There’s a special kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly where you are in the wild, not because a guide told you, not because a blue dot is moving on your phone, but because you can read the land beneath your feet.
Most hikers don’t realise how quickly things can change out there.
A fresh layer of snow.
A trail that fades into a meadow.
A ridge that splits into three.
One wrong turn and suddenly nothing around you looks familiar.
That’s the moment you understand something simple:
You never want to depend on luck or someone else to get you home.
Navigation isn’t just a skill.
It’s freedom.
It’s awareness.
It’s the difference between being taken on a trek and truly travelling through the outdoors.
Navigation 101 is where you learn that difference, how to read a map, use a compass, interpret terrain, and trust yourself even when the trail disappears, and the mountains stop giving you straightforward answers.
Why We’re Running This Course
Most trekking in India is “follow the crowd.”
Someone else knows the route. You walk.
But absolute outdoor confidence comes from self-sufficiency:
Knowing how to read the terrain, understand direction, make calls, and stay calm when things stop looking obvious.
Navigation is the foundation of that confidence.
Whether you want to backpack, explore independently, or just understand the mountains better, this is where it begins.
This course brings those skills to people who want more than a packaged trek.
When & Where
Weekends of January–February.
Across the winter trails around Dehradun and Mussoorie.
We’ll confirm the exact location one week before, based on the weather and on which terrain offers the best learning: a ridge, a dense oak forest, or a hidden meadow network.
Wherever it is, navigation will matter.
Day 1
Saturday
- Meet at the designated trailhead
- Map reading & contour session
- How to orient a map
- Intro to compass fundamentals
- Terrain interpretation exercises
- Short navigation drills
- Evening debrief at the campsite.
- Overnight camping (twin-sharing tents)
Day 2
Sunday
- Morning warm-up drill
- Orienteering course — you navigate a short loop using a map + compass
- Feedback session
- Closing discussion on route planning & safety
- Lunch and depart
You should be comfortable with:
- Spending two days outdoors in winter conditions
- Walking 6–8 km a day on uneven trails
- Carrying a light daypack
- Basic physical fitness and willingness to move slowly and mindfully
You don’t need:
- Prior experience with maps or compasses
- Previous backpacking experience
- Advanced trekking fitness
- Special technical gear
What matters most:
- Curiosity and patience
- Willingness to learn by doing
- Comfort being off the main trail at times
- Openness to making decisions and learning from them
Inclusion
Exclusion
Do I need prior navigation experience to join?
Is this a classroom course or an outdoor one?
Will we use phones or GPS apps?
What kind of terrain will we be navigating?
Is it safe to “get lost” during the course?
What should I carry?
Is this course suitable for someone preparing for backpacking or longer treks?
SELECT DATE TO REGISTER
Thank You!
Your form has been submitted successfully. We'll get back to you soon.
₹ 5,499 + 5% GST
