Nature immersive outdoor learning program for kids

Himalayan Ecotourism is introducing ‘Outdoor Experiential Learning Camp’ for school kids and young adults of nine to sixteen age group. We have fixed ‘Summer Camps’ and ‘Winter Camps’ located in the Tirthan valley, Himachal Pradesh. These camps are safe, comfortable, easily accessible and amidst nature making it an ideal camping spot for your children.

Children raised in cities often have limited exposure to nature and outdoor adventures. Himalayan Ecotourism believes that combing outdoor camping with thoughtfully curated learning program will enrich children with crucial skills such as empathy towards nature and others, team-work, self-confidence, leadership, human resilience, compassion, adaptability, outdoor survival and social skills which will help them navigate through challenges in later life.

Our five day program is operated under expert guidance and a team who are equipped to handle children and young adults of nine to sixteen age groups who are stepping outdoors even as first-timers. We blend outdoor camping with targeted skill building and learning objectives away from traditional learning environments. 

Enroll your kids into our ‘Outdoor Experiential Learning camps’ for adventures and life-altering experiences. Contact us for more details!

Day 1

Today you arrive at a riverside property in the Tirthan valley, we will be there to welcome you. As soon as you freshen up, we can go for a two-three hours waterfall hike. It is an easy forest trail reaching at Chhoie waterfall and a refreshing pond, perfect for cooling off during the summer heat.

Back at the riverside resort in the evening, we will gather for an informative session conducted by Stephan, founder and director of Himalayan Ecotourism. Stephan will brief you about the program ahead, providing an overview of our itinerary and activities. He will also introduce you to the Great Himalayan National Park, highlighting its history, significance, and the rich biodiversity and its conservation. Additionally, he will also cover the essentials of camping in the wilderness, safety protocols offering guidance on wildlife encounters and emergency procedures to ensure a safe and enriching experience in the wilderness.

Have dinner and rest well. Overnight at the riverside property.

A gentle hike leading to such a refreshing spot in the Himalayan forests

Day 2

After enjoying breakfast at the resort, we’ll embark on an exciting day of water-based activities by the river. Children will do river-crossing, equipped with safety gear to ensure their security, followed by a visit to a secret pond for swimming and relaxation. We’ll have lunch on the way to our campsite, which is accessible by road to a certain point, followed by a scenic two-hour hike. Our campsite, located in a pristine and untouched large meadow, is the perfect setting for the children to reconnect with nature.

Upon arrival, we’ll engage the kids in setting up tents, collecting wood for cooking over a woodfire, and making a shelter from scratch to serve as our dining area. These activities are designed to teach outdoor survival skills, adaptability, and team-building. In the evenings, we’ll relax on tree hammocks and play cricket.

After dinner, we’ll enjoy stargazing, with an informative session on learning constellations, identifying the North Star, and more. We’ll spend the night under the tents.

Enjoy water activities in the Tirthan valley

Day 3

Post breakfast, prepare for an adventurous day packed with engaging activities. We will start by teaching the kids how to climb a tree with all necessary safety gear and expert guidance. Following this, we’ll embark on a nature-immersive treasure hunt designed to spark creativity and enhance their understanding of nature. We will also do nature journaling.

Lunch will be served at the campsite, after which we’ll take a short forest hike. During the hike, the children will learn to identify plants and birds, and practice navigation techniques, equipping them with outdoor navigation and survival skills. They will also learn ‘Leave No Trace’ eco practices cultivating a mission to protect nature.

In the evening, the kids will learn the basics of cooking in the wild using a wood-fire and will assist our kitchen staff in preparing dinner. This hands-on experience will teach them practical skills and team management. To end the day, they will sleep under the stars.

An amazing camping area just down to a Cedar tree forest and the famous Lambri top

Day 4

After breakfast, we will pack our bags and leave the campsite, setting off for an exciting day at the Great Himalayan National Park. It is a full-day, easy hike starting from the ecozone village of Ropa.It is a forest trail, offering a scenic and moderately challenging experience. On the way, the kids will have the opportunity to engage in bird watching and appreciate the natural beauty around them. We’ll stop for a packed lunch at Mobile Point, overlooking snowy peaks. The entire hike will last approximately five-six hours, with excellent chances of spotting local wildlife, such as langurs. 

