He Quit Banking at 23 for the Mountains. Now He Runs a Rs 10 Cr Trekking Company

 

Vijay Pratap Singh left his banking career at 23 to build ‘AdvenThrill’, a trekking company dedicated to making Indian mountaineering safer and globally recognised. Here’s how he’s mapping new trails and transforming adventure tourism.

For most Indians, a secure corporate job with a good salary is often seen as the ultimate dream, a safe, stable path to a successful life. But for Vijay Pratap Singh (31), true fulfilment lay beyond cubicles and office corridors. 

At just 23, he quit his banking job to pursue a different kind of climb: founding ‘AdvenThrill’, an adventure travel company on a mission to place India firmly on the global trekking map.

Born in a small UP village, Bulandshahr, Vijay’s early education was rooted in a Hindi-medium school. “I studied till Class 8 in my village, but in 2005, I moved to Dehradun for my studies.” 

Although he describes himself as an average student, it was sports and nature that drew him in. Dehradun’s proximity to the mountains ignited a passion that never left him. “I used to escape into forests and mountains whenever I could,” Vijay tells The Better India.

In 2012, he graduated in Information Technology (IT) from Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University and began working with HCL in Hyderabad. However, adjusting to life in the southern city proved tough. “It was difficult to manage food and the language,” he recalls. At the time, nature became his solace, and weekends offered him the perfect escape into the wilderness. “I was interested in wildlife photography at the time, so I used to explore nearby forests.” 

Vijay found solace in trekking and nature wherever he went.

Vijay found solace in trekking and nature wherever he went.

Eager to grow professionally, Vijay took the MAT (Management Aptitude Test) and pursued a master’s in international business from Chandigarh University. During his final year, he was working with Kotak Mahindra Bank in Pune, where he gained a front-row seat to how businesses operated. “Through those client conversations, I learned about business strategies, challenges, and management,” he shares.

Despite doing well in his banking role, a piece of his heart remained in the mountains. “I continued hiking and trekking with my friends,” says Vijay, who refused to let go of his connection with the outdoors.

At AdvenThrill, treks are classified into three levels:

Beginner (up to 3,500 metres): Suitable for those who can walk for four to five hours daily.

Moderate (above 3,500 metres): Requires prior experience in at least five beginner-level treks.

Difficult (above 5,000 metres): Open only to individuals with a mountaineering course certification.

For a group of 15 trekkers, the company assigns three trek leaders — one with a basic mountaineering course (assistant trek leader), one with an advanced mountaineering qualification (trek leader), and one specialising in search and rescue. “We also send a cook, two helpers, porters, etc. In total, we have around 12 staff members ensuring a safe and enjoyable trek,” Vijay shares.

Putting India’s trekking potential on the world stage

For Vijay, mountaineering is more than a business; it’s a mission. He aims to put India on the global trekking map while prioritising safety and ethical practices. “Many trekking businesses skip safety standards,” he says. “It’s important to have qualified trek leaders who can guide participants properly.” 

“Mountains will be here for a long time — you can visit them frequently. But life is not like that. Safety should always come first.”

– Vijay

In the past eight years, Vijay’s company has organised treks across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Nepal, generating a collective revenue of Rs 10 crore, with Rs 45 lakh in the last year alone. “We focus on quality over quantity, limiting ourselves to 10 to 20 treks per year to ensure the best experience,” he shares. 

Looking ahead, Vijay wants to map and open new, unexplored trekking routes to bring more recognition and sustainable income to local communities. “By developing these trails, we can bring recognition to India’s vast trekking potential,” he explains. It’s a slow process, involving advanced GPS mapping and extensive groundwork, but one that could transform the trekking landscape in India.

Vijay firmly believes that India has the potential to rival global trekking destinations if the right safety measures and infrastructure are put in place. “If we can address the gaps in the trekking sector, such as setting up a robust rescue system, we can attract more international trekkers.”

With every mapped trail and mindful expedition, Vijay isn’t just guiding trekkers — he’s rewriting the future of Indian mountaineering. For a young man who once sought escape in the forests of Dehradun, this journey has become a way to lead others back to the wild — with purpose, safety, and heart.

Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Vijay Pratap Singh.