Forest Trails & Mountain Treks in Kotkhai

These aren't groomed park paths. You will need comfortable trekking shoes because the trails are uneven, forest-floor terrain. I lead these walks personally and we keep the groups small, so we move at the pace of the slowest person—no rushing allowed, just deep breathing and listening to the woods.

When you are in the middle of a dense pine forest, with no mobile signal and no cafes, the noise in your head finally starts to quiet down. This is the goal of our mountain walks. We don't just hike; we pay attention to the details—the moss on the bark, the specific birds chirping in the deodar trees, and the damp, earthy smell of the jungle after a light drizzle.

My approach to these treks is simple. We start slow, warming up with some pranayama before we step out. For the cave explorations, we make sure everyone is comfortable and equipped with gear. I have found that yoga helps immensely here; being flexible makes scrambling through small openings or navigating rocky inclines much easier, and it turns a physical challenge into a moment of discovery.

We typically explore trails around our home in Kotkhai, Upper Shimla. You can expect terrain that ranges from gentle bamboo patches to steeper climbs that get your heart rate up. My goal is to get you back to the basics: walking, talking, and observing. If you are worried about fitness, please know that we cater to all levels. We stop often to hydrate with fresh spring water and to simply take in the views of the Kotkhai valley. It is as much about the destination as it is about remembering what it feels like to just move your body without a destination in mind.