If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’d know that I’ve participated in quite a few group treks organized by YHAI.  Although not a huge fan of group tours/trek, YHAI is a sweet exception to the rule. In fact I’d go to the extent of recommending people to go on YHAI treks or camps as it is one way to travel around this beautiful country. Why YHAI you ask? Well here are my reasons (in no particular order)

Meet people from all across India

Any YHAI group is a mini representation of India. Participate in any National level expedition and you’ll get to meet people from every nook and corner of India. And the diversity does not exist just in term sof georgraphy but also with regards to age, profession, cultural background et al. Not onl;y a great way to meet people a diverse group but since the treks are multi day ranging from anywhere between 4 to 11 days you get to spend quality time with them. And it is not just the fellow travel loving  Indians that you will encounter but also the locals in the little towns or villages along the scenic routes that you’ll be hiking.

My trekmates from Saar Pass 2012

The costs are extremely low

Agreed that YHAI is a not for profit organization but what absolutely baffles me is how less these treks cost.. For e.g. a 11 day trek of Saar Pass in Himalayas costs just above Rs. 3500. The cost covers breakfast, lunch & dinner with snacks and beverages thrown in PLUS stay in shared tented accommodation PLUS guides, training (if any) and equipment charges. A similar trek by any other private trekking group  would easily cost 3 times this amount at the very least. And they do not compromise on the quality given the low costs. I mean to say you do not get watery tasteless dal or bread as hard as rubber. After a hard days trek the food is somewhat looked forward to and people relish hot and steaming dinner at the campsite.

Some might complain about the sanitation facilities but ‘ Hey! You are camping in some very remote and at times not accessible to general population locations on this planet! What do you expect? ‘

The trekking routes are off beat and at times exclusive. 

Its not just treks that YHAI organizes but they also have their share of offbeat expeditions like cycling or sailing. The recent Sailing Expedition that I was a part of involved sailing in wind powered boats from one ebach to another and spend the night in little villages along the shore before pulling the anchor next morning and moving to the next beach. The beaches were not the party hotspots like a Calungate or Vagator or Baga but lesser known ones like Keri or Xapora . Similarly the trekking expediton in Goa offered an opportunity to camp in the dense jungle of Bhagwan Mahaveer National Sanctuary which is other wise not at all permitted.

Camping in Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park

Even absolute beginners can join the expedition.

Want to go on a trek but have no experience of the outdoors? YHAI expeditions are the best way to do it. All is required is a basic level of fitness. I will leave the meaning of ‘basic’ to you but let me just say that there I have encountered people on various treks with YHAI who have not idea what a trek was and still managed to complete the trek. In fact there were some who came thinking it was some inexpensive holiday and ended up at the finished lines as well as people aged 70+ who would be the first to reach the next campsite in high altitude treks.  The treks are designed in such a way and paced with frequent halts to catch your breath or a power nap that almost anybody can do it. So ‘basic’ fitness and you can do it

So if you are an experienced hiker or a first time noob,  a international backpacker or a traveller looking at some off beat way to explore India YHAI expeditions are just for you. So go ahead and make it happen. Happy hiking!

Last updated by Venkat Ganesh at May 18, 2021.