Best Rhododendron Treks

The onset of Spring brings a beautiful cheer in Himalayan region . And the cheer is justified with the refreshing whether at this time of the year and the blooming of the alluring Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons in Uttrakhand are mostly found in Elevation from 1800 – 4000 MBSL.

During this Early Summer , for a short time between March and April , the forest trails of the Himalayas are ablaze with rhododendrons. These alluring pink, red and white flowers stretch for miles and miles. It’s a pure delight for any trekker. Here are the top three rhododendron treks that we recommend in early summer.

 

Deoriatal – Chandrashila

This is  the best  Rhododendorn trek of Uttrakhand. It starts off in a beautifully laid out trail within rhododendron forests. The Deoriatal Lake is surrounded by trees that stand out in shades of crimson, magenta and bright pink.  During the summer months, when the rain clouds drizzle and the sun shines bright, the slopes of Chopta are ablaze with many tyes of blooming rhododendrons. With the flowering season at its peak, you’ll find the flora and fauna of this region absolutely gorgeous.

The trek also takes you to viewpoints from where you can see the peak of Chaukhamba , Bandarpuch  and many more.

 

Bagji Bugyal

Bagji Bugyal trek during the spring season when the entire rhododendron forest will be in full bloom covering the whole mountainside. During March and April, the rhododendron blossoms turn the trek into a riot of pink and white flowers.

This is a low altitude trek but with spectacular sceneries and beauty of the high Himalayas. The trek is basically accomplished from the terraced  fields passing along picturesque Ghes village and towards the immense forest of rhododendron where in spring bursts with many different hues. The trekking trail is filled up with great many Himalayan panorama of mountains like Mt. Trishul , Mt Nanda Ghunti, Mt Maiktoli, Mt Mrigthuni, Mt Nanda Kot, Panchachuli  peaks and many others. Bagji Rhododendron Trek is fairly an easy trek and witnessing the natural beauty of Uttrakhand coupled up with witnessing local culture and traditions.

 

Brahmatal

Brahmatal is one of the few treks in India that is blessed with  Rhododendron forests. After mid March , when winter bids goodbye, fresh leaves begin to sprout on trees. Flowers begin to bloom. The landscape is a riot of colours.

On the Brahmatal trail, scarlet rhododendrons bloom in the lower sections and pink ones take over the upper sections. You could be walking on a one kilometre stretch under a hue of red and suddenly, you’ll find yourself under a shade of pink. These flowers make trekking thoroughly

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Uttarakhand

2 Day

9900 Ft

16 Km

Easy

₹ 3,500 Per Person

Brief Description

 Group Size          : 15

Nag Tibba famously known as Serpents mountain in located in lesser Himalayas of garhwal region of Uttrakhand at an altitude of 3022 meters.

It is believed to be the abode of ‘Nag Devta’ or God of Snakes, from which it borrows the first part of its name; ‘Tibba’ is a local word for hill or peak. This place is frequented by trekkers and adventure lovers for its scenic beauty and is at elevation of 3022 meters. Winters are chilly and summers are pleasant, making it an attractive place for camping. The place can be reached from Dehradun via road. There are three ways to do this trek one route from Devalsari and the other from Shrikot, Pantwari. It has a beautiful temple on the top, and a little over, one can see entire Bandarpoonch ranges of Great Indian Himalayas towards the Yumnotri side.

Available Dates

06 Feb – 11 Feb (Open)
13 Feb – 18 Feb (Open)
20 Feb – 25 Feb (Open)

06 March – 11 March (Open)
13 March – 18 March (Open)
19 March – 24 March (Open)
26 March – 31 March (Open)

03 April – 08 April (Open)
10 April – 15 April (Open)
16 April – 21 April (Open)
22 April – 27 April (Open)

Itinerary

Drive from Dehradun to Pantwari village via Mussoorie, Kempty falls. Will reach Pantwari village starting point of the trek which is is located in Dhanaulti Tehsil of Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. There are three routes that you could take to go to Nag Tibba. This one via Pantwari village is the shortest, with a total trail distance of 8 km from Panthwari Village to the Nag Tibba Summit. However, we will not go all the way to the summit today but stop at Khatian(camp 1), 4.5 km from Panthwari.

Rise early to get a head start as it is going to be a long day with lot of walking to do. From Camp 1, locate a trail towards the right going straight into the forest.

The estimated time it takes to reach Nag Tibba Base is around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Nag Tibba Base is a large clearing with a temple dedicated to the Serpent God.

You get a view of the Garhwal peaks through the forest. In winter one will encounter a lot of snow here. The snow makes the climb more challenging. It can take anywhere between  1 to 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the summit. The summit is straight up and does not require you to go left or right.

Look for a flag on the highest point called Nag Tibba “Jhandi” or summit. On the left hand slope from the summit one can get a terrific view of the Himalayan ranges of Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanta, and Gangotri.

After spending some time at the summit, begin your descent. Retrace your way to Nag Tibba Base. Here, you can see a trail going down into the forest to the right. Two cemented structures mark the beginning of this trail. This is a single trail that goes all the way to Pantwari. Proceed to Dehradun, stopping at Pantwari .

