5 Reasons Why Trekkers Should Consider Ranthan Kharak in Autumn

Most trekkers in our country get the Ranthan Kharak trek wrong. And we’ll admit — it’s partly our fault. For years, we have spoken of Ranthan Kharak as a trek for its rhododendrons. The unintended consequence is that trekkers now assume this trek is only about spring and not worth doing in other seasons.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Ranthan Kharak is one of the most beautiful autumn treks in the Himalayas, from mid-September until November. In fact, we’d say it is one of the most underrated autumn treks in Uttarakhand.

Let me tell you why.

1. The Summit Climb

Very few treks in India are true summit climbs. Ranthan Kharak is one of them.

And this summit climb is not just about the adventure of making it to the top. It’s about what you see along the way, and when you finally stand on the summit.

On your right, the Kumaon ranges unfold. On your left, the Garhwal ranges stretch out. And right in front of you are some of India’s tallest and most storied mountains — Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Sunanda Devi, and the Panchachuli peaks.

To see these Himalayan giants laid out like a living canvas, while standing on a summit you’ve just climbed — that experience is rare. Very few treks in our country give you that combination.

2. The Autumn Colours

If there’s one reason you must consider Ranthan Kharak in autumn, it is for the colours.

The forests here are ablaze with orange, yellow, and crimson. The grasslands turn a golden brown, shimmering as the light bounces off them. These are colours you will not see in winter, summer, or spring. Only autumn treks give you this richness.

“I often say that trekkers in our country have not yet experienced such colours on a Himalayan trek. Ranthan Kharak in autumn will dazzle you,” says Arjun.

3. The Crystal-Clear Views

Autumn is the season of clarity in the Himalayas. The skies are at their cleanest, and the views are sharper than at any other time of the year.

When you’re looking at giants like Nanda Devi or Panchachuli, you don’t want a haze to dilute the experience. You want to see every ridge, every snowline, every sharp edge. That’s what Ranthan Kharak trek in Uttarakhand gives you in autumn.

4. Trekking in Kumaon

There’s another reason why this trek is special. It takes you into the heart of Kumaon.

Most trekkers are familiar with Garhwal. But Kumaon is very special — culturally rich, deeply rooted, and far less travelled. On the Ranthan Kharak trail, you walk through villages like Gogina and Namik, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of people that you rarely encounter in the busier Garhwal region.

Even the drive to the base is an experience in itself. Kumaon opens itself up slowly, with every bend revealing more of its beauty.

5. Solitude on the Trail

Finally, I must mention this. Ranthan Kharak is perhaps one of the last Himalayan treks where you can walk without crowds. In today’s trekking world, where almost every trail is overrun, Ranthan Kharak stands out as refreshingly empty.

You have the grand mountain views, the forests, the grasslands — and you have them all to yourself. That solitude is rare. For me, it is one of the strongest reasons to do this trek now.

A Final Word

When you put all of this together, you realise Ranthan Kharak is not just a rhododendron trek.

It is a complete Himalayan experience. And in autumn, it shines in ways most trekkers have never seen.

If you think you know autumn treks in India, Ranthan Kharak will surprise you.