Before heading out on the Deo Tibba Expedition, it’s important to spend a day in the beautiful mountain town of Manali to acclimatize your body to the altitude. This will help your body adjust to the change in elevation and ensure you have a successful expedition.

To make the most of this day, take the opportunity to go over your packing list and buy any gear or clothing you may be missing. You’ll be grateful for this preparation once you hit the trail.

Additionally, it’s a great idea to move around the town and explore all it has to offer. This will not only aid in your acclimatization but also provide a chance to immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of the area.

During your time in Manali, don’t forget to test out your personal equipment such as snow boots and crampons. Ensuring that you have the right equipment is essential for the success of your expedition. With these preparations, you’ll be ready to face the challenges ahead and create unforgettable memories in the stunning outdoors.

Distance: 20 km (Drive) & 4 km (Trek)
Time: 1 hour (Drive) & 2 hours (Trek)
Khanol Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)
Chikka Altitude: 3,240 m (10,630 ft)

Today’s trek will take us from Manali to Chikka, and while it’s a short distance, there’s no need to rush. We’ll be making our way to the sprawling pastures of Chikka, a serene and picture-perfect location nestled amidst nature’s best.

Before we start our trek on foot, we’ll drive up to Khanol, the trailhead that houses the Duhangan Hydro Project. The road to Khanol is not the smoothest, with 40 hairpin bends on uneven mountain roads that will make you feel like you’re going in circles. But don’t let that put you off. The views along the route are simply breathtaking, and it’s a journey you won’t forget in a hurry.

Once we reach Khanol, we’ll load all the essentials onto mules and begin our trek through pristine forested lands along the Jagatsukh Nala. The route is easy to follow and mostly flat, with a gradual incline that won’t take too much out of you. Along the way, you’ll notice an array of flora and fauna unique to the region, with random waterfalls that suddenly appear and disappear.

As you make your way through the dense fog, you’ll be struck by the sheer beauty of the landscape. From every vantage point, there are magnificent views that will leave you awestruck. And before you know it, the open ground of Chikka will appear before you, welcoming you with its peaceful and serene atmosphere.

The campsite is located alongside the noisy Jagatsukh Nala, and you’ll be surrounded by nothing but pristine wilderness. Take a deep breath, unwind, and enjoy everything this magical location has to offer.

Distance: 8 km
Time Taken: 7 hours
Altitude: 3,860 m (12,664 ft)

We’ll start early today, latest by 9 am, after an early breakfast. Our trail today lies alongside the Jagatsukh Nala, gradually ascending under the thickly forested canopy for the first hour. As the forest thins out, we’ll find ourselves amid birch trees, bushes, and eventually high-altitude grasslands. You’ll be treated to the brightest wildflowers you’ve ever seen, scattered throughout the grasslands, broken only by patches of snow and boulders.

The ascent from Chikka to Seri is consistent and gradual, while the descent commences after the third hour, steepening for the next few hours before flattening out by the fifth. Our trek will be made easier by the more open landscape, offering better views of the surrounding area.

As we walk alongside the Nala, we’ll pass a freshwater spring at Panduropa and Dudu Patthar before reaching the expansive grasslands at Seri. You’ll find yourself dwarfed by the towering Tainta cliffs on your left and the waterfalls crashing on the rocks below. To get to our campsite for the day, we’ll cross the zigzagging river twice, but be cautious not to let your shoes get wet. If needed, hang them around your neck to keep them dry! We’ll camp on the flatlands for the night, with a massive waterfall right opposite the campsite.

In the early evening, we’ll head out for a short acclimatization walk to help us get used to the new height. It will be during this walk that we’ll catch our first sight of the Deo Tibba dome, a truly breathtaking experience.

Distance: 4 km
Time Taken: 4 hours
Altitude: 4,440 m (14,567 ft)

Early in the morning, we will get ready for a steep climb through boulders that will lead us to a moraine field and get the beautiful views of the massive Deo Tibba and Indrasan. The day starts with simply walking across the flat section of the meadow heeded by a stream crossing.

This is the fifth day of our expedition, and we will continue our walk on the flat meadows of Seri, followed by a creek crossing. We then start climbing a steep winding trail that weaves its way up through grasslands and huge boulders that eventually reach a moraine field. As you explore the campsite, you will realize that the dome of Deo Tibba is right opposite you, and the site also has aesthetic views of Jagatsukh Peak, which is a cherry on top.

