Indian mythology is rooted deep in traditions and beliefs. Snakes or Nagas, as they are called in the local tongue, are highly revered in Hindu mythology. With festivals, temples, scriptures, Gods, and Goddesses dedicated to snakes and snake deities, there is no surprise that we have sacred mountains and hilltops that are central to popular religious beliefs. As luck would have it, adventure junkies looking for some spiritual insight can undertake a trek to the snake mountain, made popular by the name Nag Tibba.

Nag Tibba or Serpent's Peak, standing at an elevation of 9,915 feet is your calling if you are seeking a quick rendezvous in the Himalayas! It is the highest peak in the lower Himalayan ranges and the Bugyal region of Uttarakhand.

Beautiful camping locations with glimpses of colossal mountain ranges such as Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Srikanth, Black Peak, meandering trails through thick Deodar jungles, and some remote stretches interspersed with wild flora and exotic wildlife, Nag Tibba is flavored with all the elements of a great Himalayan trek. Being a circular trek, Nag Tibba trek treats you to a brand new vista and fresh trails while descending from the summit. There is no overlap of terrain and this contrasting landscape is the complimentary perk of this trek.

It is feasible to accomplish the Nag Tibba trip in one day, according to experienced hikers. While returning most of the hikers opt to stay back at the camp overnight. It enables them to recuperate and rest before departing for Dehradun. You may also enhance your adventure spirit by participating in bonfires as well as other events.

This trek prepares you well before jumping into the bandwagon of challenging treks and adventurous expeditions. In a nutshell, Nag Tibba is a refreshing trailer for amateur trekkers who have yet to experience the potpourri of a full-fledged trek.

Quick facts

• Region- Uttarakhand Himalayas
• District- Tehri Garhwal
• Altitude- 9,915 feet
• Duration- 2 days and 1 night
• Trekking Distance- 16 Km
• Difficulty Level- Easy
• Start Point- Dehradun
• End Point- Dehradun
• Base Camp- Pantwari
• Nearest Railway Station- Dehradun Railway Station
• Nearest Airport- Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun
• Last ATM- At Mussoorie
• Mobile Connectivity- The whole trek is connected to the mobile network but the network tends to get erratic at times
• Best time to visit- summer months: April-June and the winter months: October-December. Snow lovers can do the trek from January to March
• The forest permits for international clients will be as actual and are to be paid by the trekker at the base camp only.

About Nag Tibba

Nag Tibba translates to “Abode of the Snake God or Nag Devta”. Local villagers have a deep reverence for the serpent deity. A temple dedicated to Nag Devta on the mountain summit carries significant value for the local populace. Every day devotees throng to offer their obeisance to Him with a staunch belief that Nag Devta is the protector of their land and cattle.

Pantwari is just an overnight journey away from Delhi. A 3-day journey from Delhi brings you to Nag Tibba and back, which makes it one of the most sought-after weekend treks. The Distance between Nag Tibba and Delhi is just 355 Km.

How to reach Nag Tibba

By Train

Reach Dehradun by train. Dehradun is well connected to all the major cities of India like Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ujjain, Chennai, and Varanasi through the train.

From Dehradun, drive to Pantwari (89 km), which takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes. Patwari is the mountain village from where the Nag Tibba Trek commences.

By Road

There is a flight of buses that connect Dehradun to major cities of India such as Delhi, Shimla, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, and Mussoorie.

You can choose between Volvo, Deluxe, Semi-deluxe, and Uttarakhand State Transport Buses. From Delhi ISBT, located at Kashmiri Gate or Anand Vihar, you can take buses up to Dehradun. You can either book at ISBT or even book online. It takes 6 to 7 hours from Delhi to reach Dehradun, which is at a distance of 275 km.

There is a regular bus service, every 15 minutes to 1 hour from Dehradun Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) near Clement Town. Mussoorie Bus Station, located near Dehradun Railway Station and Delhi Bus Stand on Gandhi Road also provides bus services.

Reaching Dehradun, drive to Pantwari (89 km), which takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

By Flight

Jolly Grant Airport is located 26 kilometers away from the main city of Dehradun. It is well-connected to Delhi through major airlines like Indigo, Air India, Jet Airways, and Spice Jet and 7 to 8 flights are operating each day in this sector. It takes 1 hour to reach Dehradun from Delhi by air.

Dehradun is connected to Mumbai and Lucknow through direct flights too but the frequency of the flight is less as compared to Delhi.

