Nag Tibba Trek

Preparation:

Well, this trek was not in list. After our DeoTibba trek in June 17, I visited Thirthan Valley in Oct 17. Amazed with the beauty of the valley, going up on high altitude in this range was trickling in my mind since then. When I started collecting information on trek in this region of Himachal, I got to know about trek in Great Himalayan National Park (Rakhundi Pass). The best season to go there was September-October. So we had to wait for almost a year which was absolutely difficult for us. To fill the gap, I looked for a short Himalayan Trek in Feb-March. This is when we found and decided to trek Nag Tibba.

Jassi dropped off due to personal reasons. From our PUNE trekking team, Vivek joined us first time for Himalayan trek. So, the team was me (Keshaw), Akshay and Vivek. We booked the return tickets from PUNE to Delhi and Delhi to Dehradun.

Day 1 and 2: 22^ndand 23^rdFeb 18 (Pune-Delhi-Dehradun-Pantwari) – TRAVEL DAY

In Jan, Vivek had shifted to Bangalore and he had to come to Pune as our prebooked flight was from PUNE.  

L to R: Akshay, Vivek and Me (Keshaw), leaving from home

At Airport, ready to fly

We left at almost right time from PUNE and reached Delhi at around 9 PM. Dinner was served in the Air India flight, so we directly went to Metro and boarded for New Delhi. From New Delhi Railway station, we boarded in Train for Dehradun and went to sleep.

Train was on schedule and we reached Dehradun at around 5:30 AM. After getting fresh up in railway waiting room, we went on to Bus stop which is besides railway station. Direct bus to Nayan Bag was at 8 AM and we wanted to break our journey to avoid sickness (Learning from Har Ki Dun Trek), so we booked seats in Dehradun-Masuri bus which was at 7.15 am. Please note that there are two routes from Dehradun to Masuri, one take you to Library Chowk (Usually buses going beyond Masuri) and other take you to Picture Palace (Usually last stop for busses). Cost per person till Masuri was 60 Rs and distance is around 35 Km from Dehradun to Masuri.

And we boarded in a wrong bus which dropped us on Picture Palace.

When I got down and asked for the bus to Nayan Bag, one old man said, “Sab Ji aap galat aa gaye” (You came at wrong place). The way he said was scary and I thought, we did something seriously wrong. I asked how to go to Library chowk? He said, “Either walk for 2 KM or take a taxi for 5 Km long way”. Phew… It was not that serious. We preferred to walk as the weather was awesome and wanted to be little relaxed. On the way to library chowk, we took breakfast and reached at chowk in around 30 minutes. We enquired about bus to Nayan Bag but no one was sure about bus timing.

Yamuna Near Nayan Bag, taken from bus.

 In 5 minutes, we got a traveler going to Pantwari Directly. We paid 200/person till Pantwari and started our comfortable journey at 9:30 AM. Nayan Bag is around 40 KM fromMasuri and route is beautiful (Provided your Pilot is slow). At around 11 AM we reached Nayan Bag and driver stayed for lunch. We were expecting to leave Nayan bag soon but driver waited for a local passenger for 30 minutes and we could start from Nayan bag at 12:15 PM. Though, it was little frustrating but we should respect the local guys as they are very polite, helping and running their business. So, local passengers are important for them. Pantwari was only 15KM from Nayan Bag, route is beautiful and we reached Pantwari before 1.00 PM.

Day 2: 23^rdFeb 18 (Pantwari-Base camp)

Pantwari is a small and beautiful village. Food and some stay options are available here, if coming at evening. Everyone is habitual of trekkers and offer a warm welcome. They will give you information in detail, if you will ask. Don’t hesitate; they are simple and loving people so ask for local culture or any information you need.

Starting Point in Pantwari

Note: There is a small Nag Temple in Pantwari (Not the one trek is named after it) where you can fill your water bottles. After start of the trek, you will find many small routes which villagers use to go to their farms. Don’t get confuse, route goes to left is for a small village, take right route and make sure the right side valley is always visible to you till Nag Tibba peak. You will not be lost for sure. Road is also there and if you hire a car, it will save your around 1 hour difficult trek. I don’t think guide is needed as the trek route is well defined and populated. So, you can ask for the route in regular intervals. Water is the biggest problem on this trek. After Pantwari, there are two more water sources which are very near to starting point. After the goat village, there are no water sources. So carry plenty of water.

