About The Madhyamaheshwar Trek
The Madhyamaheshwar Trek is one of the most peaceful and less-crowded Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by dense forests, flowing rivers, high-altitude meadows, and snow-capped peaks, this trek offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, adventure, and mountain serenity.
Journey from Delhi to Ransi Village
I started my journey from Delhi on 28 September 2025, traveling via Meerut, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Rudraprayag. On the way, I stopped at Rudraprayag to see the famous sangam, where two rivers meet. The view was peaceful and truly breathtaking. After that, I continued towards Ukhimath and finally reached Ransi Village around 8:00 PM.
Rooftop view of Ransi village in the morning
Ransi is the base village for the Madhyamaheshwar (Madmaheshwar) trek and is located about 22 km from Ukhimath. This is the last motorable village, and beyond this point, there are no roads—only trekking trails.
Stay Options at Ransi Village
In Ransi village, Holiday Hills Homestay
Stay at Ransi Village – Holiday Hills Homestay
We stayed at Holiday Hills Homestay, a comfortable homestay and one of the best options in this remote area. For a mountain village, it felt quite luxurious. The room charge was ₹2000 for four people, and the food was fresh, home-cooked, and reasonably priced.
In Ransi village, Holiday Hills Homestay Interriror
At night, the sky was completely clear, filled with bright stars, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Preparing for the Madhyamaheshwar Trek & Ransi Village View
An beautiful morning view of the mountains from the rooftop in Ransi village
Morning View Before the Trek
The next morning, the view from the rooftop of the homestay was breathtaking. Clouds were floating close to the mountains, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding hills. It was the perfect start to the day before the trek.
After breakfast, we checked out and began our trek. Our bags were already packed the night before. Ransi Village has small shops where you can buy snacks, water, and basic trekking accessories, which we purchased before starting the journey.
Gaundhar (Gaundar) – First Village on the Trek
First Stretch: Ransi to Gaundhar Village
The first 6–8 km of the trek includes ups and downs, passing through hills, forests, and rivers.
The first village on the trek is Gaundhar (also spelled Gaundar).
Gaundhar is the main village on the Ransi to Madhyamaheshwar route, located about 6–8 km from Ransi and 8–10 km from Madhyamaheshwar Temple.
Many trekkers use Gaundhar as their first overnight halt because it has tea shops, basic food, homestays, and mule services. The village is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountain views, making it a perfect stop for rest.
Confluence of Madhu Ganga & Morkhanda Rivers
At Gaundhar, we came across the confluence of two rivers — Madhu Ganga and Morkhanda.
The original bridge had been damaged due to floods, and a temporary wooden bridge had been built for public use. The spot looked amazing and added an adventurous touch to the trek. I spent some time here, took photos and videos, and enjoyed the cool and fresh river water before continuing.
Chhoti Bantoli Village Stop & Trekking Tips
After Gaundhar, we reached Chhoti Bantoli village, which has 4–5 homestays and a few small shops. You can buy fruits, Maggi, water, and my personal favorite, Buransh squash.
By this time, we were completely tired because this was my first long trek of around 16 km. I also made the mistake of carrying one heavy bag for all four of us, which made the trek much harder. If you are trekking in a group, it is better for each person to carry their own bag.
Start of the Real Trek
After completing the first stretch up to Chhoti Bantoli, you will see a signboard. From this point onward, the real trek begins.
The next 10 km is a continuous uphill climb, with no downhill sections, making it physically challenging but extremely rewarding.
Trek Route to Madhyamaheshwar
The trek follows this sequence:
Ransi → Gaundhar → Bantoli → Khatara → Nanu → Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Horse & Mule Services on the Trek
At Ransi Village, I noticed that horses were available for hire to help trekkers carry luggage or ride part of the trail.
The one-way price from Ransi to Madhyamaheshwar was around ₹1500–₹2000, and a round trip could cost ₹3000–₹4500. After resting in Chhoti Bantoli, we continued our trek on foot.
The trek from Chhoti Bantoli onwards offered some of the most amazing views I have ever seen. Unlike crowded trails like Chandrashila, Tungnath, or Chopta, this path was quiet and peaceful. The cool mountain air and natural surroundings made the hike refreshing. From the higher points, you could see the entire river below and the majestic mountains ahead, with clouds touching the peaks — a view that is rare to find anywhere else.
