# Aancha Top Trek > Aancha Top Trek is a 6-day easy–moderate trek in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,818 m (12,525 ft). It covers about 22 km on foot and starts and ends at Ranachatti. Best time: September to June. Trekkaro price: ₹9,400 per person + 5% GST, with free trekking gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket and poles). Next batch: 10 Oct 2026 (35 upcoming batches). Source: https://www.trekkaro.com/trek/aancha-top-trek (Trekkaro Adventures Pvt. Ltd.). Prices, dates and seats change often: always confirm on the trek page. ## Key facts - **Duration:** 6 days - **Difficulty:** Easy–Moderate - **Highest point:** 3,818 m / 12,525 ft - **Trekking distance:** 22 km - **Region:** Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand - **Start / end:** Ranachatti - **Best time:** September to June - **Temperature:** Spring-Summer (Mar-Jun): Day 12°C to 21°C, Night 5°C to 8°C | Winter (Dec-Feb): Day -2°C to 10°C, Night -15°C to -5°C - **Price:** ₹9,400 per person + 5% GST (was ₹10,450) - **Free trekking gear:** Included (Decathlon shoes, -10 C jacket, trekking poles; gaiters and microspikes when needed) - **Next batch:** 10 Oct 2026 (35 upcoming) ## Overview Near the top of a steep, rocky climb out of Ranachatti stands a large tree known locally as the Coin Tree. It is the first place on the trail where you can look up through the forest towards the Dinnala meadows, and from there Aancha Top keeps opening out: a wide meadow facing Bandarpoonch, three small glacial lakes lying still in the early light, and a narrow ridge to a summit at 3,818 m (12,525 ft), with the Garhwal Himalayas standing in every direction. It is a new trail, and on most days you share that summit with very few others. The Aancha Top trek is a compact summit trek above the Yamunotri valley that fits a remarkable amount into four days on foot. It climbs from the terraced fields of Ranachatti into oak and rhododendron forest, past the shepherd huts called chhanis and across the stream at Daloti Gad to Dinnala Bugyal, a wide meadow with Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini to the north and Kedarkantha and Phulara Ridge across the hills. Summit morning leads past three small glacial lakes to a 360° view: Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag (Black Peak) close by, Swargarohini, the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli further away, and the Dayara and Gidara meadows to the east. Aancha Top lies in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, in the Yamunotri valley beyond Barkot. The trek starts and ends at Ranachatti (2,134 m / 7,000 ft), a village on the road to Yamunotri Dham known for its wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple. The route climbs to camps at Bamsingh (2,804 m) and Dinnala (3,277 m), crosses the summit at 3,818 m (12,525 ft) and comes down to the Aancha campsite (3,475 m) before the final descent – a gain of about 1,700 m over three trekking days, and about 22 km on foot in all. Trekkaro runs it as a six-day trek from Dehradun, graded easy to moderate. Aancha Top is known as a quiet summit: its campsites and its top stay uncrowded even in peak season. In our experience, that quiet is as much a part of the trek as the view. ### Three Lakes and a Narrow Ridge – What Makes the Aancha Top Trek Unmissable What makes Aancha Top worth the journey is the shape of its summit day. In about 8 km and 6–7 hours it gives you the upper meadows, patches of rhododendron, three small glacial lakes, a ridge climb with real character and a full 360° panorama, and then, instead of turning back, it carries you on to a new campsite. For a trek graded easy to moderate, we find it a remarkably complete day in the mountains. Nothing about it is technical, but it asks for steady feet and patience, and it rewards both. You leave Dinnala early, after a light breakfast, with at least two litres of water in your pack, because there is none on the route today. The upper meadows are quiet at that hour. Then the first lake appears, small and clear, and on a calm morning nothing moves on its surface. Then the second, and the third. Beyond them the ridge begins. It narrows in places to rock and loose stone, a few sections are exposed, and your trek leader guides each step; when there is snow, microspikes and gaiters go on. You put your poles away when asked, keep your hands free and watch the ground in front of you. And then there is no more ridge to climb. The view opens all at once: Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag close at hand, Swargarohini