               

Pantwari, when looked back.

We filled our water bottles (2 lt/head) and started our trek at around 1:25 PM. Day was sunny, route was very dry and brown without forest for today’s trek. So, it was getting little difficult and boring. Though, the village, when looked back was looking beautiful.  

Take Rest here, a watch tower

We were crossing the road in every 100-150 meters trek and soon reached to a point where a small hut is constructed and you can take a rest. We stayed there for 15 minutes and captured a few snaps. Trek was almost vertical (Or we might be feeling due to heavy bags we had) but cool air made this little easy. Soon, we reached to a first water point of the trek and refilled our bottles. After little more trek, we saw a board showing us the route to Goat Village and around 4 PM we reached to goat village. This is the last water option but we had our bottles filled so did not stop here. We were misguided that water is available at base camp as well. Here we saw a gate under construction and it was the start of the jungle. Now, we started feeling like trekking in Himalaya. 

When I see that beautiful red flowered tree, I quickly reminded myself, “Oh, this is Burans. My favorite Himalayan Tree.” 

It reminded me the trek to Har Ki Dun where I had seen it first time.

Entering into Dense forest

This jungle is full of life. Hundreds of birds were chirping and big Himalayan vultures were hunting so we started capturing them. Trek was getting more vertical so we decided that we will trek for an hour and then will camp wherever it is possible. Going through the dense jungle, we reached to a small meadow at around 5 PM.  

Base Camp, before Nag Temple

Considering this a base camp, we pitched our tent and explored the place. We only three trekkers were there guessing which should be Nag tibba peak?

Base Camp, our tent

                There are plenty of dry woods available (If no rain) so we collected quickly and started camp-fire. Akshay brought to us homemade “pooriyan” (deep-fried bread) and in great hunger, they taste awesome. Especially, when roasted directly on fire and eating with pickle. After having awesome dinner and enjoying camp-fire, we gone in our tent for the much needed rest.

Getting Ready for Dinner

Camp fire, after dinner

 Day 3: 24^thFeb 18 (Base camp – Nag Mandir – Peak – Base camp) – Adventure Day

When Akshay came out of tent in the morning, he saw only one of my floaters outside of tent (Yes, I trek in floaters in all Himalayan Treks. Shoes are high discomfort that I don’t wear even in office. Especially for this trek, I had bought Crocs floaters a month ago and kind of precious for me). When I heard this, I came out of tent as it was a big worry for me. All the utensils were scattered all around and one floater was missing. Seems, there were wild animals in the night. I started searching for lost floater all around, especially on wild animal’s treks. After half an hour, I found it around 200 meters from the tent. Phew… it was safe.

Maggi Breakfast

        

   We cooked Maggi in breakfast with the remaining water and assuming water will be available in temple, we started trek at around 8:30 AM, leaving our tent here only. Target was to trek till peak and come back before evening.

Ready For the Trek

L to R: Keshaw and Vivek 

When we started trek, we realized how difficult it would have been if we would have tried yesterday. Even without bags, our speed was very slow. Trek is under dense forest and weather was cloudy so we were feeling cold. After one hour or so, rain started as predicted by weather forecast agencies. It was not continue rain and we were on our path without any problem. In 2 hours, we reached to Nag Temple and snow fall started by then but not very heavy. 

Swarg Rohnini Range from Base camp

The place is beautiful and Himalayan ranges were now visible. But, we did not found water here!!!! A big reason to worry. So, we decided to trek till peak and go back to goat village. That means, we had to trek whole day without water. We looked at our resources and found matchstick in medical kit and two steel bottles. We could see snow patches in left side trail and assumed it would be little more snow upside. After, 30 minutes, we found a big snow patch. So, we collected snow in our steel bottles and then started fire.

Collecting Snow, Mission "The Water"

 Making water from snow was not easy as we thought, but somehow manage to collect more than half liter of water from snow (Though, our bottles got black permanently), enough for the back trek as we did not feel thrust so far due to weather.

In Next 40 minutes, we came out of jungle and Nag Tibba peak was 50 meters in our right. National Flag along with Religious flags was there which confirmed that we are reached to our destination. In same time, snow fall started. 

It felt like Nag Tibba Peak was waiting to welcome us. It was increasing and as we reached on the peak, snow fall was in full flow. 