The distance between villages is as follows:
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- Gaundhar → Bantoli → Khatara → Nanu: ~2–3 km each
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- Nanu → Madhyamaheshwar Temple: ~6–8 km
Khatara & Nanu Village Experience
We reached Khatara in the evening. Since we started our trek from Ransi around 8:00 AM (instead of the ideal 5:00 AM), we were a bit late. Khatara had only 2–3 homestays with 2–3 rooms each, most of which were already booked.
The weather also started changing, with dark clouds, wind, and chances of rain. Our guide suggested moving to Nanu Village, the next stop, despite carrying heavy luggage.
Nanu Village
We reached Nanu Village around 6–7 PM, and I was surprised to see that there was only 1 home with 2 rooms for rent (the other room was for the owner’s family). We had some Maggi and tea and tried to rest. Suddenly, rain started pouring heavily, and the situation became difficult because there was no space to stay—everything was already occupied.
The day grew dark, and our power banks were almost dead, leaving very little battery for the torch. The guide mentioned a small streetlight area 2 km ahead, which might have accommodation, but trekking in the slow rain and darkness was challenging.
We also had 2 dogs accompanying us. As we moved through the dark, the dogs barked, guiding us forward. After some time, we reached a small streetlight and a closed shop, where we stayed briefly to wait out the rain.
Night Trek & Camping at Makhamba
Finally, after 2 more hours, we reached a place called Makhamba, which had only 2 rooms—1 for the owner and 1 for rent. Unfortunately, the room for rent was already booked. On request, the owner arranged 2 camps for us in front of the house under the open sky, with no guarantee against rain.
We stayed there, although the situation was tough. There were no more homes along the trail, and the next 6–8 km stretch to Madhyamaheshwar would be completely uninhabited. The view of the trail during the day was beautiful, but at night, it felt almost eerie. The owner provided a small dinner, as the kitchen was mostly closed. We paid ₹3000 for 2 camps and tried to rest as best as we could.
Reaching Madhyamaheshwar Village
At around 5:00 AM, we resumed our journey, joined by the two dogs who stayed with us at Makhamba.
After trekking for several hours, we finally reached Madhyamaheshwar around 11:00 AM.
Here, we hired a homestay, and thankfully there were many options for accommodation, food, and small shops. It felt like a relief after the challenging night and the long trek.
Evening at Shri Madhyamaheshwar Temple
After resting for some time, we woke up in the evening around 4–5 PM. At that time, the evening worship (aarti) had started at Shri Madhyamaheshwar (Madmaheshwar) Temple. This temple is one of the Panch Kedar shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the atmosphere felt very spiritual and peaceful.
Around 7:00 PM, it suddenly started raining. We had dinner. The food was cooked on a traditional mud stove, and We sat near the stove while eating. It reminded me of my childhood days. The food tasted simple but extremely delicious. In the mountains, weather can change anytime, and that night the rain became quite heavy.
Early Morning Trek to Budha Madhyamaheshwar
Despite the rain at night, we woke up early around 4:00 AM, and luckily the weather was clear. We decided to climb to Budha Madhyamaheshwar to see the sunrise and surrounding peaks.We carried torches, a camera, a tripod, extra batteries, a power bank, water, and energy drinks, because there are no shops on this route, and started the climb.
Many other trekkers were also climbing at the same time. The distance to Budha Madhyamaheshwar is around 2 km, which we covered in about 1.5 hours. The sunrise happened around 6:00 AM in September 2025.
Sunrise Views from Budha Madhyamaheshwar
When we reached the top, the view was beyond imagination. We could see famous Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba Peaks, Mandani Sisters (Mandani Peaks), and Kedarnath Dome. Here you see a 360-degree panoramic view.
There is also a small pond with crystal-clear water, where the reflection of the snow-covered mountains can be seen.
This made our photos and videos look magical. We stayed there for some time enjoying the views, and around 7:30 AM, we started descending to Madhyamaheshwar
Return Trek from Madhyamaheshwar to Ransi
After coming back to our homestay, we had breakfast, packed our bags, and rested for a short while. Around 11:00 AM, we started our return trek from Madhyamaheshwar to Ransi Village, where our car was parked.
