Nag Tibba Weekend Trek
Mussoorie's own weekend summit climb
Dates not suiting you? Check the new Bijli Mahadev Trek
With terrific forests and mountain views, this trek is extremely rewarding for very little effort that you put in. It's family-friendly too.Register here.
TREK DIFFICULTY
Moderate
TREK DURATION
2 days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
9915 ft
Mussoorie's own weekend summit climb
We all know summit climbs are incredibly rewarding in a trek. This is why we have trekkers flocking to treks like Kedarkantha or Deoriatal-Chandrashila. On a trail like Nag Tibba, you get to experience the thrill of a summit climb in just a weekend!
Resting at 9915 ft, the summit of this trek is the highest in the Nag Tibba range of the Garhwal Himalayas. From here, you see a 100-degree view of snow-capped Himalayan ranges such as Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, and Gangotri. You also see Kedarnath peak in the north, Doon valley, and the snowy peaks of Changabang. With views like this and a climb to make you earn them, this weekend trek may be one of the best.
As you go up one side of the mountain and come down from another side, you also experience a variety of landscapes. This trek takes you through dense forests, clearings, and ridge walks. All within two days!
This relatively unknown trail near Mussoorie is a good fit for trekkers living in Delhi and the National Capital Region who want to have an adventure over the weekend. For beginners, this trek is great as an introductory trek to the world of trekking.
We all know summit climbs are incredibly rewarding in a trek. This is why we have trekkers flocking to treks like Kedarkantha or Deoriatal-Chandrashila. On a trail like Nag Tibba, you get to experience the thrill of a summit climb in just a weekend!
Resting at 9915 ft, the summit of this trek is the highest in the Nag Tibba range of the Garhwal Himalayas. From here, you see a 100-degree view of snow-capped Himalayan ranges such as Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, and Gangotri. You also see Kedarnath peak in the north, Doon valley, and the snowy peaks of Changabang. With views like this and a climb to make you earn them, this weekend trek may be one of the best.
Nag Tibba - Complete Trek Information
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 Nag 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
Reach Pantwari and trek to Khatian
Drive Distance: 100 km | Drive Duration: 4-5 hours | Trek Distance: 5.2 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 4652 ft to 7506 ft | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel Lalpul, Dehradun
Transport will be arranged from Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun at 6.00 am. The costs will be Rs 7,000 per vehicle for SUV and Rs 11,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveller.
Drive for about 4-5 hours. Easy-Moderate climb for the day. Gradual ascent throughout the route of the stone trail made by the forest department. The trail has long patches of loose stones.
Day 2
Trek from Khatian to Nag Tibba Top via Base; Descend to Pantwari and Drive down to Dehradun
Trek Distance: 9.3 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 7506 ft to 9915 ft to 4652 ft | Drop-off point: Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun | Drop-off time to Dehradun: 6 - 7 pm
Moderate day with an hour’s gradual ascent to Nag Tibba base followed by a steep climb to the summit. Descend back to Pantwari and drive back to Dehradun. The transport again costs Rs 7,000 per vehicle for SUV and Rs 11,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveller.
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
- The breakfast during transit from Dehradun to Pantwari is not included in the trek fee
- You will be staying in tents overnight (2 per 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.
Day 1
Reach Pantwari and trek to Khatian
Drive Distance: 100 km | Drive Duration: 4-5 hours | Trek Distance: 5.2 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 4652 ft to 7506 ft | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel Lalpul, Dehradun
Transport will be arranged from Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun at 6.00 am. The costs will be Rs 7,000 per vehicle for SUV and Rs 11,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveller.
Drive for about 4-5 hours. Easy-Moderate climb for the day. Gradual ascent throughout the route of the stone trail made by the forest department. The trail has long patches of loose stones.