Akshay and Vivek, the chilling moment

Turning Green into white

The Panoramic View, from top

At the peak

Aahhhaa!!!! What could be better than that!! We were seeing the brown patches getting white and trees getting loaded with snow, in front of our eyes. We enjoyed the snow fall for an hour and started back trek at around 2PM. Unfortunately, could see the long ranges from peak due to weather. 

Back trek was easy but the route was disappeared due to snow. 

Nag Devta Temple

We went to Temple in return and after temple, weather again changed. In no time, it was fog everywhere and that too so dense that we couldn’t see ahead more than five meters. Snowfall was converted into rain and route became slippery. When we came back, the base camp was fully occupied with trekkers. Around 40 tents and hundreds of trekkers were already come.Good that we pitched our tent in corner and little out of the crowed. Good that we did not come on Saturday.

              

        

Vivek was restless due to water shortage. He insisted us to get water from goat village which was the nearest source. But, looking at our no-interest, he himself started down trek. We were appreciating his efforts while resting in tent. In around two hours, he came back with 3 liters of water and it was dark outside. Our next target was to cook dinner, but all the woods were wet due to rain and we had no hope to start fire with them. Akshay, our relationship manager, took the responsibility of maggi along with soup. He went into a nearby tent where food was getting cooked for their customers. He talked to them and as expected, they offered us food, soup water and everything. I love Himalaya for the kind people.We insisted to cook only our maggi on their gas stove and had a wonderful dinner with soup.

From Base Camp, An Awesome evening.

    Rest of the night, it was raining, sometimes heavily. Thanks to Vivek’s waterproof tent, we had a wonderful and comfortable night.

Day 4: 25^thFeb 18 (Base camp – Pantwari – Dehradun)

               

                By morning, rain stopped and we ate whatever left and ready to eat. All trekkers were getting ready to go up and we were packing our tent to go down. Slop was steep and distance we knew now, so without hurry, we enjoyed our back trek. Weather was clean today as on first day, trek was easy and soon we crossed goat village and reached to the water point. After some rest, when we started again, a local villager joined us. He gave us the information about the area, importance of nag temple for locals and his believes, local culture and farming in village. When he noticed that Vivek is struggling due to knee pain, he offered to take his bag. When Vivke refused the offer, he insisted and took his bag. We comfortably completed the remaining trek and when we offered to pay for his service, he politely denied and moved on his path as we never met. What kind of people they are? So kind, so polite, we must learn from them, what humanity means.

                In Pantwari, we had wonderful lunch in a small hotel. Not much verity but full lunch for all of us including curd, a glass of milk and tea for Akshay, only in 240 RS Total. We got a shared Taxi till Nayan Bag in 50 Rs. Per head. From Nayan Bag, we again got a Shared Taxi in 130/head. As usual, return journey was hectic, especially because we got a pilot in our taxi instead of driver. I was already feeling sick and before Masuri, I vomited. Took little rest and rest of the journey till Dehradun was as usual. We reached Dehradun by evening and booked a hotel near station in 1000 RS for all of us. Little walk in the streets followed by a good, simple dinner and then good night.

Total Trek Cost:

Pre-booked travel cost including Air Fares: 5500 INR per head

From Dehradun to Nag Tibba and Back: 1300 INR Per head. (Including Hotel Charges and dinner in Dehradun)

Other Route: We also thought to go back from a different route which is from Nag Devta Temple to Devalsari. But it is 14 KM from Temple to Devalsari Village and route is not very common. So we dropped the idea, though we heard it is beautiful and less steep route.

Day 5: 26^thFeb 18 (Dehradun - Delhi)

                It was Jan Shatabdi Express we had booked for return journey in morning 5AM. We spent rest of the time of journey discussing about the trek and next plan, the good and bad, little politics and society. It was a short journey and reached to Delhi at 11:30 AM. I said bye to Akshay and Vivek, they left for the Airport. Akshay had a flight to Pune and Vivek had a flight to Bengaluru. I had to stay in Noida with my wife’s family, my little kid Parth was waiting for me.

PLEASE DO NOT POLLUTE THE PLACE, IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND LET IT BE BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE BACK YOUR PLASTIC WRAPPERS BACK TO DEHRADUN, DO NOT LITTER PLASTIC THERE.