After completing the hike, we will transfer the kids to Bhiyar village, a one-hour drive away. Here, they will spend the night in a traditional Himachali homestay, enjoying an authentic Himachali dinner, providing them with a unique cultural experience and a comfortable end to their adventurous day.

Enjoy the fairy tale atmosphere created by this waterfall located just before the Park gate

Day 5

On our final day, post breakfast, we will embark on a short hike to Raghupur Fort at Jalori Pass, where we can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the mountains. The hike is a total of six kms. At the fort, we will hold an informative session about the Himalayas. Using a compass and map, the kids will learn to identify the various mountain ranges visible from this scenic point.

Afterward, we will have lunch on the way to Banjar. As we share memories and experiences, we will say our goodbyes, bringing our adventurous tour to an end.

Forest hike to get 360 degree view of mountains

Best time to go for children camping tour

1. Chhoie waterfall hike: It is a short and easy two-three hours hike. It is an easy forest trail reaching at Chhoie, where pristine water cascades into a refreshing pond, perfect for cooling off during the summer heat.
2. Water-based activities: Children will do river-crossing, equipped with safety gear to ensure their security, followed by a visit to a secret pond for swimming and relaxation.
3. Setting up of campsite: We’ll engage the kids in setting up tents, collecting wood for cooking over a woodfire, and making a shelter from scratch to serve as our dining area. These activities are designed to teach outdoor survival skills, adaptability, and team-building.
4. Stargazing: We will hold an informative stargazing session about learning constellations, identifying the North Star and more.
5. Climbing a tree: We will start by teaching the kids how to climb a tree with all necessary safety gear and expert guidance.
6. Forest and Village hike: During the hike, the children will learn to identify plants and birds, basic First-aid, practice navigation techniques, equipping them with outdoor navigation and survival skills.They will also learn ‘Leave No Trace’ eco practices fostering a mission to protect nature.
7. Nature-immersive treasure hunt: Children embark on a nature-immersive treasure hunt designed to spark creativity and enhance their understanding of nature. 
8. Outdoor cooking skills: In the evening, the kids will learn the basics of cooking in the wild using a wood-fire and will assist our kitchen staff in preparing dinner. This hands-on experience will teach them practical skills and team management.
9. Nature journaling: Children will practice reflection journaling while making art with the help of things they find during their foraging hike in the forest.
10. Day hike to Great Himalayan National Park: It is a full-day, easy hike starting from the ecozone village of Ropa.It is a forest trail, offering a scenic and moderately challenging experience. On the way, the kids will have the opportunity to engage in bird watching, chance to spot animals, learn about the history, significance, rich biodiversity and conservation of the National Park.
11. Traditional Himachali dinner: They will spend a night in a traditional Himachali homestay, enjoying an authentic Himachali dinner, providing them with a unique cultural experience.
12. Raghupur Fort hike: Kids will embark on a short hike to Raghupur Fort at Jalori Pass, where we can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the mountains. The hike is a total of six kms. At the fort, we will hold an informative session about the Himalayas. Using a compass and map, the kids will learn to identify the various mountain ranges visible from this scenic point.

Stephan Marchal is the co-founder and managing director of HECO. He has been living in the Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh, for over ten years with his family. Stephan has been homeschooling his children in the Himalayas. His thirteen-year-old daughter, Janisha, shares his mission in life: a love for nature and its protection. They both believe that nature can be the ultimate teacher, healer, and motivator.

To address the lack of nature-immersive learning and outdoor adventure in school curriculums, Stephan decided to introduce the “Outdoor Experiential Learning Camp” for school kids and young adults aged nine to sixteen in the Tirthan Valley. Stephan is passionate about making children aware of nature and its conservation. He engages them in outdoor activities such as nature hikes, bird watching, star gazing, nature journaling, cooking on a bonfire, and more.

Children raised in cities often have limited exposure to nature and outdoor adventures. Stephan believes that such outdoor learning, away from traditional classroom environments, builds crucial survival and social skills while fostering empathy for nature and its protection.

Stephan and Janisha are eager to help your children reconnect with nature and discover the joys and lessons it offers.

Stephan Marchal