Nag Tibba Trek - A cardio party in the mountains

NAG TIBBA TREK

I had no idea what I was in for when I embarked on this adventure. I thought it would be just like my previous treks, but this Himalayan trek proved me wrong within the very first kilometer. Despite being labeled as "easy" online, this trek was anything but. Rolling stones, steep inclines, and a guide who kept telling us "it's all flat from here" only to find more challenging terrain made for a grueling hike. My knees were screaming in protest, my ankles twisted on the unstable ground, and my shoulders begged for relief from the weight of my backpack. But despite the challenges, the stunning view of the Himalayan folds, the terraced farms, the night sky, and the campfire at a freezing -5C is all worth it. And not to forget the goats that passed us by on the trail with a cheeky look. This hike will definitely be a cherishable memory for me.

The journey began on a tired after office Friday evening from Delhi. The trekking group met at Akshardam metro station and set off in a tempo traveler towards Mussoorie around 9:30 PM. After a few breaks for hot paranthas and midnight chais, we arrived in Mussoorie at 3:30 AM. It was important to fill up the vehicle's tank in Mussoorie as there are no fuel stations along the way to Pantwari. But finding a 24/7 functioning petrol pump in Mussoorie was a challenge in itself. We had to wait outside the pump alongside all the truck drivers until 6 AM to be able to fuel up and continue our journey.
I wanted to take a walk through the dark, silent streets, illuminated only by flickering streetlights. But the biting cold quickly forced me back into the vehicle. After a restless sleep surrounded by snoring lullabies of my trek troop, we resumed our journey towards Pantwari. The scenic view on the way to Pantwari was breathtaking. It's no wonder Mussorie is called the "queen of hills." After another two hours, we reached the base village of Pantwari. We took a brief stop to freshen up and refuel with some hot paranthas at a chacha's tiffin center. Then, we packed our backpacks for the trek and set off around 11:00 AM.

At least the beginning was expected to be easy, but the steep inclines started from the very first steps. Within less than 100 meters, all of us were panting heavily and looking at each other in disbelief. Some people chose to take a truck to the top at this point, but where's the fun in that? We resumed the trek with short breaks, some nimbu pani stops, lemon tea breaks, and a lot of songs (which I didn't understand).We reached point 1, where we were supposed to meet people who had taken the truck earlier. Seeing them gave me hope, but it turned out that we were only quarter of the way through the trek. We took a short break and continued, our mood now set for the journey, we picked up pace. Taking fewer breaks and sharing longer stories all through the way. Hiking is really a great way to make friends and get to know strangers.

There were so many beautiful view points on the way , that we wanted to stop and admire it all . But no, if we were going to stop at every point like this we were going to miss the beautiful sunset, we had to reach the basecamp before 5:30 PM to view the sun beautifully going home between the gigantic valleys and painting the sky with its own array of colors. We passed by the goat village, stopped for lunch , had rotis , drank water from any source we could find and sang our way to the basecamp right on time to see the sunset.

It was the golden hour, which means photoshoot time. I tried so much but cameras could never capture , what my eyes did. Hot chai and pakodas calming the stomach while sunset calming the entire mood was truly a moment to freeze.

As the sun set, the temperature dropped and the chill breeze turned into shivering winds. We set up a bonfire and added some rum for warmth as we told funny stories and sang songs. The valley was calm and quiet, with our laughter and chatter breaking the silence.
As usual, I found myself zoning out of group conversations. I wanted all of them to be quiet, It felt like our laughers were breaking the conversations between the breeze and the trees. Our claps were disturbing the lullaby that the full bright moon was singing to the mountains. The stars were twinkling in sync to the tune of brushing grass waves , but our chatters just wouldn't let them in harmony.

It was 11:00 PM when we all had dinner and retreated to our tents, exhausted and ready to fall asleep. Our plan was to start the trek to the top at 3:30 AM so we could catch the sunrise on time.
It's 1:00 AM, frigid -5 degrees and I kept stirring in the sleeping bag. The Crisp breeze hitting my tent felt as if it were inviting me to come outside and experience it. I slowly peeked out of the door as the cold night air nipped at my cheeks, I decided to stumble out of my tent into the clear, star-filled sky. The moon was full and bright, casting its glow over the surrounding mountains and valleys. Despite the freezing temperature, I couldn't resist the urge to sit outside and take in the beauty of the night sky. The stars were twinkling to the rhythm of rustling trees. Maybe this was the stargazing experience that I was longing for-peaceful, heart-filling, and completely captivating. Before I could even realize, it was 3:30 AM and time to start the final leg of our trek to the peak.

Fueling ourselves with some Maggi and hot chai, we set off on our trek at 4:00 AM, in the freezing temperature of -6°C. The path ahead was expected to be easier, but it turned out to be even more challenging. The incline became steeper, the cold bit harder, and the darkness made it difficult to see what was around us. The thin air made it hard to catch our breath. After an hour, we had only covered 500 meters. Some members of the group started to fall behind. So, we split into two groups, with some pushing on to see the sunrise and others pushing on to some how make it to the peak.
It was a tough climb, but we made it to the peak just in time to witness the breathtaking sunrise. It seemed like the sun was waiting for us to arrive before starting its grand performance. The sun's rays cascaded over the horizon, painting the sky in a stunning array of colors. I was so entranced by the sight. Then began the photoshoot session with the Lightman adding the most beautiful filter to all pictures. There could be no bad photographer, the sun painted every single frame so beautifully with his rays. 

Despite not wanting to leave this magical place, we eventually had to start our descent down the mountain. After a quick stop at the Nagtibba temple midway, we returned to our basecamp for a hearty lunch of rajma and chawal before continuing our journey back down to the base.

Descending the mountain was a completely different challenge. I lost count of how many times I twisted my ankles, praying that it wouldn't be a sprain. But the most special part was that we were coming down with the setting sun. As the sun tucked itself between the mountains, we reached the base. The sun's rays are truly magical, transforming every strand of grass, clinging leaf, dried twig, and even the goats' beards into a golden hue. It was as if I was looking at the world through a filter. Even the sand seemed to glitter. It may seem like I'm exaggerating, but you'll understand if you've ever experienced it for yourself.

We reached the base while listening to the folk songs and local lore about the mountain. One of the tales was that there was once a massive snake, whose head rested on the Tibba here and its tail at the Tibba in Nepal. So there are 2 mountains with the same name. 

After freshening up upon reaching the base, we set off towards Mussoorie that evening and arrived back in Delhi early the next morning, filled with memories of this cardio party at the mountains.