We never really had an official foundation date. That’s because Indiahikes wasn’t born overnight — it was a thought that slowly took shape long before it became an organisation.

But as Indiahikes grew, we felt the need for a day. A day that reminds us of what Indiahikes means in our lives.

So we marked October 9th as our Foundation Day — the day our founder, Arjun Majumdar, registered indiahikes.in back in 2008.

Seventeen years later, it fills us with pride to see how far we’ve come. Today, Indiahikes is a much-celebrated organisation. In many ways, modern trekking owes its very existence to Indiahikes. If lakhs of people have taken to this adventure sport, Indiahikes has played a big role in making that happen.

To celebrate this legacy, the spirit of Foundation Day came alive across all our slopes.

Across our slopes, the day took many shapes. Some teams stepped out for Green Sweeps. Some sat together in quiet circles, sharing stories and experiences. Others hosted quizzes on Indiahikes — our treks, our experiments, our explorations. A few revisited our old creation story videos, reminding themselves where it all began.

At Lohajung, the team went a step further. They brought together local team who helped us with the very first trek to Roopkund in 2008. Watching that reunion, hearing those voices again, and hearing their thoughts about how they look at Indiahikes today was extraordinary.

At the Bangalore office, we all stepped out for what brings us all together, a short trek to Uttari Betta. 

What made this Foundation Day more special was watching our trekkers join in on Instagram, sharing their favourite moment with us.

More than anything, Foundation Day reminded us of what Indiahikes really is, a collective of people who show up every single day to make trekking more accessible, sustainable, and meaningful for everyone.

It was about finding pride in the work we do. Work that not only changes the lives of those who trek with us but also uplifts the communities around us.

And if you’ve ever been part of this story, even briefly, you’ve been part of this larger journey — a journey that continues to touch lives, one trek at a time.

A Hike to Uttari Betta and Reflection at Bangalore Office

In Bangalore, our team marked Foundation Day with a short trek to Uttari Betta.

At the summit, we played a little Indiahikes quiz. Stories flowed naturally too, with Arjun and Sandhya sharing moments from their journey. 

There was singing, a small cake cutting, and of course, halwa and breakfast to keep the energy up.

Everyone also took a moment to write postcards, reflecting on what Indiahikes means to them. 

True to our DNA, we grabbed our eco-bags and did a Green Sweep. We collected 7 kilos of waste, a small step, but one with an impact.

Back at the office, we watched a video on the beginnings of Indiahikes. It was a simple reminder of how it all began and how far we’ve come. 

Watching it brought a quiet sense of pride to everyone, pride in the work we do and the impact we create together.

An Indiahikes Quiz Powered by Crosstrek and Urjino at the Dehradun Office

In Dehradun, the day started with a warm lunch. By evening, everyone settled in to watch the 17-year journey of Indiahikes.

The highlight of it all was the Foundation Day quiz, put together by our Crosstrek and Urjino team. The quiz went on for nearly 3 hours, but resulted in lots of learnings about the organisation.  

The day ended with cake, songs, and a feeling of togetherness. It wasn’t just about a date on the calendar. It was about the people, their stories, and the journey we all share.

Seventeen Years Later, Reunion with the First Indiahikes Team at Lohajung

Something truly special unfolded at Lohajung. The team sent out invitations to the very first Indiahikes members — the ones who led our first group to Roopkund, alongside Arjun and Sandhya.

This was a huge surprise for all of us. They all still live in Lohajung, the base of the Roopkund trek, our starting point in so many ways. 

There was our first trek coordinator, our first head cook, Bhopal Singh. Our first mule men, Madhav Singh and Mahipal Singh. And Gabbar Singh, who began as a helper back then. Eight of them joined the celebration, sharing their first journeys with Indiahikes, and how they have seen Lohajung evolve around them thanks to the trekking industry. 

Imagine our founders’ surprise when they video called us, with 8 of the foremost Indiahikes members on the call.  

It was a deeply emotional moment for our founders, to hear their stories from that first Roopkund trek. 

71 kg of Waste Off the Slopes at Sari!

At Sari, the day began with the Indiahikes Foundation video, a moment that set the tone. Soon after, everyone shared what Indiahikes means to them.

Pankaj Ji and Umesh Ji took the team down memory lane, the early days, the struggles, the little wins that, piece by piece, built what we have today.

