Madmaheshwar Trek – A Spiritual Journey to the Heart of the Himalayas

Let me share the full story — from start to end — with all useful details for fellow trekkers and spiritual seekers.

Where is Madmaheshwar?

Madmaheshwar is a holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s the second temple in the Panch Kedar series, located at an altitude of about 3,289 metres in the Rudraprayag district. The temple remains open from May to mid-November.

How to Reach Ukhimath?

Before reaching the trek starting point, first you need to reach Ukhimath — a small town in Rudraprayag district.

• By Road:
  You can reach Ukhimath from Rishikesh or Haridwar by direct buses or shared taxis via Rudraprayag and Agastyamuni.
  Distance from Rishikesh: 200 km (7–8 hrs)

• By Train:
  Nearest railway station is Rishikesh (Yog Nagri Rishikesh). From there, take a taxi or bus to Ukhimath.

• By Air:
  Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. From there, reach Rishikesh and then travel by road.

Ukhimath to Ransi Village – Road Journey

We reached Ukhimath by 12 July afternoon, around 2 PM. From there, Ransi village is just 20 km away. The road is okay but narrow and single lane. Needs a bit of repair at some places.

Interestingly, the road now goes about 3 km beyond Ransi, till a spot called Agtoli Dhar. You can take your car or bike there and park it. Some small shops are available there too.

Trek Begins from Agtoli Dhar

We started the trek at 3:30 PM from Agtoli Dhar. After around 1.5 km of forest trail, we reached Goundhar village — a beautiful Himalayan hamlet. It has homestays, shops, and even a temple of Budha Madmaheshwar.

From Goundhar, we reached Lower Bantoli, where you cross a small stream over a wooden bridge. After half a kilometre, we arrived at Upper Bantoli, where we stayed for the night.

Stay at Saransh Homestay – Upper Bantoli

We stayed at a wonderful place called Saransh Homestay, which is right on the trekking trail.
It has around 8 clean rooms, both double and triple occupancy. The charges are about ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per night depending on the season. Washrooms are clean, hygienic, and western-style.

The best part is the homely food — simple but full of pahadi flavour. The owner, Panwar ji, is a humble person. He lives there with his family, and his native village is Goundhar. If you are trekking to Madmaheshwar, this is a highly recommended stay.

📍Location on Google Maps
📞 Contact: 7351336583, 9756358539, 9410514606, 9410516139, 7453809451

The Trek to Madmaheshwar – Day 2

Next morning, we started the trek early around 6 AM after having chai. From Lower Bantoli, the trail gets a bit steep. You cross villages like Khatara, Nanu, Koon Chatti, and many small tea stalls come on the way.

You can find Buransh and Malta juice too – ₹40 per glass. Small things like these make the journey even more refreshing.

Now an important part — the last 1 km before Madmaheshwar is actually the easiest. It’s not steep. The trail becomes flatter and more relaxing here, making the arrival even more enjoyable. Finally, by 11 AM, we reached the temple. The first glimpse of Baba Madmaheshwar made us forget all the tiredness.

Stay & System at Madmaheshwar Temple

There are 15-20 homestays near the temple. But they run under a union system. As soon as you reach, you have to register at a desk near the temple. They’ll assign you a stay place.

🏠 Dorm rooms (7–8 people) – ₹400 per person
🏡 Private rooms – ₹2,500 approx
⛺ Camps – ₹400–₹500 per person

We took a camp stay for the night.

🫖 Note: Wherever you stay, you have to eat there too. Even for chai or breakfast, they prefer you stick to your own place. It feels organized, but a bit monopolized too.

🍛 Food prices:

• Lunch/Dinner – ₹200

• Chai – ₹25

• Paratha – ₹70

Evening at Budha Madmaheshwar Bugyal

In the evening, we hiked to Budha Madmaheshwar – about 1 km uphill. It’s a scenic Bugyal with small water ponds and a tiny temple. A peaceful place to sit and connect with nature.

Back in the evening, aarti happens at Madmaheshwar temple. After that, darshan is open. Photos are not allowed inside, and shorts are not permitted in the temple. So dress properly for temple visit.

Return Journey – Day 3

Next morning, we freshened up, took blessings once again, and started our return trek at 8 AM. By 1 PM, we were back at Agtoli Dhar, where our journey had begun.

Trek Details in Short

• 🥾 Total Trek Distance: 18 km (one way)

• 🛌 Stay 1: Saransh Homestay, Upper Bantoli

• ⛺ Stay 2: Camp at Madmaheshwar

• 🧗‍♂️ Difficulty Level: Moderate to slightly difficult

• 📅 Best Time: May to mid-November

Do’s and Don’ts for Madmaheshwar Trek

✅ Do’s

• Start your trek early in the morning – weather is better and trail is peaceful.

• Always carry at least 2 litres of drinking water.

• Do some basic fitness before the trek – jogging or climbing stairs helps.

• Take local advice about the weather and trail condition.

• Save your homestay owner’s contact number – helpful in case of emergency.

• Respect local customs and religious places – remove shoes, keep silence near temples.

• Attend the evening Aarti at Madmaheshwar temple – very spiritual experience.

• Don’t miss Budha Madmaheshwar – it’s just 1 km above and very beautiful.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t throw plastic or wrappers on the trail – carry back your trash.

• Don’t overpack – keep your bag light and easy to carry.

• Avoid wearing shorts inside the temple – carry proper clothes.

• Don’t take unknown shortcuts – the trail can get confusing.

• Don’t disturb animals or local nature – it’s their home.

• Avoid alcohol or smoking – this is a holy place and high altitude can be risky.

What to Pack for Madmaheshwar Trek

Basic Essentials:

• Trekking shoes with good grip

• 30–40 litre backpack

• 2 water bottles (1 litre each)

• Windproof jacket + raincoat or poncho

• Woollen cap and sun cap

• Woollen socks and gloves

• Power bank

• Head torch or flashlight

• Quick dry towel

• Personal medicines or first aid

• Mobile network is weak – don’t depend fully on phone

Clothing Tips:

• Wear in layers: 1 thermal, 1 fleece, and 1 outer jacket

• Quick dry trekking pants (2 pairs)

• Lightweight t-shirts (2–3)

• One full pant and t-shirt/shirt for temple visit

Avoid Carrying:

• Heavy jeans – uncomfortable and slow to dry

• DSLR or extra electronics unless really needed

• Too many shoes – one trekking shoe is enough

• Unnecessary grooming or makeup products

Final Words

Madmaheshwar trek is not just about mountains — it’s about connecting with divinity, nature, and your inner self. The trail is peaceful, the villages are full of pahadi charm, and the final darshan of Baba Madmaheshwar is unforgettable.

If you’re planning to do it, consider staying at Saransh Homestay in Upper Bantoli. It truly felt like a home in the middle of the mountains.

✅ Also Read:

• • Difference Between Inner Line Permit & Protected Area Permit in Himalayan Treks
  • Goechala Trek Itinerary – A Detailed Guide
  • How Tea Estates Developed in Darjeeling – A Detailed History

You can also explore more on Himalayan treks like Darma Valley, Adi Kailash, and others on my website mohitbangari.com, where I share full guides, routes, permit tips and cultural info.

Do you know about Ramman festival of Salud-Dungra village? It’s one of the intangible world cultural heritage of India in UNESCO. You can read a detailed article on this topic here.