Trek Leader, Facilitator
& Program Manager
A versatile outdoor professional with 10+ years of experience as a Trek Leader, Expedition Guide, Lead Facilitator and Program Manager across the Indian Himalayas, Nepal, and beyond.
I started in the outdoors the way most do — as a participant who couldn't get enough of it. From early hikes in Karnataka to motorcycle expeditions in Ladakh, the mountains became a constant. At some point, the question shifted from "when do I go next" to "how do I make this my work."
The formal journey began with basic and advanced mountaineering at JIM (J&K) and HMI Darjeeling — the foundational years that taught me what mountain discipline actually means. Then four years at Addventures Unlimited in Karnataka, running corporate outdoor programs and leading groups through the Western Ghats and Ladakh. That's where I learned what it means to manage a group — not just physically, but motivationally, logistically, safety-first.
India Hikes came next, and with it, 47 Himalayan trek batches in two years across Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Nepal. Valley of Flowers. Gaumukh Tapovan. Sandakphu. Har Ki Dun. Bhaba Pass. Khopra Ridge. High volume, diverse terrain, diverse participants. That's where leadership gets real.
Since 2020, I've been working with Blue Sheep Adventures — leading high-altitude expeditions including Friendship Peak (5,289m), Yunam Peak (6,150m), and Kang Yatse 2 (6,250m) — my current highest summit, led as expedition leader. Alongside that, facilitated outdoor education and experiential learning programs for children, school groups, and corporate teams across India.
In 2024, I completed my NOLS Trip Leader Instructor certification and recertified as a Wilderness First Responder — commitments I take seriously. The people in my groups deserve a leader who stays current, not just experienced.
The most recent chapter: Program Manager and Lead Facilitator at Explore Hampi (Aug 2025 – Mar 2026), designing and running 25+ outdoor education programs for schools through the season. The work confirmed what I already knew — that the principles of good expedition leadership apply everywhere, whether you're at 6,000m or facilitating a group of 14-year-olds at a heritage site.
Now building Outdoors With Karan — a platform for the treks, expeditions, and programs I believe in. Custom groups, personal attention, no shortcuts on safety.
@outdoorswithkaran
