Nag Tibba is a weekend trek located in the Garhwal region of Uttarkhand at the height of 3022 meters. It is ideal for beginners but little preparation before hitting the trail is necessary.
On a clear day, from the summit, we can take a glimpse of various Himalayan peaks like Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Devi, Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and many more.
We had decided to start this year’s trekking season with the Nag Tibba trek. After reading a few blogs we got the idea about the terrain. We got sure that we could self drive up to Pantwari village from where the trek starts.
Pantwari is around 90 km from Dehradun. The roads are good and completely marked with the signboards. We easily managed to reach the destination.
Road Trip To Pantwari
We had started our journey on the 14th of April around 6 am and by 5 pm we were in Pantwari. We took two or three small halts in between, it was a weekday so the traffic was less as compared to weekends.
As we reached, the sun was settling down, and we saw the beautiful sunset. The last golden rays unravelling over the fields and the source itself hiding behind the mountains, the same mountains where it goes every day but creates a different aura every time. We clicked a few pictures and tried to capture the serenity.
A Homely Homestay
We then had tea at a shop, the lady there suggested us a place to stay. Later on, we went to the “Panwar guest house” to check the availability and room condition. It was perfect for us and the price was also reasonable we got the room including meals in Rs 1000. We settled down our backpacks got freshened up and rested for a while. At around 9 pm, aunty (the owner of the homestay) called us for dinner. They had a small provisional shop including the dining space in front. We sat there and uncle served us dal, mix veg, chapati & rice. it was so fulfilling and homely.
After dinner, we talked about the trek to get some fair idea so that we could plan our next day. Aunty told us she will pack lunch which we could have on the trail as early in the morning we might not be hungry. We aimed to leave early in the morning so we could cover as much distance as we could in the pleasant morning weather because these days by the time, the temperature is also increasing. With this plan, we came to our room and called off the day to take proper sleep.
15th April 2022, Day 1 – Pantwari To Nag Devta Temple
Prabhat Pheri
I was in my sleep when I heard some loud sounds, I checked the time it was around 5:30 am, now I can hear it clearly it was the sound of drums and puja bells. I went outside the room and saw many people gathered there, singing bhajan in Garhwali language and playing various musical instruments. They were worshipping the goddess of the temple or we could say their “Kul Devi”. They were also carrying a palanquin of the goddess which they are going to carry on their shoulders and walk in the entire village. I exactly don’t know the ritual’s local name but it was some kind of “Prabhat Pheri”. In which all the villagers gather early in the morning, sing bhajan and walk in the whole village for the righteousness of everyone.
For a moment I thought I should record it but then I stopped. It is not appropriate and ethical to record someone’s or somewhere’s local rituals on camera, especially when it is religious.
I stood in the corridor gave my respects and watched them enjoy the holiness of the atmosphere. After a while, they went into the village. Wow-what a morning start that was.
It was around 8 am, we were ready to leave. We went to the front side, to the shop our lunch was also ready and packed. Aunty once again told us to go to the Nag Devta temple and camp there for the night so that the next morning it would be easy for us to reach the summit. We bought juice and some candies for the trail and yes, we were going to stay back in Pantwari after returning so, we asked her not to give our room to anyone else as it was the weekend coming and there might be a lot of rush, she agreed to our request.
Off-Road Drive Towards Goat Village
We then started our adventure, from Pantwari there is a motorable way of around 3-4 km towards Goat village, so we headed towards that. After 1 km from Pantwari main market, there was a signboard on the right side indicating Goat village. It was completely a dirt road and few of its sections were very narrow. Glad that Surabhi was driving, she didn’t have any off-roading experience before that but she managed it very calmly. In around 45 minutes we were at the point from where the trek starts, we parked our car on the side, took our backpacks and begin our adventure.
Let’s Hit The Trail
Up to the Goat village trail was steep and a total of 3 km we had to hike. So, if you are walking downwards, or anywhere on the flat then it must be the wrong trail you are on. From the trek starting point, we could see some poles on the top, that is where we had to reach, this is what a local shopkeeper told us at the very beginning. After walking for about half an hour we saw two very old mud houses, we took a rest there and clicked a few pictures.
It is important to mention that only near those mud houses you could find tree shades because after that it was just strolling on the mountain without any trees.
Slowly trail started changing now we were walking on the rocky path with the sun facing us. For a moment we thought that was not the experience we came for but it was also a part of the hike so, with a positive mindset we continued our hike. There were goat symbols painted on the trail at some places as marking.
Rays were striking our heads so, it was better to walk with small steps rather than taking a rest there in the heat. We took a few mini water breaks and by 12:15 pm we reached the Goat village. There we saw many camps, permanent accommodations and a few cafes. People who come through a trekking operator, then the Goat village is going to be their base camp. We had already decided to hike up to Nag Devta temple, so we asked a local for the way of a forest department office, the first milestone for us.
If you are hiking on your own then from here you can take the permit to camp.
Completely Different Terrain After Goat Village
After the forest department’s office, there was a small water tank surrounded by some trees, we had decided to have our lunch there and took some rest under the shade.
Later on, we met a few hikers who were coming back, we asked them the way and an approx time, from here it was around 5 km more we had to hike to reach our base camp. Now the landscape was completely changed, we were under the blooming Rhododendron trees, many wildflowers on the sides and the trail covered with the fallen leaves, the scenery was a mixup of life and end, very poetic.
