Wandering Boots

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Meet the team

Ankit Naithani

Founder | Mountain Guide | Trip Leader

Wandering Boots Adventures was founded in 2017 by Ankit Naithani, who continues to lead the organisation as its director, mountain guide, and principal trip leader. Ankit plays a central role in shaping every journey — from expedition planning and operations to guiding teams on the ground and working closely with trekkers.

Driven by a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Ankit left his engineering career in Mumbai to pursue mountain guiding full-time. He completed his Basic and Advanced Mountaineering Courses, Trip Leader Course, and Wilderness First Responder certification, and further strengthened his instructional training through the Alaska Instructor Course with NOLS (USA). His work in the mountains is guided by discipline, preparation, and a deep respect for terrain, weather, and people.

Ankit’s interests extend beyond trekking alone. He is equally drawn to wildlife, jungle trails, summit expeditions, rock and ice climbing, cultural immersion, and community-based travel. His core motivation lies in facilitating meaningful outdoor experiences — journeys that connect people not only to landscapes, but to perspective, humility, and personal growth.

Under his leadership, Wandering Boots has guided multiple summits including Stok Kangri, Friendship Peak, Mentok Kangri II, Patalsu Peak, Yunam Peak, and Kang Yatse, along with demanding high-altitude traverses such as Auden’s Col, Kalindi Khal, and Pin Parvati Pass. Wandering Boots has also guided successful international expeditions on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, and the Manaslu Circuit, and the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. What began as a one-person initiative has grown into a capable and trusted team committed to safe, thoughtful, and immersive outdoor experiences — each journey reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to safety, integrity, and depth of experience.

JASPAL SINGH (JOHN)

Lead Guide | Trip Leader

Barely recognisable as Jaspal Singh, John is our lead guide and trip leader — a mountain native originally from Mana, the last village of India on the Indo–Tibet border in Uttarakhand. Raised in the high Himalayas, he has spent years exploring varied terrains and leading expeditions across India and Nepal. His journeys have taken him from the forests of Singalila National Park in Sikkim to the cold desert landscapes of Tsomoriri in Ladakh, from snow-lashed approaches to Trisul Base Camp to high mountain traverses like Pin Parvati Pass, and into remote valleys of Kashmir and beyond.

John’s experience is reinforced by strong technical training. He has completed his Basic Mountaineering Course from JIM & WS, a Rock Climbing Course from SVIM Rajasthan, Basic and Intermediate Skiing Courses from ABVIMAS Manali, and the Low Altitude Guide Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. He is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and Responsible Adventure Tourism Guiding through the Hanifl Centre. In addition to guiding treks, John has climbed multiple 6000m peaks including Stok Kangri, Kang Yatse II, Mentok Kangri I & II, and Deo Tibba, and has attempted Mount Trishul (7000m). His expedition experience includes demanding high-altitude routes such as Auden’s Col, Kalindi Khal, Pin Parvati Pass, Pin Bhaba Pass, Roti Saddle, and the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal.

Traveling extensively through these regions has given him deep field knowledge, instinctive mountain judgment, and an intuitive understanding of terrain and weather. On the trail, he is known for his calm presence, practical wisdom, and ability to share stories and insights that connect trekkers more deeply to the mountains they walk through.

AJIT SINGH

Technical Mountain Guide

Fondly known as Chattan Singh, Ajit is our technical mountain guide, recognised for his precision, discipline, and strong command over mountaineering systems. His clean rope work, attention to detail, and calm focus in high-altitude environments make him a reassuring presence on demanding terrain. With Ajit on the mountain, trekkers are supported by a guide who prioritises safety, preparation, and technical excellence.

Originally from Uttarkashi, Ajit began working in the outdoors immediately after completing his Basic Mountaineering Course, and later strengthened his training through the Advanced Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). With over four years of field experience, he has guided across diverse Himalayan landscapes including the Chadar Trek, Trisul Base Camp, and Goechala, and has summited peaks such as Mentok Kangri, Friendship Peak, Kang Yatse, and Deo Tibba. His expedition experience also includes demanding high-altitude passes like Kalindi Khal and Auden’s Col, reflecting his comfort in technical and remote terrain.

