Aancha Top Trek
TREK DIFFICULTY
Easy - Moderate
TREK DURATION
6 Days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
12,500 feet / 3,810 meters
GROUP SIZE
12
TREK DISTANCE
25 km
BASECAMP
Aancha Top, Uttarakhand
BEST TIME
September to June
PICKUP POINT
Dehradun (Prince Chowk)
Aancha Top Trek Overview
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.
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Ranachatti
Day 2: Trek from Ranachatti to Bamsingh
Day 3: Trek from Bamshingh to Dinnala Camp
Day 4: Trek from Dinnala to Aancha Camp via Aancha Top
Day 5: Trek from Aancha Camp to Ranachatti
Day 6: Drive to Dehradun from Ranachatti
Looking for a perfect summit in Uttarakhand? Aancha Top Trek is a beautiful hidden gem. Plan your Aancha Top Trek with us and make your journey comfortable. Our team provides the best trekking facilities in the Himalayan region. Whether you are a beginner or experienced trekker, we plan the itinerary according to you.
Himalaya Shelter (HS) provides customized trekking services. We can plan the trek as per your requirements. We believe in offering the best trekking services to all our clients. Our company also works for small groups. You can plan the Aancha Top Trek with your friends and family. Himalaya Shelter works with the locals to offer the best and rawest Himalayan experience.
- 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.
Aancha Top and Yamunotri Valley
The Aancha Top and Yamunotri Valley together are a perfect blend of nature and spirituality. Nowadays many trekkers are adding the Aancha Top Trek to their visit to the Yamunotri temple. The Yamunotri Valley is a blessed valley dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. This beautiful valley has lots of natural hot springs and fresh water streams. The valley has both spiritual value and beauty. The mighty river Yamuna originates from here. The villages near the river are very beautiful.
Add Aancha Top Trek to your Yamunotri plan and make your journey spiritual and adventurous. The Aancha Top is a summit trek like the Kedarkantha trek. You can trek to Aancha Top even in winters. This trek can be a great alternative for the heavily crowded winter summit treks.
- 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.
How to reach Ranachatti, basecamp of Aancha Top Trek
How to reach Ranachatti, basecamp of Aancha Top Trek
How to reach Dehradun by Train
How to reach Dehradun by Flight
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.
Travel Tips & Safety Guidelines
Prepare Yourself
The Aancha Top Trek is rated as an easy to moderate trek. If you are a trek beginner, then you should prepare yourself for the trek. The trek is not lengthy, but you have to walk for hours daily. You should start light jogging around 2 weeks before the trek. You can also practice climbing stairs with a backpack.
Pack Smartly
The Aancha Top is located in a remote location. You have to carry all your items in the backpack. Make a proper list and pack only essentials. Don’t carry any unnecessary stuff that can make your bag heavy.
Acclimatization
The altitude of Aancha top is around 3800 m. The chances of facing AMS symptoms are low. But if you are new to the Himalayan region, then you should acclimatize yourself. Take proper rest before starting the trek and avoid consuming alcohol.
Stay Hydrated
Always carry a water bottle on the trek. You should drink enough water to keep your body hydrated. Refill your bottle again and again with clean water. You can also add ORS to prevent dehydration.
Mandatory Backpacking List for Aancha Top Trek
Clothing and Backpack
Get a good backpack (50 L) with a rain cover. Look for a bag that can provide you good back support. Pack 4 quick-dry t-shirts and 2 trekking pants. Get a pair of thermals (upper and lower) for night. Pack a fleece jacket or woolen sweater as a mid-layer. Get a waterproof wind breaker for sudden rain and chilly winds. For winter trekking, get a good down jacket. Now pack a woolen beanie and a balaclava. Get two pairs of gloves (woolen and waterproof). You should also pack a suncap for the daytime.
Footwear
You should look for good quality trekking shoes. Your shoes must be waterproof and provide good ankle support. Do not wear a new pair of shoes on the trek. Your feet must be familiar with the shoes. Now pack 4 pairs of trekking socks and 2 pairs of woolen socks. Pack a pair of comfortable slippers or sandals for the campsite.
Personal Care
For personal care items, start packing with your toiletries. Get a small zipper pouch and pack all the toiletries. Now look for a quick-dry towel and a toilet roll. You should also pack hand sanitizer and moisturizer. Pack a sunscreen that can protect your face from sunburn. You can also pack some snacks for the trek.
Summit to Aancha Top
The Aancha Top Trek is a summit like Kedarkantha. You can do this trek even in the winters. The views from the summit are mesmerizing. This is a good alternative for the overcrowded winter summits. The difficulty level is moderate, and you can complete the summit smoothly.
Camping in the high-altitude meadows
All the campsites of the Aancha Top Trek are beautiful. The Dinnala Campsite is in the big meadow where you can see greenery everywhere. You will spend your nights under the sky. These locations are very peaceful. You will only hear the sound of chirping birds and mountain winds.
Interaction with locals
The Aancha Top is one of the treks where you can truly witness the local lifestyles. The trail passes through some beautiful villages. You can see the wooden houses and temples there. The locals of the Yamuna Valley are very friendly and easy-going.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Ranachatti
We will start the drive from Dehradun towards Yamunotri early in the morning. The route passes through Massoorie, which is a popular hill station of Uttarakhand. As we drive further, you will see the Yamuna River at Bhediyana. Now you will drive along with the river. At Naugaon, we will take a right turn toward Barkot. This route goes towards the Yamunotri Valley. We will reach Ranachatti in about 7-8 hours.
