Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning

30/05/2026

When Delhi Public School, Bijnor came with us, they were nervous about how a Trek Programme in Himalayas would be received by parents who had never sent their children in an outdoor programme as adventurous as a multi-day camping Trek. The Founder of School, Devansh, was confident that just as he grew up with trekking as a culture in his childhood, he wanted his students to trek every year in Himalayas and learn important life lessons through facing hardship , challenges and memories for life.

They documented their experience to ensure they can show it for all future programmes. Bad weather hit them, unseasonal snows in summer months and many challenges came their way. Yet the group was a resounding success.

The result? A video that takes you on a journey of an InSOUL Trek programme through the eyes of the students. Thank you DPS Bijnor, for capturing your experience with us so beautifully.

We hope you enjoy watching this video on youtube as much as we did, and get a glimpse of what happens on our Outdoor Trekking Programmes for schools!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlGBXZyd4jg


Indiahikes

25/05/2026

Our long association with Sinchan Shishukunj - Bhuj is built on trust and shared values. The strong partnership continued this year when a group of 25 students undertook the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek as a part of an immersive Outdoor Leadership Programme.

These are some of the learnings and reflections from their journey:

1. Behavioural Shifts and Personal Growth:

A clear outcome of the programme was the visible shift in student confidence. The experience of moving through unfamiliar and demanding conditions enabled students to build belief in their own abilities.
Students who began with uncertainty or hesitation showed increased confidence by the end of the programme. This shift was reflected not just in their physical performance, but in their mindset and self-expression.

2. Group Development and Collective Strength:

The group demonstrated strong cohesion throughout the programme. There was a consistent sense of shared effort, with students moving together and supporting one another.
The summit day reinforced this collective strength. Rather than functioning as individuals, the group operated as a unit—maintaining pace, encouraging peers, and celebrating success together.

3. Learning Through Challenge and First-Time Experiences:

Exposure to snow, cold conditions, and high-altitude trekking served as powerful learning environments. These first-time experiences pushed students beyond comfort zones, leading to accelerated growth.
The ability to engage with difficulty—without withdrawal or complaint—emerged as a key learning outcome. Students were able to hold both challenge and achievement together, recognising the value of effort.

4. Role of Environment and Facilitation:

The mountain environment played a central role in shaping the experience. Combined with structured facilitation and consistent support systems, it created conditions where students could take risks, persist, and reflect.
The use of a familiar language (Gujarati) strengthened connection and clarity, enabling deeper engagement across the group.
Small but intentional interventions—such as timely energy inputs—also contributed to sustaining morale and physical stamina.

The programme stands as a strong example of how structured outdoor experiences, when executed with clarity and intent, can create lasting impact beyond the duration of the journey.

15/05/2026

When Ali Maniku from Muhyiddin Scout Group reached out to trek in the Himalayas with Indiahikes, it felt less like a programme booking and more like a meeting of minds. Service, courage, learning by doing, and a deep respect for the natural world — these aren't just scout values. They're the foundation of everything Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) is built on.

So on 21st March 2026, when 15 scouts and 4 teachers flew in from an island nation that sits barely a metre above sea level, we knew the snow-covered Dayara Top at 11,830 ft altitude would be high adventure for this enthusiastic group.

Before the expedition began, the team spent a morning learning to use physical maps and compass — then were sent out to navigate and find their way to the next campsite on their own. They struggled. They figured it out. They made it together as a team — tired but delighted!

Summit day arrived with fresh snow and clear skies. Most of them were seeing snowfall for the very first time. All 15 students and all 4 teachers made it to 11,830 feet. They built a snowman, had a snow fight, and then sat in silence and gratitude to write postcards to their future selves.

They also had a unique ceremony. — the scouts conducted a formal induction of new members into the movement at almost 12,000 feet.
During reflections on the trail, the group had shared that the experience was "beyond their expectations."

Trek Leader Praveen shared it was a full circle moment for him, as someone who was part of the Bharat Scouts & Guides in his childhood, to now give back to the same movement as an Indiahikes Trek Leader. The joy of teaching skills he had trained for to become a Trek leader was highly gratifying as he watched them moving through the jungle with their maps.

Thank you, Muhyiddin Scout Group. for trusting us to keep your students safe and completely immersing yourselves in this very new experience. We look forward to having you with us again soon!

🏔️ Dayara Bugyal | 11,830 ft | Indiahikes x Muhyiddin Scouts, Maldives

The Bharat Scouts and Guides

13/12/2025

Reminder: Our IAYP Adventurous Journey Planning Webinar is happening today!

The Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) is hosting a free, public session on:
“How to Plan a Trek for Your IAYP Adventurous Journey.”

This webinar will walk Award Leaders, coordinators, and schools through how to correctly design Bronze, Silver, and Gold AJs—aligned with IAYP requirements and backed by our experience guiding 100+ students.