The trail now consists of a steep climb that reaches through the boulders and leads to the moraines field. This will be our campsite for today, where we will get ample time to relax and settle for the day.

Today is our Rest and Acclimatization Day at the Base Camp, and it’s an exciting day full of activities to help us get ready for our climb. Firstly, we need to adjust to the high altitude since we have gained quite a bit of height over the last few days and have entered a much different terrain.

We’ll start the day by dispersing the personal equipment and ration that each person will be carrying in their backpack. The guides will help you pack everything correctly for the climb, so it’s important to pay close attention and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.

Next, we’ll head over to the nearby slopes to practice our climbing techniques and get comfortable with our mountaineering equipment in the actual terrain in which we will be using them. This is a crucial step to ensure we are prepared and confident for the climb ahead. The experienced guides will be there to keep you safe and guide you every step of the way.

Before we head out to the slopes, we will have the opportunity to do a small prayer at the base camp, hoping to seek blessings from the mountain gods for a safe and successful summit. It’s an essential part of our tradition and a reminder of our humble place in the vast mountain ranges.

If the weather permits, there is a small high-altitude lake named Chota Chandratal, which is an hour’s hike away from the Base Camp. It’s a beautiful and rewarding place to trek to for today’s acclimatization walk. We’ll get to enjoy the scenic views and fascinating wildlife that surrounds us, making today’s acclimatization walk unforgettable.

Duhangan Col Altitude: 5,050 m (16,568 ft)

Today, you will be taking on a challenging ascent to Duhangan Col, located at an altitude of 5,050 m. After reaching the top, you’ll be setting up at Camp 1, which is situated on the Duhangan Col.

To make it to Camp 1, you will start on a trek of 4 to 5 hours, with a gradient that starts moderately for the first 200 m, becomes steep for the next 300 m, and then gradually flattens out for the final 100 m. It’s important to note that the ascent will involve crossing the Deo Tibba Glacier, which is full of open and hidden crevasses, so watch your step!

The glacier is known to be a mix of snow, rock, and ice, and is notorious for rockfalls. Therefore, it’s important to follow your guide and team closely, especially as you trek between 45 to 65 degrees on the steep slope.

But why load ferry in mountaineering? It’s all about acclimatization. When you climb higher, the physiological functioning of your body changes to adapt to the thinner air. That’s why it’s essential to take the necessary measures to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The load ferry concept helps prevent AMS, even at higher altitudes. It involves carrying your equipment and gear to a higher camp and resting overnight at base camp.

The load ferry will help participants better acclimatize for Day 7, so make sure to carry enough water and a packed lunch for the way. After reaching Camp 1, enjoy your lunch and take in the beautiful views before returning to the base camp for the night.

At Camp 1, you will be staying in tents, which can be spotted from Camp 1. As you prepare to return, keep in mind the difficulties you may face due to the slope being filled with snow and rocks, as well as the rockfall. But with the right mindset and guidance, you can do this!

Duhangan Col Altitude: 5,050 m (16,568 ft)

The entire team will move to Camp 1 today. Make sure to leave the base camp early in the morning, giving your body enough rest and warmth.

The route to Camp 1 is similar to the one you followed the day before. However, you must be cautious while crossing the rock fall area, glaciers, and rocks. Keep in mind that today will be the day that you shift to Camp 1 completely.

You can expect the climb to take almost 5-6 hours, so make sure not to exhaust your body and take enough rest along the way. But don’t worry, once you’ve reached Camp 1, you can stay in tent and rest for the day, preparing for the next leg of the expedition.

Summit Camp Altitude: 5,600m (18,373 ft)

It’s time to move to the summit camp! Today’s trek is going to be challenging as we’ll be dealing with a lot of snow on our trail. But don’t worry – the guides will be there to help you through it.

In order to maintain your health and safety, we’ll be using the load ferry concept once again. We’ll only be doing load ferry and coming back to camp 1 as we’ll be gaining quite a bit of altitude in a limited time frame. As a result, altitude-related sickness is a possibility. But by incorporating the load ferry concept, we can prevent these issues and help your body adjust to the thin air in the high mountains.

