OutBound Training Programmes
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs Why Clients choose Us ?
I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.
-Carl Jung
History Of Outbound
Outbound learning was setup to toughen young cadets for the Second World War. Kurt Hahn an esteemed and innovative educator developed a programme to address the challenge. After the World War, the impact of this medium on both body and mind and its lasting benefits was appreciated and acknowledged by all. Starting with schools and institutions in Britain, this medium later found its way for adult learning in the Industry.
The Bharat Story
From 1985, the team of High Places conducted Himalayan treks for British/European clients and curriculum based School children camps through Ranphool. The story of Outbound Learning Programme for corporate groups began in 1989.
On 27th September 1989, India’s first ever Outdoor based Management Development Programme (OMDP) was conducted by High Places for 15 Senior Leaders and Managers from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. This day is now celebrated as High Places Day.
Starting with 3 programmes in the first year, High Places now conducts over 800 programmes every year for various levels of management for a wide range of Industry segments.
Started by IITian Vasant Limaye along with Psychology researcher and Teacher, Mrunal Paranjape and few enthusiasts. Today High Places has a team of over 175 members that includes over 20 Facilitators, more than 75 Outdoor Experts, a large team to manage its unique purpose built programme venue ‘Garudmaachi’ and a team that manages operations at the main office.
Team High Places
The true strength of High Places is its people, who make every programme a great value adding experience for every client and every participant. One common aspect of the team is its passion and commitment. Getting closer to about 200 members, the team includes Facilitators, Outdoor Experts, Garudmaachi staff, Office staff, support staff and associate staff.
Vasant Limaye
Chairman, Facilitator
Mrunal Paranjape
Managing Director, Facilitator
Prem Magdum
Chief Operating Officer, Facilitator
Milind Kirtane
Director, Facilitator
Santosh Shahasane
General Manager – Garudmaachi
Mayur Kadam
Asst. Manager, Garudmaachi
Vinu Baraf
Asst. Manager Housekeeping, Garudmaachi.
Anish Parshurami
Manager – Outdoors
C. Ravindranath
Facilitator
Shashank Joshi
Facilitator
Surendra Chavan
Facilitator
Pushkaraj Apte
Facilitator
Jeetendra Deshmukh
Facilitator
Shekhar Manelkar
Facilitator
Sanjay Doiphode
Facilitator
Prashant Joshi
Facilitator
Abhinav Kandarp
Facilitator
Abhishek Dubey
Facilitator
Rajesh Abhyankar
Facilitator
Vandana Sharma
Manager Client Relations & IT
Amol Pendse
Manager Operations & Client Relations & Facilitator
Sharmila Devdhar
Manager Client Relations & Admin
Indrajeet Pawar
Manager Outdoors and Procurement & Facilitator.
Paritosh Pradhan
Marketing Operations, Facilitator
High Places Is Valued For
Excellence in training and facilitation
The thoughtful and wide range of offerings
Vast and varied experience
Keenness to take on new challenges
High standards of safety
Sensitivity to nature and environment
Our Core
We spend time and energy to understand our client
We offer personal attention and care
We welcome feedback to better ourselves
We respect the customs and traditions of the locations we use
We preserve the landscape in the same natural state as we found it
Our Core
We spend time and energy to understand our client
We offer personal attention and care
We welcome feedback to better ourselves
We respect the customs and traditions of the locations we use
We preserve the landscape in the same natural state as we found it
Vasant Limaye
Chairman and Facilitator
Mrunal Paranjape
Managing Director & Facilitator
Premjit Magdum
COO & Facilitator
Milind Kirtane
Director & Facilitator
Rajesh Abhyankar
Facilitator
Paritosh Pradhan
Facilitator
Santosh Shahasane
Site Manager Garudmaachi
Mayur Kadam
Asst. Manager Garudmaachi
Vinu Baraf
Manager Housekeeping
Amol Pendse
Manager Operations & Client Relations
Indrajeet Pawar
Manager Outdoor & Purchase
Anish Parshurami
Manager Outdoors
Vandana Sharma
Manager Client Relations & IT
Sharmila Devdhar
Manager Client Relations & Admin