Day 2
Trek from Khatian to Nag Tibba Top via Base; Descend to Pantwari and Drive down to Dehradun
Trek Distance: 9.3 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 7506 ft to 9915 ft to 4652 ft | Drop-off point: Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun | Drop-off time to Dehradun: 6 - 7 pm
Moderate day with an hour’s gradual ascent to Nag Tibba base followed by a steep climb to the summit. Descend back to Pantwari and drive back to Dehradun. The transport again costs Rs 7,000 per vehicle for SUV and Rs 11,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveller.
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
- The breakfast during transit from Dehradun to Pantwari is not included in the trek fee
- You will be staying in tents overnight (2 per 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.
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Panthwari. Trek to Khatian
Drive Duration: 2-3 hours | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Drive Distance: 100 km | Trek Distance: 5.2 km
Altitude gain: 4652 ft to 7506 ft
Difficulty: Moderate. Gradual ascent throughout the route through the trail made by the forest department. The trail has long patches of loose stones.
Highlights: Watch out for the drive from Mussoorie to Panthwari. The village has a beautiful setting with wheat fields. The trek builds up once you hit the forest check post.
The four-hour road journey (100 km) from Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun to Panthwari village takes you via Mussoorie, Kempty falls, over Yamuna Bridge, and up to Nainbagh on the road to Purola. From Nainbagh's main market, take a road going up on the right side (also known as Nag Tibba road). From here, after a 12 km drive, you reach Panthwari village which is the starting point for the trek.
There are three routes that you could take to go to Nag Tibba. This one via Panthwari village is the shortest, with a total trail distance of 8 km from Panthwari Village to the Nag Tibba Summit. However, you will not go all the way to the summit today but stop at Khatian, 4.5 km from Panthwari.
A cemented trail goes up from the heart of the village market. Look for a welcome gate as the trail goes up. A minute into the hike, a “Nag Devta” temple will appear on your left. From this point, the trail curves towards the left, and the cemented trail is now replaced with a rocky shepherds’ trail.
The four-hour road journey (100 km) from Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun to Panthwari village takes you via Mussoorie, Kempty falls, over Yamuna Bridge, and up to Nainbagh on the road to Purola. From Nainbagh's main market, take a road going up on the right side (also known as Nag Tibba road). From here, after a 12 km drive, you reach Panthwari village which is the starting point for the trek.
There are three routes that you could take to go to Nag Tibba. This one via Panthwari village is the shortest, with a total trail distance of 8 km from Panthwari Village to the Nag Tibba Summit. However, you will not go all the way to the summit today but stop at Khatian, 4.5 km from Panthwari.
A cemented trail goes up from the heart of the village market. Look for a welcome gate as the trail goes up. A minute into the hike, a “Nag Devta” temple will appear on your left. From this point, the trail curves towards the left, and the cemented trail is now replaced with a rocky shepherds’ trail.
Day 2: Trek from Khatian to Nag Tibba Top. Descend to Pantwari and drive to Dehradun
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Trek Distance: 9.3 km
Altitude gain and loss: 7506 ft to 9,915 ft to 4652 ft
Difficulty: Moderate. An hour’s gradual ascent to Nag Tibba base with a section followed by a steep climb to the summit.
Highlights: The summit climb brings a sense of thrill when you trek through the forest section. From the shrine, the climb gets difficult. On the left-hand slope from the top, one can get a terrific view of the Himalayan ranges.
Rise early to get a head start as it is going to be a long day with a lot of walking to do. From Camp 1, locate a trail towards the right going straight into the forest. Most of the trail is in a thickly forested area. The trails from here are well defined. However, during January and February snow makes it difficult to identify the trail.
The landmarks on this 2 km trail to reach Nag Tibba Base are the two small open patches of land which you pass 20 minutes and 35 minutes from Camp 1. The estimated time it takes to reach Nag Tibba Base is around 45 minutes to 1 hour. The route is mostly a gradual walk with a small section of steep ascent for 10 minutes in between. Nag Tibba Base is a large clearing with a temple dedicated to the Serpent God.