beyond them, the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli on the far skyline, and the Dayara and Gidara meadows lying across the hills to the east. The evening before belongs to the same story. From the Dinnala campsite, the sunset over Bandarpoonch is, in our view, one of the most memorable sights of the trek. After time on the top, you come down to the Aancha campsite at about 3,475 m, still higher than Dinnala, with the summit ridge behind you and one more night in the high country ahead. ### The Trail Itself Aancha Top changes its surroundings almost by the hour. The trek begins right from the village, through terraced fields, and soon enters a forest of oak and rhododendron, passing the chhanis where local herders stay with their animals in the grazing season. One stretch is steep and rocky, and near its top the Coin Tree gives the first view towards Dinnala. Camp is at Bamsingh, a forest clearing at about 2,804 m. The next morning the trail drops to the stream crossing at Daloti Gad, then climbs steeply through the forest for about an hour, until the trees give way and Dinnala Bugyal opens out at 3,277 m – green and open in summer, often under snow in winter, and short of water in every season. The descent shows you a different forest. From the Aancha campsite, the trail crosses open meadows and the clearing of Pokhari Thathar, then drops steeply through pine, silver birch and oak. On clear mornings the summit ridge stands out behind you, and the forest below is full of birdsong. You pass a few more shepherd huts, where you may meet herders with their animals, and as you lose height the sounds of the village and the river grow louder. Back in Ranachatti, the wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple is a reminder that this trail begins in a living village on the road to Yamunotri Dham. ### Who Is This Trek For? The Aancha Top trek is graded easy to moderate, and we recommend it for fit beginners; you do not need previous trekking experience. Trekking days run from 4 to 8 km. The first two are kept deliberately short – 4 km in 3–4 hours to Bamsingh, then 4 km in about 4 hours to Dinnala – though the second hides an hour of steep forest climbing. The hard day is the summit: about 8 km and 6–7 hours, with narrow, rocky and exposed ridge sections, loose stones and no water on the way. The final descent is 6 km in about 5 hours, long and steep in places. You should be comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day on uneven ground; as a benchmark, aim to jog 5 km in under 40 minutes, and allow 4–6 weeks of preparation. From March to June and from September to November, when the trail is usually snow-free, the trek suits beginners well; for a winter snow summit we recommend one earlier Himalayan trek, though it is not compulsory. Fit children aged 10 and above can join with a parent or guardian, and trekkers above 60 need a doctor’s fitness certificate, with an ECG or TMT report recommended. Season: September through to June. ### Key Highlights of the Aancha Top Trek - **A 360° summit view from 3,818 m (12,525 ft)** – Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag close by, with Swargarohini, the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli further away - **Three small glacial lakes** – passed on summit morning, still and clear on calm days - **Dinnala Bugyal at 3,277 m** – a wide meadow camp facing Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini, with Kedarkantha and Phulara Ridge in view - **Sunset over Bandarpoonch** – from the Dinnala campsite, the evening before the summit - **A real ridge to the top** – narrow, rocky sections that make the final push feel earned - **A quiet, new trail** – campsites and a summit that stay uncrowded even in peak season - **Forest and shepherd huts** – oak, rhododendron, pine and silver birch, the chhanis and the Coin Tree - **Ranachatti and the Someshwar Mahadev temple** – a wood-carved temple in a village on the road to Yamunotri Dham ### Best Time to Do the Aancha Top Trek Aancha Top has a long season, running from September right through to June, and within it the trek takes on three quite different characters. Snow usually lies from December to February and often into March. From April to November the trail is normally snow-free, though an early snowfall in late October or November is always possible. #### December to February – Winter (A Snow Summit) In winter, Aancha Top becomes a true snow trek. The Dinnala meadow and the summit ridge can lie under deep snow, the camps are very cold at night, and the ridge is climbed