Ajit brings quiet confidence, discipline, and deep mountain instinct to every expedition — qualities that define a dependable technical guide.

AVTAR RANA SINGH

Lead Guide | Trip Leader

Avtar Rana Singh is a Lead Guide and Trip Leader at Wandering Boots Adventures, known for his steady presence and dependable leadership on the trail. Having spent years working across different regions of the Himalayas, he brings practical mountain judgment and field experience to every expedition he supports.

He has guided and assisted expeditions across varied Himalayan landscapes including Goechala, Pin Parvati Pass, Mentok Kangri, the Great Lakes of Kashmir, and Trisul Base Camp, gaining valuable experience in both high-altitude terrain and remote trekking routes.

Avtar has completed the Low Altitude Guide Course (2021) and the Basic Mountaineering Course (2022) from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, and further strengthened his leadership skills through the Trek Leader Course (TLC) from the Hanifl Centre (2025). His calm approach, discipline, and respect for the mountains make him a reliable member of the Wandering Boots team.

Bharat Bhushan

Group Co-ordinator | Backend Operations Co-Manager

Originally from Shimla, Bharat has been part of the Wandering Boots Adventures team since June 2022 and plays a key role in our backend operations. He manages group coordination and ensures smooth logistical planning, acting as a dependable bridge between trekkers and the on-ground team.

Bharat brings strong technical training to his role, having completed his Basic and Advanced Mountaineering Courses from ABVIMAS, Manali, and a Search & Rescue certification from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi. He has also completed the Trek Leader Course (TLC) from the Henifl Centre and a certified First Aid course with ATOAI, Delhi. Prior to joining the backend team, he worked extensively as a guide on prominent trekking routes with Wandering Boots, giving him deep practical understanding of trail operations and safety.

His reliability, field experience, and calm coordination make him an essential part of every journey we run.

Pankhi Kaushal

Client Relations | Trek Consultant

Pankhi Kaushal is part of the Wandering Boots Adventures team, managing client enquiries and onboarding trekkers with clarity, patience, and attention to detail. Based in Dehradun, she is often the first point of contact for those beginning their journey with us.

With a thorough understanding of our treks and programs, Pankhi plays a key role in helping trekkers choose the experience best suited to their interests, fitness levels, and expectations. Her calm, friendly approach and willingness to guide every query—no matter how small—ensure that participants feel confident and well-informed before stepping into the mountains.

Akanksha Trivedi

Trip Leader

Akanksha is a Trip Leader at Wandering Boots Adventures, known for transforming every trek into a holistic experience that blends learning, discipline, and fun. A trained mountaineer, she has completed her Basic Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarakhand, and her Advanced Mountaineering Course from Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM), Jammu & Kashmir. She is also certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), strengthening her ability to manage safety and emergency situations on the trail.

In addition to her mountaineering background, Akanksha is a certified yoga instructor, often leading early morning stretching and breathing sessions that help trekkers prepare both physically and mentally for the day ahead. She brings a rare balance of discipline, warmth, and playfulness to every journey, making her both a dependable leader and a joy to trek with.

Arvind Rana

Camp Manager | Local Guide (Uttarkashi)

Arvind Rana, fondly known as Avi, is from Uttarkashi and leads camp management for our specialised programs, including Golden Agers and Family Treks. A natural host at heart, Avi is known for creating camps that feel welcoming, comfortable, and thoughtfully run. From warm meals on the trail to well-managed premium campsites, his attention to detail ensures trekkers feel cared for and comfortable every step of the journey.

RAVI THAKUR

On-ground Operations | Local Guide (Manali)

Ravi Thakur has been associated with Wandering Boots Adventures since its inception and is a key pillar of our on-ground operations in treks around Manali and Lahaul. He oversees logistics and field coordination, ensuring every trek runs smoothly even in the most remote mountain regions. Known for his reliability and problem-solving approach, Ravi works tirelessly behind the scenes to create safe, efficient, and seamless outdoor experiences.