One of the most eagerly awaited programs at Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) is the Himalayan Outbound Program (HOP), which sees participation from a majority of students belonging to the second year of the Post-Graduate Program. Indiahikes has been one of the partners of IIM Indore for HOP for more than five years now. In the last few years, I have trekked with students in some of the trails in Uttarakhand. In my experience, outdoor training pedagogy complements well the in-class teaching that education institutes have been following for decades now. Some of the nuances of principles of management including (but not limited to) teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, logistics planning, and execution are often better experienced by students in live activities than in the classroom. An environment in the mountains where participants are out of their comfort zones provides one such learning context. Informal feedback from students over the years has also been consistently indicating the efficacy of the pedagogy. Students look forward to attending the program where they face multiple challenges on the mountains which they have to navigate largely by themselves. If necessary, trek-leaders and faculty advisors step in with gentle guidance and help. Usually, participants are self-motivated enough that they navigate all the challenges within their teams with the help of their friends and colleagues. Many students have indicated that at the end of the program their bonding with their colleagues and their willingness to work with others even in challenging circumstances were more than what they started their journey with.I wish Indiahikes good luck to take the Himalayan mountain challenge to a broader audience. The world needs youngsters who are not just skilled and educated but are also compassionate and kind towards all fellow humans, all beings, and nature.

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.

The challenging journey tested us mentally and physically, but together, we conquered fears and supported each other through sub-zero degree nights and tough terrains. It brought out leadership, teamwork, and empathy in each of us. Such adventures bring out the best in us and are worth experiencing whenever possible. This trek to Dayara Bugyal with fellow ISBians will be a story I will proudly share with my grandchildren.

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.

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.

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.

The India Hikes team is commended on their professionalism and the extra care that they take to ensure that the needs of each student hiker is taken care of. As an international teacher working with India Hikes, I have chaperoned multiple trips that were organized by India Hikes including three different day hikes in Karnataka, the Kedarkantha trek in Uttarakhand and the Hampta Circuit trek in Himachal Pradesh all over the course of three years while I taught at the Canadian International School in Bangalore. Having planned and supervised numerous trips over my career, I can attest that the most important concern of any school is the well-being and safety of the students. The India Hikes team is full of well-trained mountaineers who are experienced with working with school aged students and are attentive to their needs always ensuring that students are hydrated, supported emotionally during challenging hikes and also trekking within their ability. I also appreciate the Green Trails initiative that this great organization supports. The Green Trails initiative ensures that each student receives a reusable bag to collect trash off the trail. Leaving the mountains in a better state after the trekkers leave than it was in when we arrived is an altruistic and ethically just act that instills a sense of ownership for shared natural resources and helps to foster an appreciation for sustaining our natural heritage amongst the students. I couldn’t be more proud of this organization for their initiative. As a Biology teacher and environmentalist myself, I always felt good to be able to share my passion of trekking with students in a way that leaves nothing but photographs and footprints behind.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

We had our school's annual function on 8th January 2025. The children who went on the trek shone in a different way, despite still being tired or having fallen a bit unwell. They performed on stage with so much confidence and spontaneity compared to their rehearsals a few weeks before the trek. Their self-worth has increased multifold. Parents have been calling us to share that the trek has completely changed their children.