For trekking enthusiasts, the Deo Tibba base camp trek, which begins in the Manali area, is one of the in-demand and highly recommended treks. If you check the Deo Tibba trek route map, you will see that the Deo Tibba base camp trek passes through thick forest cover with species like pine, spruce, oak, fir, and silver birch, creating a vibrant landscape for you.

Not only the flora, but the background changes vividly too. Snow-capped peaks of Deo Tibba, Norbu, and Jagat Sukh offer a pristine backdrop. This is your Deo Tibba trekking guide. Please go through it before you plan your Manali Deo Tibba trek.

Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek—4200 meters

Overview

A rich blend of beauty, adventure, and the mythological importance that the Deo Tibba Camp Trek has makes it unique and special.

Ideally, the Deo Tibba base camp trek is a 4-day trail and should be done at a steady pace. You get commanding views of Indrasan peak and Deo Tibba from the base camp. In a nutshell, the real and raw advantage of being in the Himalayas can be explored in the true sense when you embark on this base camp trek of Deo Tibba.

Day 1 of the Trek (2700 to 3200 Meters) 

On the first day of the Deo Tibba base camp trek, you will drive from Manali to Bara Hazar and then trek to Chikka. From an altitude of 2700 meters, the altitude gain is 500 meters to 3200 meters by the evening. The first day of the trek is a moderate ascent, which takes around two to three hours. You will find numerous freshwater sources on the way, too!

To begin the trek, you will have to travel to Jagat Sukh in Manali. Reaching Bara Bazar, you shall have to look for the Dam Control gate at Duanghan. A bridge connects this to the other side of the valley. Crossing this bridge, you shall have to climb for 15-20 minutes, after which a gradual walk will take you to the Chikka campsite. Waterfalls and narrow paths turning into a green pasture are some of the key aspects of this short trek, which shall lead you to a small hamlet that has some houses of locals. This is the perfect place to set up your camp on day 1 of the Deo Tibba base camp trek.

Enjoy your time in the wild here, and remember, this trek is not to be completed in haste; you are here to be one with nature, so enjoy your time at the Chikka camp.

Image Courtesy: Himalaya Shelter

Day 2 of the Deo Tibba Trek Itinerary (3100-3900 Meters)

The second day of the Deo Tibba base camp trek begins from Chikka at 3136 meters and goes to Seri at 3900 meters. This distance of 6 km, if covered at a moderate pace, shall take around 5-6 hours. You will pass by the forest trail on the way but will also encounter some big boulders on the way, maneuvering around which requires some basic mountain skills.

The path is marked with boulders, and you will cross numerous water streams on the way. Big boulders shall also come in your way, and in case you are travelling on a rainy day, take care that you do not step too casually on any of these rocks, as a slip can result in a fracture.

A 3 km trek from Chikka shall bring you to a place known by the name of Panduropa. For those who could not camp at Chikka, this could be a great place to camp.

There are a few waterfalls on the way, and an hour’s trek shall bring you to a place where numerous boulders have to be crossed. Once you pass these, you shall arrive at Seri, which is your camping ground for the evening.

This is a grassland from where you can have a view of the peaks in Norbu and Malana Pass. Additionally, partially, the Deo Tibba is also visible from this place.

Day 3 of Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek (3900 to 4200 Meters) 

Seri is at an altitude of 3900 meters, and the third day of the Deo Tibba base camp trek will take you to Deo Tibba base camp itself, which is at an altitude of 4171 meters. This is a 4 km incline but shall take you 3-4 hours. This is a moderate to steep climb and passes through rocky patches on the way. The trail begins from the grassland of Seri, and soon you shall come to a point from where a river has to be crossed.

Crossing the same, you shall have to climb a trail for 2-3 hours. Post this climb, you shall be at the Deo Tibba base camp. This is a big meadow, and you can pitch a tent at a place of your liking.

Do carry your photography gear too, as this is a picture-perfect location, and a DSLR with a zoom lens of 24-70mm or 24-105mm shall bring out the best of the photos from this trail.

What to Pack (Gear List)

Clothing

• Quick-drying trekking shirts (three)
• Trekking trousers (two or three; one is convertible)
• jacket with insulation (synthetic or down)
• Softshell or fleece jacket
• Waterproof and windproof jacket (hooded)
• Pants that are waterproof
• Sun cap and woolen cap
• Buff or balaclava
• Gloves (one waterproof and one fleece)
• Two to three pairs of wool socks and three to four pairs of ordinary trekking socks
• Innerwear that dries quickly

Footwear

• Sturdy trekking boots that are waterproof, ankle-high, and well-broken in
• Slippers or camp shoes
• For areas with snow, gaiters are optional.
•  Gear Backpack (rain cover, 50–60 L)
• Daypack (20–30 L for hikes aimed at acclimatization)
• Trekking poles (very advised)
• Sleeping bag (if not supplied by the hike operator; rated at -10°C or higher)

Health & Toiletries

• Biodegradable toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap
• Hand sanitizer with toilet paper
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+) with lip balm
• A moisturizer
• Individual prescription drugs plus basic first aid (band-aids, Diamox, ORS, etc.)
• Items for sanitation (if applicable)

Other

• Headlight and extra batteries
• Two liters of water bottles or a hydration bladder
• Tablets or filters for water treatment
• glucose, trail mix, and energy bars
• sunglasses that block UV rays
• A power bank
• A lightweight towel
• Dry bags or zip-lock bags for waterproofing

Best Time for Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek

Ideally, the months from May to June or September to October are the best for planning this trek. (May to October)

While this is a moderate-level trek, it will require some guts to reach 4,171 meters. You should practice and exercise a lot before you embark on a trek of the nature of the Deo Tibba base camp trek!

Note: The base camp altitude is 4200 meters, but the Deo Tibba peak is at 6,100 meters. 

Featured image: Yuvashakti