For many across India, the vision of success is a well-paying, stable job in the corporate sector—a promise of financial security and societal approval. But for Vijay Pratap Singh, now 31, the idea of a perfect life didn’t lie behind a desk or under fluorescent lights. His dream was carved out on rugged trails and in the shadow of towering peaks.

At just 23 years old, Vijay made a decision that would bewilder many—he walked away from his banking job to scale a very different kind of summit. With nothing but conviction and a lifelong connection to the outdoors, he launched AdvenThrill, an adventure travel company with the ambitious goal of establishing India as a premier global trekking destination.

Vijay’s journey began in humble surroundings in Bulandshahr, a village in Uttar Pradesh, where he completed his primary schooling in a Hindi-medium institution. “I stayed in my village until Class 8,” he recalls. “But in 2005, I moved to Dehradun to continue my studies.”

Though never one to describe himself as a brilliant student, Vijay had always found his spirit stirred by sports and the call of nature. The hills surrounding Dehradun, their silence and mystery, pulled him in. “Any chance I got, I’d wander into the forests and mountains nearby,” he says. It was there, in those silent, sprawling landscapes, that a quiet seed of adventure was sown.

He earned his undergraduate degree in Information Technology from Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University in 2012, and shortly after, he joined HCL in Hyderabad. However, the transition from the hills of Uttarakhand to a bustling southern city came with its share of discomforts. “Language and food were major hurdles,” he admits. As he struggled to adapt, nature once again became his anchor. “I had a passion for wildlife photography back then, so I’d escape to nearby forests on weekends.”

Keen to expand his career options, Vijay prepared for the MAT (Management Aptitude Test) and enrolled in a postgraduate course in international business at Chandigarh University. It was during his final year that he found himself working at Kotak Mahindra Bank in Pune. That role offered more than a paycheck—it gave him a close-up view of how businesses run and scale. “I interacted with a lot of clients and learned how business models work, what challenges entrepreneurs face, and how they manage operations,” he explains.

Despite doing well in the corporate world, Vijay’s soul remained tethered to the trails. “I kept hiking whenever I could, mostly with friends,” he shares. What others saw as a recreational activity, Vijay was quietly turning into the blueprint of a future enterprise.

The Big Leap: Trading Cubicles for Cliffs

At 23, with a plan that had been quietly brewing for years, Vijay took a step many fear—he left his job to fully commit to AdvenThrill, an outdoor travel initiative dedicated to hosting trekking expeditions for college students, professionals, and curious souls looking for something beyond city lights. But it wasn’t a reckless gamble. “It was never a spur-of-the-moment decision,” he clarifies. “I had a proper strategy in place and had already visualised how the company would operate.”

With support from a few friends from his IT days, Vijay built a website and launched social media channels for the brand. He brought on interns to assist with logistics, but the lion’s share of responsibilities rested squarely on his shoulders. “I was doing about 80% of the work myself in the early days,” he shares with a laugh.

Gradually, his efforts began to bear fruit. Adventure enthusiasts from across India started signing up, and even local communities—especially in and around Dehradun—rallied behind his mission, offering encouragement and logistical support.

Then came 2020.

When the Mountains Stood Still

Just as AdvenThrill was picking up momentum, the world hit pause. The COVID-19 pandemic froze the travel and tourism industry, and suddenly, the trails went silent. “We were four years into the journey,” Vijay recalls. “We had the contacts, the plans, everything lined up—but had to halt everything overnight.”

Rather than sit idle, Vijay got creative. He organized virtual marathons—events where participants would run in their own cities, record their performance, and share the results online. Winners were recognized and rewarded. “It kept the brand alive and kept people engaged with the idea of fitness and adventure, even from their homes,” he explains.

Climbing Higher, Together

Vijay’s very first experience as a trek leader took place in December 2016, guiding 12 medical students from New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on a snowy trek to Chopta Tungnath. “I had never led a group before. That trek taught me everything about planning, coordination, and leadership,” he says. Remarkably, many from that original group still join his treks today.

