The Pari Tibba Ridge Circuit Trek in Uttaranchal
Pari Tibba is situated on the eastern flank of Mussourie. The Pari Tibba is also known as the 'Hill of Fairies'. Though humble in height, it wears a strap of thick oak and deodar forest. The month of April makes it all the more special as the rhododendrons are in full bloom and oak are dressed in new purple leaves. It makes you forget everything when you see the sunset here. You witness the horizon splashed with golden colour with crimson and purple satin ribbons along the length of Doon valley. There are 120 fern species. The Pari Tibba Ridge Circuit trek is an experience worth cherishing.
Ideal season to trek Pari Tibba Ridge Circuit :It is from October to April
Location of Pari Tibba Ridge Circuit :It is located to east of Landour bazaar.
The trek
It takes just one day to complete the trek.
If you follow the short forest road to Dhobi Ghat, you will greatly minimize the distance to the top. To the east of the Tibba, ascent the forest jeep road to Chamalsari and tread till you see the gap between 2 peaks. Between them a path descends west. You'll move past above the Khetwala village. Now notice a descent to the Arnigad/Rispana stream, culminating in a pucca canal wall. You can move along this. It leads to Company Bagh.
For climbing Pari Tibba, leave the first peak behind you and find a path ascending the second hill to the south. It is a short and easy climb to the Pari Tibba's top. You'll find ruins of old buildings which are said to be remnants of an early settlement of the British driven out by constant lightening hits. Thus, it is considered as 'Witches Hill' by the students of Woodstock. Consider the line of large educational campuses like Wynberg Junior School, Allen Senior School, St. Georges College and Oak grove School running down the opposite side of the valley and parallel to your ridge route. Take them as markers. You can easily gauge how far you have descended the ridge.
From the top of Pari Tibba, choose your descent, possibly close to the ridge crest line. Don't look for short cuts as it will be a ghastly risk. Be on the crest line of the ridge. Be careful to closely follow the surging ridge sloping south through an oak wood until you reach the wood's end marked by a stone wall and a clear path crossing the ridge. Don't continue to south further or else you'll reach Doon valley.
Turn right and follow the path of Chamalsari Company Bagh. This descends west, then north-west, all the way to Mussourie via Company Bagh and Barlowganj.
On places note that the dividing ridge between the Song river and Rispana river is rock-strewn and steep, thus taking a walking stick with you is advisable.
On this trek you can encounter a wild animal as easily as you come across a human being in town. This place is very far for any villager to make a way here. If you want to witness wildlife, walk softly and don't talk. Barking deer doze in the day and you can startle them as well as yourself by being an uninvited guest or a ticket less spectator to their shady shelter.
Friendliness will pay you as the villagers whom you have made friends will be great allies in times of trouble. Always carry your own water bottles.
The Pari Tibba Ridge Circuit trek takes you to a Fairyland on the earth.