Nag Tibba Trek

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The Best Weekend Trek near Mussoorie

Nag Tibba Trek offers a great mountain camping experience and snow trail. Our campsites provide breathtaking views of the forest canopy and Himalayas, perfect for bird watching & photography. Nag Tibba offers scenic and pristine camping on snow covered meadows. The trek gives you an adventurous opportunity to climb the Nag Tibba peak (9,915 feet) which is the highest in the lower Garhwal mountain range of the Himalayas.

TrailHikers invites you to the Nag Tibba Trek in Winter 2022. This satisfying circuit used to be a classic three day trek but now, with motor roads reaching the furthest village, you can be at the base of the mountain in a morning’s jeep ride from Mussoorie. However the fact remains that four good reasons for doing this trek are still valid: Nag Tibba is a few feet short (9915ft) of the magical 10,000 ft mark. The mountain’s mixed oak and deodar forests are dense and isolated, and host to a rich variety of birds and wildlife.

It has a romantic association with Heinrich Harrer’s best-selling Seven Years in Tibet as he escaped, in 1944, from a Dehradun prisoner of war camp. And it possesses a unique cultural identity where the Garhwali lifestyle, traditionally based on reverence for the Ganga, has been influenced by her younger sister the Yamuna. The village of Lakhamandal on the Yamuna is reckoned to be the site of the Mahabharata incident in which the Kauravas tried to immolate the Pandavas in a palace made of lac.

You don’t really need porters for this weekend trek unless you are a group that wishes to savor the flavour of camping out. Many trekkers doss down in the village primary schools overnight, or head for the Gujjar grazing sites to sleep out under the stars on Nag tibba. The gujjars are extremely hospitable and make for another highly rewarding cultural study. Their dignity and integrity deserves to be emulated not destroyed.

WARNING: Bears are for real here and no villager will venture on Nag Tibba trek except in the full light of the day !

Who can do Nag Tibba trek ?

Nag Tibba snow trek is easy to moderate level trek with a challenging high gradient rocky trail in the beginning. The trek is suitable for first timers as well as trekkers who want to savor the taste of a Himalayan trail in 2 days. The minimum recommended age group for the trek is 7+ years.

Many Reasons To Do Nag Tibba Winter Trek

Choose Your Own

Nag Tibba trek is truly a marvellous weekend getaway if one is planning for a short adventure in the Himalayas. Nag Tibba winter trek has earned its place as one of the best beginner level weekend treks in India. The fact that one can hike through a dense forest trail to reach Nag Tibba summit at almost 10,000 feet within 2 days, makes it one of the must do treks near Delhi NCR. trailhikers organizes a complete Nag Tibba trek package which includes services like – trek guides, cooks, camp accomodation, camp & trek equipment and transport from Dehradun to Pantwari.

Amazing Forest Trails

The trek has amazing forest trails through the dense sal, oak, deodar treeline which are a delight for nature lovers & photographers. If you are aware about the Himalayan birds, you’ll be able to spot many rare birds on this trail. In fact, Nag Tibba has forest trails on both Day 1 & Day 2

Rocky Terrain

In the beginning, Nag Tibba has a challenging rocky trail for about 2.5 km which is not very tough but enough to give you an experience of a steep gradient Himalayan trek. The best part about this rocky trail is that it has 2-3 natural water sources in shady places, enough to relax & get your energy back.

Forest Camping

Nag Tibba trail has some very beautiful, scenic & huge flat grassy clearings in the forest region which make for a great campsite. Trekkers have a wonderful experience of camping in the lap of nature amidst dense forest where they are able to spot the rare Himalayan flora & fauna. In the evenings, one can hear & even spot wild foxes in the nearby forest.

Please Note : Our forest campsites are well chosen & safe from natural elements & wildlife.

Himalayan Views from Nag Tibba summit

Climbing the Nag Tibba peak (3,022m) on Day 2 is of course the best part of the Nag Tibba trek package. After a short visit to the Nag Devta temple at Nag Tibba base in the morning, trekkers start an ascent through a dense forest to reach the Nag Tibba summit. In winter season, this part of the trail is mostly covered in snow, so it becomes an adventurous snow trek. On a clear day, one can view the higher Himalayan peaks in full glory from the Nag Tibba summit.

1. Buranstikhol (1,900 m)

Buranstikhol is a huge flat clearing which is about 3 km from village Pantwari. It is located about 50 metre below to the left of the Nag Tibba trail, the point at which the actual forest path starts. Located at at altitude of around 1,900 m, it is an ideal campsite for winter season and for trekkers who are on a 3 day itinerary for Nag Tibba winter trek. Buranstikhol gives splendid views of the higher Himalayas to the north and forest views to the east.

Why Camp At Buranstikhol ?

• Huge flat grassy clearing which is ideal for pitching camping tents
• Piped water source is just 50 metre from the campsite
• Ideal for winter season when there is snow on the upper reaches of Nag Tibba mountain
• Nearby village huts where villagers live with their livestock – so you have access to village people in case of emergency
• Awesome views of the higher Himalayan mountains

2. Kathian (2,250 m)

Kathian is the best and most recommended campsite on the Nag Tibba trail. Situated at an altitude of approx. 2,250 metre, Kathian is a huge rectangular grassy clearing which appears to be located on the edge of a mountain. It is almost half way to the Nag Tibba summit which makes it an ideal halt logistically. Also when there is heavy snow on the Nag Tibba base during winter months (Jan-Mar), Kathian naturally becomes the most preferred campsite for all.