Road Trip to Himachal (Manali -Tirthan - Shimla)

      It becomes very important to take your family on vacation if you are planning for a long trek. It is to balance on both sides of your life. In the same manner, I had my last Deo Tibba trek in June 17 and now was planning for next Himalayan Trek, so thought to take my family out for vacation. We were already planning to meet with family and during discussions; we thought to go out on Diwali vacation. Credit goes to Prashant (Brother in law) and Amrita (Sister in law, henceforth referred as Mini) for all the planning and bookings. For us (Me, my wife Priyanka and our kid, Parth), the trip was kind of travel package that too sponsored by my in laws.

                The plan was to gather in Noida and go out to Manali, Tirthan Valley and Shimla on our personal car. Priyanka’s parents were already reached Noida from our home town Damoh when we reached Noida from Pune. So, we took a day rest in Noida and packed our bags.

Day 1 (13-Oct-17): Noida – Chandigarh – Mandi - Manali

This was third time I was going Manali and I knew the day is going to be hectic one. The distance is around 570km and last 300km is a hilly road. So, we left on our TATA ARYA early morning to avoid traffic and cover as much as possible in first half of the day. Mini has very high motion sickness and soon started felling uneasy. We took few stops, had breakfast and lunch on the way and continued our journey. Chitchatting, looking outside and answering Parth’s queries, we completed the hectic journey till Manali with few ups and downs. Salute to Prasant’s amazing driving and patience without which, it could have been more hectic. Acharya Cottage was our booked destination which is next to Jagatsukh village and we reached there by around 9 PM. We took our dinner in the hotel which was well served amazing food and went for the rest.

Family from left, Prashant, Papaji, Priyanka, me, Mini, Mamma and Parth

Day 2 (14-Oct-17): Solang Valley, Mall Road and Hadimba Temple.

Impressed with the dinner, we took our breakfast in the hotel itself and moved to Solang Valley.

Prashant and Mini at Hotel in Manali

Parth in Solang Valley

Solang Valley

 It is around 15km from our hotel and we reached in about 30mins. Luckily no traffic on that day in Manali, may be due to Diwali week and weather was at its best. Solang valley is a beautiful small valley, especially if no crowd.


One can go for paragliding or rope way to see the beauty around. There is a temple and a water fall which is around 2 km from parking and a must to see place. Motorbikes and mules are available to reach there but I would suggest to trek. We had elders so hired motorbikes but in return; I, Prashant and Mini trekked back. After spending more than 3 hours there, we moved back to Manali and had lunch at Mall road. We spent some time in shopping and hired autos to reach till Hadimba Temple. It is around 1.5km from mall road and on little height. This is again a beautiful place. Go in the park which is behind the temple and can sit in silence. 

Mini at water fall and Shiva Temple

Sun was set and after a wonderful day, we returned back to hotel. Spent some family time, had dinner and went for the rest.

Rohtang is other major attraction of Manali but it was not in our plan looking at the health of our parents. It is a full day trip and you have to hire a local taxi or you have to get permit which is online and very hard to get. I had visited this place before and a fantastic place to go; especially to see the amazing range of Himalaya.

Day 3 (15-Oct-17): Manali – Aut – Tirthan (Gushaini).

Though, we wanted to stay in Manali for one more day. But we got bookings in Tirthan only for 15-16 Oct, so had to leave Manali on 15^th Morning. With the experience of day 1, Mini avoided the breakfast and packed one paratha for the way. The journey was around 100 Km so we prepared ourselves and started journey at around 9 am after having breakfast. Looking at the beauty that we missed on day one, taking breaks and listening PAPAJI’s favorite old songs, we continued our journey till Aut Tunnel. Just after the tunnel, straight road goes to Mandi and left goes to Tirthan valley. We took left turn and destination was around 30 km from tunnel.

Just after taking left at AUT TUNNEL

Raju Bharti guest house was the destination which 1 km before Gushaini in Tirthan Valley. As soon as we crossed the Dam, road came very near to Tirthan river and it is along the river till Gushaini and may be beyond that. This is beautiful road and crystal clear river along the way. You will have the feeling of Jindgi Na Milegi Dobara on this road. Soon we reached at the destination which was at other side of river. A small wooden bridge to cross the river is there.

