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BENOG TIBBA FAMILY TREK

An Ideal Introductory Trek to the Himalayas

The Benog Tibba Trek is a short day hike in Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, Benog. Established in 1993, the sanctuary is home to the nearly extinct Mountain Quail.

The trek starts from the Cloud End Forest Resort. Right from the very start, you are in the wilderness. Trekking through lush green forests with the captivating sounds of birds makes this a perfect trek for beginners. The long forest cover ensures that you don’t feel the sun for a long time. The fatigue of an otherwise steep trail doesn’t set in because of these settings.

Once the trail moves out of the forest, the view of the Yamuna valley below opens up to the west, with pockets of villages and their farms dotting the hills. During spring, this section of the trail has a growth of flowers that almost obscures the grass!

Benog Tibba Videos

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.

Highlights

Highlights of the Benog Tibba Trek

1. The forest walk

The trail is dominated by pine trees, thanks to the afforestation efforts by the Mussoorie Forest Department. To walk through a pine-scented forest, with dried leaves crunching under your feet is a reward worth the effort on this steep trail. Although the forest is largely pine, there are various flora mushrooming in between like rhododendrons, oak, walnut etc.

It is a treat to walk under the shade of these trees in the initial section of the trek.

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The forest section was an unanimous favourite of our explorers. Picture by Jothiranjan.

2. Birds on the trail

As the trek is inside Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, it is known to be home to a variety of avifauna. The chirping of birds can be heard very clearly as you walk through the forested trail. Sudden sounds of a bird flying might scare you!

You may spot Black-headed Jay, Brown fronted woodpecker, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue Whistling Thrush, Great Hill Barbet, and Russet Sparrow, and if you are lucky, the near-extinct Mountain Quail. For a birder, this trail is a treat.

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Birds in Benog tibba trek. Picture by Jothiranjan.

3. The summit view

Once you are at the summit, you see the expanse of Yamuna valley lying below you. The snow-capped peaks of Garhwal Himalayas stand tall in the distance. On a clear day, you may be able to see Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Nanda Devi and Dronagiri, among other mountains. You may even spot Nag Tibba hill ahead. This vantage view is a worthy reward for a short day’s trek!

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The complete Garhwal Himalayan range is spotted on a clear day from the summit. Picture by Izzat Yaganagi

Benog Tibba is Best Discovered Through Pictures

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The Benog Tibba Trek is in the Benog Mountain Quail sanctuary of Mussoorie. It is a charming walk through the forest. The majority of the Garhwal Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen from the Benog Tibba summit, in a wide panorama.

Picture by: Jothiranjan

Silver Oak trees forest

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Benog Tibba trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

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Day 1 (Pick-up Day): Arrive at Dehradun, drive to Cloud End Forest Resort. Start trekking.

Drive Duration: 2 hours | Drive Distance: 34.8 km

Trek Duration: 7 hours | Trek Distance: 8 km

Altitude: 6,805 ft to 7,270 ft

Reach Hotel Grand Legacy, Lalpul Road in the morning by 6.30 am for your pick up. As the drive climbs out of Dehradun, you feel the air get colder as you gain altitude. The view of the entire city of Dehradun as you go higher is mesmerizing. Two hours later you reach the start point of the trek -- at the Cloud End Forest Resort.

As you start walking from the forest checkpost into the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, there will be a diversion after 200 metres. One route veers left and meets the bridge which crosses the stream, while the other one goes right to Benog Tibba. Take the route going towards the left for the campsite of the day. Cross the bridge and walk for another 50 metres to enter a beautiful clearing in the middle of the wilderness. Trails which you can explore lie in multiple directions. A private land sits opposite. Butterflies flit in and about.

The trek would be taxing on your legs today. Be prepared and carry two litres of water with you.

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The trek would be taxing on your legs today. Be prepared and carry two litres of water with you.

Seven hundred metres on the trail, you will see a board describing the details of afforestation. Although the forest department plants a lot of Pine Trees in the forest, it is still filled with a variety of flora. Throughout the trail, you will see different kinds of plants and trees such as rhododendrons, deodar, box myrtle and nettle tree, to name a few. In between the trees, you will see the hills opposite with small villages and terraced farms doting its slopes.

