Aancha Top Trek

Aancha Top Trek is a beautiful and lesser-known trek of Uttarakhand. This trek is located in the Yamunotri region of Uttarkashi. The altitude of the Aancha Top is around 12500 m and offers some of the best views of the Garhwal Himalayas. Uttarakhand is always a paradise for trekkers. The Aancha Top is a summit like Kedarkantha. This summit is less crowded, and you can trek to Aancha Top even in winters. This trek is very peaceful, as there are very few crowds. Aancha Top Trek shows you the untouched natural beauty of the Himalayas.

Your trail to Aancha Top passes through dense forests and big green meadows. You will start walking through lush green forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron. You can witness Rhodo bloom in spring. After crossing the forests, you will walk on high-altitude meadows. These meadows turn green in summer and become grazing fields for cattle. You can camp on these meadows and adore this hidden beauty. 

History Of Aancha Top Trek

The Aancha Top Trek has a deep connection with the traditions and culture. There is no documented history about the trek. But the trek is itself a history. The Aancha Top has recently become a trail for trekkers. But the trail has been there for centuries. The locals are very well-known to the Aancha Top Trek. The local shepherds used to travel to these Bugyals and stay their whole summer. Over time, the locals and shepherds started using this trail on a daily basis. That gave the trail a shape of the trek. 

Yamunotri is one of the biggest pilgrim sites of Uttarakhand. This whole region is known for spirituality. Many sages and devotees have been visiting this region for centuries. Today, many devotees and nature lovers add the Aancha Top Trek to the route of their meditation journey. This region is very peaceful, where you can soak yourself in nature. 

Highlights of the Aancha Top Trek

• Beautiful Trail: Your route to the Aancha Top is very peaceful and green. You will start your trek from a dense forest. The forest is itself a beauty. The forest is covered with big pine and oak trees. You can see various Himalayan birds chirping in the forests. The trail passes to high-altitude meadows. These green meadows are covered with wildflowers in summer.
• Beginner-Friendly Trek: The Aancha Top Trek is an easy-to-moderate-level trek. This trek is suitable for trek beginners. The trails are easy and have gradual ascents. You can plan the Aancha Top Trek with your friends and family. Teenagers can also do this trek and can learn about the untouched Himalayan beauty.
• Offbeat Location: The Aancha Top Trek is situated at a lesser-known location. This region of Garhwal is still less explored by the trekkers. The trails are very peaceful and stunning. The crowd-free trails make the trek more harmonious. 
• Local Experience: The Aancha Top Trek is probably one of the best treks to experience the local Garhwali culture. You will walk through some beautiful villages. These villages have wooden houses and temples. They believe in local deities who are always there to protect them. This is a great trek to witness raw Himalayan culture and traditions. 

How Difficult Is The Aancha Top Trek?

• High-Altitude: The Anacha Top is located at 3810 m. This is an average high for a Himalayan summit. The trail starts from the forest areas, and the altitude increases gradually. The height is enough to offer excellent Himalayan views without too much difficulty. The chances of getting AMS are low. But the beginner trekker should acclimate to prevent any symptoms. 
• Terrain: The terrain of Aancha Top Trek includes forests, meadows, and ridges. The forest area is easy, and you can cross it without any complications. After crossing the forests, you will enter the meadows. These meadows are vast and green. The final section near the summit is a bit difficult. But you can cross it at a slow and steady pace.
• Trek Duration and Length: The Aancha Top trek is a week-long trek. The trek distance is around 25 km only. You have to walk around 5 km every day. The trail is easy, and you will spend fewer hours walking and more time enjoying the surroundings. But the summit day was a bit challenging. You will walk around 8 km, and it may take around 7 hours. Trekkers need to be careful while ascending and descending from the summit. 

Best Time to Visit the Aancha Top Trek

• Aancha Top Trek From March To June

The Aancha Top comes alive around the spring. The meadows start turning green, and the forests start blooming. Spring is a good time to witness the Rhodo bloom. The trail conditions become better and suitable for the trek beginners.

• Aancha Top Trek in July and August

Monsoon is not a very good time to trek to Aancha Top. The trails become very slippery and challenging. You can also face leeches in the forest area. The heavy fog covers the view, and the trails also become difficult.

• Aancha Top Trek From September To November

Autumn is a good time for the Aancha Top Trek. The trails dry up and views become clear. The meadows start turning golden. The landscape remains fresh after the monsoon with clear views. The mornings and evenings look red with golden hues.

• Aancha Top Trek From December To February

The Aancha Top is a summit trek like Kedarkantha. This is one of the few treks where you can summit in winter. The trail is covered with snow, and everything looks magical. The temperature can drop below freezing point, and the route becomes difficult due to heavy snow. But winter is a great time to trek to Aancha Top for snow lovers.

How to Reach the Aancha Top Trek?

You will start your trek to Aancha Top from Ranachatti. This is a small village and a base camp for the Aancha Top Trek.

Delhi to Dehradun: Dehradun has good connectivity with Delhi. You can take a government or private bus and can reach Dehradun in around 6 hours. There are also direct trains to Dehradun. 

Dehradun to Ranachatti: The driving distance between Dehradun and Ranachatti is around 160 km. Drive through NH 134 to reach Ranachatti. You will reach Ranachatti in around 7-8 hours.