Realizing that passion alone wasn’t enough to ensure safe and meaningful adventures, Vijay sought formal training. He completed a mountaineering course at the prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and built a core team of seasoned professionals, including veterans from the Indian Army.

“Now, we have a tight-knit team of about 10 members, all trained in mountaineering, search and rescue, and certified in first aid,” he explains.

In a heartwarming initiative in 2024, Vijay led a special trek in Dehradun for visually impaired football players from the Indian blind football team. “The whole experience was tailored for their needs,” says Naresh Singh Nayal, their coach and a former Indian Air Force officer. “My wife and daughter had also gone on a trek with Vijay’s company. They couldn’t stop talking about how well everything was managed,” he adds.

Because trekking isn’t year-round, the company collaborates with freelancers, paying them based on group sizes and the number of expeditions.

Building a Trekking Brand from the Ground Up

The path to launching a professional trekking company is far from simple. It demands not just a love for mountains but rigorous planning and official clearances. “We had to register the company—ultimately choosing a private limited setup for better credibility and scalability,” Vijay says.

Equally important were the certifications. A company in this sector must prove that its leaders are qualified. “Completing basic and advanced mountaineering, along with rescue courses, is essential,” he explains.

AdvenThrill is registered with both the Uttarakhand Tourism Department and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, enabling them to host expeditions above 5,000 metres. “Being part of the foundation ensures we maintain strict safety standards for high-altitude treks.”

Who Can Trek?

While trekking can be a transformative experience, it isn’t for everyone—at least not without preparation. “We require a medical certificate before confirming bookings,” Vijay states. Applicants are encouraged to begin a 20-day fitness routine before their expedition to build stamina. “Each day of the trek, we monitor vitals like oxygen and blood pressure,” he adds. Anyone showing signs of distress is attended to immediately, usually back at the base camp.

AdvenThrill categorizes its treks into three levels:

• Beginner (up to 3,500m): Ideal for those new to trekking, capable of walking 4-5 hours daily.
• Moderate (above 3,500m): Requires previous experience of at least five beginner treks.
• Difficult (above 5,000m): Reserved for those with formal mountaineering training.

For every group of 15 participants, three trained leaders are assigned: one assistant with a basic certification, one primary leader with an advanced mountaineering course, and one expert in rescue operations. “We also include a cook, porters, helpers—around 12 people in total ensure every trek is safe and smooth,” Vijay adds.

Scaling India’s Global Trekking Potential

For Vijay, this is more than business—it’s a calling. He envisions a future where India is known globally for its breathtaking treks and safe, ethical adventure tourism. “Unfortunately, many operators cut corners when it comes to safety,” he points out. “That’s something we will never compromise on.”

In eight years, AdvenThrill has led expeditions across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and even Nepal. With a revenue of ₹10 crore so far and ₹45 lakh generated just last year, the company continues to grow—slowly but deliberately. “We do only 10 to 20 treks a year. Quality over quantity is our motto,” he says.

Looking ahead, Vijay’s ambitions are trailblazing—literally. He wants to identify and map lesser-known trekking routes that could boost tourism and bring economic opportunities to remote areas. “We use GPS mapping and do extensive groundwork before opening a trail,” he shares. It’s slow work—but transformative.

He firmly believes that with proper infrastructure, rescue systems, and certified leadership, India can rival global trekking hubs like Peru, Nepal, or Switzerland. “We just need to bridge the gaps.”

Today, as he leads groups through towering pines, snowy passes, and silent valleys, Vijay isn’t just guiding people through nature. He’s helping them find something deeper—resilience, wonder, connection. From a boy who once sought refuge in the woods to a man building trails for others to follow, his journey has come full circle—rooted in passion, sustained by purpose, and led with heart.

Content Source: Better India