in microspikes and gaiters, one careful step at a time. Every day is harder and colder, and the reward matches the effort: a white meadow beneath Bandarpoonch, a snow-covered summit and a quiet trail at the coldest time of the year. - **Temperatures:** Day: -2°C to 10°C | Night: -15°C to -5°C at the higher camps - **Trail conditions:** Snow on the meadows and the summit ridge, often deep at Dinnala and on top; microspikes and gaiters used. - **Best for:** A snow summit and white meadows; one earlier Himalayan trek recommended. #### March to June – Spring and Summer (Rhododendrons, Then Green Meadows) As the snow retreats, the forest takes centre stage. In March and April the rhododendrons bloom along the trail, while the last of the winter snow may linger on the high ground early in the season. By May and June the meadows are green and open, the days are warm and the nights mild for the altitude. In our view, this is the most comfortable time to walk the trail. - **Temperatures:** Day: 12°C to 21°C | Night: 5°C to 8°C - **Trail conditions:** Snow possible on top in March; normally snow-free from April, with green meadows by summer. - **Best for:** Rhododendrons in bloom, first-time trekkers and comfortable nights on the meadows. #### September to November – Autumn (Golden Meadows and Clear Skies) Autumn is, in our experience, when Aancha Top looks its sharpest. The skies clear, the meadows turn gold and red, and the summit panorama, from Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag to the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli, comes into hard focus. The days are pleasant and the nights at the higher camps drop to near freezing. - **Temperatures:** Day: pleasant | Night: near 0°C at the higher camps - **Trail conditions:** Usually snow-free under clear skies; an early snowfall is possible in late October or November. - **Best for:** The sharpest mountain views, golden meadows and clear light on the summit. #### Trekkaro Recommendation For a first Himalayan summit, book between March and June or between September and November. Choose March and April for rhododendrons, May and June for green meadows and the mildest nights, and September to November for golden grass and the clearest view from the top – our first choice for the summit panorama. If you have an earlier Himalayan trek behind you and want snow underfoot, a December to February batch turns Aancha Top into a quiet winter summit. ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Dehradun to Ranachatti **Route Details:** **Drive: Dehradun → Ranachatti (~160 km, 6–7 hrs) | Altitude: 2,134 m (7,000 ft) | Stay: Homestay / guesthouse, Ranachatti** Day 1 is a travel day. You leave Dehradun in the morning and drive through Mussoorie and Naugaon, then up the Yamuna valley past Barkot. For much of the way the road follows the Yamuna River, with terraced villages on the slopes above. There is a lunch stop on the way. Barkot is the last place with an ATM, 1–1.5 hours before Ranachatti, so we recommend carrying the cash you need from Dehradun. Ranachatti is a village on the road to Yamunotri, at about 2,134 m. It is known for its wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple, one of the finest examples of traditional carving in the valley. In the evening, walk through the village and visit the temple. You stay in a homestay or guesthouse. Your trek leader holds a briefing and checks documents. Airtel and Jio work at Ranachatti, but there is little or no network on the trail after today. Tell your family you will be out of reach for the next three days. What to Expect: - Drive via Mussoorie, Naugaon and Barkot along the Yamuna River - Terraced villages on the slopes of the Yamuna valley - The wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple in Ranachatti - Evening briefing and document check - Last ATM at Barkot; little or no network beyond Ranachatti - Overnight: Ranachatti (2,134 m / 7,000 ft) ### Day 2: Ranachatti to Bamsingh **Route Details:** **Altitude: 2,134 m → 2,804 m (9,200 ft) | Distance: 4 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Terrain: terraced fields, then oak and rhododendron forest, with one steep and rocky stretch | Stay: Tents at Bamsingh** The trek begins right from the village. You walk out of Ranachatti on a path through terraced fields, and within a short while the fields give way to a forest of oak and rhododendron. The village sounds fade behind you as the trees close in. On paper this is a short day, 4 km and 3–4 hours, but the trail gains height for most of the way. Find an easy rhythm early and