Gallery

Trek Essentials

Basic Essentials
o Back Pack & Rain Cover (50-60 liter)
o Day Pack & Rain Cover (20-30 liter, If you hire mule or porter)
o Couple of water bottles (Avoid Bisleri Bottles)
o Hiking Shoes (Should be water proof and ankle support)
o Torch (With extra batteries)
o Glucose, Chocolates, biscuits and nuts
o Personal Medical kit (If you required)
o Original ID Card

 

Clothing Essentials
o Trek Pants – 2 Nos. (Avoid Jeans, Shorts, Capris, Fitting Denims)
o T-shirts – 4 Nos. (2 Full Sleeves, 2 Half Sleeves)
o Sweater – 2 Nos. (1 Fleece, 1 Woollen)
o Jacket – 2 Nos. (1 Fleece, 1 Down feather)
o Thermal Wear – 1 Nos.
o Gloves – 2 Nos. (1 Woollen, 1 Waterproof)
o Socks – 5 Nos. (3 Cotton, 2 Woollen)
o Warm Inner wears
o Rain Coat / Poncho – 1 Nos.
o Handkerchief/towels – 1 Nos.
o Slippers – 1 Nos.

 

Protect Your Head
o UV sunglasses – 1 Nos.
o Caps – 2 Nos. (1 Sun Cap, 1 Woollen Cap)
o Balaclava – 1 Nos.

Personal Utilities
o Sunscreen Cream
o Body Lotion
o Lip Balm
o Sanitizer
o Tooth Brush & Paste
o Quick Dry Towel
o Cameras
o Books (If you like reading)
o Music Instruments (Guitar, Flute)

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions on Brahmatal Trek

Q   Which are the best seasons for the Nag Tibba trek?

A    October to June .

Q   What is the style of accommodation in this trek?

A    Accommodation on all days of the trek will be in tents, where you will be sharing rooms with fellow trekkers.

Q  What will the temperatures be like during this trek?

A    Day time temperatures will range from 12-20ºC and night time temperature will range from 4-10ºC.

Q   What will we do if it rains?

A    If it starts raining while you’re trekking, we will continue on the trail as planned. Your poncho should protect you from the rain. Carry a backpack cover for extra protection from rain for your belongings.

Q   How do we reach Pantwari?

A    We will arrange pick – up vehicles/shared cabs from Dehradun railway station to Pantwari. This transport cost is to be borne by the trekkers.

Q   How do we get back after the trek?

A    We will arrange for shared cabs from Pantwari to Dehradun. This cost is to be borne by the trekkers and is not included in the trek fee.

Q   Are backpacks, raincoats and other equipment available for rent ?

A    No. Highland trekkers does not rent any equipment. You may purchase trekking poles and other equipment from open market.

Q   Is this a good trek for a first timer?

A    It is suitable for a first time trekker provided you are fit .

Q   Is there an option to offload my backpack on this trek?

A    Yes, there is an option to offload your backpack. This will cost Rs.250/day  if you inform us in advance. If you decide to offload once you start trek, the amount will be Rs.350 per day inclusive of tax. The offloaded bag should not weigh more than 9 kg.

Q   What are washroom/toilet facilities like on the trek?

A    There will be toilet tents in the trek.

Q   Will there be water sources on the way? Will two litres of water be enough?

A    For your day’s trek, two litres of water should be enough. You will also find water sources along the trail on all days of the trek.

Q   How do I manage the low temperatures on the trek? Do I need special jackets?

A    At high altitudes, temperatures are sure to dip into negative at nights.. For these extreme cold temperatures, you need to wear three layers of woollen, inners and lower.

What's Included

INCLUDED

 Transport from Dehradun to Pantwari & Return
 Accommodation during the trek (camping)
 All meals – vegetarian
 Campfire at Camps (If Available)
 Trekking permits and forest camping charges
 Trekking equipment (tents, sleeping bags, ice axes, ropes, etc.)
 Services of an expert trek leader (qualified in basic/advanced mountaineering courses)
 Services of an expert trek team (guides, cooks, helpers, porters/mules)
 Safety equipment (first aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretcher, etc.)
 Achievement Certificate
 Memories of Life Time

NOT INCLUDED

 Backpack offloading charges (Rs.250 Per Day/Per Bag)
Food during transport from Dehradun to Pantwari & Return
 Backpack offloading charges
 Personal expenses of any kind
 Anything apart from the inclusions

How to Reach

Flights to Dehradun:
There is a daily flight from Delhi to Dehradun

Trains to Dehradun :
Dehradun Express (12687) From Delhi
Doon Express (13009) From Kolkata
Dehradun Express (19019) From Mumbai

Buses to Dehradun:
Regular buses from Delhi and from major cities of North India.

Cancellation Policy

  1. Before 30 days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
  2. Between 21-30 days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded
  3. Between 11-20 days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded
  4. Between 0-10 days: No refund