Top Tibba: a 12-hour trip and trek to Mussorie

On March 1, I had the chance to catch an overnight bus to Mussorie, ride on a scooty to the base of Top Tibba, do a quick trek to summit it, then catch the overnight bus back to Delhi, and then the flight back to Hyderabad.


Picture Palace at Mussorie. The Electric Picture Palace is an old historic movie theater since 1912, when electricity first came to Mussorie! It is now a "5D" theater and gaming arcade, still surviving the internet!

 At 7:30 am, this place was frying hot jalebis. He interrupted himself to make me pooris for breakfast.
 This was reportedly a single really ancient bulidng in Mussorie sprawling across acres of Landour.
 Rohit Singh Nayak family hails from Nepal, while he grew up in Mussorie. He was my guide through the trek. I went with him on his scooty 22 kms to a base village from where the trek started. He is an avid local buff, and knows local trails, culture, heritage, flora and fauna. He kept me thoroughly entertained with his tales of local history, including Frederick Wilson, the soldier, through the trek. Rohit also recommended a book, the Raja of Harsil (on Frederick Wilson).
 Views of the Himalayas
 The winding road from Mussorie to the base village Suwakholi.
 Starting the trek - a view of Suwakholi
Up in the distance, you can see Dehradun valley surrounded by the Himalaya ranges on all sides, except towards the Yamuna. You can also see the Shivalik ranges in the distance, the last of the Himalayas before the plains start.
 Cedar, Pine and Cyprus trees are the most common. Pine and Cedar grow very fast, but don't allow any other vegetation to grow in their shade. Pine trees have been planted through out the Himalayas and their needles also catch fire fast leading to forest fires.
 This lone calf was following us, afraid to overtake us for a few minutes, on its way home up the mountains probably to Ariana village.


 Ariana Village - around 3 or 4 houses, a buffalo, a dog, a cow and calf, and a few humans. The guide also reminded me that Ariana Grande is a singer.


Views of the Himalayas

Views of the Himalayas

Views of the Himalayas

 Pari jhaad - the Fairy Tree where the locals believe fairies congregate. Young couples and newlyweds come here to get blessed and hang up a cloth as a bribe.

 The summit of Top Tibba in the distance. You walk along the ridge to get to the summit
The incline is reasonably steep, but doable without sweating.


It was hailing by the time we summitted, before coming down via a different route.

 Tandoori Chai, where the earthen pots are burnt in a tandoor, and hot tea is then filled in them, sizzling with smoke. A distinct smokey flavor could be barely detected in the tea, while the rest of it is for show!


This sunset shot was captured walking from Mall Road on the way to Garwhal Terrace hotel.









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