Where the sun glistens on the Chaukhamba Massif at the break of dawn!
Taking you to the Madhyamaheshwar temple, which forms part of the Panch Kedars, the Madmaheshwar trek is a glorious route nestled amidst the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. The trail takes you through coniferous forests, meadows and quaint villages which make the trail all the more enjoyable. And to top it all off, you get stellar views of the Chaukhamba massif from Madmaheshwar which makes your long climb worth it!
The trek to Madmaheshwar starts from Ransi which is 20 kms away from Ukhimath, the nearest town. Ukhimath is 202 kms from Haridwar. Madmaheshwar is a 3 day trek and takes you to a height of 3489 M.
This article lays down all the information pertaining to the Madmaheshwar trek and is your go to guide when planning this trail!
The Madmaheshwar Trail
Ransi is a small quaint village near Ukhimath. This is the base village for the Madmaheshwar trek. The trail starts from here and is well paved throughout. It starts from Madmaheshwar Ganga that flows in the village. You can ask the locals for directions if you are confused.
The trail descends down to Lower Bantoli. The trail is easy and can be done in a relaxed manner. You have more opportunity to appreciate the views and your surroundings, which is a hotspot for flora and fauna. You will be trekking alongside the river and the sound of the river gushing through the rocks has a soothing effect. You will arrive at Bantoli approximately 2.5 hours after. The descent down is 7 kms long and while it is easy, it might be a little hard on your knees.
You will find homestays and lodges here where you can stay the night. A night stay along with meals will cost around INR 500-600 per person. Get a good night’s rest as you have a difficult day ahead of you.
Have breakfast and leave from Bantoli by 8 AM. You will be trekking to Madmaheshwar temple today and covering a distance of 6.5 kms. The trail gradually starts to ascend after 30 minutes and gets steeper as you go up. As you gain more altitude, you will notice the tree line disappear.
Enjoy the grand Himalayan scenery as it unfolds in front of you on the trail. Views of the valleys and the surrounding mountains covered in grass and coniferous forests keep you going. There are occasional flat patches through tree cover that are a respite from the otherwise steady ascent on this day. You will find a few locals selling snacks and beverages on the routes. Take a break, enjoy the refreshments and continue on the trail.
The final stretch of the trek is flat and easy. You can see the temple in the distance nestled amidst the mountains. A trail to the left leads to Buda Madmaheshwar.
Upon reaching the temple, you can spend some time enjoying the landscape and offer prayers at this remote temple. Even if you are not a believer, the temple tends to have a calming effect after a long day’s climb. Inform the temple about your stay and food requirements for the night.
The following day, start by 4:30 AM to climb to Buda Madmaheshwar. This is the most exciting part of the trail as you get views of the Chaukhamba massif from here! Reach the top by 5:30 AM so you get a glimpse of the golden hour as the sun glitters on the snow covered Chaukhamba massif which makes for a tremendous view. It’s a steep ascent to the top and you will be covering a distance of 2 kms.
Once you reach the top, you will see a beautiful pond with the snow mountains in the background. A small shrine rests next to the pond which earns its name Buda Madmaheshwar from being really ancient.
Spend some time here enjoying the views and the crystal clear reflection of the landscape in the pond. Soak it all in before you make your way back to Ransi.
It is the same route back to the base village.
A trekking pole comes in extremely handy on this trek with the continuous ascents and descents which can take a toll on your knees. Trekking poles reduce the strain on your knees and support you during the trek and help avoid injuries.
Highlights: Things to Look Forward to on This Trail
1. Trek through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
The trek takes you through the heart of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to rich flora and fauna. A number of different flowers and calls of various birds can be heard on the trail which makes the trek exciting.
2. Views of the Chaukhamba Massif
The views of the Chaukhamba Massif from Buda Madmaheshwar are unparalleled. The glistening of the sun rays on the snow mountain makes for a breathtaking view and the reflection of it in the pond enhances the beauty of the scenery.
3. Madmaheshwar Temple
Nestled amidst the mountains, surrounded by small local establishments and houses, the Madmaheshwar temple is a highlight in itself. The aarti here which is performed in the evenings has a serene effect on your mind and body.
Challenges: Things to be Prepared For on This Trail
1. Continuous Stretches of Ascents and Descents
The trail involves long hours of ascending and descending down mountains which can be challenging given the strain it puts on your knees and ankles. Wear good trekking shoes and use a trekking pole for maximum support and to minimise injuries.
2. Trekking During Monsoon
The trail gets slippery during monsoon and post-monsoon months which can be tricky to navigate. Tread with caution if you are trekking during these months and use a trekking pole to avoid slips and injuries.
Difficulty Level and the Bikat Rating Scale
Madmaheshwar is a level 2 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.
About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.
According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.
If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.
A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.
From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.
Best Time to do the Trek
The best time to do this trek is between March to June and September to October. In the latter months of September and October, you will find the flowers in full bloom and the vegetation is a lot more lush. March to June offers dense cover of rhododendrons and clear views across all points of the trail.
The trail gets blocked during winters due to heavy snow and Buda Madmaheshwar is inaccessible during this time.
How to Reach the Base
You can reach Ransi by a private vehicle or by public transport. Ukhimath is the nearest town.
The nearest major city to Ukhimath is Dehradun, which is 216 kms away.
Dehradun can be reached by:
1. Flight
One can reach Dehradun by flying into Jolly Grant Airport which is located at a distance of 27 kms from the city. There are regular direct flights available from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and connecting flights from all other major cities.
2. Bus from Delhi
Dehradun is located at a distance of 257 kms from Delhi. Both government and private buses ply regularly between Delhi and Rishikesh. The distance is usually covered in 6-7 hours and the cost of the bus ticket ranges anywhere between Rs. 300-700.
3. Train from Delhi
There are daily trains that run between Delhi and Dehradun. Janshatabdi Express, Mussoorie Express and DDN Shatabdi Express run on an everyday basis. These trains take approximately 7 hours to cover the distance and the cost of the ticket ranges between Rs.200-1500 depending on your train and coach preference.
Reaching Ukhimath from Rishikesh:
- Both government and private buses are available from Rishikesh to Ukhimath. The distance is covered in 12-13 hours and the cost of the ticket is around INR 300. You can also find plenty of buses from Rudraprayag.
- One can also hire a private taxi from Dehradun to reach Ukhimath. The fare is usually upwards of INR 3500 depending on the number of persons and the type of vehicle being hired.
From Ukhimath, you can get a shared cab from the bus stand to Ransi.
Frequently Asked Questions About Madmaheshwar Trek
1. Is there network connectivity on the trek?
You will get network from all major operators till Ransi. There is no connectivity beyond this on the trail.
2. Are there food stalls on the trail?
You will find food at the homestays on the trail. You can also fill your bottles here. You will also find a few shops here and there that sell snacks and beverages.
3. Are there any stay options near the trail?
There are homestays in Ransi where you can stay the night if you wish to. You will also find homestays and lodges at Lower Bantoli and at the Madmaheshwar temple. You can carry your own camping equipment and camp on the trail if you wish to.
4. Do I need a permit for this trek?
You do not need any permits for this trek.
5. How long does the trek take?
The trek has been divided into 3 days to allow room for enough rest and exploring the region before making your way back to Ransi.
6. Is this trek for beginners?
You can do this trek if you have an active lifestyle and a good fitness regimen. The trek is moderately difficult and can be challenging for beginners with a sedentary lifestyle and no prior trekking experience.
That’s all about the Madmaheshwar trek! Should you wish to know more or need help planning your weekend adventure to the Himalayas, please feel free to reach out to our team.
