Ranthan Kharak Trek

For the Ranthan Kharak Trek, the team travels to Gogina, a quaint village in Bageshwar district. Gogina is around 235 km from Kathgodam. Kathmodam is the nearest railway station for this trek. It takes around 10 hrs through picturesque mountain roads to reach the starting point.

Ranthan Kharak trek begins today from Gogina. The team will kick off their journey right after breakfast. It will take around 6 to 7 hours to reach the first campsite at Namik. You will traverse a beautiful trail, cross a suspension bridge and navigate an easy-to-moderate trail. The sleepy village of Namik enwrapped in floating clouds welcomes you. Namik Campsite is a tranquil hamlet with a few houses surrounded by lush greenery. ( Trek Distance: 6.5 km  and Trek Duration: 6 hours )

You will discover the first clearing of the trek today. As you navigate through a dense forest section, remember to soak in the enchanting sound of nature. 

On the way to the campsite, you will come across Balchan Kund, a sacred lake, revered by villagers. The lake is also known to host migratory birds. 

A moderate climb takes you to the clearings of Bajimanian,  a vast expanse of pasture surrounded by magnificent views. You will camp here for the night. Waking up to gleaming mountains right before you is an experience to last a lifetime. The campsite is one of the prettiest locations on the trek. (Trek Distance: 5.4 km and Trek Duration: 6-7 hours )

It’s an adventurous climb that takes you through enchanting forest sections and lush green meadows.  The treeline soon ends and you will be navigating a steep ascent after the meadow. Trekkers take a break to walk barefoot on the soft grass of this clearing. You will see shepherds and their sheep creating a perfect setting. You will reach the campsite in the late afternoon. (Trek distance: 5.9 km and Trek  Duration: 7-8 hours)

Today is the longest day. The day starts early and it’s a long and challenging day. However, the view you will have from the Ranthan Top rewards you for the difficult journey you undertake. The trail takes you through a rocky patch. You will also navigate a section of boulders and enjoy a thrilling walk on the ridge. 

As you reach the Ranthan Top after traversing on ridge and ledge, a stunning view of Himalayan peaks bless you. The sight from the vantage point mesmerizes you when the prominent peaks of Garwhal and Kumaon stand tall right before your eyes. While the view of big mountains entices you, it’s the clearings on the trail that captivate you. You will notice two vast clearings enwrapped in lush green shades. 

After immersing yourself in the picturesque and serene environment at the top, the team heads to the next campsite at Parava Thor. (Trek distance: 9.2 km and Trek Duration: 8-9 hours)

After indulging in serene nature, the team prepares to head to the base village in Gogina. A constant descent, followed by a fair share of ascent that passes through forest sections and Namik Village takes you back to the base. Namik is a quaint village worth exploring. If you have a few extra hours, interact with locals to understand their humble yet content lives. (Trek distance: 10.7 km  and Trek Duration: 5-6 hours)

After a long and fulfilling journey to one of the prettiest treks in Uttarakhand, it is time to head back home with a bag full of thrilling stories. You will leave early in the morning for Kathgodam. It takes around 10 to 11 hrs to reach Kathgodamm. Book your onward journey accordingly.

The accommodation will be on a twin-sharing basis. Two trekkers will share one tent. You will stay in homestays, lodges or dormitories at the Basecamp village. 

Yes. You can offload your bag. Communicate your requirements to the trek leaders beforehand. The offloading charges will be Rs 500 per bag. The weight limit for the bag is 9-10 kg. 

Note: At OWLs, we suggest our participants carry backpacks and avoid offloading. However, in case of pressing circumstances, you can opt for offloading.

Yes, you can keep your extra luggage at the base camp. However, keep valuables like laptops, jewellery, or other expensive items in the base camp. The cloakroom facility is unavailable for treks like Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati and Bali Pass, as these treks begin from one village and conclude in another.

During your trek, the OWLS team will provide a dedicated toilet tent near the campsites. The toilets in the tent will be dry, meaning you should use toilet paper instead of water. The team will dig a try pit for your convenience. After using the toilet, please cover it with dry soil. As part of OWLS’ commitment to preserving the environment, we request that you avoid using wet wipes, as they are not biodegradable. At the base camp, you will have access to regular concrete toilets.

The food provided will meet your nutritional requirements, as you will burn a significant amount of calories during the 4-6 hour daily walk.

The best time to visit the Nanda Devi Base Camp trek is during summer. Nanda Devi Base Camp trek remains accessible in the autumn months of September to early November.

The team ensures that the food offered is healthy and helps you sustain through the day. The regular meal comprises eggs, locally grown vegetables, rice, roti, and pulses. The menu changes from day to day.

You will have access to mobile networks in the base camp. We suggest our participants call their friends and family from the base camp. There will be no signals throughout the trek.

While acclimatizing to the temperature of the mountains drink water from natural sources. Since resources are limited at higher altitudes, we do not provide hot water. However, during the winter months, when natural water sources freeze, we do provide water to our participants. Another reason to avoid hot water on our trek is to prevent health issues, such as diarrhoea.

The last ATM will be in Munsiyari. 

Carry a sufficient amount of cash with them. Since the base camp is situated away from the cities and lacks basic facilities like ATMs and digital payment options, it is always better to be prepared. 

You can carry the cash for cab fare and food to and from the base camp. We suggest carrying a minimum of 5-6k to ensure you have enough funds for your journey.

The most important thing to do on a trek to avoid AMS is to drink water, more than your daily intake. Water is an excellent way to avoid AMS. Along with this, you should also have all the nutritious meals we provide on the trek. If you still are sceptical about getting AMS, we would advise you to carry Diamox tablets with you. However, according to the situation your Outdoor leader will advise whether or not you should take it.

We encourage everyone to trek, even if or not they have a medical condition. We have an in-house doctor at OWLS with whom you can discuss your medical condition and accordingly, we can help you better prepare you for the trek.

Please keep the following documents ready before filling out this form

1. ID proof (Aadhar Card)
2. Health form  

Although we provide filling breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with morning tea and evening snacks, you can carry some light snacks for munching on the trail. You can carry protein bars, dry fruits, and homemade snacks like Shakkarpara to help you give that extra energy on the trek. 

All our Outdoor Leaders are trained and experienced leaders. They have completed basic Mountaineering Course, and are equipped with basic first-aid knowledge. Our leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders. 

You don’t need to carry your medical kit. If you have your prescribed medications, you need to carry them on the trek