Star attractions of Trek

Scenic Drive

A 3 to 4-hour-long scenic drive from Dehradun to Pantwari village along the Yamuna river valley traverses through curvy mountain roads lined with the exotic Himalayan flora. You pass through the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, and journey along the beautiful Kempty Falls.

Goat Village

Experience the Garhwali village lifestyle in this unique farm retreat snuggled in the Himalayan lap at the height of 7,000 feet. This traditionally curated and artistically crafted paradise takes you back in time. Indulge in rural farming practices, participate in regional cooking with the locals, milk the goats, explore the local terrain, and enjoy the full moon nights under the vast expanse of star-lit skies. The goat village has some artistic cottages constructed in an old architectural technique called ‘Koti Banal', which is indigenous to the Garhwal Himalayas. Spending a few days in these cottages will give you an excellent living experience of the simplistic local lifestyle.

Lush flora and fauna

The Nag Tibba trekking route boasts of some dense forest covers in Uttarakhand. Splendid forest trails are replete with beautiful mountain flower rhododendron aka buransh in the local language. Tall pine trees and mighty oaks guard the trails with their majestic grandeur. The terrain is also rich in useful herbs like Ashwagandha and Vajradanti. Sightings of exotic Himalayan animals and the chirping of mountain birds are an added essence of the trek.

Temple

Dedicated to the Snake God or Nag Devta in the local dialect, Nag Tibba Temple is the star attraction of the Trek. Surrounded by rhododendron forest on one side and Deodar forest on the other, it is located one kilometer before the Nag Tibba Summit.

Summit and Mountain Views

Enthralling 180-degree views of the Lower Himalayan Ranges and the evergreen Bandar Poonch, Gangotri, Swarg Rohini, Chanabang, Kedarnath, and Kala Nag Ranges from the summit are bound to take your breath away.

Best time to visit Nag Tibba

Nag Tibba is an all-season trek that can be enjoyed all year round. Each season is bejeweled with a distinct panorama; the landscape transforms itself beautifully with spectacular scenic views exclusive to that season.

NAG TIBBA IN WINTERS

December to March is the most beautiful time to do this trek when the trail is speckled with snow. This trek stuns you with the beauty of pristine white patches and snow-dusted trees standing tall against the magical solitude of winter. It is one of the most popular winter treks soaked in tranquillity and bliss.

Your hardcore winter thrill is incomplete without a bonfire. Light a bonfire, crack some jokes, click memorable snapshots, and make some wonderful memories under the galaxy of stars before retiring in the comforts of your tents.

NAG TIBBA IN SUMMERS

Embarking on the Nag Tibba trek in the summer months of April to June greets you with some astonishing views. The mountain ranges resplendent against the backdrop of transparent azure skies are refreshingly divine.

High-altitude farmlands are salubrious with fresh air and the trails peppered with multi-hued wildflowers look splendidly inviting. Dense forests and a thick canopy of trees provide ample shade against the bright mountain sun. You may even spot Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Leopards, and exotic Himalayan birds such as Himalayan Eagles during summer months.

NAG TIBBA IN MONSOONS

The monsoon months of July and August are a bit tricky with mudslides and muddy slopes along the trails of Nag Tibba Trek. Since the trek does not journey through any challenging hikes, you can undertake the Nag Tibba trek in the monsoon months if looking for some adrenaline rush. The landscape is lush with fresh foliage and the entire region sparkles with a green glow. Fresh mountain air thick with crisp fragrance invigorates you inside out. Colossal mountain peaks and terraced fields shrouded by a cover of dark clouds are the unique beauty witnessed during monsoon season. However, monsoon months call for some precautions as the trails tend to be wet and slippery. Ensure that you are carrying proper trekking equipment, gear, and footwear.

NAG TIBBA IN AUTUMN

Fall in love with fall in the months of September to November when the whole landscape is ablaze with crimson hues. Clear skies, fresh breeze, chirping birds, and camping with a slight nip in the air is an enriching trekking experience in the fall months.

Nag Tibba weather

Nag Tibba is blessed with the most salubrious weather throughout the year. While summer boasts of pleasant and clear weather, winter mesmerizes you with a crisp nip in the air. Cool mountain breeze and pleasant weather all year round make Nag Tibba Trek an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts.

