Deo Tibba Peak Expedition

• Altitude: 3,100 m/ 10,200 ft
• Altitude gain: 1,050 m/ 3,450 ft
• Drive Distance: 15 km | Duration: 1 hr
• Trek Distance: 5 km, 2 to 3 hrs
• Drive till the local dam at Khanaul via Jagatsukh
• Enough  natural water sources on the way
• The first 20 minutes is a steep climb.
• Most of the trek is a gradual ascent in alpine forest
• The last half an hour is on open grasslands.
• Jagatsukh is the old capital of Kullu
• Chikka is famous for the temple of Nag Devta
• Stay in the tent (twin-sharing)

Get all ready to begin the first day of your trek. We will pick you up early in the morning post breakfast and refreshments. First, you start with a ride till Sethan and then followed by a small trek to Chikka. Make sure you actively observe the sceneries during the ride. It is wonderful climbing up passing through Jagatsukh. It is one of the beautiful villages with colorful wooden houses. Jagatsukh was old Kullu capital. The road ahead is not that good with bumpy curves. Look at the greenery around as you slowly move away from Manali. The drive from Manali to Sethan is not long but very scenic.

Right before Chikka, you will cross Sethan. It is another popular adventure site, it is famous for rock climbing and snowboarding. You can see the big tunnel doors of the Hydro Power project at even distances. After you have crossed the Khanaul dam get ready to start your trek. The trek route is through dense forests and uphill and it is also filled with different types of berries and flowers. The first 20 minutes are steep then it is a gradual walk through the valley. You will arrive at your campsite in 2-3 hours of the trek. From Chikka, you will get stunning views of Deo Tibba, Indrasan peak, and Spiti Valley. There’s also a beautiful Nag Mandir at the Chika campsite.  Enjoy your blissful stay in tents.

• Altitude: 3,850 m/ 12,600 ft
• Altitude gain: 750 m/ 2,400 ft
• Trek Distance: 8 km | Duration: 5 to 6 hrs
• Moderate level, gradual ascent till Seri
• Walkthrough forest, meadow, and big boulders
• Trek is one of the right banks of Jagatsukh Nallah
• View of Deo Tibba peak
• Enough water sources on the way
• Seri campsite is a big green grassland
• Seri was once a glaciated lake
• Hot lunch at campsite
• Stay in tent

Wake up fresh to start your hike to Seri. The trail starts with a gradual ascent through dense forest. As you move up slowly you may notice the forest cover getting sparse. The trail is throughout on the right of the Jagatsukh Nallah and it is well-marked with stones and cairns. You may also encounter freshwater springs at Panduropa and Dudu Patthar. An hour into your trek and you will cross a stream and a little further from the stream is a small section with boulders. If it has rained recently or raining during the trek then be very careful as these stones tend to get slippery. Once you cross the bouldered section, the climb gets steep, avoid straining your legs a little too much.

The Birch starts welcoming us through the trail followed by bushes. All of which vanishes to open grounds of meadows all of a sudden. These meadows are the grasslands of Seri but the campsite is a little away from here. After about 3 km of trekking, you will arrive at Panduropa, where you will find another bouldered section. Once you cross the bouldered section, your Seri campsite awaits you. You can see Tainta cliffs on the left and waterfalls on these rocks. This campsite is also pleasantly located on flat grounds. Seri once used to be a glacial lake but now it is a meadow that is drained of icy rivulets and now surrounded by greenery and wildflowers. From the campsite, you can see the neighboring cliffs of Jagatsukh, Norbu, Malana Pass, and a part of Deo Tibba peak. Stay overnight at the campsite.

• Altitude: 4,500 m/ 14,800 ft
• Altitude gain: 650 m/ 2,200 ft
• Trek Distance: 8 km | Duration: 5 to 7 hrs
• Seri to Deo Tibba Base Camp via Tainta and Chota Chandratal
• Gradual and steep mixed ascent
• Two major steep ascents, both are just before Tainta and Chota Chandratal
• Till Tianta walk is grassland and after that on the moraine
• Enough water sources on the way
• According to Hindu Mythology, Dhomya Rishi did meditation at Chota Chandratal
• A mesmerizing view of Deo Tibba Peak for the base camp
• Stay in tent

Today will be a little tough day compared to the previous two. The trek starts with a flat trail as you walk on the Seri grasslands. Keep walking along the Jagatsukh River and you will come across a waterfall, and somewhere nearby you will see a cairn. Cross the river and continue on the trail and you will begin climbing up. The climb is on the zig-zag trail till Tainta cliff and it is extremely steep for about 2-2 ½ hr. Once you cross the Nala or stream moraines start. You will overcome the boulder field. Another hour\'s walk on the ridge and you will be at the Tainta camp which is the base of the glacier.

As you can imagine henceforth the trail is through loose scree. Take your steps carefully. The climb through such a trail is for two hours until you reach Chota Chandratal. It is a tiny lake in the mountain depression. The entire lake is surrounded by wildflowers and the Deo Tibba peak towers beautifully against the lucid blue skies. Once you reach the top it\'s a flat walk all the way to the campsite. Your camp will be towards the downside of the lake. Unlike the previous two camps, this camp is in a closed valley. Cross the lake and find a suitable spot where you can pitch your tent.