You get a view of the Garhwal peaks through the forest. In winter one will encounter a lot of snow here. The last 1 km is a very steep incline going into a forest with hardly any sunlight. This prevents the snow from melting. An able guide who knows the trail can come in handy in such conditions. There are 4 steep climbs while trekking in the forest.
The snow makes the climb more challenging. It can take anywhere between 1 to 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the summit. The summit is straight up and does not require you to go left or right. As you reach the top, you will see the trail re-appear and curve towards a ridge on the left. Walk for a minute till you see an open patch of land sloping downwards on the other side of the mountain.
Look for a flag on the highest point called Nag Tibba “Jhandi” or summit. Looking down towards the other side of the ridge you will see the route from Deolsari or Devalsari village.
On the left-hand slope from the summit, one can get a terrific view of the Himalayan ranges of Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanta, and Gangotri. The whole section looks beautifully carpeted in snow, making it a true winter weekend trek.
After spending some time at the summit, begin your descent. Retrace your way to Nag Tibba Base.
Alternate route: In absence of snow, take the route going down to Bhatwadi. It is the trail to your right going into the forest. After 45 minutes of descent on this trail, you start moving along a stream. The stream goes down to Bhatwadi village.
After an hour of descending this trail, you reach a clearing called Moriana. The stream flows on one side here and there are a couple of shepherds’ huts on the other side. This place is encircled by forests and makes for a beautiful spot for photography.
From Moriana, the trail descends into the jungle again. You continue to move along the stream. In about 1.5 hours, the forest cover ends and farms appear. You reach the Forest Department gate in 10 minutes. Bhatwadi village is visible from here but it takes another 45 minutes to reach there. Continue on the main trail and avoid the smaller ones which go off inside the village. This trail reached the entry gate for the Bhatwadi Gaon route and marks the end of the trek.
Panthwari is 8 km from Bhatwadi
In winters, when there is considerable snow on the trail, retrace your route back to Panthwari from Nag Tibba base.
Rise early to get a head start as it is going to be a long day with a lot of walking to do. From Camp 1, locate a trail towards the right going straight into the forest. Most of the trail is in a thickly forested area. The trails from here are well defined. However, during January and February snow makes it difficult to identify the trail.
The landmarks on this 2 km trail to reach Nag Tibba Base are the two small open patches of land which you pass 20 minutes and 35 minutes from Camp 1. The estimated time it takes to reach Nag Tibba Base is around 45 minutes to 1 hour. The route is mostly a gradual walk with a small section of steep ascent for 10 minutes in between. Nag Tibba Base is a large clearing with a temple dedicated to the Serpent God.
You get a view of the Garhwal peaks through the forest. In winter one will encounter a lot of snow here. The last 1 km is a very steep incline going into a forest with hardly any sunlight. This prevents the snow from melting. An able guide who knows the trail can come in handy in such conditions. There are 4 steep climbs while trekking in the forest.
The snow makes the climb more challenging. It can take anywhere between 1 to 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the summit. The summit is straight up and does not require you to go left or right. As you reach the top, you will see the trail re-appear and curve towards a ridge on the left. Walk for a minute till you see an open patch of land sloping downwards on the other side of the mountain.
Look for a flag on the highest point called Nag Tibba “Jhandi” or summit. Looking down towards the other side of the ridge you will see the route from Deolsari or Devalsari village.
On the left-hand slope from the summit, one can get a terrific view of the Himalayan ranges of Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanta, and Gangotri. The whole section looks beautifully carpeted in snow, making it a true winter weekend trek.
After spending some time at the summit, begin your descent. Retrace your way to Nag Tibba Base.
Alternate route: In absence of snow, take the route going down to Bhatwadi. It is the trail to your right going into the forest. After 45 minutes of descent on this trail, you start moving along a stream. The stream goes down to Bhatwadi village.
After an hour of descending this trail, you reach a clearing called Moriana. The stream flows on one side here and there are a couple of shepherds’ huts on the other side. This place is encircled by forests and makes for a beautiful spot for photography.
