Nag Tibba — Local services in Uttarakhand

A comparatively less explored hiking and camping spot, 50 kms from Mussoorie or 100 kms from Dehradun. One can view snow capped Himalayan range on a clear day like Bandarpunch, Swargrohini etc. There are 3 places to start hiking from, but the shortest and most popular route starts from a village called Pantwari. Pantwari is well connected with road. One can get shared cab from Dehradun at 7am and 11am. There are plenty of hotels at Pantwari to have food before the hike. As well as plenty of local people running the business of organized overnight camping including food and renting tents. Their charges are way lower than what is charged by travel agents, big hiking companies. After 4 kms of hiking from Pantwari (4500 feet level), there is a forest officer office (6500 feet level), get a fee receipt from there for every person. One would need to pay additional fee if planning to camp beyond that point towards Nag Tibba, in that case plan to camp at base camp, which is 1.5 - 2 kms ahead. Nag Tibba (8500 feet level) is further 2 kms. If one still has time and stamina for a tough 2 km climb to the summit aka Jhandi (10,000 feet level), it is totally worth it. Around 10kms one way to the summit.

There are no hotels or any place to get tea or food once one starts hiking from Pantwari except a homestay called Manu-Dev ki Chhaani (lookup on facebook). It is owned and operated by a local farmer 'Manu'. He also offers overnight stay at his homestay with all 3 meals inclusive for Rs1500 per person per night on twin sharing basis.

It's a moderate climb. Most people chose to camp/stay at homestay, look at a clear sky filled with stars and a moon shining bright, watch both sunset and sunrise, enjoy the greenery of the mountains. While some chose to return the same day.

I know this info from experience as I have done volunteer work in these villages for few months. Plan a trip, you will not be...

Do you think you have got the energy to trek to the 10,000 ft? Do you want a serene place to chill out with friends with amazing view? Then, the nag tibba trekking is for you. I started by boarding a bus from Delhi for dehradun. I opted for 'snow region' sleeper class which was quite comfortable. Coming back from there in sleeper class was not that great as the bus which I had chosen was not comfortable at all. Bus started at 10:30pm from here and we reached there at 4:30 am. Then I had booked a travel agent for rest of the journey who took care of my rest of the journey. From there, we went to massouri then to pantwari village. From there we started trekking. We had our lunch here. Trekking wasn't difficult but for people who rarely go out might face a little problem. There is also a one way road for vehicles but as first part is not difficult so I would recommend that everyone should go by foot as it takes more time by car then by foot. We reached the base camp at the time of sunset. You can see how good it was in the pictures below. Keep taking pictures while you go upside as while coming back you won't have much energy left in you. Before reaching the base camp you will also come across the goat village. If you want to rest, you can do same there. We had brought a large music system with us. Bonfire is banned by forest officers so don't try same. We danced till 1 am. There was not enough light so I didn't take much pics at that time. In the group of 51 people only 12 people decided to climb for peak. We got up at 3:30 am and got ready for the trekking. I left everything in the camp except the valuable items, 1 jacket and water bottle. The real party started from here. I got up a little bit late so I also had to catch other people that's why I didn't take rest anywhere. Decision of going for the tip was totally worth it as I took terrific pictures on...

Nag tibba thought advertised in most places as a beginner's trek, can be a bit strenuous for first time trekkers. Due to unpredictable climate conditions, even in December snow can be missing. The trek involves going from the pantwari bazaar till your base camp, which are located at different altitudes(try taking a camp towards the summit so that early morning you don't have to hike as much for the sunrise). This trek would take you 3-4 hours depending on how fast you can climb. Upon reaching the camp, bond with your fellow travellers over bonfire and simple yet nourishing garhwali food. The trek to the summit starts at 3am-4am(depending on where you have set camp). This usually involves getting up at 3, freshening up in the chill windy mountains, having chai Maggi as fuel and then start hiking upwards. The hike upwards takes about 2-3 hours. If possible, lie down mid trek to rest when it's not too windy and gaze upon the night sky with very clear skies and the stars in full glory. It's an amazing view. Sunrise is at around 6:30. Maybe 7 even. Renting a torch and a walking stick at base camp would serve its purpose at this time as you will be trekking in pitch darkness. The summit is a view worth trekking for, especially if you see the sunrise and the sky plays a beautiful symphony of various colours. It will be quite cold during the trek and especially at the summit, so come prepared with gloves and multiple layers of clothings. The hike down would take half of time you spent coming up. But the path is full of lose stones and jagged rocks, so be careful descending. The entire trek should take you 24 hrs, pantwari bazaar and back to the bazaar. Enjoy the beauty of this peak and...