Crossing Tirthan River through Wooden Bridge

Rope way is also installed, if the water level is above wooden bridge. We checked in, had lunch and went down on river bed. This is just amazing place to enjoy the silence, except river sound.

Priyanka, Relaxing in Tirthan River

After spending some quality family time, taken dinner, played cards and went on to rest except me and Papaji. We played few games of Chess.

Day 4 (16-Oct-17): Tirthan (Gushaini).

After breakfast, we went to GHNP office in Shairopa and walked into the jungle capturing few memorable moments in cameras and came back to resort.

Mini, Collecting wild flower at Shairopa

After lunch, we planned to visit a water fall which is near to jalori pass and around 19km from Gushaini. I must say, it was not a good idea. Though, it is only 19km, but road is dangerous and not for outside drivers. Again Hats off to Prashant for his driving. There was a political rally in Banjar town and we turned back to resort looking at the road and traffic due to rally. This was a great decision and we came back to resort before sun set, had little walk on the road and we spent rest of the time in resort and river. We arranged campfire in night and after dinner, we went on to bed.

About the Guest House and Nearby Places

I must say, Raju Bharti Guest house is not the guest house but a fantastic resort. It has two sections, few rooms at lower level, near the river and B cottage is upper side for which you have to trek for a minute. Both have their own uniqueness. From lower cottage, you can have the river view while from upper cottage, you can see the top view of the beauty around. The guest house has lots of flower, apple trees and persimmon trees. Everything available there is kind of included in package. We got the booking 1500 per person per night including breakfast, tea, lunch, evening snacks, dinner (Veg/Non-Veg) and anything available in the kitchen. Food is awesome, Karan (Owner) and his brother is managing the resort and very humble guys. They do everything that they can for you. Three dogs and few cats are also the part of the resort and good for your safety. This is very good, beautiful resort if you are looking for some peace of mind and relax for your body. Nothing to see there, you can just sit on the river bed and enjoy the silence. One can go to fishing (Paid service), or a waterfall near the resort (Have to walk for 1 km) or in the Great Himalayan National Park. Don’t get confused, the office of GNHP is before guest house (Shairopa) but nothing to see there. Actual national park is 8 km from the resort called Rohilla. Car goes till the gate and then you can pay at entrance and walk in the park. We missed it but have the plan to trek in this national park till Rakhundi in 2018.

Mamma and Papaji in Resort

Mini and Prashant in River

Me and Priyanka at Campfire Hut in Resort

Me and Prashant at Masti time

Family Time

Our Room in Resort

Mini, on persimmon hunt

Day 5 (17-Oct-17): Tirthan – Mandi - Shimla.

There are two roads for Shimla, one is the same Banjar road which is short but dangerous and other is long one via. Mandi. Based on our previous day's experience, we took the long road via Mandi. We left little late to digest breakfast and to avoid motion sickness, but of no use. The route was boring and hectic as we were coming out of the beautiful scenery to dusty roads with full of traffic. With few ups and downs, we reached Shimla at 9 PM and checked in to Hotel Samrat, which was on mall road. Hotel was good and we were all tired so soon went for the rest.

Day 6 (18-Oct-17): Shimla

Jab we Met at Mall Road, Shimla. The young gang

We had a plan to visit Kufri today but last day was quite hectic so we decided to relax. After breakfast, we went on to mall road. We had photo sessions, shopping, eating, chilling out and came back to the hotel for some rest.

At Mall Road, Some relaxing moments

We again went on to mall road to enjoy the evening and it was worth to spent an evening there. On every stairs going up, I was imaging the movie scene of Jab We Met where Kareena met Shahid. One can visit to few nearby places, like Church and shop in local market.

Day 7 (19-Oct-17): Shimla – Noida

It was Dipawali today and the last day of our memorable trip and only back travel was remaining. It was kind of coming down to earth from heaven. Prashant was all set for long drive, we mostly focused on the way and Diwali planning. With no issues or sickness, we came back to Noida by 5PM and when we noted the milometer, we had traveled 1300 KM.

Special Thanks to Papaji for sponsoring the trip, hope we will have many more such SPONSORED vacations.

PLEASE DO NOT POLLUTE THE PLACE, IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND LET IT BE BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE BACK YOUR PLASTIC WRAPPERS BACK TO CITY, DO NOT LITTER PLASTIC AT ANY NATURAL or TOURIST PLACE.

