Nols Himalaya Backpacking 2026

Experience a side of India that travelers rarely see as you trek into the remote Himalayas. As you immerse yourself in Indias landscape, youll expand your cultural awareness, leadership skills, and outdoor knowledge. If youre seeking a trip to bring you to the heart of the Himalayas, then this is the course for you. Your expedition takes place in the Kumaon and Eastern Garhwal region of the Indian Himalayas, a rugged, glacier-carved range sacred to Hindus and world-famous for its mountaineering, trekking and whitewater rafting. You will hike through the soaring mountains of the famed Himalaya. Weather and trail conditions will determine the route, which could cover a geographical swathe from the Greater Himalaya to the Trans-Himalayan region of the Gori Ganga River. You will walk along the remnants of the ancient trade routes that historically connected Tibet with India. As you pass through forests of maple, oak, and rhododendron, youll have frequent opportunities to visit villages where cattle- and water buffalo-powered agriculture is still the main way of life. Gaining and losing 2,000 feet of elevation on some days, youll work hard traveling over steep, rocky terrain at high altitudes with all your gear on your back. Youll learn the foundational skills of backpackingcamping, cooking, map reading, stove use, Leave No Trace techniques and sanitation. These are skills that you can apply to travel in any environment long after your course ends. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.