A Long and Adventurous Return Trek
We thought we would reach Ransi Village before sunset, but the trek was longer and more tiring than expected.
The first 10 km downhill took a lot of time, and by the time we completed it, the sun was already setting around 7:00 PM. After that, 6 km was still remaining, which included ups and downs.
By 8:00 PM, it was completely dark. Our phone batteries were low, and we were using the remaining charge for our torches. There was also a fear of wild animals, as the trail was silent. Our guide was walking ahead. I had never faced such a situation in my life before, but it turned into a true adventure.
During this last stretch, we met only two people on the trail. On one side, the river was flowing loudly below, and we were walking at a height. The darkness, silence, and sound of water made the experience intense and unforgettable.
Reaching Ransi Village at Night
Finally, around 9:30 PM, we reached Ransi Village. We felt a huge sense of relief, although our feet were completely paining and exhausted. We kept our luggage in the car, freshened up, and after taking a short rest, we left Ransi Village around 10:30 PM, carrying memories of one of the most adventurous treks of our life.
Final Thoughts on the Madhyamaheshwar Trek
The Madhyamaheshwar Trek is not just a physical journey but a deeply spiritual and adventurous experience. From peaceful villages and silent forest trails to breathtaking mountain views and challenging night treks, every moment of this journey tested and rewarded us in its own way. Watching the sunrise from Budha Madhyamaheshwar, standing in front of the sacred Panch Kedar temple, and walking through untouched Himalayan paths made this trek truly unforgettable.
Unlike crowded treks like Chopta, Tungnath, or Chandrashila, Madhyamaheshwar offers raw nature, silence, and solitude. Proper planning, an early start, and respecting mountain conditions are very important here, but the experience you gain in return is priceless. If you are looking for a trek that combines faith, adventure, and pure Himalayan beauty, Madhyamaheshwar should definitely be on your list.
Best Time to Visit Madhyamaheshwar
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- May – June: Pleasant weather, snow-capped peaks, and blooming flowers
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- September – October: Clear skies, panoramic views, fewer crowds, dry trails
Avoid July – August due to monsoon, and November – March due to heavy snow.
Route Map & Trek Sequence
Ransi → Gaundhar → Chhoti Bantoli → Khatara → Nanu → Budha Madhyamaheshwar → Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Distances:
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- Ransi → Gaundhar: 6–8 km
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- Gaundhar → Bantoli → Khatara → Nanu: 2–3 km each
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- Nanu → Madhyamaheshwar: 6–8 km
Packing Checklist for Madhyamaheshwar Trek
Clothing & Gear: T-shirts, trekking pants, warm jacket, rain jacket, gloves, trekking shoes, socks, cap, poncho
Food & Water: Water bottles, energy drinks, dry fruits, snacks
Electronics: Torch/headlamp, extra batteries, power bank, camera, tripod
Medical: First-aid kit, personal medicines, pain relief gel, sunscreen, lip balm
Other Essentials: ID proof, cash, sleeping bag (optional), plastic bags for wet clothes
Travel Tips & Safety Advice
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- Start early to reach villages before sunset
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- Check weather forecasts before starting
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- Carry enough water and energy food
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- Use local guides for safer trekking
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- Avoid trekking at night unless necessary
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- Distribute luggage among group members
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- Respect nature and local culture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Where is Madhyamaheshwar Temple located?
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- Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, one of the Panch Kedar shrines.
Q2. Base village for the trek?
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- Ransi Village, last motorable point.
Q3. Trekking distance?
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- ~16–18 km from Ransi to Madhyamaheshwar Temple.
Q4. Difficulty level?
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- Moderate to difficult, suitable for physically fit trekkers.
Q5. Best time to visit?
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- May–June and September–October.
Q6. Are horses available?
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- Yes, ₹1500–₹2000 one-way, ₹3000–₹4500 round trip.
Q7. Accommodation & food availability?
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- Limited in small villages, more options at Madhyamaheshwar Temple.
Q8. Mobile network availability?
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- Very limited; mostly unavailable after Ransi.
Trek Planning & Travel Assistance
For better planning, arrangements, and guided support for the Madhyamaheshwar Trek, you can contact MTS Holiday, one of the trusted travel service providers. They assist with transport, accommodation, local guides, and complete trek planning, making the journey safer and more comfortable—especially for first-time trekkers.