The forested trail is covered with dried leaves and sometimes, hard to keep a track of. The chirping of birds can be heard very clearly and sudden sounds of a bird flying might startle you. This trail might be a birder's delight!

About 500 metres from the afforestation board, you will see ruins of old construction on your left. The trail is still steep. However, the cool forest cover ensures you don't feel the stress of the trail. Two hundred metres of a steep climb from here, you will come across a diversion. Take the route going upward towards the right.

After a kilometre, to the trekker's relief, the ascent becomes gradual. In another 500 metres, you will come across a clearing from where you get a panoramic view of villages around. This is the first time you get a sense of the height you are at and the scale of the valley below!

Continue on the same trail for a few hundred meters and you will start seeing a construction - that's your summit. From there, it is an easy walk on the grass. During spring, this section is filled with flowers.

The summit consists of a small temple of Jwala Devi - an avatar of Maa Durga. The temple is small, painted white and looks like a relatively new structure than the kind of temples you would usually see in the hills. If the weather is clear, you will get a 180-degree view of Yamuna valley below, and the peaks of Garhwal and Nag Tibba hill ahead. If you are lucky, you may be able to spot Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti and Trishul in the distance.

There is ample camping ground but no water source. Towards the east, one can easily see a concrete structure (also visible from the other side hill). Take some time to soak in the view here. It can get quite windy here.

Trek towards Benog Tibba basecamp on the other side of the hill. We'll camp here for the night.

Day 2

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Day 2: Benog Tibba Base Camp to Dehradun

Trek Distance: 200 m | Drive distance: 36.2 km

Duration: 2 hours

Altitude: 7,270 to 5150 ft

Walk towards the gate of the sanctuary. Under the shade of the forest, you are shielded from the morning sun as you make your way back, making it an enjoyable walk.

Plan to leave from Benog Tibba Basecamp by 10.30 am. You will reach well in time for 5 pm Shatabdi from Dehradun to Delhi. You'll reach Delhi by late at night.

Day 1

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Walk towards the gate of the sanctuary. Under the shade of the forest, you are shielded from the morning sun as you make your way back, making it an enjoyable walk.

Plan to leave from Benog Tibba Basecamp by 10.30 am. You will reach well in time for 5 pm Shatabdi from Dehradun to Delhi. You'll reach Delhi by late at night.

Day 1

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Planning your onward flight/train booking

If you are travelling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai or any other city, book your air tickets either for Day Minus One, which is the day before Day 1 on the itinerary or book a flight/train as such where you will reach half an hour before the pick-up time.

There are two options for your flight booking.

Option 1: Fly directly to Dehradun

We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Dehradun. Most metros are directly connected to Dehradun. However, if the cost of the flight ticket to Dehradun is too high, book to Delhi and connect to Dehradun by train/bus.

The Dehradun airport is inconvenient when it comes to city connectivity.
Taxis are available from the airport (plenty). Prepaid taxis are available (look for the pre-paid taxi counter just out of the conveyor belt at the arrivals). You can also flag down a taxi (bargain a bit) with taxis outside the airport. Airport taxis are exorbitant. They usually charge Rs 1500.

Usually, most passengers take taxis from the airport. Try to coordinate your travel with co-passengers on the flight for your taxi ride to Dehradun.

Pro Tip: If you want to save real money walk 1.5 km to get to the Dehradun-Rishikesh national highway just outside the airport terminal complex. Take a bus to ISBT Dehradun which will charge you Rs. 40. From ISBT Dehradun take a shared auto (shared autos are called Vikrams) to Dehradun Railway Station. Shared autos charge about Rs. 10.

Option 2: Flying to Delhi

Flying to Delhi may be a lot cheaper than getting to Dehradun. Make sure to book a flight that reaches Delhi by 8.00 pm. You must arrive in Delhi on Day Zero and not on Day 1.

Note: If you notice the difference in air ticket prices between Delhi and Dehradun is less than Rs 1000 then book directly to Dehradun. The rest and shorter travel time are worth the difference.

Next, book yourself on the Nanda Devi Express to Dehradun (Train No: 12401). It is a fully AC train that leaves at 23.45 hrs from Hazrat Nizamuddin and gets to Dehradun at 5.40 am.

Note: Earlier the Nanda Devi express would depart from New Delhi railway station. From 26 Aug 2019, it leaves from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train now comes from Kota. So expect about 15 to 30 mins delay in arrival. The train number has changed too from 12206 to 12401.