keep it. Along the way you pass chhanis, the shepherd huts where local herders stay with their animals in the grazing season. There are streams on this lower part of the trail, but ask your trek leader before you refill your bottle from one. Lunch is usually packed and eaten on the trail, so you can stop wherever the group finds a good spot. One stretch of the trail is steep and rocky. This is the part of the day to take slowly. Shorten your step, use your trekking poles for balance and place your feet on firm ground rather than loose stones. Near the top of the climb stands a large tree known locally as the ‘Coin Tree’. It marks your first view towards the Dinnala meadows above, where you camp tomorrow. Bamsingh, at about 2,804 m, is a forest clearing and your first campsite. You arrive early, and hot tea and snacks are waiting. The short day is deliberate. The free afternoon helps your body adjust to the height, so use it to rest, not to rush around. Dinner is served early in the dining tent. In the evening your trek leader checks everyone’s oxygen level and pulse, a routine that continues every day of the trek. Forest nights are cool in summer and freezing in winter, so keep your thermals and woollen cap ready before the sun goes down. What to Expect: - Terraced fields above Ranachatti, then oak and rhododendron forest - Chhanis (shepherd huts) used by local herders in the grazing season - One steep, rocky stretch: slow steps and trekking poles make it easier - The ‘Coin Tree’ and your first view towards the Dinnala meadows - Early arrival, hot tea and the first evening oxygen and pulse check - Overnight: Bamsingh camp (2,804 m / 9,200 ft) ### Day 3: Bamsingh to Dinnala Meadow **Route Details:** **Altitude: 2,804 m → 3,277 m (10,750 ft) | Distance: 4 km | Duration: 4 hrs | Terrain: short drop to a stream crossing, then about an hour of steep forest climbing onto open meadow | Stay: Tents at Dinnala Bugyal** Do not be fooled by the distance. Today is only 4 km, but it holds the steepest climb of the trek so far. From Bamsingh the trail first drops a little to a stream crossing at Daloti Gad. This short downhill is a gentle start before the work begins. Cross where your trek leader shows you and take it one step at a time. After the crossing comes the hardest part of the day: about an hour of steep climbing through the forest. Walk in a line behind your trek leader and keep a gap from the person in front. Step on solid ground rather than loose stones. Go slowly and take short breaks. In our experience, short and frequent pauses work far better on this climb than long stops. Above the climb, the forest suddenly opens onto the wide Dinnala Bugyal (meadow), at about 3,277 m. After an hour inside the trees, the open sky feels very wide. This is one of the finest campsites on the trek. Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini rise to the north, and you can see across to Kedarkantha and Phulara Ridge. In summer the meadow is green and open. In winter it is often under snow, and the camp is very cold at night. Water is scarce at Dinnala. The team carries and manages it carefully and boils or treats what you drink, so please use it sparingly. Spend the afternoon resting and taking in the views. Whatever the season, the sunset over Bandarpoonch from here is one of the most memorable sights of the trek. In the evening your trek leader briefs the group on tomorrow’s summit climb and checks everyone’s oxygen levels. Fill your bottles at camp before you sleep, ready for the dry summit day. Eat a full dinner and go to sleep early. Summit day starts before sunrise. What to Expect: - Short drop to the stream crossing at Daloti Gad - About an hour of steep climbing through the forest, the hardest part of the day - The forest opening suddenly onto the wide Dinnala Bugyal - Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini to the north, with Kedarkantha and Phulara Ridge in view - Scarce water at camp, then the summit briefing and oxygen check - Overnight: Dinnala Bugyal camp (3,277 m / 10,750 ft) ### Day 4: Summit Day - Dinnala to Aancha Camp via Aancha Top **Route Details:** **Altitude: 3,277 m → 3,818 m (12,525 ft) → 3,475 m | Distance: 8 km | Duration: 6–7 hrs | Terrain: upper meadows, rhododendron patches and three small glacial lakes, then a narrow, rocky ridge | Stay: Tents at Aancha camp** This is the longest and hardest day of the trek. The effort comes from two things: the length, about 8 km and 6–7 hours, and the ridge near the top. You start before sunrise, after a light breakfast. There is no water on the route