Ranthan Kharak Trek

TREK DIFFICULTY
Easy - Moderate

TREK DURATION
5 Days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE
12,885 ft

GROUP SIZE
12 People

TOTAL TREK DISTANCE
40 Km

BASECAMP
Uttarakhand

BEST TIME
April to June and September to November

PICKUP POINT
Dehradun (Prince Chowk)

	TREK DIFFICULTY Easy - Moderate			TREK DURATION 5 days
	HIGHEST ALTITUDE 12,885 ft			GROUP SIZE 12 People
	TOTAL TREK DISTANCE 40 Km			BASECAMP Uttarakhand
	BEST TIME April to June and September to November			PICKUP POINT Dehradun (Prince Chowk)

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.

History Of Ranthan Kharak Trek

Ranthan Kharak trek is located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. Though it's a lesser-known place, it has a significant historical connection. The Ranthan Kharak region is mentioned in various Hindu texts indirectly. It is described as a place near Bageshwar and the surrounding valleys were likely the part of ancient trade routes and pilgrimage routes to the Kailash-Mansarovar.

The Ranthan Kharak region was on the periphery of the Katyuri dynasty and later of the Chand dynasty (8th-18th centuries) and remained isolated for a long time. Shaukas and Bhotias communities used these high-altitude pastures seasonally. When the British arrived, the nearby towns like Almora and Bageshwar gained administrative and political importance. In the 19th century, when the British surveyors and explorers started mapping this region, they also ventured into the alpine meadows full of the Ranthan Kharak region for botanical research. Still the Ranthan Kharak region was used as a transit zone rather than a matter of colonial route.

Post independence, the Ranthan Kharak region continued to be used as a grazing zone and remained untouched and unexplored. In recent years, it gained recognition and importance due to the rise of eco-tourism and trekking in the Kumaon region. For its raw beauty, biodiversity and panoramic view of Himalayas peaks, many trekkers come here and experience the true essence of Himalayan trekking journey.

Trek Fee

$320

₹28000

+ 5% GST

Optional Addition

Cancellation policy

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Highlights of Ranthan Kharak Trek

Ranthan Kharak trek is one of the offbeat and authentic Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand region. It offers trekkers a pure Himalayan beauty to soak in. Its quieter ambiance is ideal for those who are looking for solitude and self-introspection. Here are a few highlights of this trek that make this trek an unforgettable experience.

Spectacular Views of the Great Himalayan Peaks: From the higher reaches of Ranthan Kharak trek, trekkers can view the iconic peaks like Nanda Devi, Panchachuli range and Nanda Kot. When golden sunlight touches these snow-capped peaks, it offers a stunning view which is every photographer's dream to capture.

Offbeat and Untouched Trails: Unlike the other popular treks in Uttarakhand, Ranthan Kharak remains largely unexplored and untouched. To embark on a trekking journey here offers an opportunity to explore its raw beauty and discover something new with every step. For nature enthusiasts, it's an absolute treasure trove.

Rich Biodiversity: Ranthan Kharak trail passes through the dense forests of oak, pine and rhododendron. You may spot Himalayan monals, barking deer, bears or even signs of elusive leopards. For wildlife enthusiasts, it's a perfect opportunity to watch Himalayan fauna so closely. Also, the floral diversity with blooming colorful flowers during spring and summer has its own unbeatable charm.

Cultural Encounters: Ranthan Kharak trekking journey passes through remote Kumaoni villages offers trekkers to feel the traditional charm of authentic mountainous culture. The warmth of locals and their simple lifestyle invite trekkers to slow down, connect and breathe in.

Ideal for Experiential Trekkers: Ranthan Kharak trek is ideal for the experienced trekkers who crave something beyond and unusual Himalayan circuits. Indeed, the journey demands physical efforts but also rewards you with soul-stirring landscapes. Whether you're an experienced trekker or an adventurous soul, Ranthan Kharak has exactly what you're looking for.

Difficulty Level of the Ranthan Kharak Trek

Ranthan Kharak trek is a moderate to challenging trek suitable for those who have prior trekking experience or a good fitness level. The elevation point of the trek is around 3,700 m (12,139 ft) which makes it considerable but manageable during the trekking journey.

The trek is not ideal for kids and elderly people, especially those who have no prior high-altitude trekking experience. The trail demands physical and mental endurance as trekkers have to walk for 5-7 hours in a day through uneven terrain, steep ascents, rocky sections along with narrow forest paths. Although no particular mountaineering skills are needed for hiking, due to remote areas and limited access to emergency facilities, the path's difficulty increases.

Beginners can attempt this trek but they have to be physically fit and need guidance from experienced trek leaders. Better they practice on easy trails before attempting Ranthan Kharak. The terrain includes dense forests of oak, pine and rhododendron and high-altitude meadows (kharaks). Chances of encountering wildlife are also there, especially in forest sections hence taking help of a local guide or joining a group is recommended.

Weather is also an important factor. The best time is early summer and autumn. Outside of these windows, rain and snowfall make the trail slippery and unsafe. Trek duration is one week hence making all preparations for overnight stays is essential.

Best Time to Visit Ranthan Kharak Trek

Ranthan Kharak trek is best done during early summer (April to June) and autumn (September to November). This time the weather is more stable and the sky is more clear to spot the stunning views of Kumaon Himalayas.

April to June

During this time, the snow starts melting and opens up the trails into reviving alpine meadows. Spring makes forests greener and flowers colorful. This is the right time to do adventure and explore more about the places. The daytime temperature is around 12°C to 18°C while the night time temperature can drop to 5°C to 2°C at higher camps.

September to November

After the monsoon, the weather becomes dry and crisp but the sky is at its clearest which makes mountain visibility perfect. Forests start turning golden and red which give cozy-romantic vibes. Due to visibility, photography can be done at its best. The daytime temperature remains around 10°C to 16°C while at night time can drop below 0°C. The trails are dry and comfortable for walking.

Months to Avoid

From Late June to August should be avoided due to the monsoon and heavy rainfall. Trails become slippery and prone to landslides. Leeches are common and chances of bacterial infection are high. Similarly, after November, heavy snowfall can block the trails and the weather is too cold to acclimatize.

How to Reach Ranthan Kharak Trek

For trekking in Ranthan Kharak, start your journey from Kathgodam (Uttarakhand).

By Air: Fly to Pantnagar Airport (IATA: PGH), located approx 34 km from Kathgodam. From here, take a taxi or bus to Kathgodam which may take about 40 mins to reach.

By Train: Regular trains like Ranikhet Express and Shatabdi Express run to Kathgodam Railway Station. It's well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata.

By Road: Take a regular bus from Delhi, Nainital and other nearby towns. Kathgodam is accessible via National Highway 109.

From Kathgodam, head to Gogina. Gogina is the base camp for the Ranthan Kharak trek. It takes about 10-11 hours (approx 230 km) by passing through Almora, Bageshwar and the Saryu River valley.

The final path includes winding and bumpy Himalayan roads. It's recommended to start your journey early and take an overnight stay in Kathgodam or Almora before a long drive.

Upon reaching Gogina, start your trek which is approx 40 km and is covered in 6-7 days to reach the Ranthan Kharak summit at 12,887 ft. The trail includes forested paths, alpine meadows, rocky sections and panoramic Himalayan views.

Ranthan Kharak Trek Route Map

Ranthan Kharak Route Overview (Approx 40 km Round Trip)

Day 1: Kathgodam to Gogina (Base Camp)

Drive: 230 km (10–11 hrs)

Altitude: 1,820 ft to 6,415 ft

Route: Kathgodam → Almora → Bageshwar → Gogina