For Families & Beginners
Why do most of our adventures center around Kashmir? I'll be honest—we adore Kashmir! Bull Kumar once helmed the Ski School here and later led daring missions from HAWS (High Altitude Warfare School) to the Siachen Glacier. Akshay was on skis here by the time he was three, and our daughter, Saira, followed suit, skiing and trekking before she turned five.
As for me, Kashmir embraced me like an old friend. My first visit was in 2003, and I’ve returned almost every year since—sometimes more than once. Through the years of turmoil and Covid, Kashmir, especially Gulmarg, has been my sanctuary. My team has been trekking and skiing these mountains for years and my faith and trust in them is implicit - as I am sure will be yours, once you land in Srinagar!
As for me, Kashmir embraced me like an old friend. My first visit was in 2003, and I’ve returned almost every year since—sometimes more than once. Through the years of turmoil and Covid, Kashmir, especially Gulmarg, has been my sanctuary. My team has been trekking and skiing these mountains for years and my faith and trust in them is implicit - as I am sure will be yours, once you land in Srinagar!
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Skiing in GulmargBest Time to Go: Mid February to Mid March
Quick Facts:
The perfect family holiday!
For beginners and pro skiers alike, the powder snow of Gulmarg is the go-to place every winter! In our ski program, you will learn basic downhill skiing, snow plough (pizza!) and stopping. And if our instructors feel you've picked up the skills quick enough, they will allow you to join the Phase 1 team that will ski down from Phase 1 - Kongdori Station! For the more experienced skiers in the family, you can head out to Phase 1 and beyond with your instructors. |
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Alpine Meadows Trek, KashmirBest time to go: June to September | 5 Nights / 6 Days
Quick Facts:
Experience the Kashmir you've always imagined, yet never had the chance to truly discover - until now!
A one-of-a-kind adventure holiday that involves trekking through forest of Deodars, overnight camping on the lush green alpine meadows, a trek up to Kilanmarg, where, on a clear day, you'll see Nanga Parbat, Harmukh and the entire Pir Panjal range, ending with a stay on Srinagar's luxurious houseboat on the Dal Lake. Kashmir is a treasure trove of exquisite artistry—famous for its legendary Pashmina shawls, intricate Kanni and Crewel embroidery, masterful walnut wood carvings, and vibrant papier-mâché creations. We’ll wander through the narrow by-lanes of Srinagar, stepping into the homes where these incredible crafts have been passed down through generations. Here, we’ll witness firsthand the dedication and passion it takes for these families to keep their rich artistic heritage alive. The prefect short trek for families with young children (7+ years) and beginners wanting to try out their trekking feet. |
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An Unknown Trail...In the Foothills of the Pir Panjal!Best time to go: July to September
Quick Facts:
5 Nights / 6 Days: July-26th to 31st| August-1st to 6th.
4 Nights/5 Days: August 15th to 19th
A beginners trek into the gorgeous rolling green meadows of Kashmir, with three miles of green pastures fenced by sky- touching deodars!
If you've never trekked before, this is a good place to start. Also a good trek to introduce your kids to the great outdoors! The perfect active family holiday for children 7+ years. This is a surreal place - so perfect in all aspects. The locals nomads live here during the summers and then make their way down to warmer climes as the winter sets in. Curious little kids may drop in to have a chat and the local bhutias may spot you as the sucker willing to part with some goodies! We have two versions of this trek - one set of dates for 4 nights/5 days and two set of dates for 5 Nights/6 Days version. Choose what suits you best (would however recommend that one extra day in the mountains - will be worth it!) |
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Everest Vistas - A Beginner's Delight!Best time to go: Mid April to Mid May | Mid September to October
Quick Facts:
This idea hit us during our last Everest Base Camp trek in April 2024. Dilshad was trekking with her 12-year-old daughter and a group of beginner trekkers. "Everyone was in great shape, and we made it up and back with ease. While enjoying hot ginger chai at the Ama Dablam Lodge, we had a lightbulb moment: some of the trek’s most stunning views are just two hours from Namche Bazaar, right around here, near Kyangjuma!" says Dilshad.