From Moriana, the trail descends into the jungle again. You continue to move along the stream. In about 1.5 hours, the forest cover ends and farms appear. You reach the Forest Department gate in 10 minutes. Bhatwadi village is visible from here but it takes another 45 minutes to reach there. Continue on the main trail and avoid the smaller ones which go off inside the village. This trail reached the entry gate for the Bhatwadi Gaon route and marks the end of the trek.
Panthwari is 8 km from Bhatwadi
In winters, when there is considerable snow on the trail, retrace your route back to Panthwari from Nag Tibba base.
Moderate
Suitable for Fit Beginners
At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty, we consider many 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.
Here, we rate Nagg Tibba as a ‘Moderate’ trek. It is a trek that takes you to the 9,915 ft, the edge of the High Altitude range. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek. You should be fit if you wish to do this trek. It is ideal for fit beginners.
The trek is a short 2-day trek but it climbs quickly. The trek is short but it can get sunny as you walk up. Dehydration is really common if you don’t have enough fluids to hydrate yourself.
Safety on the Nag Tibba Trek
Being a short weekend trek, Nag tibba poses a very low risk. The only steep section happens on Day 2 for about half a kilometre before the summit. It will slow your climb down.
However, Nag tibba does have some sections you need to be careful about. We discuss them here:
1. Quick ascent from Panthwadi to 1st Campsite
On Day 1, you will gain almost 3000 ft of altitude within the first 5 km of the trek. This puts a lot of strain on the body.
Make sure you take enough rest once you reach the campsite and get 7-8 hours of sleep.
2. Multiple Trails
The trails at Nag Tibba are well defined. You still need to walk on the right trail. There will be an instance during your trek that will have 3 trails- One leading to the summit and the other 2 leading to different settlements. You need a guide to take you on a right track. If you are trekking on your own, you will need a detailed GPX file for assistance.
As discussed in the above section, you are exposed to the risk of AMS when you cut the itinerary short. But if you are trekking on your own, and are short on time then pay close attention to your body for any signs of altitude sickness.
As a precaution, choose to stay at Panthwadi before starting your trek to ease into the altitude gain. Going on a precautionary course of Diamox for the initial days is also advisable.
In case you feel sick or not at ease, do not ignore it or take it lightly. Attend to your uneasiness and take curative measures. Check oxygen levels, go on a curative course of Diamox, drink water and rest. If you do not feel normal after a few hours or overnight, do not proceed further on the trek.
Here’s a Complete Guide to Acute Mountains Sickness:
Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest hospital quickly.
On the Nag Tibba trek, your best bet is to descend to Panthwari if you have not trekked far. If you are deep inside the trek, after Day2, your best option is to descend to Bhatwadi.
In case of a medical emergency, the closest hospital is at Panthwari and Bhatwadi. If you need serious medical attention, head to Dehradun or Mussoorie for better facilities.
Nag Tibba in Autumn
The best time to do the trek would be in the post-monsoon months of September, October and November. Post monsoon, the sky is washed clean of all the haze.
It's a great time to do Nag Tibba as leaves turn brown making the trek look orange in colour. Witness these as you trek, inhaling the crisp, pine-scented autumn air.
Nag Tibba during the Winter
The next best time to do Nag Tibba is in Winter. It provides a great time for snow experience on the Nag Tibba trek in the month of December-January-February. The snow isn’t too thick to block the trail. It isn’t so thin that it disappears within a few days either.
It’s a wonderful time to camp and trek in the snow.
Nag Tibba in Spring
Spring in Nag Tibba starts by mid March and goes on till the end of April. The snows start to melt at the upper reaches while the grass begins to turn green throughout the trek. Tiny flowers make their heads out of the grass while rhododendrons bloom on the trees.
Nag Tibba during Summer
Summers bring out a green colour palette on this trek, one that you might not witness in any other season. You will witness tonnes of Coniferous and oak trees.
