Difficulty
Easy
Duration
2 Days
Highest Altitude
7,270 ft
Age
8 to 62 years
Duration
2 Days
Age
8 to 62 years
Difficulty
Easy
Highest Altitude
7,270 ft
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!
And to the east, the Greater Himalayan range -- Kalanag, Swargarohini, Gangotri I, II, III, Bhrigupanth, Kedarnath -- and a plethora of other mountains open up in a sweeping panorama.
The wildlife sanctuary is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. Himalayan Goats, Barking Deer, Flying Squirrel, Langurs and Mountain Quails can be spotted by keen observers. So keep your eyes and ears open for clues!
No wonder this isolated route makes for a very satisfying weekend trek out of Delhi, Dehradun, Chandigarh or any other surrounding cities.
Benog Tibba Videos
Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek.
Quick Itinerary
An elevation map of the Benog Tibba trek
Day 1
Drive from Dehradun to Cloud End Forest Resort. Start Trekking
Drive Distance: 34.8 km drive | Drive Duration: 2 hours
Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours
Altitude: 6,805 ft to 7270 ft
Transport will be arranged at 6.30 AM. This cost is included in the trek fee. Pick up Location: Hotel Grand Legacy (Near Lalpul), Dehradun
Trek gradient is easy-moderate Gradual climb through the forest and switchbacks all the way to the summit, and descend down the same way. Carry 2 litres of water as there are no water sources on the way.
Day 2
Drive from Benog Tibba Basecamp to Dehradun
Trek Distance: 200 m | Drive distance: 36.2 km
Time taken: 2 hours
Max Altitude: 7,270 ft to 5150 ft
You are scheduled to leave from Benog Tibba basecamp by 10.30 am. The cost of transport back to Dehradun is included in your trek fee. It will take you close to 2 hours to reach Dehradun.
Please note: DEHRADUN SHATABDI – 12018, DEHRADUN (DDN) To NEW DELHI (NDLS) leaves from Dehradun Station by 4.55 pm. It reaches Delhi by 10.50 pm.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in tents
- You will be staying 3 in a tent
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
An elevation map of the Benog Tibba trek
PRO-TIPS
Onward Travel
Plan to reach Dehradun a day before the start of your trek (Day 0). Stay at any of the hotels/hostels near your pick-up point for the trek. If you plan to reach on the day of your trek (Day 1), take the Nanda DeviExpress (Kota – DDN Express – 12401) from Delhi so that you reach Dehradun before 6.30 AM, in time for your pick-up.
Return Travel
You will reach Dehradun late in the evening. Book your onward journey from Dehradun after 2 pm.
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.
Highlights
Highlights of the Benog Tibba Trek
Benog Tibba is Best Discovered Through Pictures
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.
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.
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: 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.
Easy-Moderate Trek
Suitable for Beginners
At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.
The Benog Tibba trek is an easy-moderate trek. Though it’s an easy trek there are certain things that you must be aware of. The trek is short but it can get sunny as you walk up the steep slope. Dehydration is really common if you don’t have enough fluids to hydrate yourself.
Safety on the Benog Tibba Trek
Benog Tibba as a trek does not have any tricky sections. The trail is well made and straightforward.
The only difficulty you will face on the trek is the steep ascent of almost 4 kilometres. The difficulty increases as you come out of the forest halfway, and the rest of the trek is under the sun.
Carry 2 litres of water, and keep yourself protected by wearing a cap and a full-sleeved t-shirt.
As the Benog Tibba trek does not hit 8,000 ft, it is considered a low altitude trek.
Being a low altitude trek, it does not expose you to the risks of altitude sickness like AMS, HAPE or HACE.
If you'd like to gain knowledge about altitude sickness before you go on your next high altitude trek, these articles will come in handy:
As we said before, half of the trek will be exposed, under the sun. Wearing proper trekking gear will save you from the heat, especially during the spring/summer season.
If it rains, the trail gets slippery and you may find it difficult to navigate the slippery terrain. Exercise caution and keep your feet firmly on the ground to avoid slips and falls.
Emergency Exits: The only exit on the Benog Tibba trek is out of the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, by following the same route you took to reach the top.
In case of an emergency, you will need at least 4 hours to get evacuated from the trail.
Closest Hospital: If a medical emergency occurs on the Benog Tibba Trek, the nearest hospital is at Mussoorie. If you need serious medical attention, Dehradun, 3 hours away has better medical facilities.
Benog Tibba can be trekked in all the seasons, except Monsoon.
Witnessing this trek in only one season is like getting to know just a part of it. That’s because the trail is set in the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses some vibrant varieties of flora amidst its forest. And the forest changes colours in different seasons.
So, in different seasons, the entire colour palette of the trek changes. Even the way the trek lights up, changes with the seasons. While spring and summer are known for their vibrant, verdant looks, autumn and winter are loved for their sharp views.
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
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.
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