Mountains Beckon:Trekking comes of age in India

Mountains in India have long been revered for their spiritual significance, with trails that seem to carry an aura of the divine. For centuries, sacred journeys to places like Vaishno Devi and Kedarnath have attracted millions seeking blessings from higher powers. These paths were once primarily for pilgrims or trained mountaineers aiming to conquer towering peaks. However, trekking in India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. What was once confined to spiritual purposes and serious mountaineering has now evolved into a mainstream adventure accessible to all.

Over the past decade, outdoor exploration has shifted gears, with mid-altitude treks now drawing a wide variety of adventurers. Beginner-friendly hikes, with stunning views and manageable heights, have made these pursuits more popular than ever, catering to families, casual trekkers and those just getting started with outdoor activities.

This shift can be traced back to the 1970s and 80s when mountaineering expeditions attracted foreigners to India. Tejbir Singh Anand, Founder and CEO of Holiday Moods Adventures, an experiential and activity-based adventure company in Delhi, has long observed the growth of trekking as a tourism product in India.

Tejbir Singh Anand

“Mountaineering acted as a catalyst and it was the father of the trekking industry in India. It all began in the 70s when foreigners started coming to the Himalayas for expeditions, and by the 80s, this fascination began to trickle down to Indian communities. Adventure clubs in Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal sparked a wave of curiosity, laying the groundwork for a trekking culture that has since flourished across the nation,” Singh tells India & You.

While trekking has often been linked with adventure, its pilgrimage roots are still very much present. Singh recalls how his uncle would trek to Hemkunt Sahib, a Sikh pilgrimage spot in Uttarakhand Himalayas in the 1960s, long before roads were built, turning a month-long religious journey into the earliest forms of what would become mainstream trekking.

Singh is also a leading member of the Adventure Tour Operator Association of India, which brings together tour operators focussed on adventure tourism in India and provides a platform for trade and members to network, share knowledge, and collaborate on setting policies for adventure tourism in India.

“We have recently formed a National Board for Adventure Tourism, where we are identifying challenges and working on boosting India’s position as a global adventure travel destination. It is a work in progress,” says Singh.

After a relatively slower and stable growth over the past few decades, there has been a sharp spike in the number of trekkers in the past few years, notably since the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Indiahikes, a Bengaluru-based trekking tourism company, over the last five years, the number of trekkers in India has skyrocketed by 227 pc.

What was once an activity for a select few has now become a major segment of adventure tourism. Trekking has transformed into a key driver of travel, with more people seeking to connect with nature and challenge themselves. The mountains, once sacred, are now adventure playgrounds where people of all ages can experience the thrill of exploration.

A new era of trekking

Arjun Majumdar

“Earlier, you would rarely see children or families trekking, but now, they are out there in large numbers. We are even seeing seniors confidently take on treks,” Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes, tells India & You.

This evolution is vividly illustrated through the stories of trekkers like Alifiya Padghawala and Satyam Jindal, who embody different facets of this expanding community.

Alifiya Padghawala, a first-time trekker and the Founder of Sky for A Palette, a homegrown stationery brand in Mumbai, found her passion for trekking sparked by her love for travel and the captivating trek stories shared by a close friend.

“I come from a travel-enthusiastic family, and we have done a lot of trips across North and Northeast India, but trekking felt different, it felt adventurous,” Padghawala tells India & You.

Joining a group of diverse ages, she discovered a profound sense of inspiration. “It changed my perspective. This is not just for the young, it is for everyone. Yes, it is physically challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding and calming,” she explains. The experience left her with lasting values of teamwork, resourcefulness, and a newfound appreciation for the mountains.

For Satyam Jindal, a Bengaluru-based software engineer at Amazon, trekking is more than just a passion, it is a way of life. With several Himalayan treks under his belt, he thrives on the physical, mental, and emotional challenges it presents. “Trekking pushes me in ways nothing else can, but that is exactly why it is so rewarding. The exhaustion may fade, but the awe and deep sense of connection with nature linger long after,” Jindal tells India & You.

What keeps him coming back to the mountains, however, goes beyond the trails. “Trekking breaks barriers in such a beautiful way. You bond with strangers through shared challenges and joy, and without the distractions of phones and emails, you truly connect with those around you,” he explains.

For Jindal, being outdoors strips life down to its essentials. “Unlike leisurely travel, which often feels cushioned or curated, trekking forces me to face the raw elements, weather, terrain, and my own endurance. It is real, it is raw, and it is a reminder of what truly matters,” he says.

This deep connection with nature and the people he encounters on the trail is what keeps him coming back for more, with each trek offering fresh experiences and even greater clarity.

