Description: Uttarakhand is a paradise for hikers with so manygreat climbs like Kedar Tal, Dayara Bugyal, Har ki Dun, Kedarkantha, etc. but there many such treks that are like hidden gems. Once you find the gem you will be left awestruck. Such a hidden gem is Ranthan trek in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Even the locals are not aware of this treasure. The trail runs through forests of Oak, Rhododendron, and Birch accompanied by several Himalayan waterfalls. You will also get to witness the stunning Panchachuli and Nanda devi peaks standing right at your front like cathedrals. This experience on the Ranthan Kharak journey is exciting to the point that the trip will leave you with dreams of the trip even after you are back to your day-to-day existence.

Region: Ranthan Kharak is situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Distance covered: Approximate trekking distance is 38 km

(Day 1: 235 km [driving distance], Day2: 6.8 km, Day 3: 5.4 km, Day 4: 5.9 km, Day 5: 9.2 km, Day 6: 10.8 km, Day 7: 235 km [driving distance]).

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

HighestAltitude: 3,927 m

Best time to visit: May to June (Summer Trek), September to October (Autumn Trek).

Duration: 7 days

Points to note:

· Carry your Id card as it will be verified at several check posts.

· It is quite a difficult trek so it is more suitable for trekkers with prior experience in the Himalayas.

· The trek should be completely avoided during the monsoon as the region is prone to landslides and cloudbursts.

· Disclaimer certificate and medical certificate is mandatory in this trek.

Quick itinerary: 7 days 6 nights fromDehradun to Dehradun.

· On day 1, reach Kathgodam by train, air, or by road and take a cab to Gogina which is nearly 235 km from Kathgodam. It will take nearly 11 hours.

· On day 2, trek from Gogina to Namik which is an easy climb through forests. The climb will take 6 hours approximately.

· On day 3, climb to BajimanianKharaK from Namik town through the lovely forests of Rhododendrons. The climb is a moderate one and will take 7 hours approximately.

· On day 4, you will reach Chopu camp via ThalTok. The ascent is gradually followed by a ledge walk. It will take nearly 8 hours to reach Chopu.

· On day 5, you will climb to Ranthan top and the trail is quite a difficult one with rocky boulders all along. The descent back following the same course toParavaThor. The entire trek will take 9 hours approx.

· On day 6, take a gradual descent to Namik town followed by a reverse steep descent to Gogina. It will take 6 hours approximately.

· On day 7, take a shared cab from Gogina to reach Kathgodam from where you can return to your destination via air or rail.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day1: Reach Kathgodam(the nearest railway station is Kathgodam railway station and the nearest airport is Pantnagar airport which is 32 km from Kathgodam) early in the morning and from Kathgodam(554 m) you can book a traveler to Gogina(1,955 m).The drive through this segment of Uttarakhand is something to anticipate. You will cross the beautiful towns of Almora, Nainital, and Binsar. Once you cross Binsar the entire stretch will be covered with pine trees.This pine-shrouded district and stretch is something you will recollect for quite a while.

Day 2: The day begins through the streets of Gogina town for more than seven km.Near 2.2 km from the beginning stage, the mud trail unexpectedly takes a sharp plunge from the mud trail.The plunge is through free mud and stones. After two or three precarious segments through huge rocks, the path gets to a flimsy edge.The principal sight of the Ramganga stream is seen towards your right in the canyon and the left-hand side has cliff segments. The plunge takes a more extreme course through the forest until you arrive at the Ramganga river. You will find a huge metal bridge across this river. From here, the path takes an extremely sharp rising having an elevation gain of 1,400 feet movingwithin a couple of hours to arrive at Namik town(2,252 m).The path is very much made through the stone-cutsteps following a crisscross step on the mountain slant.On the path, you will see a little cavern-like safe house. After the cavern, your precarious climb is coming toward the last stage. In this region, you will come across dense forests of Oaks, Maples, chestnuts, etc.Towards the side, you have a few wonderful greeneries and some wild snake berries. The first sight of Namik town will be understood by the sight of the primary school.The camping area is about 1.5 km rising from here through the town. Stroll through the town and get glimpses of the daily routine of the residents of Namik village. Rest for the day amidst the beautiful town of Namik.

