Exploring Nag Tibba with my Adventurous Nieces & Enjoying Hill Hospitality at The Goat Village

One thought always overwhelms me as I sit down to plan a holiday in the hills; will it be too crowded? Any true-blue Dilliwala can tell you how genuine this fear is. From Shimla to Manali, Kasauli or even Ranikhet; there is no hill station within a few hundred kilometers of Delhi, that has escaped us. 

So this time I decided that we shall take a slightly less trodden path, especially since I was taking along two young nieces who are settled abroad. They wanted to experience the Indian trekking scene. I decided to take them on a trip with Bayberry Adventures to Nag Tibba.

IF YOU WISH TO GO ON A TRIP OF YOUR OWN TO NAG TIBBA CLICK HERE

Our home for this memorable trip was the picturesque The Goat Village, where we experienced warm hospitality, immersed ourselves in nature's beauty, and indulged in the delightful flavors of local cuisine. Upon our arrival at the Goat Village, we were greeted by the friendly staff, who instantly made us feel at home. The rustic charm of the village, surrounded by lush greenery and panoramic mountain views, took our breath away. My father and I, settled into our cozy cottages, each uniquely designed with traditional aesthetics and modern comforts. While our nieces along with other teens were helped by Bayberry adventures to set up camp on the grounds of Goat Village. In the evening, all of us settled down around the bonfire to share our excitement for the upcoming trek. Our trek leader shared some stories about local village leopard sightings and gave us information on what to expect.

Rising early the next day, after a light but nutritious breakfast, we embarked on an exhilarating trek towards Nag Tibba, the highest peak in the region. The trek leader of Bayberry Adventures guided us through dense forests, alive with the melody of chirping birds and the fragrance of wildflowers. My nieces, bursting with energy, eagerly led the way, as we soaked in the serenity and grandeur of the Himalayas. The trek to the Nag Devta Temple proved to be slightly challenging but some of us decided to push further and aim for Nag tibba peak. After about another hour of trekking we managed to reach the top. But then we saw the weather turning and decided to beat a hasty retreat to The goat village. By the evening we were at the resort and the gracious team had organised for piping hot pakodas with bhaang ki chutney for us. Although they had packed a lunch for us but by the time we reached our base, we were famished. The pakodas disappeared within minutes; but thankfully some more came in their place.

One of the highlights of our journey was experiencing the vibrant local cuisine. The Goat Village's staff served authentic Uttarakhand dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. We savored piping hot Aloo ke Gutke, a delicious potato dish with flavors of mustard seeds and spices. The Garhwali dal, cooked with locally grown lentils, and the traditional Bhatt ki Churdkani, made from black soybeans, left our taste buds dancing with joy. 

The hospitality of the Goat Village team surpassed our expectations. From the warm smiles to their eagerness to share local folklore and traditions, they made us feel like an extended family. We were told that this boutique property has many times organised cooking sessions for guests on request where they can learn the art of making delicious Gahat ki dal and Kumaoni Raita, under the guidance of the skilled local chefs.

As our adventure drew to a close, we bid farewell to the majestic Nag Tibba and the Goat Village with a heavy heart. The memories we made, the breathtaking landscapes we witnessed, and the bonds we forged will remain etched in our souls forever. We left with gratitude for the kindness shown to us by the locals and the enriching experiences that made this journey truly exceptional.