Surendra Chavan
Facilitator
Sanjay Doiphode
Facilitator
C. Ravindranath
Facilitator
Vasant Limaye
Chairman and Facilitator
Mrunal Paranjape
Managing Director & Facilitator
Premjit Magdum
COO & Facilitator
Milind Kirtane
Director & Facilitator
Rajesh Abhyankar
Facilitator
Paritosh Pradhan
Facilitator
Santosh Shahasane
Site Manager Garudmaachi
Mayur Kadam
Asst. Manager Garudmaachi
Vinu Baraf
Manager Housekeeping
Amol Pendse
Manager Operations & Client Relations
Indrajeet Pawar
Manager Outdoor & Purchase
Anish Parshurami
Manager Outdoors
Vandana Sharma
Manager Client Relations & IT
Sharmila Devdhar
Manager Client Relations & Admin
Surendra Chavan
Facilitator
Sanjay Doiphode
Facilitator
C. Ravindranath
Facilitator
Our Milestones
27th September 1989 till date…
In 1989, both Vasant and Mrunal spent days and months meeting different organizations to share how this new concept and the learning medium could add value to their managers and organizations. After the first few programmes for Bharat Petroleum and a group of Behavioural Scientists, the journey filled with interesting milestones began for High Place…
Chapter One: 1989 – 1999
- India’s first Outdoor Learning Programme was conducted at Rajmaachi.
- After Rajmaachi (near Lonavala), Malshej Ghat became the next preferred location.
- First dedicated site leased and developed at Khanapur, near Khadakwasla, Pune.
- Bhilar (Mahabaleshwar) Campsite was the next to be developed.
- First Outdoor Learning Programme conducted in South India at Muthathi, Karnataka.
- The MTDC resort on Fort Sinhagad, Pune was taken over, renovated, and renamed ‘The Mountain Hut’, the home for many OMDPs for next 10 years.
- First overseas Outdoor Learning Programme was conducted in Sri Lanka.
Chapter Two: 2000 – 2009
- High Places organised the first of its kind Seminar on ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ for Outdoor Experts.
- First Outdoor Learning Programme conducted in East India near Tarkhola.
- High Places conceptualised and created ‘Garudmaachi’, the first and only of its kind purpose-built Outdoor Development Centre in the Tamhini Ghat, near Pune.
- A unique outdoor challenge ‘Garud Bharari’ was organised as a developmental programme for our Outdoor Experts.
- Organised a special business presentation by Sir Chris Bonington to support the Himalayan Club.
- First Outdoor Learning Programme conducted in The Sultanate of Oman with partner BTME.
- The Management Development Centre was added to Garudmaachi.
Chapter Three: 2010 onwards
- Garudmaachi was honoured with TESE Merit Certificate for the best Eco-friendly Architecture in natural habitat. High Places MD, Ms. Mrunal Paranjape was honoured with AESA Award for Landscaping and Designing Spaces at Garudmaachi.
- High Places completed 25 years in 2014. A special symposium was organised and over 250 significant persons from various organisations, outdoor companies and consultants graced this event.
- Garudmaachi hosted the ‘International Raptors Conference’ for over 100 delegates from over 20 countries.
- First Outdoor Learning Programme was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Garud Bharari – 2 was organised.
- Conducted a Specially Designed Outdoor Learning Programme for the Indian Cricket Team at Garudmaachi.
- Conducted a unique 8 weeks ‘Trans Himalayan Road Expedition – Himayatra’ spanning 12500 kms.
- Garud Bharari – 3 was organised.
- Supported villages near Garudmaachi through the tough times of pandemic and Nisarga Cyclone.
and the story continues..
Our Team
Today organisations thrive on change for which they need visionary leadership, effective and passionate team players and innovators. The key lies in developing effective people, as nothing can be achieved unless people are equipped to face the challenges offered by the environment.
Hence clients approach High Places for the uniqueness of its team and offerings.
The true strength of High Places is its people, who make every programme a great and value adding experience. One common aspect of the team is its passion and commitment. Getting closer to about 200 members, the team includes Facilitators, Outdoor Experts, Garudmaachi staff, Office staff, support staff and associate staff. The motto of team High Places is – ‘We are Good’.
