Name: Darjeeling
Rating: 4.3

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Overview

Located in Darjeeling, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is recognized as one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. Established on 4th November 1954, the primary purpose of this initiative was to encourage, enhance and support the interest of the people in the sport of mountaineering, and to channel the abundant energy of the youth into a productive and self-awarding sport. Aspiring mountaineers from all over the world come to this institute to develop their skills.

Besides being one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has become a significant tourist attraction on account of its picturesque setting in the hill station of Darjeeling. The magnificent view of the 8586-meter high peak of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, from this institute is genuinely mesmerizing.

In the field of adventure, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute aims at developing mountaineering as a sport of scientific and entrepreneurial pursuit. A mountaineer doesn't just climb mountains, he understands them. He feels the earth beneath his feet and pampers it. Mountaineering is a scientifically artful sport that needs intensive training and deliberate technique, and this is where this grand institute comes in.

In the 63 years existence, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has trained over 45000 students including 2500 aspirants from different countries of the globe. The thrill of mountaineering; of climbing snow clad mountains through the raw landscape in the midst of untouched nature is one that can't be expressed by mere words. This is an adventure of a lifetime and for a lifetime.

1. Museum

Every year nearly half a million tourists, mountaineers and researchers visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute museum to admire the exhibits that preserve the art, culture and developments in th (Read More)e sport of mountaineering. The museum is divided into three sections- Mountaineering History, Mount Everest Expedition and A Panorama of Himalayan Life. It is situated on a slight pedestal in the middle of the institute with the magnificent Kanchenjunga in the backdrop.

The HMI has in it a well-stocked library with over 2800 books on a wide range of subjects- mainly on mountaineering, travel, geology, exploration, flora, etc.

3. Auditorium

The institute's auditorium can accommodate 225 students at a time and is used to play short training films, lectures and other demonstrations.

4. Souvenir shop

The souvenir shop holds various mementoes and memorabilia for students and visitors and sells them at subsidised prices.

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History of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Acknowledging the remarkable feat of ascending the 8848 meters tall Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, our visionary Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, teamed with then Chief Minister of West Bengal to establish the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

The institute was first set up at Roy Villa in Lebong Cart Road, where the great disciple of Vivekanandaanadji, Sister Nivedita spent her last few days. In no time, the institute had become the centre of excellence in the growing sport of mountaineering and had ignited the fire of conquering mountains and pursuing new challenges in the minds of the young.

After Sister Nivedita passed away, the institute was moved to its present location. Since Darjeeling was the hometown of Tenzing Norgay and a beautiful town cradled amidst the majestic Himalayas, they decided to set up this iconic institute there. Post the Everest expedition, Tenzing Norgay spent most of his time at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute as the Director of Field Training.

Courses Offered at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

They say, 'Life is an adventure or nothing', and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute lives by this rule. This renowned establishment helps and guides all its students to develop necessary skill sets and techniques to challenge adventures and tackle them head-on. Adventure courses that take over the student with adrenaline while performing activities like trekking, camping, rock craft and water sports are introduced that help build comradeship, tolerance, discipline, and self-reliance. Basic and advance mountaineering courses for aspiring mountaineers and specialized courses for differently abled students are a part of this institute's carefully planned and effective curriculum.

16 scheduled courses are offered here, apart from the special courses organised on demand from time to time. The most popular courses are the 28-day Basic Mountaineering Course (include acclimatisation, theoretical training, trekking, and field training), the 28-day Advance Mountaineering Course (makes one an expert mountaineer), Adventure Courses (rock climbing, camping and other outbound adventure activities) and the courses offered for the visually impaired people.

Training Area at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The training area of this institute is equipped with state of the art training equipment, updated with the latest technologies and provisions to make sure that the experience for students is made as enjoyable and convenient as possible. In fact, Jaya Memorial Fund Store in the equipment wing lets tourists and adventure lovers rent this equipment for a taste of the adrenaline. This material is hired on a first come first serve basis. Obstacle courses, indoor training areas, outdoor training areas, gyms, training walls, Tenzing Rocks, Gombu Rocks; the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has everything you possibly need to become a successful mountaineer.

How To Reach Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The institute is situated on the birch hill park. You can either walk for about 30 minutes on Jawahar road and reach the institute or rent a cab, park it alongside and then walk 5-6 minutes.