Captain Swadesh Kumar

As a passionate traveler, I have traveled extensively within India and abroad for the last four and half decades. Capt. Kumar had the distinction of alone managing 17 climbing expeditions from different parts of the world, most of them to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary .

About Me

About Me

Capt. Swadesh Kumar, Founder of Shikhar Group of Companies, India (1979). Professionally a Pilot, Mountaineer, Environmentalist and Explorer. He is also the Founder of Shikhar Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd., a leading Destination Management Company and pioneer in Adventure Tourism with an experience of 39 years in the industry (since 1979) and the Founder President of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOA) and was its President for six years and is currently once again serving as its President

  • Name: Capt. Swadesh Kumar
  • Website: shikhar.com
  • Phone: +91 (0) 11 45512940

In 1974 Capt. kumar joined Cox & King, a travel company based in UK at their local office in Delhi as Mountaineer and Explorer to promote adventure tourism in India. At that time adventure tourism was little known in the tourism sector and was not very popular. Capt kumar, during his tenure, travelled extensively to Japan and Europe and gave lectures to different alpine clubs . As a result, during this period there was a commendable increase in the number of mountaineering expeditions to India. He also explored many new trekking routes, trails for camel safari in Rajasthan, sailing on the Ganges from Allahabad to Varanasi, new routes for bicycle tours and other adventure avenues. today these are major adventure activities in the country.

In 1979 ‘Capt kumar founded Shikhar travels, which has emerged as one of the biggest adventure tour companies in the country for organising climbing expeditions to the Indian Himalayas. It is a name to reckon within the field of professional adventure tours. He has organized and guided under his company over 300 climbing expeditions to the Indian Himalayas and has played a very important role in the promotion of adventure tourism.

Shikhar travels is the recipient of many national and international awards which includes award from the department of tourism for outstanding achievements in tourism, recognition from travel agents association of India for tourism promotion and award from SATTE (south Asia travel and tourism exchange ) as a boutique agency for services to the travel industry. Capt. Kumar is also the recipient of Hall Fame Award from Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.

He joined the Himalayan Environment Trust ( HET) as a member and is now one of its trustees to look after the travel industry and events. he is also a director of Gangotri cleaning project which is taking great interest in various environmental projects in the Himalayas. One of the important projects taken up by the trust was Gangotri Cleaning Project led by famous mountaineer Mr. Reinhold Messner.

Shikhar has been handling Mountaineering Expeditions and Trekking in the Indian Himalayas ever since its inception and had the privilege of being associated with world renowned Mountaineers like late Sir Edmund Hillary, Mr. Reinhold Messner, Mrs. Junko Tabei, Mr. Carlos Buhler and so on. The company has handled a large number of trekking expeditions and also found new trails and routes in the Indian Himalayas.

Apart from Shikhar Travels, Capt swadesh Kumar's efforts for the development of tourism has always been balanced with his concern for the environment and anxiety to create employment in areas of low opportunities and high exploitation such as mountain regions and desert areas. his thrust has been on creative research venturing into new areas and evolving new programmes, focusing on off-peak marketing, thereby expanding the tourism base for India.

Capt. Swadesh Kumar

Man with a Mission

As A Passionate Traveler, I Have Traveled Extensively Within India And Abroad.

Pilot, Mountaineer, Environmentalist, Explorer.

Capt. Swadesh Kumar, Founder of Shikhar Group of Companies, India (1979) is a man with a multiple personality.

Education

Commercial Pilot & Punjab University

1971 - 1972

A graduate in science from Punjab University and a qualified commercial pilot – he got his flying license in 1971 and joined the Rajasthan Flying Club as a Flight Instructor and worked as a Freelance Pilot for many years until 1986. From this beginning he has gone on to become a Pioneer and a leading name in Adventure Travel, Tourism promotion, Mountaineering and Environmental issues.

Professional Pursuits

1975 - 1979

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

From 1975 To 1979, He Worked With Cox & King, One Of The Leading Travel Companies In India. One Of His Main Responsibilities Was Promoting Adventure Tourism, Especially Mountaineering Expeditions To The Indian Himalayas For Mountaineers And Explorers From Different Parts Of World.

During This Period, He Travelled Extensively In Different Parts Of The World And Gave Lectures At Many Alpine Clubs Especially In Japan. In 1977, He Had The Distinction Of Handling Single Handedly 17 Climbing Expeditions From Different Parts Of The World And Most Of Them Were To Nanda Devi Sanctuary.

From The Very Beginning Of His Career, (1974-79) He Promoted And Pioneered Many Routes And Trails . He Was The First One To Promote Camel Safari In The Thar Deserts Of Rajastjan Forforeign Tourists. (With His Efforts The Business Of International Mountaineering Expedition Reached To A Commandable Heights).

Adventure Beckons

Capt. Kumar's Interest In Trekking And Climbing Expeditions Started In 1969 When He Joined The Delhi Mountaineering Association (Dma) As Its Member. He Was Elected Its Life Memebr In 1971.

His First Encounter With The Indian Himalayas Was In 1970 When He Joined The Expedition Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association From Barmacer To Manali Via Kauri Pass In Himachal Pradesh.

In 1973 He Was A Member Of The Successful Indian School Boys' Expedition To Black Peak Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association. This Was Organised Under The Guidance Of Mr Jack Gibb, Shin Dass And Hari Dang.