The forests and meadows look bright and sunny during May-June.
The trek is at its easiest and is a great getaway from the summer heat of the plains. It also makes for the perfect time to introduce children to the Himalayas during their summer vacations.
Nag Tibba is high altitude trek. The trekking gear you need to carry for this trek is different from regular treks. So pay careful attention to this entire section.
First, The Essentials. You cannot do the trek without these.
1. Trekking Shoes:
The Nag Tibba trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.
| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.
| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series are available for rent from the Crosstrek Rental store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here - MH 100 and Trek 100.
2. Backpack:
For a trek like Nag Tibba, you need a 20-30 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.
| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.
| Rental: The 55-litre backpack is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.
3. Clothes:
Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required.
Base layer:
3 T-shirts:
Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.
| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)
| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them.
3 insulation layers:
The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 9806 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.
1 Outer layer:
A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.
| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.
Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.
| Rental: Padded jackets are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. They are custom-made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.
Two trek pants:
Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.
| Buying tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.
| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants do not trek pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.
Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek.
These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Nag Tibba without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.
1. Sunglasses:
Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Nag Tibba, you are in a permafrost region (there’s snow all around the year). Expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.
| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.
Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.
| Rental: The polarised hiking sunglasses are available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a pair of sunglasses. Rent here.
| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.
| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.
2. Suncap:
A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.
| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.
| Buying Tip: The Crosstrek suncap is available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. It is custom-made for our Himalayan treks with UV Protection and an adjustable strap. Buy here.
| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way.
3. Synthetic hand gloves:
Synthetic hand gloves: On a trek like Nag Tibba you are going to be handling snow quite a bit. You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.
| Buying tip: The Crosstrek Waterproof gloves are available at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Buy here.
4. Woollen cap or Balaclava:
Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.
Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head.
| Buying Tip: The Crosstrek Fleece cap and the Crosstrek neck warmer are available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. Buy here - Crosstrek Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer.
5. Socks (3 pairs):
Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well.
| Buying Tip: Waterproof socks are available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Buy here.
6. Headlamp:
Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Nag Tibba trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.
| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you.
| Rental: Headlamps are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
7. Trekking pole (a pair):
Trekking pole (a pair): Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Nag Tibba trek, there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.
| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
8. Rainwear:
On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.
Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.
| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
9. Rain cover for your backpack:
Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.
| Pro tip: It’s good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.
| Rental Tip: Rain covers are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional):
In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.
A daypack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them.
Other mandatory requirements
1. A toilet kit:
Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.
| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.
Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Nag Tibba.
| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.
2. Cutlery:
Carry a lunch box, a coffee mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.
| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.
| Rental Tip 1: Tiffin boxes can be rented at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
| Buying Tip: The 'Trekker for Life - All purpose mug' is available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. Buy here.
3. Two 1 litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration pack:
Nag Tibba has a few long walking days. You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.
| Rental Tip 2: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
| Rental Tip 3: Water bottles can be rented at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.
4. Plastic covers:
Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.
Useful videos to help you with your gear:
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.
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.
- Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record. The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate
- Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate
Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300
Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.
- Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Nag Tibba trek.
- Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
- Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.
- Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol.
- Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS.
- ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
- Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.
Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. 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.
It is great to see you going on the Nag Tibba Trek, While it is a great trek to do, you need to get your travel plan worked out perfectly. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do next. Use this guide and nothing else to plan your travel.
- A quick view of your travel plan (Skip to this section)
- Planning onward air/train booking (Skip to this section)
- Planning return air/train booking (Skip to this section)
- Planning your hotel bookings (Skip to this section)
- How to reach Panthwari on your own (Skip to this section)
1. Here’s a quick view of how to plan your travel
Day 0: Book your air ticket to Delhi or Dehradun. If Dehradun, proceed to Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun for pickup. If Delhi, book a night train/bus to Dehradun.
Day 1: Dehradun to Panthwari drive. It is a 2-3 hour drive from Dehradun. Panthwari is the basecamp for your trek.