Trek to "Deo Tibba Base Camp"

Pre-Preparation:

In last trek to Har Ki Doon, we had decided to trek in Himachal next time. Based on that, I started again searching for trek in Himachal in around Jan 2017. I, Jassi, Rahul were the candidates and inspired by our stories of Himalayan treks, one of my friends, Akshay also joined us. I was looking at the less known trek but soon I came to know that Manali is the base for almost all the treks in Himachal. So after reading few blogs, I decided to trek “Deo Tibba Base” this time. All were waiting for my decision and soon we all agreed on it. I started getting all the information of the trek, route and as a routine I made the bookings for all 4 of us. I and Akshay were supposed to fly from Pune to Delhi where Rahul and Jassi were coming by Train and then to proceed further together.

Day 1: 25^th May 17 (Pune-Delhi-Chadigarh)

Unfortunately, Rahul had to drop the plan at last moment, he wrote, “Dil Toot gaya, Gym Chhot gaya”. So, I cancelled all his bookings. I and Akshay reached to Delhi at 10 AM where Jassi was waiting for us at Jantar-Mantar. We met there, had lunch and boarded in train to Chandigarh at 2:30 PM. It was too hot and Jassi was arranging all to keep the water cool in train (He is our Funsuk Wangdu).

I (Green T-Shirt) and Akshay in Train to Chandigarh, Managing the heat

We reached there by around 7 PM. This was the stay day at Chandigarh as per plan, but in over excitement, we decided to travel in night for Manali. So, after having dinner at sector-43 bus stop, we enquired for the bus to Manali. There were only one bus left at 11:40 PM and we queued up for the ticket. The system there was pathetic and after 2 hours of hard-work, we came to know there is no seat available in that bus. Next bus was at 5 AM in the morning and it was already 12:30 AM, so after losing all hopes and to avoid morning crises, we hired  a cab for Manali and started our journey to Manali at 1:00 AM.

Day 2: 26^th May 17 (Chandigarh-Manali)

Journey to Manali was not so comfortable. We reached there at around 11 AM taking few naps in the cab. So, immediately booked a hotel got freshed and taken lunch. This was first visit of Akshay and Jassi to Manali, so thought to visit few nearby places. I took them to Hadimba Temple and we amazed by the beauty of the surrounding. It is a nice place to visit and relax in the natural beauty.

In the Hadimba Temple Van Vihar

In evening, we did some shopping for the trek, and after dinner, we gone for the much needed rest.

Day 3: 27^th May 17 (Manali – Jagatsukh [7km] | Jagatsukh – Power Project [12KM]) – Chikka (1.5 KM)

After breakfast, we packed our bags and moved to the taxi-stand. When we asked to drop us till the power project, next to Jagatsukh, we were shocked by the taxi rates. It was around 19 KM and people were asking for 2000 INR. So, we decided to trek from Jagatsukh to Power Project that day (12 KM). We hired an auto in 300 INR till Jagatsukh. Here we witnessed the kindness of locals, they are so nice people. As soon as we came out of the auto, we saw an alto going upward on the power project road.  We asked for the lift and he welcomed us for next 4 Kms.  He dropped us after 4 KM and we started our trek, this is so beautiful road though. Soon, we saw another alto coming and again we asked for lift. He was an officer going for the project and welcomed us. He dropped us till the project and given some important info.

At the starting point, Where first ALTO Dropped us.

          Here we realized that taxi drivers asking for 2000 INR was reasonable. Road is in bad condition and it is steep road till the project. We said thanks and bye-bye to the Gentleman and moved ahead. We started the trek from right side of the water stream (Jagatshukh Nala) and soon reached to a bridge to cross it. After crossing it, make it a rule to never ever cross it again till the Seri, will tell you the story of crossing it, later.

First bridge after Hydro Power Project. Never cross the river after this.

From here, trek was little steep and from the dense forest. We were enjoying the beauty and silence of nature (Except the sound of Jagatsukh Nala). It is so beautiful that you cannot capture it in clicks; you just have to be there. Going very slow around 1.5 hours, we witnessed the beauty of first glance of Chikka. The Chikka is just an amazing place, lush green, river flowing from your right, big rocks to sit and just see the beauty and green patches to pitch your tent. A Naag Dev temple is forward side of the place, but we decided to stay before that.