For Metro train connectivity from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, take a metro to Dhaula Kuan metro station. Get off and walk down to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus metro station (there are convenient traveller belts over a skywalk). Take a metro to Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station over the pink line. It takes about 45 mins to an hour to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin over the metro.

At Dehradun, wait for Indiahikes pick up at 6.30 am. Contact your driver by 6.00 am. The number of your transport coordinator will be shared with you a week before your departure.

Caution: Do not book on any other train except the Nanda Devi Express. The other option, Mussoorie express, is notorious for its delay. Your pickup vehicle may leave without you. If you do not get tickets on the Nanda Devi Express, take a bus from Delhi to Dehradun, but do not book on the Mussoorie express.

Bus

If in case you do not get a train ticket, there are regular Volvo AC buses from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Dehradun. You also get Non-AC buses. Buses are frequent and not usually crowded. You can get a bus almost every half hour. Buses take 7-8 hours to get to Dehradun from Delhi. AC bus tickets cost about Rs 700.

Planning your return flight/train booking

If your onward flight departs from Delhi, then book flight tickets for Day 4.

Sometimes trekkers worry if they can book an early morning flight out of Delhi on Day 3. Yes, you can. But book flights that depart only after 8 am. Do not book any flight between 6.00 and 8 am. You may not reach Delhi in time.

How to get to Delhi on time for an early morning flight

If your flight is early, say between 8.00 and 9.00 am, then there are two options.

Train: Take the Nanda Devi Express from Haridwar (12402) that leaves Haridwar slightly past midnight (00.17 hrs) to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 4.50 in the morning. From Hazrat Nizamuddin, you get airport buses from outside the station as well as taxis. The Metro train is somewhat inconvenient from Hazrat Nizamuddin.

Note: Earlier Nanda Devi express would arrive at the New Delhi railway station. From 26 August 2019, it has been extended up to Kota. It no longer goes to the New Delhi railway station. Instead, it goes to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train number has changed from 12206 to 12402.
Bus: The other option is to take a bus from Dehradun. It is about a 5½ – 6 hrs journey to Delhi. So if you take a bus that leaves around 9.00 pm, then expect to reach Delhi at around 3.00 am (ISBT Kashmiri Gate). A bus that leaves at 10 pm will reach Delhi around 4.00 am. AC Volvo buses are the fastest, so opt for them. Non AC buses can take up to 7-8 hrs for the journey.

From Kashmiri Gate ISBT you get Airport buses or taxis.

Note: Metro trains in Delhi do not start before 5.00 am.

If you are taking a flight out of Dehradun

If you are taking a flight out of Dehradun then book yourself on Day 3. Most metros are now well connected by Dehradun by flight.

4. Planning your hotel/stay

Hotel options at Dehradun

➤ Hotel Drona, which is a government property owned by the GMVN is decent. It is an old, but large and spacious property. It is about 1.5 km from Dehradun railway station. Rooms start at Rs 750.

Latest Update: Hotel Drona has been converted into a Covid Centre

Phone: +91-135-2746847. Book online http://gmvnl.in/newgmvn/online_reservation/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sjWSkGhe5LfAN8wDA

➤ MyRoom252 is a new backpacker facility in Dehradun. Modern, colourful and clean. Bunk beds start at Rs 300. Rooms are available too. It is not too far from the Dehradun Railway station. Shared autos (which are called Vikrams) can get you there.
Phone: 086308 81083.
For online booking: http://www.myroom252.com/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/p5xkbMyUF4X5VHwx9

➤ Nomads House is another new backpacker hostel in Dehradun. The atmosphere is good. The place is neat and clean. Indiahikes trek leaders love Nomads House. It is about 10 mins from the Dehradun railway station. Bunk beds start at Rs 400, rooms start at Rs 800. Shared autos are easily available to get to Nomads House.
Phone: 9760596464
Location: https://g.page/NomadsHouse?share

5. What if you miss the Indiahikes pickup? Get to Benog Tibba Base on your own.

If you miss the Indiahikes pick up from Dehradun. Here is how you can get to Benog Tibba base camp on your own.

