Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek – A Hidden Gem of the Garhwal Himalayas
Overview
For the true seekers of Himalayan wilderness and spiritual solitude, the Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek is nothing short of an expedition into the heart of divine landscapes. This offbeat and high-altitude trek in Uttarakhand takes you from the sacred Madmaheshwar Temple to the ancient Kalpeshwar Temple, both part of the revered Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
Off the radar for most trekkers, this trail offers raw Himalayan beauty, challenging terrain, and spiritual resonance—an unforgettable adventure curated for the brave-hearted by Himalayan Thrill.
🗺️ Trek Route Overview
The trek begins from Ransi Village, a short drive from Ukhimath, and initially follows the trail to Madmaheshwar, one of the five Kedars. From there, the route diverges into the high-altitude wilderness of Nandi Kund, the mythical lake believed to be the bathing spot of Lord Shiva’s divine bull, Nandi.
The trail then ascends to the awe-inspiring Ghiya Vinayak Pass (approx. 4,700m), which offers breathtaking views of some of the tallest Himalayan peaks. After traversing lush meadows like Barma and Manpai Bugyal, the route takes you through Bansi Narayan Temple and finally descends into Kalpeshwar, completing a sacred loop.
🌄 Key Highlights of the Trek
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Panch Kedar Trail: Connects Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar, two of the five Kedars
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Sacred Glacial Lake: Visit the mystical Nandi Kund at ~4,300 meters
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High Pass Adventure: Cross Ghiya Vinayak Pass, with views of Chaukhamba, Mandani, Panpatia, Neelkanth, Parvati, and Nanda Devi
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Rare Trail: Very few trekkers venture here — a truly offbeat Himalayan trail
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Alpine Meadows: Cross Barma Bugyal, Manpai Bugyal, and Pandav Sera
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Cultural Connect: Explore ancient temples like Bansi Narayan and interact with remote Himalayan communities
🧭 Detailed Trek Itinerary
Route:
Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Ukhimath – Ransi – Gaundhar – Bantoli – Madmaheshwar – Kanchni Khal – Pandav Sera – Nandi Kund – Ghiya Vinayak Pass – Barma Bugiyal – Bansi Narayan – Kalpeshwar – Urgam – Chamoli – Haridwar
Package Highlights
- Duration: 8 Days, Ransi to Urgam Village
- Highest Altitude during the trek: 5250 mts
- Trek Grade: tough and lengthy
- Best Time for this expedition: May, June, September, October
- Total Trek: 72 kms
- Closest views of mighty Chaukhambha Peaks
- Madmeshwar Temple, Kachni Pass, Pandevsera Meadow,
- Nandi Kund Lake, Giya Vinayak pass and High Himalayan Valleys and Peaks.
- Temples, Meadows, Mountain Passes, High Altitude Lakes, Stream, Jungles
- Trek connects Kedarnath and Badrinath Valley
- Best for high altitude trekkers
Included/Excluded
Tour Plan
Day 1 Reach Ransi Village
Reach Ransi Village by evening and stay in one of the home stay. You can reach Ransi by Haridwar/Rishikesh by bus which mainly depart in the morning only. Otherwise you can hire cab to reach Ransi. You can also take bus to Ukhimatha and then take shared/private taxi from there.
Tip: You can also start this package from Chopta as well and trek to Tungnath as well by adding 2 more days to the package on pro-rata basis.
Day 2 Ransi - Gaundhar - Bantoli - Madhyamaheshwar
Today we will start our trekking expedition of Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek from Ransi Village early in the morning. We will head Bantoli and will have our lunch over there. This part of the trek is very easy as compared to the whole trek. It passes through forests and villages in between.
Gaundhar is a point we come across on the route where the Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Markanda Ganga meets, with a lovely looking small bridge over it. After crossing Nanu Bugyal we will reach Madmaheshwar. We can visit temple and see the evening aarti. Night stay in homestay/camps.
Tip: If you have one more extra day, you can stay at Madmaheshwar for 1 more day and explore the short of Budha Madhaheshwar. It will you in acclimatization as well.
Day 3 Madhyamaheshwar - Kachni Dhar
We will start our trek early in the morning after breakfast. Trek will get tougher from here along with terrain as you will not pass through tree lines or forests. After steep climbing we will reach of Kanchni Khal. From here, the trail forks and one goes left towards Kedarnath, other to Panpatia and the route on the right goes towards Nandi Kund. The campsite will be on the rocky patch today with great views of Chaukhamba Peaks.
Day 4 Kanchani Dhar - Pandavsera
This part of trek to Pandavsera (Pandusera) is not steep but requires a trained guide due as one has to cross Madhmaheshwar Nala (stream) multiple times. You will see few waterfall as well during the trek. Pandav Sera is a meadow, where we will camp for the night.
Day 5 Pandavsera - Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak - Barmna Bugiyal
We will start our trek early in the morning, as it is the most important day of the trek where will will cover Nandi Kund and GhiyaVinayak Pass as well and reach the other side of the mountain range.
From Pandu Sera there will be steep climb along some rough terrain in between. Once we reach Nandi Kund, you can see the breathtaking view of lake and might Chaukhambha peaks above it. On a clear day you can see reflection of Chaukhambha in Nandi Kund lake as well. After taking some rest well continue our journey.
Day 6 Barma Bugiyal - Manpai Bugyal - Bansi Narayan
Today we will head for Bansi Narayan meadow where there is a small temple. The trek is long but easy and passes through green meadows and forests. The view are good during the trek.
Day 7 Bansi Narayan - Urgam Village
From Bansi Narayan it is the down hill trail to reach Urgam Village. We can either visit Kalpeshwar Dham first and the trek to Urgam or we can reach Urgam first and then later in the evening we can pay visit to the last of the Panch Kedar Temples: Kapeshwar.
Night stay in Urgam Village in a hotel/homestay.
Day 8 Departure fro Urgam Village
Our trek services will end at Urgam Village. Departure after breakfast.
*You can extend your trip for 2 more days and visit Chopta Hill Station and also cover third Kedar : Tungnath Temple