We organise transport to Panthwari from Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun. Our vehicles leave at 6:00 am sharp.
Day 1: Trek Panthwari (4,642 ft) to Khatian (7,627 ft); 5-6 hours, 4.5 km
Day 2: Trek Khatian (7,627 ft) to Nag Tibba Summit (9,915 ft) via Nag Tibba Base (8,530 ft); descend to Bhatwadi and drive back to Dehradun via Panthwari. 5-6 hour trek, 11 km and 5-6 hour drive.
Day 3: Book a return train ticket to Delhi from Dehradun (Nanda Devi or Mussoorie express). Or book a direct air ticket from Dehradun.
Note: While getting to Panthwari, we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay at Dehradun (Day zero). On your return from the trek, you will get off at Dehradun. You reach Dehradun between 9:00 and 10:00 pm.
2. 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.
3. 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 old, but a 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 Panthwari on your own.
If you miss the Indiahikes pick up from Dehradun. Here is how you can get to Panthwari base camp on your own.
If you are at Dehradun, take an early bus to Nainbagh as quickly as you can. You will get Buses from Dehradun Railway Station. It will cost you about Rs. 140. It’s a 3-3.5 hours journey.
You also get shared taxis to Nainbagh which will cost you around Rs. 150- 230.
| Note: Taxi sometimes waits longer to get passengers, do not waste time here. Take a bus instead.
From Nainbagh take a shared cab to Panthwari(Basecamp). It will cost you about Rs. 50. It’s a 30-45 minutes journey.
| Note: Do not take Bus/Cab to Mussoorie. You might not get cabs to Panthwari from Mussoorie.
We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.
Fitness target:
To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.
How to achieve this fitness?
- Start jogging at least 4 days a week
- If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.
- Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day.
- Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 35 mins.
- You must be able to run 5 km in 35 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek.
This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing.
Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.
Strength training tips:
How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:
Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek.
What to upload?
- A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling
- Monthly summary of your routine
Why fitness matters:
Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek.
At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking.
We can pick you up from Mussoorie as it's on the way, it is about 1 hour from Dehradun.
The pickup will take place from Library Road end at 7.30 am.
You can use the Dehradun railways station restrooms.
You can leave your extra clothes in the cab. You will be taking the same cab back to Dehradun after your trek. We don't have any other facility at the moment. Make sure you do not leave any valuables such as laptops and phones in the bag.
Yes, fitness screenshot and being well prepared for the trek are mandatory even for the Nag Tibba mandatory. Trekkers are expected to upload their fitness screenshots to their account/dashboard.
Photo Gallery
Highlights
What To Watch Out For on Nag Tibba Trek
Here are the Highlights from Nag Tibba Trek
1. The view of the sunset from campsite
This is one of the few treks we have where you can see spellbinding sunsets. This is because of the direction this trail faces. On a clear day, you see big snow-capped mountains like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, Srikanth, and Gangotri lighting up a shade of fiery orange. Below you, you see a bed of clouds float. You don’t even have to climb to a high point to see this sunset. You can see it right from your campsite!
The sunset view from the Khatian campsite is stunning to say the least. Picture by Kumar Amrit
2. The trail to Bhatwadi village
The summit day for Nag Tibba is a long one. Right after you touch the summit, you start descending to a village called Bhatwadi. This route is extremely picturesque. An hour into your descent, you enter a clearing called Moriana where there is a stream on one side and you see a couple of shepherds’ huts on the other side. This place is encircled by forests. It is a lovely spot for taking photographs!
From here, the trail goes through a lovely forest cover that moves along the stream. When you enter farms after an hour or so, you are disappointed that such a beautiful trail is coming to an end.
Note: Depending on the group’s fitness, weather conditions and snow, your Trek Leader takes a final call whether you descend from Bhatwadi or retrace the route back to Panthwari
The jungle trail on the Nag Tibba trek is a delight to trek in. Picture by Achal Walia
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.
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