Take an overnight train to Dehradun from Delhi (AC Special is the best option). Benog Tibba Base Camp is 52 km from Dehradun. It will take you around 2-3 hours to reach there. The journey takes you via Mussoorie.

You can take either a bus or a local taxi to reach Benog Tibba Base Camp. From the local bus stand take the early morning bus moving towards Kempty Falls.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.
Medical and disclaimer certificates. There are two sections in this. The first part must be filled by a practising doctor. The second part must be filled by you. Without the medical certificate, the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download PDF

Please carry the above documents with you. Documents need to be downloaded (PDF), filled in, signed, and handed over to the trek leader at the base camp.

PRO TIPS

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

If you’re trekking to Benog Tibba, you will need to carry a minimum of two to three warm layers depending on the season. Apart from this, ensure you carry your warm accessories such as synthetic (water-resistant) gloves, woollen socks and balaclava.

Ensure you carry a pair of sandals, a poncho and full sleeve t-shirts and pants to have a comfortable trek.

Bare Necessities:

Trekking shoes: Carry trekking shoes and not sports shoes. The trail will be slippery in several places and will require shoes with good grip and ankle support. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes.
Backpack (40-60 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for the backpack is essential.

Clothes

On a trek, carry fewer clothes than you would normally need. Do not pack for ‘what if situations’. That will only add to the weight of your backpack and not be used on the trek. Once your clothes get warmed up on a trek, you will not feel like changing. Just maintain personal hygiene.

Two layers of warm clothes: If you’re trekking in winter, carry a fleece jacket and a padded jacket. (Note: In summers, the minimum temperature hovers around 18 °C, so you wouldn’t need any warm layer.)
Two trek pants: Carry light quick dry trek pants. One of your pants can be tights that you can wear as an inner layer while trekking. Denim/jeans and shorts are not suitable for trekking.
Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. Let one of these be a dry-fit t-shirt. It will dry quickly in case you are trekking on a rainy day. A common mistake that trekkers make is not changing their tshirts often enough. Regardless of how cold it is, the body tends to sweat a lot. Trekkers who don’t change to fresh clothes after reaching the campsite fall ill due to wet clothes and are often unable to complete their trek.
Sandals: Carry sandals on this trek as there are multiple river crossings. Trekking shoes are required for the forest but have a handy pair of sandals to slip into.

Accessories

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are mandatory. This is to protect you from the harsh winter sun.
Sun Cap: In the jungles, even though there is heavy tree cover, the harsh sun can dehydrate you very quickly. A sun cap comes in handy to prevent the moisture to escape when you are sweating.
Hand gloves: A fleece or woollen glove will do.
Balaclava: You’ll need this to cover your head, as most of the heat escapes from your head. (Note: Not required in summer)
Socks (2 pairs) and a pair of woollen socks: Apart from two sports socks, you can take a pair of woollen socks for the night.
Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory
Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole.
Ponchos: In a jungle, unexpected rain is possible at any time, and hence it’s mandatory to carry a poncho so that you don’t get wet.

Others

Daypack (20 litres): You will need this to carry water bottles, light snacks and a medical kit in case you decide to leave your backpack behind.
Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitiser. Do not carry wet wipes since these are not biodegradable. We do not like biodegradable wet wipes because they take a long time to decompose in the mountains. Use toilet paper instead.
Sanitary waste: Make sure you bring your used sanitary napkins back to the city with you. Carry a zip lock bag to put used napkins. Bring this ziplock bag back with you to the city and do not dispose of sanitary napkins in the mountains.
Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their cutlery for hygiene reasons. We do not allow biodegradable or disposable cutlery on our treks.
Three water bottles: 1 litre each. We recommend the Paany bottle. Indiahikes trekkers can get it at a discount here.
Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.
Odomos or any other insect repellant

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Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.

Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)
Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)
Avil 25 mg – 4 tablets (allergies)
Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)
Norflox TZ & Lomofen – 6 tablets each (diarrhoea)
Digene – 10 tablets (acidity)
Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)
Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters
Gauze – 1 small roll
Band-Aid – 10 strips
Cotton – 1 small roll
ORS – 10 packets
Betadine or any antiseptic cream
Moov Spray (aches, & sprains)
Knee Cap, if you are prone to a knee injury
Anti Fungal Powder
Odomos or any other insect repellent

Our trek leaders carry a medical kit with them. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.

Leaving Mountains Better

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.