Day 3: Start early towards BajimanianKharak(2,953 m) or BajiKharak which will be a comparatively moderate trip. There is a well-laid stone path that will take you through a progression of woods and clearings. After a few meters of walking, you will take a turn and will enter the forest segment. The tree populace comprises Maple, Oaks, and numerous rhododendron trees. After a few more minutes of walking through the forest beside the stream, you will find a diversion. This is the path interfacing with an easy route on the slant from Thal Tok. After strolling for around 800 meters from the diversion, you cross a concrete bridge. You can fill your water bottles here and enjoy some time off. This is the PauriRoli stream joining the Ramganga river. A little steep trip comes up next that takes you to the principal Kharak on the journey. The clearing will leave you awestruck. With fallen logs, tall Oak trees, and walls of rhododendron trees as limits, the Kharak is something you want to feel with your exposed feet. Take out your shoes and stroll on the fields. Local people call this tremendous clearing Raj Gailgadi. A couple of additional minutes into the path, you see 4 to 5 shepherd cabins. Your next huge Kharak, the Parava Thor is around 1 km from here. Follow the path further into the woods for one more 500 meters to go over another bridge. You are now near to your camping area of BajiKharak which is a further 400 meters to go. The upper clearing has a couple of haven cottages and the Balchan Kund towards the Southwestof the original trail. Try not to miss going to the Balchankund. Plan to spend some time during the night or early morning close to the kund. The climate is loaded up with birds tweeting around, sunbeams going through the trees like mainstays of light, and raising a ruckus around town ponds. This spot holds a unique spot for a ton of local people who come here to worship.

Day 4: The day begins with a continuous rising on the stone path with clearings andrhododendrons all through the path.Afternearly a kilometer of traveling, you go over the redirection of the paths.Take the path on the left.The path takes a little plunge and levels out on the edge.As you go on, you will see the stupendous Thala Kharakgrassland.The edge is something like a kilometer before you enter the glades.After around 400 meters of strolling on this glade, you will notice the large mountain inclines to transcend to your right side. You begin seeing Juniper bushes surrounding you.The path crisscrossing its direction through the mountain is around 500 meters yet feels substantially more with the rising.You will enter Thal Tok, the col on the edge which goes about as a passage for winds crossing the mountain slants.The move from Thal Tok to Chophu(3,582 m) campground is a solid trip again through a crisscross path.This path will lead you straight to Chopu top. Take the day off and enjoy the sunset creating a ruckus around the town. Try not to miss getting up early the following day. The main beams hit the snow-covered piles of Dangthal, Nanda Devi ranges,Tharkot, Nandakot, Mrigthuni, Maiktoli, and different ranges we see.

Day 5: Begin your day as soon as can. The path takes a decent climb while you will see the beautiful mountainous views. Chopu Top is around 500 metersfrom the camping area and requires nearly 15-25 minutes. It is currently a narrow ridge stroll for a kilometer from Chopu Top until you arrive at Ranthan Top.Your ascentgradually increments and the crisscross path invites you once more. You will see Ranthan Top from here while the mountains are getting incredibly closer with each step you take.At the point when you arrive at the high place of the Ranthan Top, the magnificent mountain sees are a treat! On the left-hand side, you have every one of the pinnacles of Garhwal and towards the right, you have the Kumaon mountain pinnacles and ranges. Dangthal is standing tall directly before you alongside different ranges towards your North which is a lot nearer while the eastern side gives you visuals of the Panchachuli ranges, Rajrambha, and Meneka Pinnacle of the Kumaon mountains. After investing a good amount of time absorbing the beauty of the region, return to ThalTok following the same course of descent.We will cut across the part of Thala Kharak glade and enter through the woodland to arrive at the third clearing from your right which is Parava Thor(2,807 m). This is around 2.5 km from Thal Tok through the woods segments.Parava Thor Kharak can be isolated into 3 layered clearings. The upper two layers are generally taken up by the shepherds for grazing their cattle.So find a place in the lower layer for setting up the camp for the day.

Day 6: Today is your last day and the trip returns you to Gogina, the beginning mark of your journey viaNamik town once more.The day is generally of descent through the woodland area until you arrive at Namik town. The town is 4 kilometers from the camping area. The path ahead of the town is a steep descent to the hanging bridge and once you cross the bridge you will have to climb up again. Ata point when you are approaching some cottages and huts, keep an eye out for the path which ascends rapidly to the mud trail. You can miss the cottage sighting and you could take the wrong path and afterward scramble up to arrive at the town trail to Gogina.Whenever you have arrived at the mud trail, it is now clear to arrive where you had begun from.

Day 7: Start early in the morning as shared cabs start at around 6 am and you will reach Kathgodam at around 7 pm. From Kathgodam return to your respective destinations via train or air.

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