Nag Tibba temperature

Winter months

In the winter months from December to March, the weather varies from -5 degrees minimum to 13 degrees maximum. It is freezing cold and you are required to carry thick woolens to keep yourself warm.

Summer months

In the months from April to June, the temperature ranges from 2 degrees minimum to 20 degrees maximum. The pleasant weather in the summer months makes the Nag Tibba trek seem easier and even more comfortable.

Monsoon months

July and August are the monsoon months in which the temperatures range from 8 degrees minimum to 16 degrees maximum. It is recommended that you carry light woolens as the temperatures tend to dip in the nighttime.

Fall months

In the months of September, October, and November, the temperatures vary from -4 degrees minimum to +15 degrees maximum. Overall the weather is pleasant but gets very cold at night. It is important to carry woolen clothes to keep yourself comfortable and warm. You can even experience snowfall in the month of November.

Difficulty Level of Nag Tibba Trek

Touted as the beginner’s trek, Nag Tibba is one of the easiest treks that bestow upon you the alluring beauty of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The terrain is gentle-sloped without any long stretches of steep hikes, anyone with a little trekking or absolutely no trekking experience can undertake this trek. However, it does require a basic level of fitness.

Is Nag Tibba Trek safe?

A short-duration trek with easy trails, it can be planned comfortably with children as well as elders of the family. The trek journeys through mountain regions that are absolutely safe.

Can Naga Tibba trek be done alone?

Yes, Naga Tibba is a perfect choice for solo trekking if you plan to cover the trek in one day but you want to stay at the base camp and extend the trek to 2 days then it is advised to undertake the trek in a small group.

Water availability in Trek

Water is available at two or three water points on the first day of the trek. There is only one water point on the trekking route on day 2. It is recommended that you carry two bottles of 1 liter each to meet your water requirements.

Is Nag Tibba Trek recommended for beginners?

The answer is big YES! Nag Tibba is that ideal trek that perfectly trains beginners before they are ready to explore the difficult trekking domain with zest. Let’s find out why-

Easy terrain

A gentle terrain interspersed with gradual ascends and very short steep hikes make Nag Tibba an ideal choice for beginners and amateur trekkers. First-time trekkers enjoy the experience without feeling too fatigued as a few steep ascends don’t last very long.

Duration

As a beginner, you want to take a plunge into the trekking arena with a trek that is of short duration and not very physically demanding. Nag Tibba is just a 2-day trek with ample resting points after a few kilometers.

Well connected

Nag Tibba's proximity to Delhi is also the icing on the cake. First-timers are maybe a little nervous about their journey to the unexplored mountain region. The trekking trail does not take you too far from civilization and you can head back to Pantwari even in the middle of the night.

Wholesome

Nag Tibba trek is flavored with all the trek ingredients such as jungle trails meandering through dense forests, exotic Himalayan flora and fauna, splendid mountain peaks, quaint Himalayan villages, sacred temples, and scenic campsites bedecked with sheaths of snow in the winter season. It is a positive experience for first-time trekkers to savor all the flavors of the trek in their very first trek.

Fitness required for the Trek

This moderately easy trek requires a minimum level of fitness. Anyone with normal physical stamina and mental endurance can undertake this trek. It is recommended that you do a basic preparation at least 3 weeks prior to taking this trek. Nag Tibba Trek entails that you follow the below-mentioned benchmarks that are a prerequisite of any mountain trek-

• Prepare yourself by jogging or running 3 km every day, for 30 minutes
• Do basic stretching exercises to condition your muscles such as stretching your neck, shoulders, arms, backs, and legs. Be careful not to strain too much as it may cause injury.
• Climbing stairs, skipping exercises and cycling helps build your stamina and improve fitness.
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Note: Lack of preparation and poor physical fitness will result in a dissatisfying trekking experience.

How to prepare for the Trek

• Ensure that you have decent physical and mental endurance before you set out on the trek. Getting fit should be one of your top priorities before undertaking the trek.

• Regardless of the month, it is recommended that you carry warm clothes as the temperatures may dip at night.

• Even if the Nag Tibba trek is of short duration, planning the trek with an experienced guide holds you in good stead. These guides are well-versed in the local terrain, natural water sources (rich in essential minerals), and points of interest. They can be of great help if you are planning the trek during the monsoon and winter months. You must be well equipped with all trek essentials such as trekking gear, proper clothing, footwear, and trekking accessories in the monsoon and winter seasons.

• It is highly recommended that you trek in a group of three or four people.