• An acclimatization day at this height is mandatory
• Explore and enjoy a campsite surrounded by peaks
• Technical gear distribution
• Hot lunch at campsite
• Visit Chota Chandratal After Lunch
• General Meeting For The Setup Of Camp 1 And Summit Camp
• Stay In Tent

Wake up today to chill and rest. Since we have reached 4200 meters in height it is important to give your body the time for acclimatization. On a high-altitude trek, it is extremely crucial to take enough time to acclimatize. If you are rapidly gaining altitude and do not schedule enough time to acclimatize, you put yourself at a higher risk of altitude sickness. This usually happens when a trekker climbs too high too quickly. To avoid such problems, it is essential to slow down and allow your body to adjust. This promotes your body to go through the necessary physiological changes to adjust to the environment and the decreased oxygen intake at higher altitudes. As AMS is not dependent on the age, fitness level, or experience of an individual, it is important for trekkers to take an adequate amount of acclimatization break to adjust to higher altitudes.  However, if you do get AMS, our trek leaders are trained to detect and deal with the symptoms of AMS and will provide you with sound advice if you have the symptoms. Also, if you experience signs of AMS, let your trek leader know immediately.

You can roam here and there and explore the campsite. Technical equipment will be distributed and tested by our team. You can try them and clear your doubts. You can visit Chota Chandratal after lunch. In the evening there will be briefing sessions on the summit process and further plans.

• Altitude: 5,100 m/ 16,800 ft
• Altitude gain: 600 m/ 2000 ft
• Trek duration: 4 to 5 hrs
• Moderate ascent for the first 200 m, steep for the next 300 m, and the last 100 m is gradual.
• Camp 1 is set at the Duhangan Pass
• Camp 1 is marked by a saffron-colored rock, visible from your base camp
• The steep slope between 45 to 65 degrees
• Have to cross Deo Tibba Glacier for set up at Camp 1
• Glacier is full of open and hidden crevasses
• Ascent is a mix of snow, rock, and ice, known for rockfalls
• Load ferry will help participants to be better acclimatized for Day 7
• Carry enough water
• Packed lunch for the way
• Stay in the tent (Deo Tibba Base Camp)

Today will mark your journey into the mountaineering world. In Mountaineering it is important to do a load ferry. It is a term that works on the principle of working at high altitudes and sleeping in low altitudes, where climbers first carry their equipment and gear to the higher camp and rest for the night at base camp. Since the physiological functioning of the body at higher altitudes is different than that on plains, it is important to take the necessary acclimatization measures. The load ferry concept helps for acclimatization and avoids AMS even at higher heights. Today you will be carrying your gear to camp 1 and will come back for the night at the base camp.

The trail is difficult that starts with a moderate ascent for the first 200 m then steep for 300 m followed by a 100 m flat slope. Camp 1 is situated on Duhangan Pass. Uniquely the location of the campsite can be seen from Base Camp also due to saffron-coloured rocks. The slope is between 40 to 65 °C and is filled with snow and rocks. You can see that the glacier starts. There are many crevasses on the glacier so watch your steps. The trail is known for rockfall, therefore, follow your guide and team.

Once you have loaded all the gear have your lunch at camp 1 and get ready to go down. Stay will be in the tents at Base Camp.

• Altitude: 5,100 m/ 16,800 ft
• Altitude gain: 600 m/ 2,000 ft
• Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hrs
• The entire team will move to Camp 1
• Leave the base camp early in the morning
• Give proper rest to your body and keep warm
• Stay in a tent (Camp 1)

Today will be the actual day when you will shift to camp 1 completely. Follow the same route as you did the day before. Be cautious on the rockfall area, glaciers, and while crossing rocks. The climb will take almost 5-6 hours. Make sure you do not exhaust your body and take enough rest. Stay in tents at camp 1.

• Altitude: 5,600 m/ 18,400 ft
• Altitude gain: 500 m/ 1,600 ft
• Trek distance: 4 km | Duration: 4 to 5 hrs
• Also known as Camp 2
• Ascent is full of snow
• The First 1 hr is a gradual ascent, the rest is a steep ascent
• Snow clothing and crampons are required
• Spend some time at summit Camp for better acclimatization and back to Camp 1
• Packed lunch for the day
• Carry warm water from the campsite
• Stay in tents (Camp 1)

It is time to move to the summit camp. But again it will only be load ferry and coming back to camp 1. Since we are gaining quite a bit of altitude in a limited time frame, altitude-related sickness is a possibility, which is why the load ferry concept is incorporated again to prevent altitude-related issues and to help your body adjust to the lack of oxygen. The entire trail is filled with snow in today’s trek. Therefore, wearing all the snow gear and clothing is necessary. Due to the presence of the snow, the trail becomes much more difficult.

