Founder-Led Adventure Series
Journey with
MonkTrekker
Some journeys are about reaching a destination. These are about a different way of travelling altogether.
A few times a year, I lead a small group into the Himalayas myself — not on a fixed commercial itinerary, but along the trails and at the pace I've actually come to prefer after years of doing this work.
These aren't standard departures scaled up for volume. They're capped at 12 trekkers, slower by design, and built around backpacking rather than point-to-point trekking — more time on ridgelines at sunset, around a campfire, or talking to a family in a village along the route, and less time moving between checkpoints on a schedule.
If you're looking for fixed timings, hotel comfort, and a predictable itinerary, this probably isn't the right series for you. If you're curious about backpacking through the Himalayas with some uncertainty built in, disconnecting properly, and being part of a small group rather than a large batch — I'd be glad to have you along.
Who Is MonkTrekker?
MonkTrekker isn't just a name. It's a way of travelling.
It began in 2022, when trekking started out as work — not a lifelong dream someone had been chasing. But somewhere between mountain trails, changing weather, and conversations with fellow trekkers, that changed. The mountains stopped being a workplace and became something closer to a teacher.
Since then, the belief driving every trip has stayed simple: the best journeys aren't measured by how many summits you reach, but by the stories, people, and moments you collect along the way.
That's why MonkTrekker is drawn to backpacking over commercial trekking, to hidden trails over popular ones, and to remote villages over checklist stops — places where travel slows down enough to actually mean something.
Every Founder-Led Adventure reflects that philosophy directly. No oversized groups. No rushed schedules. No checklist tourism. Each journey stays intentionally small, so there's room for trails beyond the usual route, real conversations around a campfire, time with local communities, and a few days properly disconnected from everyday distractions.
For MonkTrekker, the Himalayas aren't just a destination — they're where you get tested a little, build friendships that last past the trip, and come back seeing things slightly differently than when you left.
Travel Philosophy
Slow Travel
The itinerary has room in it. A trek that only moves is a trek that only tires you — these journeys leave space to actually be somewhere before moving to the next place.
Backpacking
Carrying your own load, staying flexible with the route when conditions call for it, and choosing trails that aren't built for large group commercial logistics.
Local Culture
Time built in for conversations with the villages and families along the route — not just treating them as a drive-through stop for photographs.
Leave No Trace
Every campsite left the exact way it was found. This is a non-negotiable operating standard, not just a mention in the fine print.
What Makes These Journeys Different
A regular trek booking gets you a seat in a group someone else assembled. This gets you:
A leader who's actually building the route
Not following a fixed franchise itinerary, but adapting to the landscape, the weather, and the group's pace.
A group size small enough
Capped at 12. Everyone is part of the same conversation, not split into scattered sub-groups across the trail.
An application, not an instant booking
Because a 12-person expedition works better when the group is chosen with some thought, not just first-come-first-served.
Upcoming Founder-Led Journeys
Departures are limited and fill through application.
Roopkund Backpacking Expedition
A seven-day expedition into one of the Himalayas' most storied regions — built for trekkers who'd rather have an experience than a comfortable schedule.
What makes it different:
- Founder-led, start to finish
- Off-the-usual-route trails
- Campfire storytelling & photography
- Digital detox — limited network by design
This isn't a race to a summit. It's a week where you're not checking the time.
Har Ki Dun Backpacking Journey
October 2026
An immersive route through Himalayan villages, alpine forest, and one of Uttarakhand's quieter valleys.
Kedarkantha Winter Journey
November 2026
A winter expedition through snow-covered forest and frozen campsites, led personally by MonkTrekker.
Looking Ahead
New founder-led expeditions are announced through the year. Applications typically open 4-6 weeks before departure.
Join the WaitlistApply to Join
Spots on each expedition are limited to 12 trekkers, and departures fill through application rather than instant checkout.
"Applying doesn't guarantee a spot — it starts a short conversation to check the trip's actually a fit for you, and you for the group."