Trekking Cougars is a close-knit community of outdoor enthusiasts passionate about DIY and alpine-style trekking adventures. For over a decade, we’ve explored India’s wilderness, with a special love for the majestic Himalayas.
Driven by sustainable tourism principles, we strive to minimize our environmental impact while immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature. Our core belief is in the interconnectedness of all living beings, inspiring us to create a harmonious balance where every creature can thrive.
To empower passionate adventurers with safe, immersive, and responsible trekking experiences throughout India’s most breathtaking landscapes. We champion eco-conscious exploration, fostering deep connections with local cultures, wildlife, and the spirit of the mountains.
Trekking Cougars goes beyond adventure. We are actively committed to:
Our Team Structure
We take immense pride in our diverse, skilled, and passionate team that powers India’s most thrilling adventure tourism experiences. Our workforce is strategically designed to blend expertise, agility, and innovation, ensuring every expedition we curate meets the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Here’s an inside look at how our team operates:
Our Core Team
Our 36-member core team is the heartbeat of Trekking Cougars. As full-time professionals, we work tirelessly behind the scenes to drive strategy, operations, and growth. Within this team, our senior leadership steers the company’s vision, financial health, and governance. The operations and logistics division meticulously plans routes, enforces safety protocols, and manages equipment for treks across India’s most challenging terrains.
Our marketing and sales experts craft compelling campaigns and nurture partnerships to connect adventurers with life-changing experiences, while the finance and administration team ensures seamless budgeting, compliance, and employee welfare.
Additionally, our tech specialists maintain user-friendly booking platforms and innovate new adventure packages, and the customer experience team personalizes itineraries and prioritizes feedback to deliver unforgettable journeys. Based at our headquarters, we collaborate daily to refine processes, train teams, and uphold Trekking Cougars’ reputation for excellence.
Our Part-Time Experts
With over 150 professionals in our ecosystem, we rely on a dynamic part-time workforce to adapt to seasonal demands and regional needs. This agile team includes certified adventure guides trained in mountaineering, rafting, and wilderness first aid, who lead expeditions with passion and precision.
Seasonal logistics coordinators manage transport, accommodation, and gear during peak trekking months, while local specialists, hired for their deep knowledge of regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Northeast India, add cultural authenticity to every trip. We continuously refresh this team, prioritizing certifications, experience, and alignment with our safety-first ethos.
Buds Internship Program
We are proud to nurture future talent through our Buds Program, offering 12 interns every quarter a platform to learn and grow. The program includes a 3-month rotation across departments like operations, marketing, and customer service, providing hands-on training in risk management, sustainable tourism, and itinerary design.
Each intern is paired with a core team member for mentorship, and standout performers receive competitive stipends and potential full-time roles. This initiative underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation of adventure tourism professionals.
Our Commitment to Growth
We invest relentlessly in our team’s development through quarterly skill-building workshops on crisis response, eco-tourism, and customer engagement. We sponsor guides for certifications like BMC and AMC and train teams in cutting-edge tools for booking management, GPS navigation, and data analytics. These efforts ensure our workforce remains at the forefront of industry advancements.
Leadership and Values
Guided by an advisory panel with decades of expertise in tourism and sustainability, we ensure ethical practices and innovation in every decision. Regional managers oversee on-ground operations, aligning field teams with our mission to deliver safe, transformative adventures.
Why Choose Us?
At Trekking Cougars, our team is more than just employees. We are adventurers, innovators, and custodians of India’s wild spaces. Our structure combines stability, adaptability, and forward-thinking to create journeys that inspire trust and awe. Whether you’re a client, partner, or potential team member, we promise an experience rooted in professionalism, passion, and purpose.
