Ranthan Kharak Trek

A lesse-know off beat trek in the Kumaon Himalayas
Duration
6 nights & 7 Days
Trek Altitude
12,885 ft
Destination
Uttarakhand
Trek Distance
40 km
Group Size
8-12
Best Time
April-May & September-October

Ranthan Kharak Trek Overview

There are many Himalayan treks, the names of which can be easily found on everyone's tongue. Ask someone if they have heard about Har ki Dun Trek. The answer will be affirmative. Ask if they have heard about Kedarkantha Trek. The answer will be affirmative. Ask if they have heard about Om Parvat Trek. The answer will surely be affirmative. And then ask them if they have heard about the Ranthang Kharak Trek, 'Which one?' they will ask while struggling to correctly pronounce the name of the trek.

When someone thinks about trekking in Uttarakhand, they mostly choose treks starting from Dehradun in the Garhwal Himalayas. Very few know that there are beautiful treks lying there in the Kumaon Himalayas too. One such lesser-known offbeat trek of the Kumaon Himalayas is Ranthang Kharak Trek.

Ranthan Kharak is a trek full of natural beauty. Throughout the trek, you will hike through beautiful dense forests, meadows, 'Kharaks', and ridges. The serenity and beauty that you will be able to experience here on this trek will hardly be found on any other trek.

Ranthang Kharak is a trek with a moderate difficulty level. If you are a first-time trekker, you can embark on this trek. The only condition is that you must have a fit body. You should be able to complete the hike of at least 7-8 km a day. During this trek, you will encounter some steep climbs and steep descents, cross some bridges, walk on the ridges, and camp in meadows from where you will be able to witness the spectacular beauty of the Himalayan mountain range. If the weather remains clear, you will be able to see Panchachuli Peaks, Mt. Dangthal, Mt. Mrigthuni, and many other named and unnamed peaks. Come... Join us on this offbeat and magnificently beautiful Trek.

 

Customize Your Trek with Himalaya Shelter:

In Himalaya Shelter, we provide you with the option to customize your trekking experience. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, you can opt for our personalized tailor-made trekking program. This customized trek will be exclusively designed for you, taking into account your specific requirements for transportation, accommodation, meals, and any other premium facilities you may need during the trek. No other participants will be added to your group. Choosing a customized trek will enable you to fully enjoy the trek with your loved ones. Click here to learn what a Customized Trekking program looks like.

Drive: 230 km, 10-11 hrs
Trek: 1-2 km, 1 hr
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 1,820 ft to 6,415 ft

 

We will begin our journey early in the morning from Kathgodam with the intention of reaching Gogina by evening. Initially, we will drive through well-constructed roads. However, the final 15-20 km drive is really bumpy through winding Himalayan roads. Upon reaching Gogina, we will pitch our campsite, enjoy well-deserved delicious meals, and rejuvenate ourselves for tomorrow’s trek.

Trek: 6-7 km, 6 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 6,415 ft to 7,390 ft

 

Wake up early in the morning and witness the divine beauty Mother Nature creates during the sunrise. The trek from Gogina to Namik Campsite is full of ups and downs! In the initial moments, the trek will lead you through the village trail, and after 1-2 km, it will enter into a lush green forest with stony and sometimes slippery trails. You will pass through forests of green oaks, maple, and deodar. During the last stretch of the trek, you will come across a steep descent near the Ramganga River. There is a suspension bridge built over the river, and walking over it is going to be a thrilling experience for you. After crossing the river, you will have to climb towards the Namik Campsite, which is going to be a steep climb. After completing the climb, we will reach the Namik Campsite and retire for the day.

Trek: 5-6 km, 6-7 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 7,390 ft to 9,690 ft

 

Today’s trek will start from the forest line and enter into the meadows where you will walk on a stony trail that passes through beautiful meadows; not exactly meadows but ‘Kharak’ with beautiful small huts built over it. After a while, you will again enter the forest… beautiful Himalayan forests where you will get the first glance of Rhododendrons. The trail will again bring you to the kharak known as Bajimanian Kharak, where you will camp for tonight.

If you are a fascinated bird watcher, today, you will get many opportunities to spot the rare birds of the Himalayas.