We saw Langurs and many wild birds, the total wilderness loaded up with their sound. Walking further we saw a group, they were also heading to the Nag Devta temple they had their accommodation booked there. We walked with them for a while then they moved ahead of us as we stopped for a break, a solo hiker like us also crossed us. It was around 3 pm we had no idea how further we have to go, and all of a sudden we heard thundering clouds. We increased our pace because if it started raining then we had to camp on the way and there was no water source near us. Soon it started drizzling, we were praying not to pour heavily and after a while, it stopped. It was around 4 pm, we were at the last stretch because we saw a pump house, a landmark of the campsite, we were so relaxed now.
Reaching Base Camp – Nag Devta Temple
As we reached the campsite, there was a shop which was the only provider there, that group and the other solo hiker were also there. We asked the shop owner if we could pitch our tent there, and he simply said yes. They were also pitching their tent for that family group. The camping area was around 200 metres from the shop. We went with the guys to the campsite and started pitching our tent, as we opened the tent it started drizzling again we then quickly set up our tent. After settling our backpacks we prepared the tea under the umbrella and enjoyed the sips inside the tent. After that, we rested for a while and took the nap for around 1 hr.
By the time we woke up rain was also stopped. We then decided to went to that shop to get some water and something for dinner. We were lucky because the guys at the shop were making dinner for the hikers. A few more hikers were about to come who had booked the accommodation here. So that shop owner is a kind of tour operator or collaboratively working with the guides and operators.
Made Some New Friends
Then on public demand, they arranged a bonfire and place the mats around it, what else we needed for a camping night. We all sat around it and then a series of chats started, firstly it was just random related to politics, current affairs etc. But later on, when more hikers joined chat became more interesting and relatable. Now we were talking about ourselves, what we do, the hikes we did and what more is on our bucket lists.
Oh, I forgot to mention the names, exactly this is what happened there also, we all were having fun together, without any introduction, not even the names so, then we introduced ourselves. That solo hiker was Manu who belonged to Kerela, but staying in Dehradun for the last few years as he is working with the Wildlife Institute Of India, most interesting job among us, others were Prasha, Yati & Jerin, they were also a part of the corporate like us except Yati, she was youngest among us and a student who came from Gwalior just for this trek. And yes, that family group they all were bureaucrats, let’s not disclose the more details about them.
Around 9:30 pm we got the dinner call, first that family had it and went to their tents, we all just sat there and continued our talks for a while then had dinner. After that, we discussed our summit plan and decided to leave at 4:30 am so we did not miss the glorious sunrise, the main extract of this trek for which we all came. With this plan, we all called off the discussion and went to sleep.
16th April 2022, Day 2 – Nag Tibba Summit And Back To Pantwari
We woke up at 4:30 am, the base camp was full of cheerfulness, we quickly changed for the hike and came outside, there were a lot of groups and individuals who were heading for the summit, Manu was already there, at around 5 am we started, it was still dark so we were walking with our headlamps on.
The trail was quite steep and after day one’s long and tiring hike it felt tougher, but the morning weather and excitement of reaching the top to view the sunrise kept us going.
We were carrying two water bottles and some chocolates in our day pack, we needed a few breaks in between so, Manu went ahead, the trail was very clear as we had to climb up on the ridge so there was no chance to deviate from the right trail. Sun was about to rise, we could see the golden shade far behind the mountains, we had to reach the top anyhow so we increased the pace and in next around 15 minutes we were at the top, as we reached we saw Jerin and Yati were also coming. It took us almost 1 hr to reach the summit.
The Summit
We were so joyful, a kind of proud feeling we felt after reaching the summit, I know that was not a big mountain top but still, we achieved what we came for, we just sat there soaked in the morning vibes, clicked a few pictures and watched the mountain ranges, we could easily recognize the Mt. Trishul and Nanda Devi from there. It was a spectacular view, looked like a layer of mountain ranges drawn on the canvas very calm, without any movement.
Manu was capturing the views in his camera, later he took a picture of us at the shrine, and then we exchanged our contacts and started to descend. In just half an hour we were at the campsite.
Manu & the family group planned to extend their hike and they went to the Devalsari village, we had plenty of time so we decided to relax and chill for a while, we took our sleeping mats out, prepared the tea and enjoyed it with the sunshine, later we also had Aloo Parantha and Maggi from that shop. Everyone was leaving, soon the rushed campsite became just a landmark.
Descent To Pantwari
At around 10 am we started our return journey to Pantwari, the descent was as usual easy, we took a few shortcuts which seemed to be the wrong path in the beginning, but finally, lead us to the right trail. After reaching Goat village, at the forest department’s office, we took a rest for 15 minutes then continued our journey, it was around noon and the sun was on our heads, there was a kid who was selling Lemonade, we had a glass and that was much needed because in the heat we were drained out and some sugar refreshed us and rejuvenate our energy level after that we directly stopped where our car was parked.
At around 2:30 pm we reached back to Pantwari, it was Saturday and as we predicted the main market was fully crowded. But aunty kept our room for us as she agreed, we were very thankful to her for that. We quickly went to our room got freshened up and then had lunch, after that perfect meal we just went to sleep and then woke up at around 8 pm.
See Off
We decided to leave early the next day for Dehradun so that we could avoid the traffic. The next day morning we woke up a little late, got ready and with our backpacks we came to the front side. We clicked a few pictures with aunty and uncle, then with the see you soon phrase we left for Dehradun.
Panwar Guest House Nag Tibba
Contact No: 7409068438, 7300618038
Contact details are shared with the consent of the owner.