Aancha Top Trek
About this trek
Aancha Top sits above the wide meadows of Dinnala Bugyal, between Jhandi Top and the Yamunotri road corridor. Over six days you climb from Ranachatti through forests and shepherd clearings to high meadows, reach the summit ridge for a 360° Garhwal panorama—Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Gangotri peaks and more—then descend back to the village. Pickup and drop are from Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport ~28 km away).
- Region & access
Uttarakhand · ~24 km trekking · max altitude 12,525 ft · Dehradun pickup/drop.
- Grade
Easy to moderate — suitable for fit beginners with some hill walking experience.
- Homestay & camps
Ranachatti homestay, alpine tents at Bamsingh, Dinada Bugyal and Aancha campsite.
- Support
Experienced guides, camping crew, permits and safety equipment including oxygen on trek.
Details
*Indicative rate (Rana Chatti–Dehradun package). Confirm at booking.
ReserveItinerary
- Day 1Dehradun to Ranachatti
Drive ~165 km, 7–8 hours (altitude ~7,000 ft). The road passes forest stretches and Mussoorie, then the Yamuna at Bhediyana; NH 507 follows the river. At Naugaon the road splits—the left branch goes toward Kedarkantha; you stay right in the Yamuna valley toward Barkot, then NH 134 toward Yamunotri. On clear days you see Bandarpoonch; just before Ranachatti, Dinnala Bugyal appears with Jhandi Top and Aancha Top at its two ends. Night at a homestay in Ranachatti. Stroll the village and visit the wood-carved Someshwar Mahadev temple.
- Day 2Rana village → Bamsingh
Trek ~4 km, 3–4 hours (7,000–9,200 ft). Ascent through terraced fields and forest patches, past water points and shepherd huts (chhanis). After ~1.5 km the trail steepens; Bandarpoonch appears. A rocky climb leads to a rest flat, then oak forest to the “Coin Tree”—first clear view of Aancha Top and Jhandi Top. A short steep push and forest walk bring you to the open clearing of Bamsingh—camp for the night.
- Day 3Bamsingh → Dinada Bugyal
Trek ~4 km, 4–5 hours (9,200–10,750 ft). Descend into a side valley; climb through dense forest. Past a fallen tree, take the right fork (not the misleading clearing ahead) down to Daloti Gad, flowing toward the Yamuna. Steep forest climb, then easier walking to Sannodi—halfway—with thinning forest and big peaks on the horizon. Enter Dinnala Bugyal: Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and Kedarkantha come into view. Camp at a chhani with flexible pitches across the meadow; sunset over the ridge.
- Day 4Dinada Bugyal → Aancha Top → Aancha Camp
Long day ~8 km, 6–8 hours, via ~12,525 ft. Cross open meadows with Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini ahead. A rocky gully leads to glacial lakes on the bugyal—the largest reflects Swargarohini on a clear day. After exploring the lakes, take the ridge trail right: rhododendron gives way to open ridge with views of Gangotri peaks, Dayara, Bandarpoonch and more. The gradual ridge climb ends at Aancha Top. Descend to Aancha Camp past Jajar Gad, re-crossing Dinnala meadows.
- Day 5Aancha Camp → Rana Chatti
Trek ~6 km, 5–6 hours. Descent through meadows back into forest—pines, birches, oaks. Dinnala Bugyal fills the horizon; Aancha and Jhandi Top mark its ends. Pass Pokhari Thathar clearing with Bandarpoonch back in view, then drop through fields to rejoin the Day 2 trail and down to Ranachatti. Lunch and overnight at the village before the drive out.
- Day 6Ranachatti → Dehradun
Drive ~160 km, ~7 hours. Start early; retracing Day 1. Expected arrival Dehradun ~5:00 PM (drop e.g. Live Free Hostel area). Plan onward flights/trains after 7–8 PM on this day.
What’s included
- Shared taxi transfers (pickup/drop as per package)
- Forest permits and entrance fees
- Accommodation: guest house / homestay at Ranachatti; alpine tents at Bamsingh, Dinada Bugyal & Aancha
- All vegetarian meals on trek: breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks, soup, dinner, coffee
- Camping kit: tents, sleeping bags, mattress, liners, kitchen & dining tents, toilet tents, gaiters
- Experienced Hindi/English guide, local team, porters/mules as per plan
- Walkie-talkies, first aid, technical safety gear, oxygen cylinder
What’s not included
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal toiletries and medicines
- Meals during road travel (Dehradun ↔ Ranachatti) unless specified
- Mule/porter for extra luggage (often ~₹300 per bag; pre-book)
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Things to carry
- Backpack with rain cover (40–60 L)
- Trekking shoes; LED torch; 1–2 L water bottle
- Trekking jacket; 3 (5 in winter) warm layers; 2 trek pants; 2 collared t-shirts; thermals; wool sweater; extra clothes
- Sunglasses; sunscreen SPF 50/70; lip balm SPF 30; sun cap; synthetic gloves; three pairs of socks
- Raincoat/poncho; plastic bags for wet clothes
- Basic medications (and prescriptions if any)
- Original + photocopy of government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID, etc.)
ATM: Barkot is the last reliable ATM before the trek.
Stay & meals
Vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the trek. Stay is in tents or guest house on multi-sharing basis; standard attached washroom where mentioned at Ranachatti; alpine tents at Bamsingh, Dinada Bugyal and Aancha campsite.
Amenities
- ⛺ Camping
- 🍽 Meals included
- 👣 Expert guide
- 🎒 Camping gear
- 📋 Permits
- 🚐 Road transfers
Policies
Cancellation
Reschedule or refund terms depend on how close to departure you cancel. Contact us for the current policy.
Map & reporting
Trek region: Yamuna valley, Uttarakhand (Ranachatti / Rana village base). Exact reporting point and shared taxi timings are shared after booking.