The first hour of the trek is a moderate climb that later on becomes steep. Follow your team, and don’t forget to take in the beauty of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. You’ll be able to enjoy the scenery even more since your guide will be breaking the route open for you.

We’ll spend some time at summit camp, where you can indulge in a delicious packed lunch and give your body the time it needs to acclimatize. It’s critical that you acclimate since we’re at a high altitude of 5,600 m.

After some time, we’ll retrace our steps back to Camp 1. Spend the night there and take some much-needed rest.

Summit Camp Altitude: 5,600m (18,373 ft)

Today is the big day for our team! We’ll be moving to summit camp, located at the astounding altitude of 5,600 meters. It’s going to be a 4 to 5 hours trek, so make sure to gear up accordingly, and carry only the essentials.

Before we start our journey, the team will brief you on the final summit briefing. So listen closely and ace those snow and ice skills. Once we arrive at the summit camp, it’s time to buckle up and prepare yourself for the climb that’s awaiting us.

As you make your way toward the summit camp, you’ll encounter an ice gully that needs to be navigated. Be careful as it’s just as vertical and demanding as the one on the way to Camp 1, if not more! Also, be prepared for very demanding patches of rock and a few knife ridges. The winds will make it impossible to ignore your fear of falling on either side of the slippery trail.

After reaching the summit camp, you’ll be briefed about the summit attempt. Our night at the summit camp is destined to be exciting as it’s the night before our attempt. So, eat well and rest properly before our big shot at reaching the summit!

Mt. Deo Tibba Altitude: 6,001 m (19,688 ft)

D-Day is here. Get ready to push for the summit at 2 am. Wake up early to gear up and get everything ready. Double-check your equipment and ensure that you’re well-prepared for the long climb ahead.

The climb begins with a harrowing cross of the gulley, where you’ll rely on fixed ropes to make your way forward. For the first 300 meters, the ascent is steep and technical, requiring precision and focus to make your way up.

As you continue upward, you’ll encounter snow slopes that lead high above, offering stunning views of the Indrasan Peak as you gain altitude. But the real challenge lies in the altitude itself, as the air grows thinner and the climb becomes increasingly more difficult.

The final leg of the climb takes you up a steep slope, pushing your strength and endurance to their limits. But when you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountain lake below and Indrasan Peaks.

The summit is a giant snow dome, wide and open enough to accommodate all of the team members. Take a moment to bask in your sense of accomplishment and enjoy the stunning views before making your way back down. But be careful – there are several crevasses toward the end.

After you’ve spent some time at the summit, it’s time to return to the summit camp, where you can rest and recharge in a cozy tent.

This climb is an incredible challenge that tests both your physical and mental limits. But with proper preparation and a little bit of determination, you can conquer the summit and enjoy the unparalleled views that await you.

After the exciting push to the summit, we spend one exhilarating night at Summit Camp. This open patch of land is fully exposed to high-speed winds, so get ready for a rush of adrenaline as you soak up the views. Then, we begin our descent down to Base Camp the next day.

Navigating the knife ridges and steep gullies one more time is no easy feat, but the thrill of adventure is worth it. Rappelling down this entire stretch will take us close to 5-6 hours, but every step is an accomplishment.

Finally, we’ll reach the sanctuary of our cozy tents at Base Camp before sundown.

Distance: 18 km (Trek) & 20 km (Drive)
Time Taken: 8 hours

On the last day of our trek, we’ll be retracing our steps from Base Camp back to Manali via Seri and Chikka, before finally driving back from our trailhead, Khanol. We’ll aim to start the day by 9 AM in order to quickly descend from the high altitude.

The trek back to the civilization will take approx. 7 hours and after another hour of drive from Khanol, we’ll be in Manali by the early evening – this will give us the chance to celebrate our journey and what we’ve achieved over the past 12 days.  

We will be taking with us all our camping gear, and making sure that we follow the Leave No Trace Principles when departing from Base Camp. We’ll also make sure to keep a steady pace on the trek.

This expedition comes with a contingency plan.

Let’s say we hit some bumps along the way or the weather decides to give us a hard time, which let’s be real it does sometimes. We have Day 14 marked for just that – a potential reserve day.

Think of it like a superhero’s backup plan; it’ll only be used if we face unpredicted and unforeseeable obstacles preventing us from completing our expedition as intended.

This is another Reserve Day.