Climbing higher

A moment of quiet reflection at Kedarkantha Summit (Photo: Indiahikes)

As trekking continues to attract a wider audience, its influence extends beyond the individual and is making waves in schools and workplaces, too. Schools are now including this adventure activity in their curriculums to build resilience and teamwork in students. Corporates, on the other hand, are moving away from traditional retreats, opting instead for trekking adventures to foster team bonding and recharge their employees. “Organisations are realising the benefits of trekking over conventional team-building activities. It leaves teams feeling inspired and refreshed,” says Majumdar of Indiahikes.

This growing interest has also sparked innovative options for trekkers. Creative options like stargazing treks, adventure therapy, and treks tailored for families or seniors are opening up the mountains to even more people. This evolution shows that trekking is not only about pushing physical limits but also about exploring new ways to connect with nature and others, making the experience more inclusive, accessible, and transformative for all.

Challenges in the trekking industry

Even though it is booming, the trekking industry in India is riddled with challenges that could undermine its growth. According to Singh of Holiday Moods Adventures, one of the major challenges, is the stark divide between the organised sector and the unorganised sector trekking in India.

“For the organised tour operators like us, our safety standards are as high as anywhere in the world. But for the unorganised agents, it is a bit complicated,” he remarks. This dichotomy stems from the tendency of travellers to choose trekking operators based solely on cost. “The question usually is, who is the cheapest?” Singh notes, pointing out that even schools and educational institutions often prioritise affordability over safety and credibility.

Another challenge is the transition of trekking from a niche activity to a mass industry. Singh remembers a time when trekking knowledge was passed down through experienced guides and clubs, fostering a deep respect for the wilderness. “In the 1970s and 1980s, trekking started with mountaineering as its parent. It was handed down through organisations and senior trekkers who guided the younger generation. But now, with the internet, anyone and everyone wishes to become an adventure tour operator. That is where things started going wrong. The association members, majority will be against the current trend. It is over-tourism, and we should be seriously talking about it,” he warns.

He also criticises the lack of governmental focus on promoting India’s natural assets. “We have failed to promote India as a trekker’s paradise, because 73 pc of the Himalayan belt lies in India, and this simple one-line message has not gone out to the world,” says Singh, adding that the lack of awareness about India’s huge potential for mountain tourism and trekking has undermined the country’s chances in trekking tourism.

Overcrowding on popular trails remains an unavoidable challenge, requiring more robust regulation. While government involvement is essential, Majumdar acknowledges the limitations. “The government is struggling with resources and manpower to manage this. Stronger regulations are needed,” he says, adding that however, this is where organisations and individual trekkers must step in to help manage trail overcrowding and reduce the strain on these natural landscapes.

Sustainability in trekking: A Mindful approach

While these challenges are significant, sustainability offers a clear path forward that can preserve trekking’s rich legacy while ensuring its enjoyment for future generations. Majumdar stresses that trekking, when done responsibly, is one of the least harmful outdoor activities.

Green Trails, an initiative by Indiahikes says that it has successfully removed more than 140,000 kg of waste from trekking trails all over India since 2013

“Trekking does not have the same environmental impact as many other sports. Yes, littering is a visible problem, but when approached correctly, trekking leaves a minimal footprint on the environment,” he says.

At the heart of this mindful approach is the principle of ‘leave no trace’. Majumdar advocates for simple yet powerful habits, like carrying everything back with you, even a chocolate wrapper. “Do not leave or burn anything behind. And if you are trekking alone, make sure your waste is properly disposed of or concealed,” he advises. Small, conscientious actions like these can make a significant difference in preserving the delicate ecosystems of the mountains.

Trekking organisations like Happy Moods Adventure, led by Singh, are also promoting sustainability in thoughtful ways. The company intentionally moved away from group departures in response to the influx of over-tourism. “There is an oversupply of popular treks, so we decided to focus on smaller groups of six to 10 people to keep things sustainable,” Singh explains. By avoiding well-known, overrun treks and seeking out lesser-known valleys and trails, the company aims to protect these areas from overcrowding while offering guests unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Additionally, they are also very careful about client selection. “We ask potential trekkers detailed questions about their experience, like how many treks they have done and what altitudes they have reached, before booking them for challenging hikes. We know that not all bodies respond well to hard treks, and we do not want anyone to be caught off guard,” Singh says. This contrasts sharply with practices seen in other companies, where such precautions are often overlooked.

If every organisation embraces a responsible and sustainable mindset, a positive ripple effect could spread throughout the entire trekking community and can collectively work towards leaving the mountains better than they found them. This joint effort is key to ensuring that the natural beauty of these landscapes is preserved for future generations of trekkers.

As trekking continues to evolve in India, one thing remains certain, the mountains will always be there, offering both adventure and peace to those who seek them. It is not just about reaching the peak or conquering a trail, it is all about the experiences gained along the way. They teach us patience, resilience, and the value of pushing our boundaries.

Each trek, whether it’s the first or the fiftieth, offers something new, an understanding of nature, a deeper connection with oneself, or a stronger bond with those around you. And no matter how much the industry changes, the mountains will always be there, offering a retreat from the noise of daily life and a chance to rediscover what matters most.