Why Camp at Kathian ?

• Large grassy clearing amidst forest, ideal for big camping groups
• Natural water source just 75 metre from campsite
• Perfect for winter season to avoid heavy snow
• Located half way to the Nag Tibba peak, with picturesuqe treeline
• Eye soothing views of Himalayan flora and fauna

3. Nag Tibba Base (2,600 m)

Nag Tibba base (2,600m) is located 7 km from Pantwari and 2 km from the Nag Tibba peak (3,022m). One has to hike through the 3 km dense forest trail beyond Kathian to reach the huge clearing called Nag Tibba base. Nag Devta temple is located on the northern edge of the base. The temple is dedicated to Nag Devta or “Snake God” which is worshipped by the locals who pray for the protection of their crop and cattle. Nag Tibba base also has a cemented hut made by the forest department. At Nag Tibba base, on one can view the Nag Tibba massif to the north and dense forest in all other directions. At night, one can catch a glimpse of wild foxes in the nearby jungle with their eyes shining bright. Often, wild foxes venture near campsite at night to scavenge for food.

Why Camp at Nag Tibba base ?

• Huge grassy clearing to set up campsite for big groups
• Natural water source at Nag Devta temple
• Ideal campsite for summer season
• Short distance to Nag Tibba summit
• Views of dense forest & wildlife
• Learn more about camping in our guide to Hiking & Camping Tips

Nag Tibba is undoubtedly the best doable weekend trek from Delhi or the NCR region. One can take an overnight Volvo bus from Delhi to Dehradun on Friday night to reach Dehradun by 5:30 am. Make sure you book the Uttarakhand Transport Volvo ( https://utconline.uk.gov.in ) & not some private operator. Reach Dehradun by 5:30 am to join our pick up from Dehradun to Pantwari on Saturday morning scheduled at 6:30 am. Reach Pantwari,the starting point for Nag Tibba trek by 10 am, freshen up & start the trail. Do the trek on Saturday & Sunday and get back to Dehradun by 8:30 pm on Sunday evening. Take the night Volvo on Sunday night for Delhi. Reach Delhi by 5:30 am. Awesome right !

The weather at Nag Tibba is just cool & pleasant all year round which makes it an ideal destination for trekking in any season. Winter season starts from October and lasts till March end. Days are warm with bright sunshine but nights are quite cold due to altitude & snow on the upper reaches of the mountain. Nag Tibba mountain receives its first snowfall in November end or early December. The mountain receives multiple snowfalls till almost March end which makes it snowbound for almost 4 months. December to February are the coldest months at Nag Tibba. Trekkers can enjoy a great snow trek during this time.

Day time temperatures at Nag Tibba range from 18°C to 25°C from October to March. At night the temperatures range from 10°C to -7°C depending on the altitude, snow & wind conditions. Nag Tibba base (2,600 m) is much colder as compared to the Kathian campsite which is located at around 2,200 m. If you are trekking up during the day time from Oct to Mar, you will feel very warm especially if its a bright sunny day. So its recommended to wear just a thick full sleeves t-shirt or light sweatshirt with a light track pant while trailing up on Day 1. However, when you reach the Nag Tibba base or Kathian campsite, temperature quickly falls after 4:00 pm. So put on the winter clothing as soon as you reach the campsite before you start shivering.

Nag Tibba trek starts from a small village Pantwari in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Village Pantwari has no hotels or guest houses as yet. But one can get a room for night stay in some village houses for around Rs 400-500 per night.

However, if you are coming to Nag Tibba a day or two prior to your trek date then you can choose to stay at some good hotels or lodges at Sumankyari or Nainbagh which are less than an hour’s drive from Pantwari (the starting point for the trek).

Here’s a list of some good hotels / guest houses near Nag Tibba :

1. Devbhoomi Hotel – Village Sumankyari (18 km / 40 minutes drive from Pantwari)

Tariff – Rs 800-1200 per night

2. Hotel Suman Palace – Sumankyari (18 km / 40 minutes drive from Pantwari)

Tariff – Rs 500-700 per night

3. PWD Guest House – Nainbagh (16 km / 40 minutes drive from Pantwari)

TrailHikers plans to open its own guest house or lodge exclusively for the trekkers coming for Nag Tibba trek.

Need help to arrange your stay near Nag Tibba ?

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TrailHikers is taking all the precautionary measures & SOPs as per guidelines for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand state. Wearing of masks by camp / lodge staff, proper sanitisation of camping & trekking equipment. Our kitchen staff at campsite is taking extra care to deliver tasty & healthy meals by following proper sanitising practices. In fact, our team has devised a 7-point safety system to ensure the safety of all travelers. 

 COVID Safety Guidelines for Nag Tibba trek 

• E-Pass registration on Dehradun Smart City portal (just takes 10-15 mins to register)
• RT-PCR mandatory (should not be older than 72 hours of arrival in Uttarakhand) or vaccination (both doses)
• Use mask during travel & in common areas in lodge / hotel stay on transit
• Practice proper social-distancing while ordering or having meals at stopovers during road travel
• Practice proper social-distancing while having meals on campsite at Nag Tibba base camp
• Report any symptoms like fever, cough, breathlessness to our trek staff
• Carry personal sanitizer & extra masks during trek