ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE, SMALL GROUP, LOW IMPACT TREKKING COMPANY IN INDIA
We Only Organize Lesser Done, Uncrowded, Customizable & Personalized, Small Group Private Trekking Tours In The Himalayas
HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE TREKS AND EXPEDITIONS Climbing Higher Peaks, Exploring Deeper Valleys

This Life for the Himalayas

Looking at the mountains and saying, “Oh, it’s so beautiful!” is definitely not enough for the adventure breed. The Himalayas are so vast and massive that no human being, in a single lifetime, could ever explore all their corners, summits, valleys, passes, and plateaus. And there’s even more: the villages, the people, their daily life, their sacred culture, and countless other wonders.

Coming from a struggling middle-class family that valued education and a stable job, I followed the path of becoming a Computer Science Engineer and working as a Software Developer. But having spent my childhood amid the freedom of the Himalayan foothills of Bhutan and Bengal, how could I remain confined within the artificially air-conditioned rooms of corporate life? Everything about it felt artificial! Yes, it earned me enough money to go on my first ever high-altitude trek—the Roopkund Ronti Saddle Trek. And that was it… that was all my soul needed. That trek brought me back into my own skin and reunited me with my true self. Life in the corporate world never felt interesting again, no matter the money or comfort.

Homkund Ronti Saddle Trek Sheela Samudra Me with broken leg at Taktshang Monastery

From then till now, countless sacrifices in what people call “normal life” have gifted me the best experiences of my lifetime—moments no one can ever take away from me. After college, while my friends were busy accumulating possessions they would one day leave behind, I focused on collecting memories and experiences I will carry with me to my deathbed. To my parents, though, it was disheartening.

For me, the Himalayas are my daily dose of pure intoxication—a high that’s impossible to describe. Each trek, each summit—even repeating the same trek multiple times—feels distinct. Of course, different seasons and weather bring different views, but it’s the feeling that each trek leaves you with that makes it special. The Himalayas are like a mirror—not merely reflecting your physical self, but revealing your inner soul: your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and deepest dreams. They help you discover “The You.” Every encounter in the Himalayas, whether with living beings or the mountains themselves, has been a milestone moment in my life.

Gokyo Lakes Rupin Pass

Not Just Trekking!

Beyond climbing mountains, appreciating their beauty, reaching summits, and feeling the crisp mountain air, it’s also a joy to know the people of the Himalayas—to understand their culture, their way of life, and to build bonds not just with the land but also with its people.

The mighty Himalayas not only give you pleasure but also heal you. They make you stronger and become your lifelong friend. Many times, they’ve helped me make important life decisions with surprising ease. While working as a trek leader for one of India’s biggest trekking companies, I witnessed the ignorance of ecosystems, reluctance to enforce safety measures, and a profit-first mindset that often compromised comfort and safety. I’ve endured the constant mantra that “Good Food Is the Key to an Excellent Trek.” Sometimes I led groups of 32 trekkers—and when you add porters and staff, the number easily exceeded 50. While managing such massive groups honed my skills, I also had to tolerate negligence leading to fatalities and irresponsible behavior resulting in inhumane consequences. It gave me deep insight into how the beautiful sport of trekking is often manipulated by commercial interests purely for profit. It was intolerable.

But above all, the Himalayas are so powerful and divine that once you’re in their lap, everything else fades away. Life blossoms, and the mountains effortlessly lift your spirits. Their mere presence inspires everyone.

Stok Kangri Trek Himalayan Scenery

The mighty Himalayas call for silence, humility, surrender to the wind’s sway, and freedom. They teach you to love deeply and stay grounded. When I stand still, watching clouds dance around the peaks, I feel emotions that words cannot express. Rain, snowfall, wind, hail—I feel like my childhood playground has returned, a place where I can play without any burden on my mind. People say childhood, once gone, never returns. But I’ve found my way back to it—and I’d be a fool to give it up!

Kedarkantha Top Himalayan Scenery

This Life for the Himalayas

View User Profile for Suman

Every day I keep learning new things, but as of now, I think I can describe myself as a Loyal Himalayan Lover, Avid Trekker, Student Of Mountaineering, Amateur Photographer and an Enthusiastic Anthropologist. I am a Computer Science Engineer by education and previously worked as a Software Developer for premium IT companies. However, I quit the luxury of a high-earning corporate job and left behind the herd to walk towards the spiritual path laid down by the Godly Himalayas. At the age of 27 with no savings at all and being the only son from a lower-middle-class family, it was too young to fight against the family who in turn had to fight against the rules laid down by society. However, with my determination and perseverance, everything became smooth by passing time.

It wasn't easy for me as I learnt the hard way from mistakes - my own and by observing others. I fought 2 major road accidents that broke my right tibia and femur. I underwent 7 surgeries that kept me away from the mountains, but I patiently fought them all to get back to trekking again in the Himalayas with rods and plates in my bones. Despite doctors saying I cannot walk properly ever again to getting back to trekking on the difficult routes again, Life made me understand very clearly what it wants out of me in this World. It wants me to serve the Himalayas and its community, live a peaceful, content and simple life. That's what I have dedicated my this life to. I am not religious, but spiritual. The Himalayas define my road.

The Himalayas today is spammed by mushrooming trek agencies and big companies who take pride in being India's Largest, biggest, oldest, etc. They are exploiting everything for the sake of profit. It is in dire need of regulation by credible Government authorities, Sustainable Tourism Practices needs to be forced upon every organisation, Small Group Sizes needs to be mandated, Fixed camping should be restricted in alpine zones and Negative Ecological Impact Trekking Protocols should be laid down immediately by governing bodies. With all these objectives, I founded Himalayan High in the year 2015. Learn more about Himalayan High on About Himalayan High

Posted by Suman Chowdhury Thursday, September 10, 2015 2:59:00 PM Categories:
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