, and utterly magical. From the very first interaction, their professionalism and warmth shone through. As soon as we submitted an inquiry on their website, their response was prompt and thoughtful. Ms. Mrudula, our first point of contact, guided us with utmost clarity, detailing every aspect of the trek—from location recommendations to a comprehensive plan of action. Her inputs, both over calls and through the detailed flow document, ensured we were well-prepared. What stood out was the pre-trek briefing organized by Ms. Mrudula and Ms. Sibanwita for the parents. Their presentation was meticulous, providing an in-depth overview of the trek, addressing every query, and giving parents the confidence to entrust their little ones to this journey. Post-briefing, they created a WhatsApp group for the school community, which became a hub for resolving concerns, sharing updates, and ensuring seamless communication among management, staff, and parents. The enrollment process was effortless, with every participant secured under trek insurance—a thoughtful and professional touch that underscored the team’s commitment to safety. On the trek day, 15th November 2024, the Indiahikes team, led by Deepthi Darshan, Aditi, Amit, Karan, and Sansthita, was already at the base of Kunagalu Betta long before our group arrived. They coordinated flawlessly, sharing live locations to guide us during our commute. Their readiness and enthusiasm set the tone for an unforgettable experience. The trek itself was a masterclass in eco-conscious adventure. The team divided the participants into manageable groups, assigning 3 adults per 6 children, ensuring safety and personalized attention. Before the hike began, they shared the ethos of eco-friendly trekking, distributing eco-bags for participants to collect litter along the trail—a wonderful lesson in sustainability for our little ones. Throughout the trek, the team demonstrated exceptional care and understanding. They communicated the ecology of the area in simple, engaging language, turning the hike into a fascinating learning experience. With every step, they cheered, guided, and befriended our preschoolers, encouraging them to push their limits while keeping the pace comfortable. The resting spots were thoughtfully planned, with the team providing healthy, homemade trail snacks to keep everyone energized. Reaching the summit as per schedule, the trek culminated in a joyous celebration, followed by age-appropriate activities that kept the children enthralled. What touched us most was the team’s genuine connection with the children. The little ones were so excited to bid farewell to their new mentors and friends, leaving with hearts full of joy and unforgettable memories. The Indiahikes team ensured the safety and happiness of every participant until the very end, staying at the venue until our buses departed. Their attention to detail, commitment to sustainability, and ability to create meaningful experiences are unparalleled. For anyone looking to organize a trek, Indiahikes is, without a doubt, the best choice. Their expertise, passion, and care create not just treks, but transformative experiences. We can’t recommend Indiahikes enough for adventures that are inspiring, engaging, and memorable. Thank you, Indiahikes, for this incredible journey with our preschoolers!

Namitha Thimmaiah

Daffodils School

Teacher

Students on a trek become very independent. For the first time they learn to do the simple work on their own. It really boosts their self confidence. I have practically seen how trekking instills values of empathy and generosity in them. For the first time in their life they would have shared something with others. Students are always very comfortable in their house and they get what they want. But when they come out and trek they face all kinds of hardship, how it is to sleep in a sleeping bag on the hard floor, use minimal water, wash their own plates etc. They get to know each other at a much deeper level. Trekking really helps students in the overall development.

Swapnil Garg

IIM Indore

Professor

The level of enthusiasm in the students was huge. The students learnt a lot of things - they learnt to work together as a team, surmount a challenge, familiarizing themselves to a new environment. They learnt to be eco-conscious. They collected over 50 kgs of waste down the mountains and for the first time, the students were treasuring the trash. It was a great feeling. I teach Public Private partnership and over my interactions with the students one of the big things that came out here was that the students recognized what is the role of the society, the corporations and the Government. Traditionally, we all look to the Government for solutions. The students here realized that the responsibilities lies with them as well.

Prateek Raj

IIM Bangalore

Professor

Each day of the trek was a long psychological journey, and when we fulfilled the goals, no matter how small, it filled us with motivation. Beyond physical endurance and strength, I learned how our psychology had a significant impact on our ability to face challenges. These three ideas — pushing our limits, living with humour and in the present, and staying motivated with small everyday wins, taught me what I now call the Himalayan mindset. Now that I am back to the usual routine in Bengaluru, I am attempting to apply this mindset in my everyday life. The world around us may not be ideal. Sometimes it gets harsh, frustrating, and disappointing. But the Himalayan mindset is a useful reminder of our untapped potential and agency in the world.