For the first one hour, it is a moderate climb which later on becomes a steep climb. Be careful and follow your team. Follow the footsteps of your guide as he breaks the route open for you. Spend little time on the summit camp, and have lunch so that your body starts acclimatizing.  Again retrace your steps back to camp 1. Stay the night in Camp 1 and rest your body well.

• Altitude: 5,600 m/ 18,400 ft
• Trek duration: 4 to 5 hrs
• Altitude difference: 500 m/ 1,600 ft
• The entire team will move to Summit Camp
• Leave all the unnecessary things at the Camp
• Final summit briefing
• Stay in tents (summit camp)

Today, the entire team will move to summit camp. Carry only minimal items that will be needed and leave the rest at camp 1 only. Follow the same as the day before. Since high-altitude climbing requires a proper acclimatization routine so expeditions usually employ the method of load ferry or making rounds between the camps to better adapt to the conditions. ‘Climb high and sleep low’ is a golden rule in such cases if you want to survive and successfully complete the expedition. For Deo Tibba, we make two rounds of the campsites, first during the load ferry when we move our stuff to Camp 1 and return to the lower campsite and again from Camp 1 and summit camp and back to Camp 1. This has many benefits. First, you divide the weight between two days so that you do not have to carry a massive weight during the trek. Second, it gives your body adequate time to adjust to the high altitude conditions, and lastly, each time you climb the same route, it becomes easier and also refines your techniques and skills.

Once you reach the camp, your team will brief you about the summit attempt. It’s a good time to brush up on the snow and ice skills. The night will be exciting as it will be the summit night. Eat full and rest properly for the summit attempt.

• Altitude: 6000 m/ 19,700 ft
• Altitude gain: 400 m/ 1,300 ft
• Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration 4 to 6 hrs
• Recheck all equipment
• Summit attempt at 2-3 am in the morning
• Fixed rope required through the gully
• The First 300 m/ 1,000 ft is a steep and technical ascent
• The last 100 m/ 300 ft is easy to walk on the dome
• Indrasan peak is clearly visible
• Summit is a giant snow dome
• The final ascent to the peak has a few crevasses
• Just before the summit, the slope becomes steeper
• Summit is wide and can accommodate all team members
• After the summit attempt wind up the summit camp and back to Camp 1
• Reach Camp 1 in the early evening
• Stay in a tent (Camp 1)

The summit attempt will start at 2 am in the early morning. Wake up accordingly to get all geared up for the summit push. Recheck all your equipment and be prepared. The route starts by crossing a gulley using fixed ropes. The First 300 m is a steep and technical ascent.

Keep climbing up on the snow slopes. You can see the Indrasan Peak as you gain height. The slope gets steeper right before the summit. The summit is actually a big snow dome, open and flat. Hence, the last 100 m to the summit is almost a flat walk. There are also many crevasses towards the end. While climbing to the summit after crossing the gully is manageable but the real challenge is the thinning air as you constantly gain altitude.

The summit is wide open that can accommodate all the team members. When you arrive at the summit you can clearly see Indrasen peaks and a mountain lake. The views are absolutely stunning. If in any cases summit push gets halted then buffer days will be used. After the summit attempt, spend a little time at the summit, bask in your sense of accomplishment and come back to camp 1.

• Altitude: 4,500 m/ 14,800 ft
• Altitude loss: 600 m/ 2,000 ft
• Trek Distance: 3 km | Duration: 3 to 4 hrs away
• Steep descent all the way
• Reach Base Camp by afternoon
• Return all the technical equipment given by TTH
• Stay in tent

After the summit attempt, it is now time to start the return journey. Follow the same trail to DeoTibba Base Camp. It is a steep descent, therefore, watch your steps. Descending can be a little tough on the knees so be careful and maintain a steady pace. The terrain also has boulders, moraines and rocks so be a little careful. Try to reach the Base Camp by lunchtime. Return all your technical equipment to your Trek Leader. Rest after the strenuous days in your tents.

• Altitude: 3,100 m/ 10,200 ft
• Altitude loss: 1,400 m/ 4,600 ft
• Trek Distance: 16 km, Duration: 6 to 8 hrs
• Mixed steep and gradual descent
• Packed lunch on the way
• Stay in tent

Start your return journey back home. Retrace your steps through steep trails and moraines. The path is gradual and flat in between.  Essentially, you will be walking down the same steps that you came in The trail will be 14 km long hence carry your packed lunch. Enjoy your last tent stay at Chika.

• Altitude: 2,050 m/ 6,750 ft
• Altitude loss: 1,050 m/ 3,450 ft
• Trek distance: 5 km | Duration: 2 to 3 hrs
• Drive distance: 12 km | Duration: 1 hr
• Reach Manali by lunch
• Stay is not included in cost

The last day of the trek has arrived. The last day is all about tracing your steps down through the same route that you came up with initially. Collect all the memories and say goodbye to the mountains. Follow the same trekking trail, all the way to Khanaul, and then ride back to Manali. The trek and drive included will take a few hours and you will reach Manali by lunchtime. Celebrate the joys of your achievement and have a safe journey home!