Nagtibba 2015 : The trek that was a beginning... By Smilee Ganesh

Nag Tibba Winter Trek  ( 23^rd Jan to 27^th Jan 2015 )

What would be the better way to start a new year other than one of the finest trekking experience and that too my first one. Naga Tibba winter trek was my ultimate choice for its scenic beauty and can be covered within 3-4 days.

Day 1 : 

We started from New Delhi Kashmiri Gate at 9 in the night to reach Rishikesh early in the morning and from there we started going towards Pantwari, which is starting point of trek.  Around 10 am we reached Pantwari with loads of excitement to start the memorable journey. After freshening up @ Pantwari we started trekking towards the base of Naga Tibba, which was our first day destination. It was an amazing experience climbing uphill. We reached to the base after trekking for 5 hours with a break enroute for Lunch. Its eternal experience to spend time amidst the nature, thick forest & camping in tents. Today, most of the terrain was green and the excitement of seeing more snow was building up consistently. The group was familiarizing with each other and everybody was trying to find his/her space. 

Day 2 : 

After having a sound sleep in the arms of Mother Nature, I woke up pleasantly to a wonderful experience of watching sun rays falling on the mountain peaks. 

After breakfast in the camp we started climbing towards Nag Tibba summit. We were so engulfed with the beauty of nature that didn’t realise anything else.  Nature's peace was flowing into us as sunshine flows into trees. It’s mesmerizing experience to view snow clad mountain ranges of Himachal. 

Needless to say it’s a timeless experience to be at such place which is at the altitude of 3022 metres. With a heart opposing to go back, started returning to base camp post lunch on the summit. 

While some of us were engrossed in the beauty of mountains, some others were exploring themselves and walked quitely as if listening the mountains give them some feedback. Well the climb was not so easy to the peak but the experience was definitely worth the calories burnt!

After reaching at the base camp it was time to gather around a fire with a group of people who were now close-friends, talking, eating and dancing together. It was all so exciting & the warmth of fire was what we needed in the chilly night at Nag-Tibba.  We chatted, sang, danced, lazed around, and had loads of fun around that fire ...one that we earned of-course!

Day 3

Today we had to move to the other side of Nagtibba and move downwards to Tewa village where the pick up vehicle was waiting for us. The journey today went through the thick pine forests and gradually the snow started to disappear from our sights. The fact that the trek was getting over could not sink in due to the awesome trail that we followed. 

Those trees : some standing tall and some relaxing on the ground, those leaves : some fresh green, some growing old and pale yellow, some others coming down to greet us as we walk down... Well all in all the journey was very soothing and did not let the nostalgia begin.

By the afternoon, we were a bit late and moved in the Tempo Traveler quickly to Rishikesh in order to ensure that we are well in time for the Volvo back to Delhi.

By the time we reached Rishikesh, I had already started to miss those unforgettable moments. As my first trek, this journey would always be special and close to my heart. I tested myself, conquered some of my fears and challenges, made some friends and most of all ... Had loads of fun!

Tuesday morning at ISBT, Kashmiri Gate, it all ended like a full circle ...start to finish :)

Here are some other winter treks which you can explore

Chadar Trek

Kedarkantha Trek