For a lot of Indians, landing a solid corporate job with a decent paycheck is like hitting the jackpot—it’s viewed as the gold standard for a successful life.
Hota hai na, bhaiyaa kya karte hain?
But for Vijay Pratap Singh, who’s now 31, finding true happiness meant stepping away from all that office life.
At just 23, he decided to leave his banking job behind to chase a different dream: starting ‘AdvenThrill’, an adventure travel company. His goal? To put India on the map as a top destination for trekking adventures.
AdvenThrill is an outdoor adventure program that organizes treks for college students, professionals, and anyone interested, along with learning activities. The vision for AdvenThrill took years to develop, and by the time he quit his job, he had a clear plan in mind.
Early Life and Background
Vijay grew up in a small village in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, where he went to a Hindi-medium school. Studying there till class 8th, his further studies were done in Dehradun since 2005.
He often sought refuge in the forests and peaks of Dehradun whenever he had the chance.
In 2012, he earned his degree in Information Technology (IT) from Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University and soon after joined HCL in Hyderabad. Yet, adapting to life in the vibrant southern city proved challenging. During this time, nature became his sanctuary, and weekends transformed into cherished opportunities for adventure in the wilderness.
Wildlife photography attracted his interest at that time.
However, he attempted for Management Aptitude Test (MAT) and applied for a Master’s Degree in International Business at Chandigarh University. During his final year, he secured a job with Kotak Mahindra Bank, Pune. This provided him with invaluable insights into the inner workings of businesses.
Something Was Always Missing
Even though Vijay excelled in his banking career, a part of him was always tethered to the mountains. Determined to maintain his connection with nature, his hiking and trekking trips with friends always found their way in his busy schedule. Yet, Vijay’s hikes were not merely for enjoyment; he was secretly plotting something far more ambitious.
23, Just a Number
Launching an adventure company was no hasty choice for Vijay; it was a meticulously crafted plan born from extensive experience and an enduring passion for the mountains. Before he left his job, the vision for the company and its operations were already outlined by him.
With the assistance of his tech-savvy friends, Vijay launched a website and established social media channels for AdvenThrill, marking the launch of their first service—trek booking. To facilitate operations, several management interns were brought on board, yet Vijay personally managed 80% of the workload. Gradually, support from trekkers began to flow in. Local communities in Dehradun and across India embraced his vision, providing invaluable assistance and encouragement throughout the journey.
The Pandemic Brings a Blow to the Travel Industry
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the travel industry. AdvenThrill was already in business for 4 years by then, yet it had to stop its operations. To stay relevant, he organized virtual marathons, allowing participants to run from their locations and submit results online.
Learning and Excelling His Skills
December 2016 marks the beginning of Vijay’s journey as a trek leader. He led a group of 12 MBBS students from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi to Chopta Tungnath.
Member from that trip are still connected with AdvenThrill and often they trek together.
Once started as a leader, Vijay realized the need to increase his technical aspects’ knowledge in this field for serving his clients better. To do so, he took a mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Over the years, he cultivated a network of skilled trek leaders, including former Army mentors.
With a dedicated team of 10 members, all of whom have completed both basic and advanced mountaineering courses, they all received search and rescue training, and several are certified in first aid.
The company hires freelancers for seasonal trekking and pays them based on workload, which changes with group size and trek frequency.
Operating Responsibly
Preparation is essential for anyone looking to sign up for a trek. Anyone can trek, but first they need to provide medical test reports from a certified doctor. These reports undergo verification before confirming any bookings.
This is the reason why AdvenThrill accept registrations a month in advance. This way, they have adequate time to evaluate each participant’s fitness.
Additionally, trekkers are encouraged to follow a 20-day fitness regime at home to adequately prepare for the trek’s physical challenges.
Finally, on the day of the trek, medical check-ups are performed to monitor oxygen levels, blood pressure, and other vital signs. If any participant is deemed unfit, they receive the necessary care at the base camp.
Levels of Trekking offered by AdvenThrill
At AdvenThrill, treks are classified into three levels:
- Beginner (up to 3,500 meters): For people who can walk for four to five hours daily.
- Moderate (above 3,500 meters): Must have prior experience in at least 5 beginner-level treks.
- Difficult (above 5,000 meters): Available only for individuals with a mountaineering course certification.
For a group of 15 trekkers, the company designates three trek leaders: one with a basic mountaineering course (assistant trek leader), another boasting advanced mountaineering qualifications (trek leader), and a specialist in search and rescue. Additionally, a cook, two helpers, porters, and more accompany the group. In total, team comprises around 12 dedicated staff members to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.
Climbing to the Peaks of Success
For Vijay, mountaineering transcends mere business; it embodies a profound mission. His Vision: To advance India in the global trekking stage without compromising with his commitment to ethical practices and safety.
In the 8 years since its founding, the AdvenThrill has successfully arranged treks in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Nepal.
The company has generated a revenue of Rs 10 crore, with Rs 45 lakh generated in the 2024 alone.
What’s Next?
Further, leader Vijay is looking forward to identifying and developing new, uncharted trekking routes. WHY?
Simple, he wants to enhance recognition and create sustainable income for local communities.
Through each carefully charted trail and intentional adventure, Vijay is not merely guiding trekkers; he is reshaping the future of Indian mountaineering. A young man who once found solace in the forests of Dehradun, he has transformed his journey into a mission to lead others back to nature—with intention, safety, and genuine passion.
