What if there is an Institute for mountaineering and trekking ? Can’t that transform a nomad to a pro in trekking ? We have compiled this post for travel mates who wants to learn trekking and mountaineering like a professionals.

Have you ever thought of climbing mountains or hiking through the rough terrains of mountains? Be it the old Western Ghats or the mighty Himalayans, India is gifted with options for plentiful adventure in mountain climbing, trekking and Hiking. In the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute or the HMI, a Basic course of just 28 days in Mountaineering can help you achieve the proper training and confidence required for adventure travel.

The most prestigious mountaineering institute of India, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was founded in the year 1954 and has nurtured some of the finest mountaineers of the country.  The HMI gave a new dimension to mountaineering as a passion. Tenzing Norgay, (also known as Sherpa Tenzing) who was one of the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest with Edmund Hilary was the director of the HMI for several years.

The HMI is situated alongside the Darjeeling zoo. It also hosts a Mountaineering museum which has old pictures, details and memorabilia of the several Mount Everest expeditions. The HMI is one of the most popular tourists attractions of Darjeeling.

‘The Institute trains young men not only to climb Himalayan peaks, but also create in them an urge to climb peaks of human endeavor. The Himalayas from time immemorial had attracted people and inspired them to discover nature’s bountiful gifts found there and influenced Indian minds as evident from old scriptures, books and epics of the mythology of India‘- Pandit Jawarhal Nehru during the inauguration of the HMI during the year 1954.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Courses

The HMI embraces the mountaineering as the combination of art and science and not just a physical activity. It is one of the finest sports activities but requires proper training .

Proper training develops endurance, self confidence, preservation, determination and the spirit of adventure for any physical activity. With a Basic training of mountaineering , any traveler can achieve confidence and determination which serves well if travelling is a passion.

The HMI conducts a wide number of basic and advanced courses in 2 periods every year. From March to May and from September to December.

It has 16 courses for these periods which includes a course for Visually Impaired persons as well. The HMI is an autonomous body and is run by an executive council headed by the Central Defence Minister as the president and the Chief Minister of the state as the Vice president.

All the courses are highly subsidized and the institute charges only a nominal fee for the same. All the courses are filled by a first come first serve basis.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Basic Course: The Basic Mountaineering course, which can be taken by anyone who has the passion of travel and adventure has the duration of 28 days.

The training activities include Rock Craft training, trekking and field training at Chaurikham, the HMI’s base camp in Sikkim. The Field training is the longest with the duration of 11 days.

The base camp is one of the most beautiful places of the West Sikkim.The training includes climbing of the 2 peaks in the vicinity which are the BC Roy peak and the Frey peak.

In addition to the Basic course, the HMI offers courses on Advance Mountaineering course for who has obtained A grade from the Basic course conducted by HMI as well as various other mountaineering institutes.

Other courses include Adventure course primarily targeted for Boys and girls, Course for Visually Handicapped persons and special courses in Rock climbing and mountaineering for groups. More information can be obtained from the official website of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand is another Mountaineering Institute in India.