First Look of Chikka, a beautiful place to camp

Our Tent, First Day camping at Chikka

The beautiful place, Photo by Akshay.

Now it was time to get dinner ready. We had experimented Daal-Rice cooking in our Shahyadri trek and were pretty confident about it. So, started cooking Daal and after all our hard work, Daal was not ready to be cooked. We are still not sure whether it was Daal or Water which failed us. After two hours of hard work, we get ready with Roti (Yes, it can be called Roti J) and Daal. It was just edible, no commentsJ. As soon as we had dinner before 6 PM, yes, it was raining and we went in our tent for rest of the night.

          Khanol is the place on the route which I had read in many blogs. But, this is very less known place so don’t enquire, you don’t need it. Power project is also known as twelve thousand (Barah Hazar). Buses are running from Manali to Naggar via. Jagatshukh and you can reach there in just 20 INR, trek start point is very near to the bus stop. Stay options are also there in Jagatsukh.

Day 4: 28^th May 17 (Planned Chikka to Seri – 6-7 KM, Mission Failed).

It was a good sleep in night, we woke up and after getting fresh, we cooked breakfast (No dare to cook daal again). We heard from a group at power project that going to base camp is not possible due to heavy snow and extreme weather. So, we were relaxed since this saved our 3 days (Seri to Tenta, Tenta to Base and Retrun, Tenta to Chandratal and Retrun. As per the plan, it had to be done in 3 days, but going beyond Seri was not possible). We were planning to Trek till Panduropa only, which is in between Chikka and Seri. So, at around 11 AM, we could start our trek. We reached to Naag Dev Temple and asked the route to a shepherd and he said, it is very easy, you just follow the trail. After crossing Naag Temple, there was a bridge and route was going to bridge. So, as we instructed, we crossed river and it was the WRONG TURN.

The Wrong Turn.

 After an hour trek, route was getting disappeared and we started feeling that we are on wrong trail. We discussed and Jassi found a Five Star wrapper. Considering it is from a trekker and we are on right trek, we continued the trek. Soon, we saw people coming from the other side of the river and they said you are going on wrong trek. With no options left, we had to return. We reached back to bridge and meet the trekkers coming back. They guided us correctly but since it was 2 PM, we had no options to reach Panduropa and cook our dinner before rain come. So again, we stayed at Chikka and since we had time, again dared to cook Daal. After more than an hour and all our hard work, Daal had no sign to get cooked and we learned the true meaning of “Daal na galna” J.

Jassi's Arrangement to Save us from Rain during
the mission "Daal-Rice"

We left it and cooked just masala rice. Luckily, they cooked well and we could have our dinner. We donated that Daal to a shepherd. It was rain time and we went into Tent for rest.

Day 5: 29^th May 17 (Chikka-Panduropa-Near to Seri – Around 6 Km)

Learning from the last day, we woke up early in the morning and relying on our ready to eat food, we started trek at around 7:30 AM. We were on right trek and looking at the beauty all around, crossing small side water streams, crossing rocky and flowery patches, taking small breaks we went to a small but beautiful flat patch.

In Between Chikka to Panduropa

Since, there is no way to identify the place, we assumed this is the Panduropa (I still believe that our assumption is right.) This was so beautiful, green mountains behind, snow capped mountains and small glaciers at our front, straight rocky hill at our left and everything was beautiful. Here we also observed that trees range is getting over, no trees ahead, we were entering into a different landscape. We took rest, Jassi started fire to warm packed Parathas and then we took our lunch. Today, weather started changing little early as it was only 1 PM. So, we started our trek again and target was Seri.

In one of the Rocky Patch

 After 30-40 minutes, rain came. This was a heavy rain with ice cubes and we wished we could have stopped at Panduropa. No options were left so we continued steep climbing in cold rain keeping sleeping mats at our head. Somehow, we could manage to get into a flat patch and Seri was supposed to be at the next turn of the valley. But, we had no energy and were caught by cold. So, somehow pitched our tent, rain was stopped till then. Luckily, weather got clear suddenly and got much needed sunlight to warm up ourselves. Sleeping mats were all wet, so we pitched tent on sleeping mats keeping them outside our tent. Jassi cooked MTR Upma and soon we went into tent. Night was horrible, I was sleeping but Jassi and Akshay was feeling deep cold in their feet, even after they put 4-5 pairs of shocks on their feet.