today, so fill at least two litres from camp before you leave. The trail first crosses the upper meadows and patches of rhododendron. Then it passes three small glacial lakes, still and clear on calm mornings. This part of the walk is open, and you can take it at an easy pace. Save your energy for the ridge above. In winter the summit ridge can be under deep snow, and every step takes longer. The final climb to Aancha Top follows a ridge, and this is the section to respect. A few stretches are narrow, rocky and exposed, with loose stones underfoot. Your trek leader guides each step. Keep your hands free; if your trek leader asks, put your poles away on the rocky sections. In snow, we use microspikes and gaiters. Walk with a gap from the person in front so no one is crowded on the narrow parts. Move carefully, test each foothold and do not rush. The same care applies on the way down from the top, because the loose stones are just as loose in descent. From the summit, at 3,818 m (12,525 ft), the view opens in every direction. Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag rise close by. Further away stand Swargarohini, the Gangotri group, and Srikanth and Jaonli. To the east you can see across to the Dayara and Gidara meadows. Take your time at the top. After that, you descend to the Aancha campsite at about 3,475 m, your last camp of the trek. Your trek leader runs the usual evening oxygen and pulse check, and an early night is well earned. What to Expect: - Start before sunrise; carry at least 2 litres, as there is no water on the route - Upper meadows, rhododendron patches and three small glacial lakes - Narrow, rocky and exposed ridge sections with loose stones; microspikes and gaiters in snow - 360-degree summit view: Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Swargarohini, the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli - The Dayara and Gidara meadows across the hills to the east - Overnight: Aancha camp (3,475 m) ### Day 5: Aancha Camp to Ranachatti **Route Details:** **Altitude: 3,475 m → 2,134 m (7,000 ft) | Distance: 6 km | Duration: 5 hrs | Terrain: open meadows, then a long descent through pine, silver birch and oak forest, steep in places | Stay: Homestay / guesthouse, Ranachatti** This is your last day on the trail, and nearly all of it runs downhill. After breakfast the trail crosses open meadows and passes the clearing of Pokhari Thathar. The meadows are open at first, a gentle way to start the day. On clear mornings the summit ridge stands out behind you. It is a good moment to stop, turn around and look back on the route you have walked over the last three days. Below the meadows, the trail drops steeply through pine, silver birch and oak forest back towards the valley. The descent is long and steep in places, so walk carefully and use your trekking poles. Shorten your step, keep your knees soft and let the poles take some of the load. Downhill is where tired legs make mistakes, so take a short break whenever your knees start to feel it. The forests here are full of birdsong. The trail passes a few shepherd huts and small clearings on the way down, where you may meet herders with their animals. As you get lower, the sounds of the village and the river below grow louder. This is where attention tends to drop. Take care on the last steep section into the village. Many slips happen when people relax at the end, so keep the same slow, careful pace until you are on the flat ground of the village. You reach Ranachatti by early afternoon. After three nights in tents, the hot water at the homestay is very welcome, and lunch follows the shower. The rest of the day is free. If you did not see the Someshwar Mahadev temple on Day 1, this is your chance; otherwise, simply rest. In the evening, the group celebrates the summit together. It is your last night in the valley before the drive home. What to Expect: - Open meadows and the clearing of Pokhari Thathar - Views back to the summit ridge on clear mornings - Long, steep descent through pine, silver birch and oak forest - Shepherd huts and small clearings, where you may meet herders with their animals - Hot shower and lunch at Ranachatti, then the summit celebration - Overnight: Ranachatti (2,134 m / 7,000 ft) ### Day 6: Ranachatti to Dehradun **Route Details:** **Drive: Ranachatti → Dehradun (~160 km, 6–7 hrs) | Altitude: 2,134 m → 640 m | Stay: Trek ends in Dehradun** This is a travel day. After breakfast you drive back down the Yamuna valley, through Barkot, Naugaon and Mussoorie to Dehradun. The drive takes about 6–7 hours with short stops. It is the same road you came up on Day 1, with the Yamuna River beside you for much of the way and terraced villages on the slopes above. With the trek behind you, it is a quieter ride to watch the valley go by. Barkot is a good place to withdraw cash or pick up snacks on the way back. Keep water and a snack in your daypack as well, since the stops on the way are short. You usually reach Dehradun in the late afternoon or evening. Please book your onward travel for the late night or the next day. Mountain roads can be slow, and a little margin keeps your train or flight safe. The trek ends on arrival in Dehradun. What to Expect: - Return drive down the Yamuna valley via Barkot, Naugaon and Mussoorie - About 6–7 hours on the road with short stops - Barkot for cash and snacks on the way back - Arrival in Dehradun in the late afternoon or evening - Onward travel best booked for the late night or the next day - Trek ends at Dehradun ## Inclusions #### 1. Free Trekking Gear (FTG) – Save on Gear Rentals Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear (FTG) lets you trek without buying or renting gear. Included free of rental charges: - Decathlon trekking shoes - Decathlon -10°C jacket - Trekking poles and gaiters/microspikes when the trail needs them - ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge #### 2. Accommodation - Day 1 and Day 5: Homestay or guesthouse in Ranachatti on a triple/quad sharing basis - Day 2 to Day 4: Camping in 3-person tents, with dining and toilet tents #### 3. Meals - All meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast - Simple, freshly cooked vegetarian food - Tea, coffee, soup, and snacks on the trail and at camp #### 4. Permits & Camping Fees - All forest permits and camping charges for the trek #### 5. Trek Team & Safety - Certified trek leader and local guide throughout all 6 days - Cook, helpers, and support staff - First-aid kit, pulse oximeter, and blood-pressure checks during the trek - Tents, sleeping bags, and mats for the camping nights ## Exclusions #### 1. Food During Transit - Meals on the drive between Dehradun and Ranachatti are not included. #### 2. Transport - Not included: Dehradun to Ranachatti and back. A shared cab costs approximately ₹6,500 one way per vehicle (up to 6 trekkers). - We help the group book shared cabs; the fare is paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. #### 3. Backpack Offloading (optional) - ₹1,800 + 5% GST for the full trek - Max weight: 9 kg - No suitcases, trolleys, or duffel bags #### 4. Single Tent Occupancy (optional) - ₹2,000 + 5% GST per tent for the whole trek #### 5. Anything Not Mentioned Under Inclusions - Personal expenses, tips, and anything not listed under inclusions. - **Travel insurance:** mandatory and not included. Your policy must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation. ## How to reach #### How to Reach Ranachatti The trek starts and ends in Dehradun. Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. - **By train:** Dehradun Railway Station (Nanda Devi Express, Jan Shatabdi from Delhi). - **By air:** Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. - **By bus:** Delhi to Dehradun ISBT overnight. On your own, the early bus from Dehradun to Barkot, then a shared jeep to Ranachatti (about 35 km). - **Dehradun to Ranachatti:** about 160 km via Mussoorie, Naugaon and Barkot – 6–7 hours by road. ## ATM and mobile network #### Important Pre-Trek Information - **ATM:** The last ATM is in Barkot, 1–1.5 hours before Ranachatti. Carry enough cash from Dehradun. - **Mobile network:** Airtel and Jio work at Ranachatti. There is little or no network on the trail after Day 1. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where is the Aancha Top trek? The Aancha Top trek is in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, in the Yamunotri valley beyond Barkot. It starts from Ranachatti, a village on the road to Yamunotri Dham, about 160 km (6–7 hours) by road from Dehradun. From Ranachatti the trail climbs through forest and shepherd huts to the Dinnala meadow, then up a ridge to the 12,525 ft summit. ### How many days is the Aancha Top trek? The Aancha Top trek takes 6 days from Dehradun to Dehradun, with 4 trekking days covering about 22 km. - **Day 1 and Day 6:** drive between Dehradun and Ranachatti (6–7 hours) - **Days 2–5:** trekking, 4–8 km a day - **Longest day:** summit day (Day 4), about 8 km and 6–7 hours ### What is the altitude of the Aancha Top trek? The highest point of the Aancha Top trek is the summit at 3,818 m (12,525 ft). The trek starts at Ranachatti (2,134 m / 7,000 ft), so you gain about 1,700 m over three trekking days. - **Bamsingh camp:** 2,804 m - **Dinnala camp:** 3,277 m - **Aancha camp:** 3,475 m ### How difficult is the Aancha Top trek? The Aancha Top trek is graded Easy–Moderate and is suitable for fit beginners. The first two trekking days are short, but summit day is long and the ridge is narrow and rocky in places. - **Day 3:** a steep one-hour climb to Dinnala - **Summit day:** about 8 km with exposed, rocky ridge sections - **Winter:** snow makes every day harder and colder ### Is the Aancha Top trek good for beginners? Yes, the Aancha Top trek is suitable for beginners from March to June and September to November, when the trail is snow-free. You do not need trekking experience, but you do need good fitness for the long summit day. For a winter (snow) attempt, one earlier Himalayan trek is recommended but not compulsory. ### What fitness level do I need for the Aancha Top trek? For the Aancha Top trek you should be able to walk 5–7 hours a day on uneven ground, and aim to jog 5 km in under 40 minutes before the trek. - **Train for 4–6 weeks:** brisk walks, stairs or uphill walking - **Strength:** add squats and lunges for the descents - **Fitness test:** take our free 2-minute test at [Am I Ready?](https://www.trekkaro.com/am-i-ready) ### Is the Aancha Top trek like Kedarkantha? Yes – like Kedarkantha, the Aancha Top trek ends on a summit with a 360° view, and the height is almost the same (12,525 ft vs 12,500 ft). The big difference is the crowd: Aancha Top is a new trail, so campsites and the summit stay quiet even in peak season. If you have already done Kedarkantha, or want a summit without the queues, Aancha Top is the natural next trek. ### What is the best time to do the Aancha Top trek? The best time for the Aancha Top trek is March to June and September to November; December to February is the season for a snow summit. The trek is closed in July and August (monsoon). - **December–February/March:** winter snow summit, very cold nights - **March–June:** rhododendrons in March–April, then green meadows - **September–November:** clear skies, golden meadows, sharpest views ### Does the Aancha Top trek have snow? The Aancha Top trek usually has snow from December to February, and often into March. In winter the Dinnala meadow and the summit ridge can be under deep snow, and microspikes and gaiters are used. From April to November the trail is normally snow-free, though an early snowfall in late October or November is possible. ### How cold does it get on the Aancha Top trek? On the Aancha Top trek, spring and summer nights are 5–8°C, while winter nights drop to -15 to -5°C at the higher camps. - **March–June:** days 12–21°C, nights 5–8°C - **September–November:** pleasant days, nights near 0°C at the higher camps - **December–February:** days -2 to 10°C, nights -15 to -5°C ### Which mountains can you see on the Aancha Top trek? From the Aancha Top summit you get a 360° view of Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag (Black Peak) close by, with Swargarohini, the Gangotri group, Srikanth and Jaonli further away. Across the hills to the east you can see the Dayara and Gidara meadows, and from the Dinnala campsite Kedarkantha and Phulara Ridge are in view. ### What is the terrain like on the Aancha Top trek? The Aancha Top trail goes from village fields and oak–rhododendron forest to open meadows and a rocky summit ridge. - **Day 2:** fields, forest and one steep rocky stretch - **Day 3:** a stream crossing at Daloti Gad and a steep climb to Dinnala meadow - **Day 4:** meadows, three small glacial lakes and a narrow, rocky ridge - **Day 5:** a long, steep descent through pine, birch and oak forest ### Is altitude sickness a risk on the Aancha Top trek? The risk of altitude sickness on the Aancha Top trek is low to moderate, as the highest point is 3,818 m. The first two trekking days are kept short so your body can adjust. Your trek leader checks everyone’s oxygen level and pulse every evening. Report a headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness at once – rest and going lower are the best treatment. ### What is the minimum age for the Aancha Top trek? The minimum age for the Aancha Top trek is 10 years. Trekkers under 18 must come with a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. Trekkers above 60 are welcome if they are fit and in good cardiovascular health; along with the medical certificate signed by a doctor that every trekker brings, we recommend an ECG or TMT report. ### How do I reach the Aancha Top trek? To reach the Aancha