A trek in the mountains acts as the perfect enabler for me! Every few months, I have an urge to pack my rucksack and simply flee from the chaotic life of Delhi-Gurgaon. Leaves aren’t a luxury that I can afford often, hence I keep scanning the calendar till I find a long weekend. The Good Friday-Easter weekend was well planned, and I had booked the Nag Tibba trek for 31st March – 1st April with Trek The Himalayas.
I couldn’t plan the trek all by myself because I didn’t have too much of time organising everything. Therefore, I let TTH do all the preparation for me. Nag Tibba Trek in Uttarakhand happens to be one of the remarkable treks in the Shivaliks, with the summit perched at 10000 feet.
Of all the popular reasons that this trail is known for, I’d underline the fact that Nag Tibba Peak stands as the highest & one of the most daunting points in the Lower Himalayan region. Rocky and jagged trails lead to the Nag Tibba top, which is thoroughly entwined amidst nature’s awesomeness.
Lush green meadows, terraced farms, and wobbly terrain constitute this gorgeous trail, which fits the list of perfect weekend getaways from New Delhi. As exhausting as the trail is, the landscapes around it are equally refreshing.
How to reach Nag Tibba Trek
Dehradun to Pantwari Village is a 3.5-hour drive (90 km). The Mussoorie highway takes you straight to the quaint village tucked in the foothills of the Tehri Himalayas.
Ideal duration of the Nag Tibba Trek: 2 days
Total expense of the trek: INR 5500
Nag Tibba Trek – Overview
Day 0 – Departure from Delhi
I booked a Volvo bus from Majnu Ka Tila, which ensured that I reached Dehradun by 5 am.
Day 1 – Beginning of the trek & camping under the stars
It felt so good to finally catch up with the dawn’s break. The faint morning light, accompanied by chills in the air and the chirpy friends greeted me at Dehradun Railway Station. The traveller minibus from TTH picked me and the fellow trekkers from the railway station, and 4 hours later we were standing at the Pantwari Village in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, gearing up for the trek.
Upon reaching Pantwari, we freshened up, had our lunch, and readied up for the scenic walk across the alpine, which was about to begin in an hour. The day was bright and beautiful, and looked perfect to commence the trek.
The Nag Tibba Trek from Pantwari to the base camp is 7 km, which is mostly flat & full of boulders. (Summer isn’t the best time to see the best of this place.) 2 water points during the first 7 km stretch are the lifesavers to catch some breath and refill water bottles. The best part about Himalayan treks is that the water here is sourced straight from the mountains with unmatched sweetness.
The trail is slightly tricky because there are quite a few routes that break away from the main route and lead to one of the many villages in the mountains. Therefore, it is always better if you are walking in the company of a guide/local/trek leader. It took us a little more than 4 hours to make it to the campsite. Even if you are too gradual, it shouldn’t take more than 4.5 hours to reach the base camp.
Unlike the rest of the trial, the last 1 km leg right before the base camp is relatively comforting. The reason is sprawling meadows that scatter along the course leading up to the campsite – nature’s perfect treat to the trekkers. But be prepared for some abrupt climbs en route while in the proximity of the campsite.
Upon your arrival at the base camp, pitch your tent & prepare to soak yourself in the gripping views around.
Our tents were neatly laid out by the wonderful guys at TTH. Moreover, Pakode & Chai awaited us at 9000 feet soon after we reached there. The picture-postcard setting created by a myriad of colourful tents, scenic vistas, herds of adorable sheep grazing the meadows while being cautiously watched by the shepherd dogs, and a dense forest in the backdrop, left us overwhelmed.
It was nature’s magnificence and crisp mountain air, refined and unalloyed, that I was trying to sip on.
Sunset and moonrise views here are so extraordinary that you aren’t going to forget the views for a long time.
Day 2 – Early morning trek to the summit & back
The 4 km trek to the Nag Tibba summit is doable in 3 hours! Upon reaching the top, the imposing views of snow-capped Kalanaag, Bandapuch, Swargarohini, and Gangotri Peaks standing tall would leave you fascinated for sure. During my 1-hour stay at the summit, I kept marvelling at the unbelievable views around like a curious kid. Everything around – the lit outdoors, piercing mountain air, and views of the partially burnt forest looked so otherworldly.
After a 1.5-hour halt at the summit, we started the trek back. In 1.5 hours, we made it back to the base camp. We ate our lunch, took our bags, and headed straight to the Pantwari. Completed our onward journey in another 4 hours. Overall, it took us somewhere around 5.5 hours to reach the starting point of the trek.
Remember, the downhill trek is always the trickiest. While climbing upwards, you require stamina, but while going downhill, a trekker relies heavily on their skills! Walk cross-country, make the best use of a trekking pole, and don’t throw your body.
Things to pack for the Nag Tibba Trek
CLOTHES
Full sleeves tees with collar
Full sleeves, thick jacket (during winter)
Thermal innerwear
Comfortable T-shirts, tracks or trousers
Windproof jacket
Woollen head-scarf/muffler & Mittens
Light towel
Raincoat or Poncho
SHOES & SOCKS
Proper trekking shoes
Sports socks – at least 2 pairs
SKIN CARE ESSENTIALS
Sunglasses with 100% UV protection, preferably curved ones
Lip balm, Vaseline
MEDICINES
Crocin, Avil, Combiflam, Disprin, Crepe bandage, Band-aid, Digene, Gauze cloth, Leukoplast, Cotton, ORS, Betadine or any antiseptic cream, Volini or Moov spray
OTHER ACCESSORIES
Water bottle
Hot water bottle/bag
Trekking pole/ walking stick
LED Torch/ headlamps are preferable
Don’t forget to carry a lot of chocolates/toffees. But make sure that you DON’T leave anything behind in the mountains!
My suggestions for the Nag Tibba Trek
- The snow-swept views of Nag Tibba can be enjoyed best during winter. So I would suggest you save it for December – February, which can be termed as the best time to visit Nag Tibba.
- Nag Tibba is a mostly uphill trek to the summit. The steep climb will test your stamina, and the downhill walk will test your skills.
- The sooner you start for the base camp, the better it is for you.
- Keep your head covered when the sun is out.
- Negotiate the rocky trail well. Also, be mindful of the ponies carrying the luggage. Always step towards the mountainside and not the valley side while giving them the way.
- If you haven’t booked with a trek company, carry sufficient food for camping. Towards the campsite, there are not many options to buy.
- While making a campfire, don’t litter or leave your leftovers in the mountains.
- Pack light.
Thinking of hiking the Nag Tibba Trail yourself?
It’s one of those treks that quietly gets under your skin — not crowded, not noisy, just deeply rewarding. Huge thanks to the team at Trek the Himalayas for making my journey so seamless. I’m already eyeing my next mountain escape with them.
P.S. Unlike other Himalayan trails, Nag Tibba hasn’t gone mainstream yet — and that’s its magic. So go before the selfie crowd finds it!
Have you done the Nag Tibba Trek? Got questions, tips, or stories to share? Drop a comment below or tag @whistlinghound — I’d love to connect!
Further read: Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Trek
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Thanks for sharing such a amazing information with us it pleasure to read your blog it help to all trekking blogger I am searching such a great tips from longtime but I didn’t found such valuable info .thanks once again keep posting such a post in future.