Jograj, hailing from Chandigarh, a nature enthusiast and advocate for the transformative power of trekking. With a vision to share the joy of trekking and its profound impact on lives, Jograj founded Trekking Cougars in 2010. Believing trekking to be akin to meditation, he has led numerous expeditions, uncovering hidden trails in the Himalayas. Committed to preserving the beauty of nature, Jograj ensures that all expeditions are conducted with utmost respect for the environment, advocating against littering.
Vanshaj’s passion for the outdoors is evident in his success as Trekking Cougars’ Marketing and Sales Manager. His personal experience trekking with our team informs his creative marketing strategies, ensuring we reach adventurers who share our love for exploration. Vanshaj’s dedication to building strong relationships with clients and fostering brand growth is key to Trekking Cougars’ continued success. He’s always looking for new and innovative ways to connect with adventurous spirits.
Meet Gagandeep, our business analyst at Trekking Cougars. Gagandeep helps us understand the business landscape and guides us in reaching our vision. With Gagandeep’s insights, we navigate the trekking industry effectively, ensuring we’re on the right path to success. Her strategic thinking helps us identify new opportunities and adapt to market changes. She fosters innovation and helps us stay ahead of the curve.
Meet Navneet, Human Resources Manager at Trekking Cougars. Based in Bengaluru, she is dedicated to building a team as inspiring as the landscapes we share with our adventurers. She is focused on talent acquisition, employee growth, and ensuring a fulfilling work experience that attracts and retains passionate individuals who share a love for exploration and the outdoors.
Meet Sushil, our exceptional mountaineer and leader for treks above 15,000 ft. Despite his remarkable achievements, Sushil remains incredibly humble. His expertise has led countless expeditions for foreign clients, including a memorable collaboration with the Discovery Channel team. With Sushil at the helm, every trek is an adventure filled with professionalism and warmth.
Simranjit is our customer service manager. She coordinates seamlessly with accommodation owners, local tour operators, and clients to ensure exceptional experiences across all Trekking Cougars offerings. She oversees every aspect of client support, whether it involves booking accommodation, guides, or treks. Her dedication ensures a smooth and memorable journey, from initial planning to post-trip follow-up. She is a skilled communicator, maintaining clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders.
Meet Karan, our seasoned trek leader for 15,000 ft level treks from the esteemed Gaddi Tribe. With a lifelong Himalayan journey starting from a young age, Karan’s expertise is unparalleled. Renowned for his numerous successful rescue operations, Karan is not just a leader but a beacon of hope. We’re proud to have Karan on our team, his sociable nature makes every trek a memorable adventure.
Meet Bhanuj, our dedicated fitness instructor at Trekking Cougars. Bhanuj ensures our clients are physically prepared and confident to embark on their trekking adventures. His expertise helps participants build strength, stamina, and flexibility, maximising their enjoyment and safety on the trail. With Bhanuj’s guidance, you can confidently tackle any challenge, knowing you’re in peak condition for an unforgettable experience.
Meet Desshraj, our experienced Trek Coordinator. At Trekking Cougars, Desshraj expertly manages all aspects of your trekking journey, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience. His skills in problem-solving and logistical planning build client confidence, maximizing your safety and enjoyment on the trail. With Desshraj’s meticulous coordination, you can focus on the adventure.
Introducing Kamalpreet, our skilled developer at Trekking Cougars. Kamalpreet builds and maintains the technology that powers our operations, ensuring a smooth experience for our clients and team members. His innovative solutions enhance our efficiency and allow us to adapt to changing technological demands. Kamalpreet is instrumental in providing the latest and greatest technological advancements.
Introducing Ankush, our talented e-commerce developer at Trekking Cougars. Ankush is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining our online store, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for our customers. His expertise in both front-end and back-end development allows him to create a user-friendly interface while optimizing performance and security.
At Trekking Cougars, we believe that the thrill of the trek doesn’t end on the trail. We’ve built a vibrant community where the spirit of exploration lives on – a space for passionate adventurers like you.
Ways to Become a Part of Our Community
As a member of our community, you’ll enjoy perks that elevate your trekking adventures: