Nisha Ann Reginald is a national level basketball player and has been playing for the last 18 years. She was associated with Indiahikes as a content manager, bringing out stories from the mountains.

Here are the shortlisted 12 best photos of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek – summer 2014. Trekkers were asked to submit their best photos from the trek for the contest.

Our judges will now run through these photos and choose three winners. Before the judges choose, tell us which of these photos deserves the top three photo awards (use the comments box below). The photographs are not displayed in any particular order. 

Results will be out on 23rd February, 2015.

The winners get the following awards from Indiahikes

The winner of the photo contest gets a Rs 5,000 trek voucher from Indiahikes.

The second winner gets Rs 3,000 trek voucher from Indiahikes.

The third winner gets Rs 2,000 trek voucher from Indiahikes.

Tell us which of these photos deserve the top three photo awards (use the comments box below).

Watch out for the results on 23rd February, 2015!

The nomination of the Kashmir great lakes trek are out! Check out the top 10 best photographs.

Kashmir Great Lakes Photo Contest 2014 – Nominees

Please note that this is a special trek designed for stargazing enthusiasts. The trek fee is slightly more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

This is a trek specially designed for trekkers above 58 years. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee (Please note this is only for Himalayan treks) Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that this is a special trek. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 14 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

You are joining our waitlist. Your chances of getting a confirmation are high, but not certain. We will notify you as soon as a trekker cancels their trek.

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are pioneers of treks in India

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow. 

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey. 

Our treks are transformative

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

SUITABLE FOR

Out of the other meadow treks in our country — Dayara Bugyal, Gidara Bugyal, and Bhrigu Lake trek — Ali Bedni Bugyal has the grandest of mountain views. That’s because of one thing —  the sight of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti jutting right out of the meadows.

Jutting out doesn’t mean you see the tops of these mountains, you see the entire face — almost 6000-7000 feet of it — rising right in front of you.

During Spring, the mountain views are at their sharpest and clearest, as the air is still crisp and clean from the winter months. The blue sky seems to stretch on forever. The landscape is unmarred by the haze and smog that can often plague the plains. The snow-capped peaks glisten in the sunlight. Soon, green meadows will start peeping out from under the snow.

By summer, you see meadows carpeted with fresh grass.

The surprise of finding yourself in Ali Bugyal after trekking through dense forests is unbeatable. The moment you get out of the shades of the forest cover, you see acres and acres of green carpet sprawled out in front of you. Mt Trishul, stands tall against the blue skies, making for a formidable backdrop. Horses and their foals tear themselves across the turf in an uninhibited abandon while the cattle graze lazily on this bounty.

The walk to Bedni Bugyal from here is exhilarating! It is a walk that tempts you to take off your shoes and feel this carpet for yourselves. The Bedni Bugyal is another stop in this meadow country – a strip of vibrant green, overlooking the western valley.  Popping right out of this meadow-like sentient, silent guards are the mountains of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. If you climb the Bedni Top, other high risers of the imposing Chaukhamba range open up before you. These incredible settings make these twin meadows a must-do on the trekker’s bucket list.

Ali Bedni Bugyal is a favourite trek for most of us at Indiahikes. Watch this video to know why.

<figure><figcaption style="margin:20px"><b>Indiahikes Founder Arjun Majumdar shares how his love affair with meadows began at the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek</b></figcaption><audio style="width: 70%;margin:12px" width="500px" controls src="https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/indiahike/c0945441-ce51-4c28-bb37-c8fdc8251daa_Gidara-Bugyal.mp3" preload="metadata"></audio</figure>

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance is valid for only 7 days from the day of an incidence.

Recommended Videos Before Going For The Trek

Ali Bedni Bugyal - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

➤Documents required: Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.  These documents will be part of the Safety Check-in done by the trek leader when you arrive at the base camp.

➤Stay facility: There are no facilities at Lohajung. Ensure you have all the gears required before reaching the basecamp. Do not bring any packaged food, tags from your new clothes, or any waste with you. We follow a Dustbin Free Zone and No Wet Wipes Policy at our base camps in line with our spirit of Green Trails. Please note that you will be staying in tents (twin sharing) on all days of the trek.

➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge. Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. (The luggage could be a backpack / suitcase / duffel bag or anything similar.).

You'll love the drive to Lohajung. The drive is very scenic along the mighty Ganges. You would be enjoying the view of the Sangam of many rivers which form the Ganges; Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnprayag are a treat for the eyes.

After Karnprayag, you would be travelling alongside the Pindar River. You then enter the beautiful valley of the Chamoli region. Keep your eyes open and look out, the glimpses of the big mountains are visible from Dewal onwards. 

Try getting the seat on the left-hand side to get some stunning moments during your travel. The journey itself is a visual treat both ways.

The drive back to Rishikesh follows the same route you took on your way up. The route is along the tributaries of Ganga. The road goes along hugging the mountainside and you see the forests and valleys of Garhwal below you.

Download the GPX file for your Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file to help you navigate without getting lost.

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about Ali Bedni Bugyal. Arjun is an entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trails, solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking. 

What I Like About the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Ali Bedni trek has slightly longer trekking days and has steep ascents and descents. So, it is rated as a moderate trek because it requires good endurance.

Getting to the details, this 6-day trek climbs from 7,550 ft to 12,550 ft. That’s almost an altitude gain of 5,000 ft. This climb is one of the major challenges on the trek.

Cardiovascular endurance – Target 5 km in 35 minutes before the start of the trek
On the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, you have to ascend for almost 5,000 ft and descend an equal amount over 4 days. This requires a good amount of endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Start slow and increase your pace every day. Including swimming and cycling as an alternative to running can help too.

To be prepared for a high altitude trek, you should have a combination of distance and speed targets.

Ali Bedni Bugyal is a high altitude trek that takes you beyond 12,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek.

Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is safe where the trail is concerned. The entire trail is well laid out. No special skill or help is required for navigation.

The trek is, however, strenuous. It also climbs quickly. Although the prior experience of trekking in the Himalayas is not required, it helps in accustoming you to the hardship.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

During Spring, the mountain views are at their sharpest and clearest, as the air is still crisp and clean from the winter months. The blue sky seems to stretch on forever. The landscape is unmarred by the haze and smog that can often plague the plains. The snow-capped peaks glisten in the sunlight. 

This trek is known for its commanding views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. The peaks tower over the landscape, their snow-capped summits piercing the sky. The view is particularly striking when the air is clear and the mountains seem to be within arm's reach.

The best time to do the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek would be in summer, for lush greenery in the meadows and wildflowers growing in abundance. You see the best of this in June.

Another good time to do the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is in the post-monsoon season. After the monsoon clouds are washed away, the skies are squeaky clean and you get the best views of mountains only in these months. If you’re one for photographs of big mountains in the region, choose the post-monsoon season.

Ali Bedni Bugyal Post-Monsoon (September-November)

We have 7 winter treks — and all of them are great. But the Ali Bedni winter trek is the one with the most beautiful snow cover. 

In the forests, the snow settles softly under the boughs of the oaks and rhododendrons. What makes it more special on the Ali Bedni trek is that the slope faces the west. Early in the morning when you are trekking up the slope, the sun slants through the trees hitting the snow at magical angles. 

Ali Bedni Bugyal in Winter (December-March)

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): It is important to carry Diamox as part of the Live Saving Drugs. Read more about Diamox here on how it reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the trek.

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.
| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate. 

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there is no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Sari.

Before you purchase any gear, make sure you visit the Crosstrek Rental store, where you can get custom-made high quality gear at 5% of the buying cost.

You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 1400 for the entire duration of your trek. Visit our Crosstrek Rentals store here.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)

Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)

Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent)
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)

Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)

Rain jacket + pants / poncho (Poncho is available on rent)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (Lunch box is available on rent)

Two water bottles or Hydration Pack (Water bottles are available on rent)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ali Bedni Bugyal

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 35 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 35 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Things Nobody Tells You About Ali Bedni Bugyal

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched

safety standards. See what they have to say below. Click to read more.

Complete the steps below to register for your Ali Bedni Bugyal trek

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However,  trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end. 

Eligibility criteria for Ali Bedni Bugyal trek

Complete information on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. Trek details, cost, itinerary, maps, photos, videos, distance, best time, route, culture, camping, nature and more.

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek 2024 - Roopkund Trek - Indiahikes 

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek ali aali bedni bedini vedni boogyal a al be bed bu b bug buy bugya bugy

TREK DIFFCULTY

Trekking in Uttarakhand is synonymous with trekking in Gharwal. Yet, unknown to most, the neighbouring Kumaon has stunning mountains, magnificent forests, undulating meadows, and vast clearings. Kumaon is largely unexplored and has received little attention. Kumaon's Ranthan Top Trek is just one of many undiscovered trekking gems.

Let’s begin by celebrating the big mountains. On this trek, you see India's highest peak, Nanda Devi, and its sister peak, Sunanda Devi (also known as Nanda Devi East). We can see the sun rise over these two formidable peaks from our Chophu camp. On our right, sticking out of the clouds, is the impressive, jagged peak of Nanda Kot. 

Even though Mt. Dangthal is not as tall as these mountains, being closer, it dominates our view. On the far east, we have Mt. Mrigthuni towering over the landscape. On the west, the five magnificent Panchachuli peaks stand out from the Ranthan Kharak ridge. 

The forests are exceptionally dense and deep. Flora and fauna enchant every moment. The trees and birds in the virgin forests are just as diverse as the ones we see on our Goechala Trek.

Kharak means “clearings” in the local language. On this trek, there are some stunning clearings to trek through. In two such clearings, we set up camp! You don't get to camp in such settings every day. Frankly, we find the clearings on the Ranthan Top trek more beautiful than those on the Kedarkantha.  

The trek transforms into an exciting ascent as we continue up the ridge towards the Ranthan peak. Large mountains flank us on either side of the ridge. The famous mountain ranges of Gharwal and Kumaon reveal themselves. The ridge itself, winding in and out of the folds of the mountains, gives the impression that we are riding an escalator to the summits. On either side of the ridge, the valley drops off into invisibility into rolling hills. It is an exhilarating experience. 

Ranthan Top Trek is a gem in the Kumaon Himalayas that our trekking community still needs to discover. It is a rare opportunity that you must not let go of. 

Our trek leader, Alveera Ansari, who has led more than 40 treks, came back from her first group of Ranthan Top recently. Here's her take on the trek:

"I'm back from Ranthan Top trek and I'm so glad that I was able to witness this trek ! What a beautiful trek Suhas and Nitesh have explored. 🤍

We definitely need to spread word about this beauty. This trek can really beat many treks in garhwal region. 

Be it a forest section, small stream cross, kharak, meadow walk, push towards Thal tok, Balchan kund ( ladies can go towards the kund, only during yatra and Pooja, ladies are not going , so no restriction to women trekkers we had ) , view of Mt. Nanda Devi !, summit push, luckily we got hail as well 😅

And you know what, we spotted 3 yellow Martin while returning frm Parava thor. We saw it near Bhopal ji ( guides ) home before entering Naamik village. They were really cute ! They remained me of Red panda of Sandakphu. 

Really, Ranthan Top is way more beautiful than I expected it to be."

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

Use this section to learn about the Ranthan Kharak trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find these extremely useful.

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions.

- There are no facilities at Gogina village. Do not leave things till the end.

- We have a Cloak Room facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Anything beyond one luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom. 

You are going on a Himalayan trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

Suhas is the head of the DIY and Documentation Team. He has been working at Indiahikes for the past 6 years. Nature, adventure, and wildlife are the top things that get his heart racing. He has done more than 12 Himalayan treks - a few of them are Roopkund, Kuari Pass, Dayara Bugyal, Buran Ghati, Kashmir Great Lakes, and Warwan Valley. He has done a few explorations in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and around Bengaluru. And it was he who explored this grand Phulara Ridge trek. Suhas was also involved in the exploration of this trek of Ranthan Top. 

Ranthan Top trek, which climbs to 12,887 ft, is not difficult. It is rated as 'moderate'. That too is only because of the longer trekking days compared to the Easy-moderate treks of Dayara Bugyal, Kedarkantha or Deoriatal Chandrashila. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days with a few steep climbs (example: climb to Thal Tok and Ranthan Top). This makes it a notch more difficult than the easy-moderate treks. 

But the trek has easy exits and there are fewer technical sections.

To get a clear picture, imagine covering a total of 40 km in 5 days. You gain approximately 6,472 ft during this journey, which is mild when spread over 4 days.

That means, on average, you cover 8 km every day. This includes gradual ascents and descents.

That's doable in a well-paced itinerary, like the one we follow for the Ranthan Top trek at Indiahikes. The key is to pace it out and let your body get acclimatized to a higher altitude. 

But if you cut it short, say skip camping at Bajimanian Kharak, then you are exposed to the risk of AMS. In such a situation, be very cautious of any discomfort in your body which may point to AMS. We will talk about this in detail in the next section.

Apart from AMS, be careful during the steep descent from Ranthan Top. It is long and tricky if you are descending during the rains or if there is a whiteout on the ridge or the ledges. Wearing good quality trekking shoes with a great grip helps here. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

Ranthan Top trek is open for trekking during three seasons of the year - Spring, Summer and Autumn. The window period is the best for going all the way to Ranthan Top. 

Since the trek does not go to very high altitudes, you can start slightly earlier compared to our other summer treks of high altitudes like Rupin Pass or Buran Ghati. 

During spring, the trek can be done for the whole month of April. During summer, the trek can be done from the end of April to the end of June. While in autumn it can be done from mid-September to the end of October. These are the best times to do the Ranthan Top trek. 

Here's a glimpse of Ranthan Top in May. 


Summer is one of the best times for trekking in the Kumaon region. 

In this season you can observe different shades of green right throughout the trek. The colour of the trail also starts changing shades of white to greens as you approach the higher regions of the meadow and alpine zone. Wildflowers start blooming on the meadows and around the campsites when you hit June. The grasslands turn a bright shade of green interspersed with bright yellow flowers.

Along with the different types of flora on the trek, the mountain views start opening up on clear days. 

It is truly a colourful experience with the forests, grasslands, and flowers coming to life after months of winter. 

Note: If you are trekking just during the end of spring and the beginning of summer, you are blessed with the visual treats of Rhododendrons. Even just for this bloom of Rhododendrons, one must trek during Spring. The combination of reds and pinks is a dreamy setting to wonder about. This might mean you not being able to go all the way to Ranthan Top or having to tackle/navigate sections of snow if you go a bit earlier in Spring. 

You will have snow during the late weeks of April towards the Ranthan Top. During May, snow starts to recede at higher altitudes

Between 15 °C to 20 °C | Night Time Temperature: At night, the temperature drops to almost 2 °C

Ranthan Top in Summer (end of April to end of June) 

No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers

The autumn season is a shorter one as compared to summer. 

Despite this, autumn is one of the best times to do the Ranthan Top trek. The views are much sharper and crisper compared to the Summer season. This is something to witness from Ranthan Top. The magnificent views on both sides of the ridge walk are a delight! 

The trail changes colour as you trudge deeper into the trek. Initially, you’ll notice many shades of green near the base camp. This continues as you trek through forests and grasslands. But as you gain altitude and enter to the meadow section, you’ll notice more yellows, oranges, and browns.

By end of October or the start of November, if the weather turns bad, there are chances of witnessing the first winter snowfall of the year.

Snow can start during the early weeks of November

Between 12 °C to 18 °C | Night Time Temperature: At night, the temperature can drop to 0 °C

Ranthan Top in Autumn (mid-Sept to the end of Oct)

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

The Spring season is very special in this region of Kumaon. Normally, the forests in any trek need time to blossom into greenery after a harsh winter. This is not the case in Ranthan Top. The forests here will be lush green with different varieties of rhododendrons, trees, mushrooms, birds and animals. 

You will walk on paths filled with hidden waterfalls, water trickling down your shoulders occasionally as you traverse through thickets till you arrive at Bajimanian Kharak. 

As you leave the tree line behind, you come across ridges and ledges with occasional patches of snow. The views of the far-off mountains will not be crystal clear. However, your proximity to them will anyway give you a magnified view. 

Be prepared for the cold by packing 4-5 warm layers. Keep your exposed parts warm from chilling winds, especially after crossing Bajimanian Kharak. The kharaks boast of budding green grass with wildflowers sprawling all over it. 

You will find patches of snow as you ascend higher on the trek

Between 10 °C to 15 °C | Night Time temperature: At night, the temperature can hit sub-zero

No. of warm layers required: 4-5 warm layers

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). if you want to go on a preventive course. Carry on the medication until you descend to Gogina. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Ranthan Top trek.    

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high-altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there is no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Tapoban or Karchhi. 

Kashmir Great Lakes Photo Contest 2014 – Nominees

Prizes:

And the Nominees are:

1) Photographer : Anshul

2) Photographer: Arun

3) Photographer: Ashis

4) Photographer: Chery

5) Photographer: Dipankar Halder

6) Photographer: Manjunath Bhat

7) Photographer: Niladri Adhikary

8) Photographer: Niladri Adhikary

9) Photographer: Sharat Kolke

10) Photographer: Sonali

Watch out for the results on 23rd February, 2015!

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