Day 2: Trek from Ranachatti to Bamsingh
Today, we start our trek towards Aancha Top. The trail passes through villages and beautiful terraced farmlands. The starting trail has some rocky terrain leading to the forest area. The trek distance is 4 km, and we will cover it in around 3 hours.
Day 3: Trek from Bamshingh to Dinnala Camp
Today, we will descend a little from Bamsingh and then ascend towards dense forests. You will see a small meadow clearing after walking 1 km. After the clearing, you will again see dense forests and a beautiful stream. You will reach Dinnala Camp by the afternoon. The trek distance is 4 km, and we will cover it in around 4 hours.
Day 4: Trek from Dinnala to Aancha Camp via Aancha Top
Today, we will summit the Aancha Top. We will start early in the morning and walk through open meadows. The terrain will change to a rocky section with some height. We will reach the summit by the afternoon. Now we will start descending slowly towards Aancha Camp.
Day 5: Trek from Aancha Camp to Ranachatti
We will start descending towards the open meadows. The meadows will take you to the forest area. The views from the meadows are very beautiful. The total trek distance is 6 km and will take about 5 hours.
Day 6: Drive to Dehradun from Ranachatti
After completing the trek, we will drive back to Dehradun. We will reach Dehradun by the evening.
Our treks are specially designed by the experienced team at Himalaya Shelter, taking you on an adventure of a lifetime all while making you connect not only with the bountiful nature but also with yourself and with others on the trek with you creating wonderful memories which will last you a lifetime. All Himalaya Shelter treks are guided by experienced Trekkers having vast knowledge and experience of the region, providing with insightful information and stories pertaining to the region’s flora and fauna and the history of the region whilst the trek. It is safe to say that on successfully completing the trek, one will gain tremendous insight and experience along with lifetime memories.
Inclusion
- Transportation – Day 1: Driver from Dehradun to Ranachatti and drop off on the last day in Dehradun. Pickup time: 7:30 am, Prince Chowk, near Dehradun Railway Station
- Accommodation – At Base Camp, stay at a local homestay or guest house for one night each, which will give you an insight into the authentic lifestyle of the locals.( INR 5000 per person extra for single sharing throughout the trek )
- On Trek stay in a 2-person A-Shape tent, which is to be shared by two trekkers, built to withstand extreme weather conditions and at the same time making you comfortable after a hard day’s trek.
- Camping Equipment – specially designed sleeping bags that can withstand harsh weather conditions, foam mattresses. Other safety gear like microspikes, gaiters, an ice axe, and helmets will be provided.
- Medical Kit – our team will be equipped with an extensive medical kit, which our team is trained and experienced to use. Oxygen cylinders are used after they are thoroughly inspected throughout the Trek. Even campsites have large oxygen cylinders as backups.
- Permission - Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
- Meals – Breakfast, packed lunch (on trek days), evening snacks, and dinner will be served. A hearty, delicious, and nutrition-filled Veg meals with egg preparation will be provided throughout the trek. (Jain and Vegan Food can also be arranged on prior notification.)There will be a dedicated Kitchen Tent along with a dining tent, which will have a dining table too.
- Our Team – A highly experienced and AMC-certified Trek Leader who will help ensure that the entire trek goes smoothly and safely while navigating the challenging conditions during the trek, and is skilled enough to navigate any medical emergency that can arise during the trek. Local and route Guides who are well-versed with the region and provide an in-depth insight into the local customs and knowledge of the flora and fauna endemic to the region. A dedicated Kitchen staff, which includes a Cook, a helper, and other support staff.
- There will also be porters and mules to carry common equipment.
- Cloakroom - We have a cloakroom facility available for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave their luggage behind at no charge.
Exclusions
- Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
- Travel Expenses - Travel expenses from your hometown to the mentioned Pick-Up Point are not included in the trek fee.
- From the scheduled pick-up spot to the base camp, we have our own fleet of vehicles like Bolero, Innova, Dezire, or Tempo Traveler (12-seater). This is be shared by trekkers for a pre-decided amount. All vehicles are non-AC.
- Personal Equipment - Any personal gear, like jackets, shoes, cutlery, or backpacks, is not included in the trek fee. We recommend renting them from our Rental Store for an affordable fee. This can be pre-arranged to avoid last-minute hang-ups.
- Offloading - We encourage carrying your backpack to get into the true spirit of trekking. However, if needed, you can opt to offload your personal luggage of up to 12 kgs for an additional cost of INR 400 per bag per day.
- Trek Insurance - A mandatory trek insurance fee is charged in addition to your trek fee. Since most medical insurance doesn’t cover adventure activities, trek insurance offers essential coverage, enhancing your safety without a significant financial burden.
- Buffer day on the trek - We have kept a buffer day on the trek to account for any weather-related delay. If this is utilised, you will need to pay an extra amount to your trek leader.
- Anything apart from inclusions
- Please carry a lunch box for a packed lunch/breakfast to avoid using polythene and Aluminium foil.
Keeping the Himalayas clean is our own responsibility. Reduce the use of Plastic when you are in the abode of the Sacred Himalaya. 🌱
The Aancha Top Trek is rated as easy to moderate level.
Yes, the Aancha Top is a summit like Kedarkantha.
Summer is the best time for the Aancha Top Trek.
Yes, you can plan the Aacha Top Trek with your family.
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