In 1974, He Did His Basic Mountaineering Course In Darjeeling Under The Guidance Of Late Shri Tenzingh Norgay And Had The Distinction Of Being The Top To Vidhan Chand Peak. He Was Also The Quarter Master And Completed The Course With 'a' Grade.

He Was The Administrative Officer Of ‘ All India Women's Expedition’to Makarbay In Himachal Pradesh Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association In 1975.

In 1978 He Led The Delhi Mountaineering Association's Expedition To Mt. 48 & Mt. 49 In Himachal Pradesh.

Recognition Of The Company

Shikhar Travels Has Been Awarded The National Tourism Award By Ministry Of Tourism, Government Of India For Outstanding Achievements In Tourism In 2003. The Company Has Also Received A Certificate Of Recognition From The Travel Agents Association Of India During1993-94 For Tourism Promotion

Achievements

  • Founder Member Of India Convention Promotion Bureau (Icpb), The Apex Body For Promoting Conferences In India,. Its Vice Chairman For Four Years (2002-2006). Currently Its Governing Board Member. (As Its Vice Chairman And Convention Chairman Of ‘convention India’ , He Was Responsible For The Revival Of Icpb And Bringing It To National And International Prominence In The Mice Industry)
  • Founder President, Of Adventure Tour Operators Association Of India (Atoa) Which Is The National Body Of Adventure Tour Operators.
  • President Of American Society Of Travel Agents (Asta) India Chapter For Four Years (2003-2007)
  • Elected As Chairman Of The International Chapter Presidents Council (Icpc) Of Asta During 2006-07, And Served On Its Board.
  • Closely Associated With The Rotary Movement In India. Charter Member Of Rotary Club Of Delhi South Metropolitan, District 3010.Held The Position Of Assistant Governor (Ag) In District 3010 During 2002-2003 . Organised Rotary International Council Of Legislation (Col) In India In 1999 And Other Rotary Events At National And International Levels.
  • An Active Member Of Icca, He Has Attended Icca World Congresses In Rhode Island, Greece And In Pattaya, Where He Was A Table Moderator. Was Responsible For Inviting Icca Specialists For India Educational Workshop Through Icpb And Icca India Chapter.
  • Hony. Secretary Of Indian Associationof Tour Operators (Iato) Which Is The National Body Of Tour Operators, During 1986-91.
  • Elected As Fellow Of The Royal Geographical Society, Uk, In 1988.
  • Founder Member Of Youth Exploring Society (Yes) And Became Its Vice President. This Society Has Been Actively Promoting Adventure Tourism For Youth Within India Had Worked Closely With British School Exploring Society.
  • Life Member Of Delhi Mountaineering Association Since 1971.
  • Member Of Delhi Management Association.
  • Member Of World Wildlife Fund (W.w.f.)
  • Life Member Of Himalayan Club.
  • member Of Himalayan Trust (Het) Which Had Undertaken The Nobel Project Of Cleaning The Gangotri Area.
  • Member Of Himalayan Association Of Japan
  • Worked As A Consultant For Undp/wto For Their Ppoject On Sustainable Tourism Development Plan For Nagaland'during 2004-2005.

Speeches

He Has Extensively Travelled Within India And Abroad To Asia/pacific, Usa ,u.k& Europe. And Attended Many International Travel Conventions And Has Been Guest Speaker Of Many Such Events.

  • Was The Chairman Of 3rd Pata Adventure Travel &ecotourism Confernce& Mart Held In Calcutta In 1991.
  • Speaker At The Pata (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Adventure Travel Mart Held In Manila In 1994
  • Guest Speaker By Various Tourism Management Institutions In India Including I.i.t.t.m. (Indian Institute Of Travel & Tourism Management In Gwalior For Giving Lectures To The Students.
Photo Gallery

Capt. Glimpses

There are a few kinds of galleries, but the first is a part of a house or building that's unusually long and narrow.

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Capt. Swadesh Kumar

Capt. Swadesh Kumar

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Capt. Swadesh Kumar

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Arcilena

Traveller

This year my vacation I had decided to spend in Indian Himalayas. Looking for the local travel agency, I found Shikhar Travels. And that was the best choice indeed. First we started from the trekking: Mt. Stok Kangri 6153, and then moved to reach our final goal: Mt. Nun 7135 Amazing time with the best service I could imagine.

Sara Wilsson

Traveller

Shikhar delivered on its promises. All aspects of organisation excellent and fulfilled to my satisfaction (Permits, Accommodation, Health advice, Travel, etc.). A very rewarding adventure. I will have no hesitation in using the services of Shikhar again.

Michaela Kudláčová

Traveller

Hello, my husband and I were in India in March 2019. We asked Shikhar Travels for personal trip on the south India. We walked Bangalore-Mysore-Hassan-Hampi-Badami-Hubli and Goa. Everything was perfect. Agency care about us like queen and king. We are from Slovakia and don´t speak english. Some situations were funny. Their service was brilliant. Our driver, hotels, guides, food... perfect! People are very kindly, helpful. We hope, we will back for years and again with Shikhar. Recomend

Contact Me

Contact Me

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Email Me

swadesh@shikhar.com

Call Me

+91 (0) 11 45512940