Our Camp before Seri

PC: Akshay Kalway. Place, Seri base camp

FOR MORE PHOTOS, Click HERE


Day 6: 30^th May 17 (Camp-Seri-Camp – around 3 km total)

After a horrible night, this was the best day of our trek. Weather was clear and after having some breakfast, we started to Seri keeping our entire luggage in Tent. So, without weight, speed was good and in an hour we reached to Seri.

On the way to Seri, from our camp. Just Amazing.

              Waaaoooo.. this was the beauty we were waiting for since a year. Destination was so satisfying that we forget the pain of last night. Seri is a flat ground, looks like a stadium but of huge size, may be 2-3 standard stadiums combined together. At left side, we saw a great “Deo Tibba Mountain” and at right we had Jagatsukh peak.. Jagatsukh Nala start from here. A small water stream was flowing with the corner of the ground at its best beauty. We spent 2-3 hours there and headed back to our camp.

SERI

When we looked back, from SERI.

Deo Tibba is at Left

Jassi, in deep meditation

In return, we saw “Thar” hanging on the rocks and taken few snaps. This was the first wildlife we saw, other than birds. We came back to our tent and ohh yes, it was the Rain Time again. In an hour, rain stopped and we came out of our tent. Few other trekkers were also pitched their tent near to our tent. Akshay started talking to them and soon joined them in photo-session. Don’t know if they smelled our need, but they offered us hot PULAO. Wao, what else we needed at this moment and we started our dinner like never before, of course in closed tentJ. Akshay also made them to offer us Soup. That was the best soup of our life.. can never forget. Thanks to that group, especially Manager and Cook, they are so nice people like most of the locals.

Day 7: 31^st May 17 (Camp to Chikka – Around 6 KM)

This was the day to back trek leaving the beauty slowly. When we were starting our trek back, they again gave us packed Rice-Daal for our lunch on the way. We could not wait and just after 10 minutes, opened up the pack keeping us behind the rocks (So that they couldn’t see us) and had our hot-lunch. Rest of the route was well known to us so keeping our talk and taking mind-images of the trek, we came to Chikka before 3 PM. Rest of the evening we spent on a rock outside our tent and had MTR poha again.

FOR MORE PHOTOS, Click HERE

Day 8: 01^st Jun 17 (Chikka – Jagatsukh)

This was the last day of our successful trek. We looked back to the beauty of Chikka last time and started our back trek in the morning at around 9 AM. Soon we reached to the Hydro Power Project as it was hardly 1.5 KM distance. Jassi was not feeling well so he stayed to wait for the taxi or lift till Jagatsukh. I and Akshay had a great desire to trek back, so we started down trek. It was a well route (For trek) and our speed was good. In around two hours, we covered more than 8 km when Jassi came on a Chhota Haathi (Mini Truck) and offered us lift. We reached to Jagatsukh and headed back to Manali on Local bus.

FOR MORE PHOTOS, Click HERE

Day 9-10-11:  2^nd , 3^rd and 4^th Jun 17 (Manali-Delhi-Pune)

Jassi left Manali on 2^nd June as he got train ticket from Delhi. I and Akshay had booked flight on 3^rd June so, we stayed in Manali and Visited Rohtang Pass on 2^nd June. As usual, return journey is always a pain when you come back from the heaven like place. On 3^rd June, we left Manali and reached Delhi by Bus on 4^th June and same day we reached Pune.

Additional Information for fellow trekkers: This is not a beginner trek for sure. At every step, you have to climb, you will rarely find a flat patches. 3 - 4 KM is a max distance a normal trekker can cover in a day, more than that is a stress (With Potters, you can cover little more). If you wish to go till base camp, you have to be ready to stay and trek on heavy snow in May-June. I did not go in September, but September end is the best time, if you wish to go to Tenta-Deo Tibba Base and Chandratal. There is not a single village or civilization on the route after power project, so we ready with your own food arrangements. To go to Tenta and then Deo Tibba base, you have to climb from left side water stream at SERI.

PLEASE DO NOT POLLUTE THE PLACE, IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND LET IT BE BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE BACK YOUR PLASTIC WRAPPERS BACK TO MANALI, DO NOT LITTER PLASTIC THERE.