📅 Today, Saturday, Dec 13
⏰ 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
🔗 Join directly: https://meet.google.com/bdy-sdav-ozd

Who should attend?
• IAYP Award Leaders & Coordinators
• YES Centre Schools
• Parents of IAYP aspirants
• Bronze / Silver / Gold participants

Looking forward to seeing you there and supporting your next authentic AJ Trek.

09/12/2025

For parents and schools with International Award for Young People (IAYP) aspirants, this is for you!

The Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) is hosting a free, public webinar on “How to Plan a Trek for Your IAYP Adventurous Journey.”

In this interactive, Q&A-style session, our team will walk you through how to authentically and effectively complete the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Adventurous Journey requirements through a well-designed trek with InSOUL.

📅 Saturday, December 13th, 2026
⏰ 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
👉 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3jfsfd7T8JtVUxwjJDkRYr8mKRQVoB2RWW05nzJzq9c_CAQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108056758566652253535

You will then recieve an email with the link to join the Webinar.

Who should attend?

IAYP Award Leaders & Coordinators
YES Centre Schools
Parents of IAYP aspirants
Bronze / Silver / Gold participants

You’ll hear directly from our Programme Designer who has years of experience designing treks that meet 100% of IAYP’s AJ requirements, with safety, learning, and reflection at the core.

So far, we’ve guided 100+ students on successful IAYP Adventurous Journeys from institutions like La Martiniere College for Girls (Lucknow), Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Jain International Residential School, Chennai Public School (Global) and Harrow International School.

We’re excited to help you prepare for an authentic and meaningful IAYP journey.

See you at the webinar!

24/09/2025

Jain International Residential School (JIRS) Students Step into the Himalayas for Their International Award for Young People, India Bronze Adventurous Journey

This September, students of Jain International Residential School (JIRS) joined us for a Trek to Kedarkantha. This was their IAYP Bronze Adventurous Journey, a milestone in itself and also their very first Himalayan trek with the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

For many, it was the first time setting foot on a high-altitude trail. From the very first day, the trek called for self-reliance. Students pitched their own tents, carried their gear, and learnt to set up camp in unpredictable mountain weather.

When the Rains Came

Midway through the journey, heavy monsoon rains turned the trails to mud. The easy thing to do would have been to stop and complain. But the JIRS students surprised us.

They problem-solved, laying planks to make safe paths at campsites, building stone walkways, and finding joy in every challenge by taking initiative.

At camp, they showed remarkable resourcefulness by quickly pitching tents when the rain eased and adjusting their rhythms to the mountain’s moods.

They learnt to make fire in the rain by identifying natural elements in the forest which would not be wet, they also discovered the thrill of cooking their own meals.

A Summit of Spirit

On Summit Day, even the mules struggled on the wet slopes, but the students pressed on. Together, step by step, they made their way as a unified team. The sense of thrill was written on every face, a pride that comes only from having pushed beyond comfort.

After descending, a treasure hunt had them tying splints, navigating with maps, building fires, and working as a team with each student carrying a responsibility.

Discoveries Beyond the Trail

The Himalayas also gifted them wonder. One night, the skies cleared to reveal the Milky Way. Students lay back on the grass, tracing constellations and learning about zodiac signs through a stargazing activity.

At other times, they discovered joy in the simplest things, sharing meals they had cooked themselves, or simply gazing at the vastness of the valleys below.

Perhaps the most beautiful transformation was social. The invisible walls of grades and batches dissolved quickly.

By Day Two, juniors and seniors were moving as one group, supporting, encouraging, and laughing together.

Some students who had started the trek quiet and hesitant found their voices; others overcame fears that had long held them back.

More than a Trek

The JIRS students carried themselves with resilience and curiosity, turning every obstacle into an opportunity to learn.

Their IAYP Bronze Adventurous Journey was a story of growth, of bonds deepened, and of a lasting connection with the mountains.

We feel grateful to have shared this first Himalayan chapter with them. And we know this is just the beginning.

The outdoors has so much more to offer, and these young trekkers are already ready for what lies ahead.

08/09/2025

Sharanya Narayani International School (SNIS) Students Go on Their First Treks with InSOUL: Heggunda Betta and Skandagiri

It was a special day for the students of SNIS as they set out on their very first treks with InSOUL. While the younger group of Grades 2–6 explored the beauty of Heggunda Betta, the older students of Grades 7–10 took on the challenge of Skandagiri. Both groups returned with stories of joy, learning, and discovery.

At Heggunda Betta, the younger children threw themselves into the experience with wide-eyed wonder. They stopped to watch tadpoles wriggling in pools of water, laughed as they worked together to create a mini waterfall, and soaked in the lush views from the top.