At Namche Bazar, you step into Sagarmatha National Park, catch your first glimpse of Everest, and take in the serene beauty of Ama Dablam along with the majestic peaks of Thamserku, Lhotse, and Nuptse. So why not create a trek specially for families and beginners to experience these views? Who says Everest Base Camp is the only goal? If you’re eager to see the high mountains but short on time or unsure about EBC, this is the trail for you. It’s great for fit beginners and families with kids 8+, and if your seven-year-old is super athletic, they’ll do great too! |
Challenge Yourself
Challenges are personal and everyone has their own reasons. Whatever drives your sense of adventure, we are here to support you every step of the way. From your first inquiry to the end of your journey, you’ll receive expert, attentive service. We've done all these treks - some of them multiple times. And we're happy to share our experiences with you.
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Everest Base Camp TrekBest time to go: Mid April to Mid May | Mid September to October
Quick Facts: 15 Nights /16 Days: April-10th to 25th
Looking to challenge yourself a bit? Perhaps, this one is for you. Our founder Dilshad has led this trek multiple times and knows the trail well. "Don't intend to lead this one again for a while" she says, "there are countless more trails to trod on!"(She's said that twice earlier too!)
So this time, we've done something really bold - and new. We've collaborated with like-minded founders at Bohemian Adventures. A women-led adventure company helmed by three solid mountaineers with several peaks and summits under their belt. Do read the brochure attached below. Do this trek for the amazing views, the majestic 8000 m peaks so close at Kala Pathhar you can almost hug them, the forests of Rhododendrons, the Dudh Kosi river flowing past, the the baby Yaks and the amazing doggies we meet enroute! It's a challenging trek in parts - most days are around 7 - 8 hours long, except for the day you hit Base Camp and the next day when we head to Kala Pathhar and then down to Pheriche- those are tough two days. We trek up slowly, ensuring we acclimatize on the way - there's no medals for reaching the next tea lodge first! |
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Gokyo Lakes & Renjo La TrekBest time to go: Mid April to Mid May | Mid September to October
16 Nights /17 Days The trail is pretty well set - even the rocky climbs and shaky bridges that lead about to the lakes are well marked. What makes this a challenging trek is the long hours of walking and the altitude. The climb up to Gokyo Ri is tough on the quads and I'd highly recommend at least 3 - 4 months of intensive strength training before you take this one on.
If you prefer unspoiled views and less crowded trails, this one is perfect. You move away from the crowds once you cross Namche - the diverging signage hidden behind the foliage is a welcome sign! We move up left while the EBC crowd takes the right trail - it's more quiet now, peaceful. It's a long walk across Dole and Machermo - lovely Nepali villages with wonderful warm hosts that offer you hot garlic soup, and tell you tales of their summits in the Kumbhu region. If adventure flows in your veins, do this trek at least once in your life time. It will be worth it! We have no fixed dates for this trek and are happy to accommodate you and your friends based on your personal plans. Email us at [email protected] for an itinerary and costing. |
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Markha Valley Trek, LadakhBest time to go: June to September | 7 Nights / 8 Days
In Ladakh, they say it’s impossible to take a bad photo. Just point and shoot! The barren brown mountains set against the unique "Ladakh Blue" skies (yes, we’ve coined the term for a blue found nowhere else on Earth!) create picture-perfect moments every time.
This popular trek in Ladakh takes you up to 5,200m (17,060 ft) across the Kongmaru La, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan region. Personally, I’ve found this trek tougher than Everest Base Camp. Ladakh’s high-altitude desert landscape has no trees to provide that much-needed oxygen, and I have one word for the trek down from Kongmaru La...brutal! It's long, all descent, all mostly scree, and really really hard on the knees. But don't let that put you off. Train those knees, come well prepped to take that one day's long descent - and you’re in for an unforgettable experience in this spectacular corner of India’s Himalaya! We have no fixed dates for this trek and are happy to accommodate you and your friends based on your personal plans. Email us at [email protected] for an itinerary and costing. |