Later, the team stepped out for a Green Sweep in Sari village, clearing 71.52 kg of waste. We do it all the time on our treks, but cleaning up the slope on our Foundation Day felt extra special. 

At Karchi Too, 38.9 Kg of Waste Cleaned off the slopes

At Karchi, the morning began with a Green Sweep in the village. Together, the team collected 38.9 kg of waste. 

Later that day, the team members shared their own stories, reflections on their journeys, and what Indiahikes means to them.

Trekkers watched Heroes of the Himalayas, one of the best documentaries made by a critically-acclaimed documentary-film maker on Green Trails. After that, they headed to Gorson Bugyal, where they did another Green Sweep. 

Kotgaon Takes on the 17 Push-Up Challenge

At Kotgaon, the day started with a little challenge. The team decided to do 17 push-ups, one for each year of Indiahikes. 

And guess what? The trekkers joined in too. Staff and trekkers, side by side, celebrate not just the organisation, but the community it has built over 17 years.

It was symbolic. For 17 years, Indiahikes has been about pushing limits, building resilience, and bringing out the best in trekkers through the outdoors.

40.4 kg of Waste Collected in a Green Sweep at Raithal

Raithal also kicked off the event with a Green Sweep around the base camp, trek leaders, kitchen staff, and team members together cleared 40.4 kg of waste.

Some staff members have been with Indiahikes for 5–6 years, they spoke about what’s kept them rooted here. Trek leaders shared what makes this work meaningful for them. And even the newly joined assistant trek leaders said it already feels like home.

Trekkers returning from Dayara Bugyal added to the warmth, speaking about how well they were cared for throughout the trek, how smoothly everything ran, and how the same passion and values were evident in every small detail.

A Day Dedicated to the Community at Jiskun | 25 kg of Waste Collected

At Jiskun, the day was all about community. The team, trekkers, and Village Pradhan Aniket Sharma Ji came together for a Green Sweep, collecting over 25 kg of waste in just 40 minutes. Small steps, big impact.

Conversations followed — about the Circle of Influence, and how each one of us, whether trekker or villager, can help build cleaner, stronger communities. Indiahikes initiatives like Green Trails, Urjino, and the Masala Project were shared, sparking curiosity and ideas.

Pradhan Ji appreciated the efforts and encouraged more collaboration. 

For the team, Foundation Day was a powerful reminder: it’s not just about celebration — it’s about action, awareness, and staying connected to the purpose that drives us.

A Traditional Himachali Reception for Trekkers and a Village Green Sweep at Buran Ghati 

At Buran Ghati, the 9th of October reflected the spirit of Foundation Day. 

At Rohru, the transport team celebrated with cake cutting and a briefing even before they started their journey. 

When trekkers reached Janglikh, they were welcomed with a traditional Himachali reception — dhol, kansali, and ranshing.

Trek leader Vidya’s trek team also conducted a village Green Sweep. 

Old staff from Lohajung joined too, making it even more special. Team members spoke about what Indiahikes means to them — purpose, connection, and touching lives. 

That’s what Foundation Day is all about.

Gangotri | Why We Do What We Do — Discussions on Safety, Sustainability, and the Work Behind InSoul, Crosstrek, and Urjino

At Gangotri, staff and trekkers came together to share stories, memories, and moments that have stayed with them. 

Conversations turned to Urjino, Crosstrek, and Insoul — a reminder of the journey so far, and a moment of quiet pride for everyone.

Trekkers spoke about what makes Indiahikes different — the care, the safety, and the focus on sustainability. 

The day ended on a sweet note, celebrating 17 years of shared purpose, passion, and the work that keeps all of them connected.

At Sepi and Yuksom too, the Foundation Day turned into something truly special. In Yuksom, team members sat down to write postcards and reflect on their journeys . Over at Sepi, it was all celebrations, singing, and dancing. Two different celebrations, but one emotion — a deep pride in being part of Indiahikes.

At Indiahikes, our work has never been just work. It has meaning. It has purpose. Every single person here feels it deeply.

Seventeen years. Thousands of stories — from our team, from our trekkers. Through it all, one thing has never changed — the impact.

Over the years, Indiahikes has changed lives in ways big and small. And this Foundation Day, we took a step back to remember that — to celebrate the impact that continues to drive us every single day.