The temple at the summit gave them a moment to pause, to take in the silence, and to listen to stories about the hill’s history and culture. For many, this was their first time trekking, and they loved every part of it, the fun, the challenge, and the sense of being close to nature.

Meanwhile, at Skandagiri, the older students had a more demanding climb. They rose to the challenge with grit and spirit. One of the boys, quietly inspired everyone by walking alongside our trek leader and helping to pick waste along the way, a small but powerful act of care for the outdoors.

Another student, a girl who felt dizzy and tired on the steep trail, refused to give up. Though she proceeded slowly, her determination and mental strength shone through, reminding everyone what perseverance looks like.

Across both treks, the students were deeply engaged with the stories and facts shared about the landscapes, their history, and sustainability. They were curious, thankful, and eager to learn more. Teachers too shared how meaningful it was to watch their students step outside the classroom and discover the outdoors.

For our team, trekking with SNIS was a joy. To see both younger and older students embrace their trails so wholeheartedly was deeply heartening. As first treks go, this was a memorable beginning, and we are excited to see these young trekkers return to the outdoors for many more adventures.

05/09/2025

When Grades 9 and 10 students from Nalapad Academy joined us for their very first trek yesterday, they came not just for the adventure of climbing a hill but also with a curiosity to understand the geography of the land and to build a deeper connection with nature.

The destination was Minchukallu Betta, a hill not too far from Bengaluru, but worlds apart from the everyday rhythm of the city.

The trail was alive with post-monsoon energy. Everything around us was green, the paddy fields in the valley, the dense overgrowth along the path, even the bushes that seemed to spill over the trail. The sun was hot and the climb wasn’t easy, but the students were bursting with excitement.

Each time they turned a corner and looked back at the view, there was a new “wow” in the air. By the time we reached the top, many of them were already saying the same thing: “This was amazing, we want to do longer treks!”

But this trek was about much more than the climb. Along the way, we shared stories with the students, stories of the land beneath their feet, and how it came to be. We spoke of how the supercontinent Pangea broke apart, how Gondwanaland drifted, how the Indian subcontinent moved northwards over millions of years. We told them about the volcanic eruptions that formed the Deccan Traps, and about the granite that has been here for billions of years, giving Bengaluru its very name.

Suddenly, the rocks they were sitting on weren’t just rocks anymore but timekeepers, holding secrets of the Earth’s past.

And then we carried the story forward into human history. We spoke of the Stone Age, of ancient settlements, of the dynasties that rose and fell, the Cholas, the Hoysalas. We shared how Kempegowda built the lakes that shaped Bengaluru, and how later rulers, the Mughals, the Wodeyars, Tipu Sultan, the British, all left their mark.

What struck the students most was how all of this history was tied to the very place they live in today. They were amazed that just a short drive from the city, the land could tell so many stories.

The students listened with wide eyes. They were curious, asking question after question, trying to piece together what they were hearing with what they were seeing. Many of them admitted that they had never thought about Bengaluru in this way before.

Teachers too were equally taken in. They said the trek was not just refreshing but deeply meaningful, and that they would love for more students to experience this kind of learning outside the classroom.

For our team, trekking with Nalapad Academy was an absolute delight. We loved how much the students embraced the outdoors, how they allowed themselves to be surprised, how they kept asking questions even as they caught their breath.

We left feeling grateful to have shared this day with them. More than anything, we felt that this was just the beginning. The outdoors has so much more to offer, and these young trekkers are already eager to discover it.

05/09/2025

01/09/2025

InSOUL Organises a Trek for Young Adults with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities for the First Time

Last week, our team organised a trek for young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities from Pragati Towards Livelihood. This was our first time organising a trek for those with intellectual disabilities.

This step marks the beginning of a larger vision: to open up trekking as a space where young adults with different abilities can experience the same sense of adventure, confidence, and empowerment that it offers to everyone.

Our facilitators observed that the group trekked with a lot of enthusiasm, climbing through old gateways, walking past tall grasses, and carefully navigating stone stairways with curiosity.

As we walked alongside the young adults from Pragati Towards Livelihood, we realised that the outdoors makes no distinction. On the trail, they laughed, rested, shared, and persevered just like every trekker we’ve ever known.

Their sense of camaraderie stood out. They encouraged peers without any prompt from us, and even expressed interest in leading the group, fascinated by the tools and responsibilities of a trek leader.

Perhaps the most powerful moment of the trek was watching them take charge of cleaning the trail. Every participant filled their eco bag with litter, determined to leave the mountain better than they found it.

For our team, this trek was a glimpse into what the future of the outdoors can look, where adventure is not limited, but shared. This experience showed us that inclusion is not just about making space, but about discovering new dimensions of joy and strength when everyone walks together regardless of their abilities.

We hope that this is the beginning of a movement to reimagine trekking as a space where every individual can rise to the challenge and witness the beauty of the outdoors.