Top trek, travel to Dehradun; the base village Ranachatti is about 160 km (6–7 hours) from Dehradun via Mussoorie, Naugaon and Barkot. - **Train:** Dehradun Railway Station (Nanda Devi Express, Jan Shatabdi from Delhi) - **Air:** Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun - **Bus:** Delhi to Dehradun overnight; on your own, Dehradun to Barkot, then a shared jeep to Ranachatti Plan to reach Dehradun the night before Day 1. ### Is transport included in the Aancha Top trek? No, transport is not included in the Aancha Top trek fee. A cab can be arranged from Dehradun Railway Station at 06:30 AM to Ranachatti and back, at approximately ₹6,500 one way per vehicle (up to 6 trekkers), shared among the trekkers. ### Where do we stay on the Aancha Top trek? On the Aancha Top trek you stay 2 nights in a homestay or guesthouse in Ranachatti (Day 1 and Day 5) and 3 nights in tents at Bamsingh, Dinnala and Aancha camp. Tents are shared by 3 trekkers, with a dining tent and toilet tent at every camp. Sleeping bags and mats are provided. ### What is the group size on the Aancha Top trek, and who leads it? Fixed departures of the Aancha Top trek run with 6 to 20 trekkers – never more than 20 – led by a certified Trekkaro trek leader. The leader is supported by a local guide, a cook, helpers and mules that carry the camp. Private groups of any size can also be arranged. ### Is the Aancha Top trek safe for women trekking alone? Yes. On the Aancha Top trek, female trekkers share tents only with other female trekkers, and male trekkers with males; couples and families get their own tents. We keep three trekkers to a tent, and our guides and support staff are carefully selected and trusted. ### What food is served on the Aancha Top trek? On the Aancha Top trek we serve simple, freshly cooked vegetarian meals, with eggs available on request at camp. - **Breakfast:** at camp - **Lunch:** packed, on trekking days - **Evening:** tea with snacks - **Dinner:** hot, in the dining tent Meals on the drive to and from the base are not included. ### Is drinking water available on the Aancha Top trek? On the Aancha Top trek, carry at least 2 litres of water every day: there are streams on the lower trail, but water is scarce at Dinnala and there is none on summit day. Our team boils or treats the water at every campsite. Ask your trek leader before refilling from a stream. ### Is Free Trekking Gear included on the Aancha Top trek? Yes. Free Trekking Gear is included on the Aancha Top trek, free of rental charges: - **Shoes:** Decathlon trekking shoes - **Jacket:** Decathlon -10°C trekking jacket - **Poles:** trekking poles - **Snow gear:** gaiters and microspikes when the trail needs them There is a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. You only bring your personal clothes, a backpack and a water bottle. ### Can I offload my backpack on the Aancha Top trek? Yes. Backpack offloading on the Aancha Top trek costs ₹1,800 + 5% GST for the full trek, for up to 9 kg. - **Bags:** no suitcases, trolleys or duffel bags - **Booking:** tell us at least 15 days before the trek; last-minute requests may cost more - **Daypack:** you still carry water, snacks and a warm layer ### Will a doctor come on the Aancha Top trek? No doctor joins the Aancha Top trek, but our trek leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and carry a full first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter. Carry your own regular medicines and tell your trek leader about any health condition before the trek. ### What documents do I need for the Aancha Top trek? For the Aancha Top trek, carry an original government photo ID (with a photocopy), a medical certificate signed by a doctor, and the signed disclaimer form. Trekkaro arranges the forest and camping permissions. ### Is there mobile network and an ATM on the Aancha Top trek? Mobile network on the Aancha Top trek is available only at Ranachatti (Airtel and Jio); there is little or no signal on the trail after Day 1. The last ATM is in Barkot, 1–1.5 hours before Ranachatti. Carry the cash you need from Dehradun and tell your family you will be out of reach for three days. ### Is there any cultural or spiritual significance to the Aancha Top trek? Yes. Ranachatti, the base of the Aancha Top trek, has the wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple and lies on the road to Yamunotri Dham. On the trail you pass the huts (chhanis) of shepherds who bring their animals up to the meadows in summer. --- Book or ask questions: https://www.trekkaro.com/trek/aancha-top-trek · WhatsApp +91 80576 54321