Adventure Ride to Tilla Jogiyan, Pakistan (March, 2019)
By: Mansoor Cheemaa
Tags: Biking, Offroad, Mountains, Adventure, Pakistan

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Summit of Tilla Jogiyan 3200 feet, Jehlum Pakistan.

Tilla Jogiyan is the toughest and ruthless off-road trek in Jehlum Pakistan area behind Rohtas Fort. Rohtas Fort is about 8KMs from GT road from Dina side, after traveling approximately 3 or 4 KMs from the fort take left from the green-colored board on the left written the name “Ala Hazrat Baba Fakir Ali”. Then onward it’s an off-road trek for approx. 7 to 8 KMs. This trek is consists of sand, some boulders, and mud. After crossing this patch there is a proper entrance from the door (with pillars) to the bumpiest jumpy and tough off-road rocky trek which is approx.12KMs long and leads to the summit of Tilla Jogiyan 3200 feet.

There are 3 ways to reach the summit:

· By proper off-road series jeep

· By motorbike

· By foot (trekking)

For Biking you need:

· A lightweight bike with the best engine torque and ground clearance, trail, and dual sports bikes are best. (check fuel before you start)

· Tilla Jogiyan is not good for heavyweight bikes with low ground clearance

· Bring sufficient water and food with you as there is no spot on the way for water & food

· Bubble gum, Dates (Khajoor), chocolates ETC are best for munching other than meal

· Bike puncture kit (complete kit with air pump and 2 extra tubes)

· 6 or 8 ply dual sports tires and must be new

· Bike complete tool kit( Extra spark plug and chain lock (sprocket lock))

· Better if you can install extra light on the bike but not much compulsory

· Ankle-high shoe is recommended

· Bike armor kit or elbow and knee guard at least

· Wear a proper helmet

· Dress according to weather but with full safety measures

· In case of night stay get good quality of the camp, mattress and sleeping bags

· Best weather to visit Tilla Jogiyan is from November to Early March.

· The most important thing you need to take with you is patience and determination

About the area:

View from the top of Tilla Jogiyan is all that we are struggling for. On the top, it’s plain with remains of a water pool used by Sikh joghis for a bath. On the entrance, there is a forest department-maintained guest house which is all the time locked but one can avail of this option by informing beforehand for booking to forest department Jehlum. The staff will arrange water and food for guests with properly maintained bedrooms.

On return from Panjpeer rocks, I stopped for a dinner near kharian area and thinking about Tilla jogiyan as it’s always a challenge for every biker, but as usual, I want to do it solo in one day from Lahore on my 70cc bike. I was waiting for the winter season to over and fog spell so I can get the best view from the top. Tilla is not good for summer as it’s very hot and no water available. Moderated weather was selected for this adventure that is March 2019 first week. Things are finalized, salary has been transferred, making arrangements, and like always doing unsuccessful attempts to get more sleep before starting my tour, but all in vain. Finally, I left at midnight around 12 AM and reached near Rohtas fort entrance on GT road before Azan, after a short stay of b.fast and namaz I left for the adventure. Finally, on the trek for which I was waiting, there are different kinds of views I have got before but one thing is common that it’s a practically difficult off-road trek.

There is a metal road at the beginning of this trek but soon it's end and mixture of soil & sand trek started which need a bit trained rider to gone through it. It’s beautifully surrounded by small bushes and trees and two water ponds are also on the way while going up at the right side, the left side is getting lower than the trek. After few kilometers, this trek ends and a proper bumpy jumpy trek is about to welcome its rider. Here the expert rider is required who know how to manage continuous bumps of all size bolder with increasing elevation. Riders need to concentrate on a trek with keeping in mind the bike condition, using torque, and machine in motion without using clutch push. Clutch plates are very important so avoid their burning while any ascend and don’t let your bike overheated. Smooth engine operation will lead you to reach your destination. This trek will take around 2.5 hours till top but remember the bump height will vary from 3 inches to 12 and 24 inches even with more or fewer ups and downs. Like all other hilly areas some time the mountain is on right or sometimes on left.

This trek was built by a Sikh raja for Baba Guru Nanak Sahib after many years, In the era of Baba Guru Nanik Sahib there was no trek, He use to travel without any trek. Baba Guru Nanik Sahib spend minimum 6 or maximum 9 years alone here on this top, for his spiritual practices. Later His students came here to learn from him and they started staying here so it become a sort of monesty where all the time was spend to worship of GOD. With the passage of time this peak known as Tilla (peak) joghiyan. One of the most important peak of subcontinent for its spiritual values. A Punjabi folk Hero Ranjha also came here for jogh.

Later these people left this place and move towards other places to serve humanity, but follower still visiting this place, but there is no preventive maintenance of such master piece we have. His monesty is converted into ruins, some extremist play negative role and breaking the name plates which was installed by Govt. In my point of view such places should be kept in high care and make it open for Sikh community so they can visit it, it can also promote tourism. Need to look after the trek for better commute. These are necessary steps to promote beautiful places.