Trek: 6 km, 7 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 9,690 ft 11,750 ft

 

Today’s trek is a mix of forest and meadow walks. Initially, you will walk through meadows and enter the Rhododendron forest. At a point when you will be crossing Thal Tok, you will have to endure a steep climb. From there, the view is spectacular. From Thal Tok, we will descend to Chopu where we will camp for tonight. You will be mesmerized by the spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range like the Nanda Devi mountain range.

Trek: 9 km, 8-9 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 11,750 ft to 9,310 ft

 

Today, try to rise at dawn to welcome the rising sun. The first rays of light will fall beautifully on the Nanda Devi range and light up the south face of it. Trust us, if you are fortunate enough to see this view, you will cherish this moment forever. Today is going to be the summit day. Hence, the climb will be challenging. However, the view that you will enjoy will be unmatched. Today’s trek will have steep ascents and gradual descents. Walking through ridges, you will reach the summit, which is at an altitude of 12,880 ft. From the summit, you will descend down to the place called Parava Thor where we will pitch our campsite.

Trek: 11 km, 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude: 9,210 ft to 6,415 ft

 

Today’s journey involves descending from Parava Thor to return to Gogina. As you make your way back, you’ll pass through Namik once again, retracing your steps along the same route, including crossing the suspension bridge and navigating familiar trails. By evening, you’ll arrive back in Gogina, where you can finally rest and recuperate after the trek.

While on the return journey, you might want to take some time to explore Namik village. Like many other villages nestled in the Himalayas, Namik is known for its warm and welcoming residents. You may have the opportunity to interact with locals, learn about their culture and traditions, and perhaps even partake in some local hospitality. Exploring Namik village adds a cultural dimension to your trekking experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of life in the Himalayan foothills.

Trek: 1 km, 1 hr
Drive: 230 km, 10-11 hrs
Altitude: 6,415 ft to 1,820 ft

 

We will start our day after having an early breakfast with the intention of reaching to Kathgodam on time. Taking the same route we will reach back to Kathgodam from where you will depart for your respective destinations.

Going back home is always a bittersweet moment, but the journey is made easier by taking the picturesque road to your next destination. As we leave behind the dense pine forests and descend towards the city, the landscape slowly changes and opens up into wider roads. Hold on to as many beautiful memories as you can in your heart and bid farewell to the Himalayan trails with gratitude and fondness.

Upcoming Treks

  • September 28, 2024 open

  • October 5, 2024 open

Ranthan Kharak Trek starts from a small village in the Kumaon Himalayas named ‘Gogina’. You can get a cab from Gogina from Kathgodam or Bageshwar

No, Ranthan Kharak is actually a beginner’s trek. However, due to it’s comparatively longer walking distance, we have put it in the category of moderate treks.

Any experienced or non-experienced trekker can embark on this off beat trek. If you are a first-time trekker but practice daily Yoga and walking/running you will easily be able to complete the trek.

If you are arriving at Kathgodam Railway Station, you can book a private cab which will take you directly to Gogina. A more budget-friendly option is to travel to Bageshwar by public transport and then take a shared cab to Gogina.

 

As a very small and remote village, Gogina lacks guest houses or hotels. However, you can opt to stay in a cosy mud house (homestay) and experience the true beauty of mountain village life and the hospitality of the humble villagers.

If you want to witness the lush green forests and meadows, you should embark on this trek in the months of April-May

If you are fond of Autumn colours, you can choose to embark on this trek in the month of September – October

Yes, it is. Though the trail is well maintained there are chances that you may lose your way by start walking on the wrong trail. That’s why, it is always advisable to hire a local guide who can lead you through the trek.

Inclusions
  1. Transport support from Kathgodam to Kathgodam
  2. All vegetarian meals starting from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day
  3. Professional guide, cook and support staff
  4. Rent for camping equipment like clean sleeping bags and foam mattresses, Camping Stools,
  5. Kitchen tents, common tents, toilet tents with portable toilet seats
  6. First aid kit with Oximeter and Oxygen cylinder
  7. Forest entry charges (Additional Charges for Foreign Nationals)
  8. Tented accommodation throughout the trek on a triple-sharing basis
  9. All applicable taxes
Exclusions
  1. Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
  2. Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
  3. Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
  4. Accommodation in Kathgodam
  5. Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, roadblocks etc
  6. Porter and mule support to carry personal Luggage can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 350 per bag per day (weighing up to 12 kg)