Few people are aware of mountaineering institutes and careers in mountaineering in India. This is because people consider it a risky and less lucrative career. But over the years, mountaineering and trekking have grown highly in India. Due to which more career opportunities developed in this field.
As a result, today many youngsters want to pursue a career in mountaineering or trekking. But still, there is a huge shortage of information on institutes and careers in mountaineering.
So, this article lists the best mountaineering institutes in India where one can begin their adventurous journey.
Nehru Institute of mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

This institute is set up in the foothills of the Gharwal Himalayas. It is one of the best mountaineering institutes in India. The institute is also the most prestigious mountaineering institute in Asia.
At this institute, candidates train in the following courses :
- Basic Mountaineering Course
- Advance Mountaineering Course
- Method of instruction Course
- Adventure Course
During these courses, young mountainers equip themselves with various skills like rock climbing, rappelling, ice craft, etc. Apart from these courses, the institute also conducts
- Skiing course
- Search and Rescue course
For more details of courses, visit NIM.
Himalayan mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, West Bengal

Setup in 1954, HMI is the first mountaineering institute in India. It is located in the picturesque hills of Darjeeling and offers a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
This Institute offers courses like
- Adventure course
- Basic Mountaineering course
- Advance Mountaineering course
- Method Of Instruction course
During these courses, the candidate trains in the Kanchenjunga National Park and Rathong Glacier in West Sikkim. They also train candidates in special courses, like sports climbing, rock climbing, etc.
For more courses detail visit HMI.
Jawahar Institute of mountaineering And Winter Sports(JIM &WS), Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
This institute came into existence in 1983, as the third mountaineering institute in India. It is set up on the lines of HMI and NIM to provide training in different adventure sports in one place.
Courses offered at this institute are adventure course, mountaineering course and Basic, Intermediate, Advance skiing course. The Institute also conducts special courses in adventure, river rafting, and paragliding.
To know more, details visit JIM.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, Himachal Pradesh
ABVIMAS is the largest adventure sports training centre in India. It is set up in the beautiful town of Manali in Kullu valley and has nine sub-centres all over Himachal.
This institute trains in adventure sports like Mountaineering, Skiing, Water and Aero Sports. And has trained over 40,000 people till now.
For more information, visit ABVIMAS.
National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh
This institute is the first of its kind that offers courses across all adventure sports. It is also the youngest mountaineering institutes in India set up in the year 2013.
NIMAS campus is spread over an area of 52 acres, which provides enough area to train in different sports. Apart from the general mountaineering course other courses offered at this institute are the Paragliding course, Mountain Terrain Biking course, Scuba Diving course, Water Rafting course, and Para Motor course.
To know more visit NIMAS.
Hanifel Centre – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Mussoorie, Hanifel is the only institute in India accredited by the Association for Experiential Education(AEE).
This institute offers courses in wilderness medicine and outdoor. Among outdoor courses offered are the Outdoor Leadership Course (OLC) and Trek Leader Course (TLC). The instructors and the facilities at this institute are world-class. So, if you are looking for a trek leader course, Hanifel Center is the best.
To know more, visit Hanifel.
These are the various institutes in India where one can enrol to certify as a mountaineer. But before enrolling, ensure one thing. Admission to these institutes is on the first-cum-first-serve basis due to limited seats. So, you need to apply for the course at least 1 year to 1.5 years before the course date to ensure your seat.