Deo Tibba Basecamp Trek- Best Ever Guide

Deo Tibba Basecamp

Journey to the foot of 6000 meter peaks

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

6 days

Max Altitude

13775 ft

Starting Point

Manali

End Point

Manali

Distance

13775 KM

Best Time to Visit

June-August

Camping sites

The ascend into the mountains

The Deo tibba basecamp trek is one of most unique treks in Himachal Pradesh. As it is the straight route to some of the most prominent peaks dominating the skyline of Manali that is Mt.Indrasan and Mt.Deo Tibba both of which are 6000'ers the only other peak of similar caliber is on the other side of the Beas river, that is Mt.Hanuman Tibba. Nevertheless the route to Mt.Deo Tibba's basecamp is full of different settings

Views from the campsite of panduropa.Picture Credits : Krishnendu Mazumdar

The transition on the open valleys

On the very first day you walk through the dense alpine forests before making your way to Chikka which has a very unique rock formation. A little ahead of Chikka you will pass through a very dense patch of shrubs, with the river gushing to your right. The campsite of Panduropa is a lush green alpine meadow and more often than not the entire campsite gets swallowed by cloud systems moving through the valley. The next day you will see the valley opening up and you will get the first glimpse of the overhanging glaciers on surrounding peaks. The walk to Seri is full of massive snow fields, depending upon the season you are on this route.

waterfalls emerging from the overhanging glaciers from surrounding peaks.Picture credits: Krishnendu Mazumdar

Up and Above

Slowly the terrain transcends into a flat delta of streams converging from the surrounding glaciers. A steep ascent will take you to the high altitude campsite of Tenta which is the basecamp for Mt.Deo Tibba. The Chota Chandratal lake is nearby and calls for a short hike. The following day you will retreat to Manali from Tenta.

The campsite of Seri in evening. Picture credits: Krishnendu Mazumdar

Short Itinerary

Brief Itinerary
Day 1 : Manali to Jagatsukh to Bara Hazzar ; 3 hours drive
Day 2 : Bara Hazzar to Chikka ; 4Km ; 2 to 3 hours
Day 3 : Chikka to Panduropa ; 3Km ; 3 hours
Day 4 : Panduropa to Seri ; 3Km ; 3 to 4 hours
Day 5 : Seri to Tenta to Chota Chandratal ; 4Km ; 4 to 5 hours
Day 6 : Chota Chandratal to Manali ; 14 Km ; 7 to 8 hours trek, then drive.

Hikesdaddy Itinerary

Trek from:

Manali to Jagatsukh to Bara Hazzar

Trek gradient:

The road is full of hairpin bends and road condition is bumpy.Rapid altitude gain

Water Sources:

No stream till Bara Hazzar, carry water from Jagatsukh/Manali

You will first arrive in Manali, after arriving in Manali you can chill in the Manali city forest and perhaps visit the temple of Hadimba the trail to which passes through the city forest have a good lunch in one of the cafes and thereafter you will have to take the bus to Jagatsukh village near Manali the ride is barely 30 minutes and buses are readily available from the Manali bus stand at regular intervals. Make sure you are on the bus to Jagatsukh before 2 PM. After reaching Jagatsukh you can contact the local shops

The pristine forests on the way to Chikka.

Trek from:

Bara Hazzar to Chikka

Trek gradient:

Moderate.Slow ascent through thick forest.Level walk through meadows, then descent.

Water Sources:

Water source at Chikka campsite,few seasonal streams might be present but mostly dry.

Today you will have to start your journey through the very dense forests near the dam. Take the trail and move into the jungle. You will find the trail opening up a bit in next 40 minutes depending upon the season you might find snow bridges within 30 minutes of your trek. After all this area get buried in snow during winters. In the 30 minutes you will see the forest giving way to small vegetation scattered all over the mountain slopes. You will have reached the Campsite of Chikka. Chikka has a rock of high religious significance. The rock is actually split in two and there is a serpent like formation in the crack which is totally black. There is a shelter created by the villagers of Jagatsukh as they come here periodically to worship the site. Funfact : If you were to walk 50 meters from the campsite in Chikka you will find a small bridge across the river. The area on the other side has small trees and the floor is covered in velvet like grass which makes it an ideal campsite. Make sure to clean up and leave the area trace free.

Cloud system moving into the Panduropa campsite.

Trek from:

Chikka to Panduropa

Trek gradient:

Easy.Gradual incline through forest.Followed by boulder section which eases of in to the forest again.Gradual level ascent till campsite

Water Sources:

Fill water from Chikka campsite as no stream on the way till Panduropa.There is a water source at the other end of Panduropa campsite near a big rock.

On the first day of the trek you will reach Chikka fairly early and if you have the will to go on you might as well march on and camp at the campsite of Panduropa which lies between Chikka and Seri. The campsite of Panduropa is a green meadow on a mountain slope and is preferred by people who want to extend their treks by a day.

The huge rock face near Seri campsite

Trek from:

Chikka to Seri

Trek gradient:

Moderate.Gradual ascent but steep, sometimes snowbound.Level walk followed by another steep ascent.Then the trail levels out upto Seri campsite.

Water Sources:

Depends on the snow conditions.Sometimes the entire stretch till Seri is snow bound.If so, you will find water at seri only.It's better to load up on water while at Panduropa.

The trail will be relatively long today and you will have to start early in the morning. 15 minutes into the trail you will enter a very thick forest section.It is advised to spend some time to find the right trail mark here otherwise you will be left hopping over big boulders for an hour which is quite an experience in itself. After this thick forest cover the trail will open up and in some time you will reach Panduropa. There is a stable stream of water here , you can fill up your bottles here. The valley will now keep on opening till Seri. After crossing Panduropa you will come across a valley with a gradual incline. Depending upon the snowfall last year and the month you are visiting this area might be covered under a snow bridge. If you feel the snow if weak at the center take the sides. If you are confident charge any which way you want. After this hump there is another hump thereafter the trail smooths out all the way till Seri which is located below the huge wall blocking further approach into the valley. Camp here.

Camp near the delta at the Seri campsite.

Trek from:

Seri to Tenta

Trek gradient:

Difficult.Steep incline through a rock face.Difficulty vaires depending on snow conditions.Level walk after the rockface.

Water Sources:

Fill at Seri.Water source near Tenta campsite

Today you will climb through the rock face that is obstructing your way into the valley and you will get glimpses of the overhanging glaciers on your left side.The terrain is now rather gradual and find a good place to camp and enjoy the magnificent orange sun setting over the mountain range of Pir Panjal. If the skies are clear there will be a brief moment when everything turns orange when the sun is just at your eye level.

Campsite of Tenta

Trek from:

Tenta to Chota Chandratal

Trek gradient:

Easy.Gradual ascent.

Water Sources:

stream at Tenta and feeder streams to chota chandratal.

Visit Chota Chandratal and explore the surrounding area.

The route to a pass that leads to Malan to the right of Seri Campsite

Trek from:

Chota Chandratal to Manali

Trek gradient:

Easy.Descent is fast and gradual.The boulder field between Panduropa and Chikka is to be traversed carefully.If not sure about trail follow river through the banks.

Water Sources:

Multiple refill points on trail

Retrace the same route to Manali

May, June, September, October

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