As Delhi started its plunge to the depths of winter, the IIT Delhi Hiking Club organized two treks in December 2025-- a high-altitude Himalayan trek to Sandakphu in collaboration with Trek The Himalayas, and a memorable short trek to Brahmatal (3,846 m) in collaboration with Bikat Adventures. 25 students in all participated (with support from 1 faculty member and three staff members). Rugved Kidile (BDes, Dept of Design) was the team leader of the Sandakphu trek while the Club Student President Ayush Chhari (MSR, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences) was team leader of the Brahmatal trek.

Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal, and offers not only panoramic views of some of the world’s tallest mountains — including Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu—but also a setting conducive to reflection, collaboration, and personal growth. The physical demands of trekking, coupled with life in close-knit groups, encouraged participants to open up, build trust, and form meaningful peer connections.

The trek also served as a form of cultural immersion, introducing participants to the local cultures of the Eastern Himalayas. Interactions with local guides, porters, homestay owners, and villagers along the trail offered insights into regional livelihoods, traditions, and ways of life closely tied to the mountain ecology. These exchanges helped participants develop a deeper appreciation for the local knowledge systems and the socio-cultural contexts of the landscapes they traversed. Rugved Kidile remarked, “Listening to the locals speak about the mountains changed how I looked at the landscape, not just as scenery, but as a living landscape.”

The trek to Brahmatal was shorter and began with a scenic drive past Devprayag (the iconic confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers), to Lohajung- the base camp for the trek. Trekking days unfolded through oak, rhododendron, and conifer forests, with camps at Gujreni/Lower Bekaltal and Brahmatal. While the trails remained largely snow-free, the surrounding snow-clad Himalayan peaks provided dramatic and uninterrupted views. The ascent to Brahmatal Top was the visual highlight of the trek, with panoramic views of Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt. Chaukhamba, Mt. Neelkanth, and Mt. Kamet.

Both the treks brought together participants from diverse academic programmes across IIT Delhi, creating a shared space beyond classrooms and laboratories. Through sustained engagement over several days in a mountain environment, and working together as a team, the trek offered participants an opportunity to connect with themselves, nature, and each other.” Life at the campsites extended well beyond trekking—participants played games, solved team-building puzzles, danced under the moonlight, and spent late evenings hunting for shooting stars, strengthening friendship bonds through shared laughter and collaboration. Many participants felt a renewed sense of balance and clarity, after a demanding first term. As Nishant Yadav reflected, “You start the trek as individuals, but by the end, the group feels like a small, dependable family.”

Both treks exemplified the IIT Delhi Hiking Club’s commitment to holistic engagement, where physical challenge, mental well-being, social bonding, and cultural exposure come together. Beyond reaching a summit, braving the cold weather and strong winds, the expedition created warm memories, lasting friendships, and a stronger sense of belonging within the IIT Delhi Hiking Club community.