Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek
A less visited, uncrowded gem of a trek taking you to through the terrific terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas, beneath the mighty Chaukhamba
A Himalayan High Experience
About The Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass TrekThe Nandikund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass trek is a gem of a trek in the lap of the Himalayas of Uttrakhand. Offering up close views of Chaukhaba, Mandani and views as far as the Panpatia Snow field, Neelkanth, Parvati and that of the elegant Nanda Devi etc, from the top of Ghiya Vinayak pass, the Nandikund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass trek is just superb and a must do for all the Himalayan High Seekers.

The pristine and holy lake of Nandi Kund
Though, it is not an easy trek, and is bit strenuous trek, on the other hand it is not a technical trek as well which makes it doable for any trekker who is physically fit and likes challenges offered by the Himalayas. The trek is involves steep climbs and descends, and some of the patches has no defined trail. Specially, the trek from Kachni Khal to Pandavsera is very easy to get lost without a sound local guide. The climb upto the top of the Ghiya Vinayak Pass adds further to make the Nandikund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass trek one of the lesser known and done treks in the Himalayas of Garhwal.
This trek is connected mythologically to the Pandavas, who followed Lord Shiva and built temples on their way, worshiping and pleasing him to attain salvation. These temples are known as the Panch Kedars. Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar are two of the Panch Kedars which falls on this trek route. Tungnath, Kedarnath and Rudranath being the other three of the five Panch Kedars.

Mt. Nanda Devi from Ghiya Vinayak Pass
This route is considered very pious by the Hindus and we need to follow local customs while on the trek. The most important one being not camping near the Nandi Kund Lake.
Route Details: Ukhimath -- Unaina -- Ransi -- Gaundhar -- Bantoli -- Khatra -- Nanu -- Madhameshwar -- Kachni Khal -- Kachni Taal -- Pandavsera -- Nandi Kund -- Ghiya Vinayak Pass -- Barma Bugiyal -- Manpai Bugiyal -- Bansi Narayan -- Urgaon
Detailed Daywise Itinerary For Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass TrekDay 1From Rishikesh To Ransi, Via - Guptkashi, Ukhimath
Quick Information: - Rishikesh: 542 meters / 1789 feets
- Guptkashi: 1320 meters / 4356 feets
- Ukhimath: 1310 meters / 4323 feets
- Ransi: 2100 meters / 6930 feets
- Approximate Distance: 197 Km
- Approximate Time: 7 - 8 hours
- Day's Activity: Drive
- Ransi:
Coordinates: 30.58413100 , 79.14645700Fly to Ransi on Google Map
View 360 degree from Ransi using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Get ready to take the scenic mountainous drive to Ransi on the famous pilgrimage route of Madhyamaheshwar. The drive is very interesting and offers you a display of various colours of the Himalayan State of Uttrakhand.
Stop by in between to have your breakfast and lunch before you reach Ransi, the starting point of the trek
Accommodation: Hotel / Ransi
Meals: Evening Snacks, Dinner
Day 2From Ransi To Bantoli, Via - Gaundhar
Quick Information: - Ransi: 2100 meters / 6930 feets
- Gaundhar: 2850 meters / 9405 feets
- Bantoli: 2700 meters / 8910 feets
- Approximate Distance: 8 Km
- Approximate Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Bantoli:
Coordinates: 30.60707600 , 79.18850100Fly to Bantoli on Google Map
View 360 degree from Bantoli using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Today is the starting day of our Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek. We head towards Bantoli from Ransi and its a very scenic trek. The village and religious life of the high altitude villages of Uttrakhand is on display throughout the trek route. Being a popular pilgrimage route, the route is chirpy as well with full of vivid colours and life.
The trek is more or less easier getting steeper at times. We get enough option to have our lunch and little snacks enroute Bantoli. Gaundhar is a point we come across on the route very near to Bantoli on the Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek. It is here where the Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Markanda Ganga meets, with a lovely looking small bridge over it. Little more on the route and we reach Bantoli, our halt for the night.
We have quite a few options to settle in one of the homestays on offer. If not, we pitch our small tents somewhere. Hot dinner awaits us and with this, the first day of our trek to Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass ends.
Accommodation: Homestay / Tents / Bantoli
Meals: All Meals
Day 3From Bantoli To Madhyameshwar, Via - Nanu Chatti, Kun Chatti
Quick Information: - Bantoli: 2700 meters / 8910 feets
- Nanu Chatti: 2720 meters / 8976 feets
- Kun Chatti: 2780 meters / 9174 feets
- Madhyameshwar: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Approximate Distance: 8 Km
- Approximate Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Madhyamaheshhwar Temple:
Coordinates: 30.63515359 , 79.22166896Fly to Madhyamaheshhwar Temple on Google Map
View 360 degree from Madhyamaheshhwar Temple using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: We are into the second day into our trek to Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass. Madhyamaheshwar is one of the panch kedars and is one of the popular and highly rated pilgrimage route for the Hindus. The trek route crosses Nanu Chatti just after some time into the trek. It the passes by Maikhamba and Kun Chatti, from where its a good walk for some 3 hours to bring us to the shrine of Madhyamaheshwar.
Post lunch, we go on for a acclimatization walk to Buda Madhyamaheshwar. If lucky, we might catch a glimpse of Chowkhambha in a small water body near Buda Madhyamaheshwar.
Our route for tomorrow to Kachni Khal is visible and inspires enough motivation in us to take the challenge. Post dinner, we wish good night to each other and get into our cozy sleeping bags.
Accommodation: Tents / Madhyamaheshwar
Meals: All Meals
Day 4From Madhyamaheshwar To Kachni Dhar
Quick Information: - Madhyamaheshwar: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Kachni Dhar: 4400 meters / 14520 feets
- Approximate Distance: 9 Km
- Approximate Time: 5 - 6 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Kachni Khal:
Coordinates: 30.64802197 , 79.25155416Fly to Kachni Khal on Google Map
View 360 degree from Kachni Khal using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Today our trek to Nandi Kund takes a drastic change, both in the form of difficulties of the climb, and the solitude of the trail.
After waking up to a lovely morning in the blessed site of Madhyamaheshwar, we get ready to tackle the day's trek. It involves a steep continuous climb to the Kachni Khal marked typically by 2 huge rocks forming a gateway.
An arduous climb of some 4 - 5 hours gets us to the top of Kachni 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. Our campsite is a rocky patch today with great views of Chowkhamba.
Evening, we take a light acclimatization walk to Kachni Khal and return to our campsite
Accommodation: Tents / Kachni Dhar
Meals: All Meals
Day 5From Kachni Dhar To Pandavsera
Quick Information: - Kachni Dhar: 4400 meters / 14520 feets
- Pandavsera: 4100 meters / 13530 feets
- Approximate Distance: 9 Km
- Approximate Time: 5 - 6 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Pandavsera:
Coordinates: 30.62759284 , 79.30907435Fly to Pandavsera on Google Map
View 360 degree from Pandavsera using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: The trek for today leaves behind all signs of civilization and follows an unmarked shepherd's trail to reach Pandavsera. A very efficient local guide is much required here. We trek through bushes and cross the Madhyamaheshwar nala multiple times and pass by few small waterfalls to reach a flat meadow. This is marked as Pandavsera and we camp here for the night, by the stream.
Accommodation: Tents / Pandavsera
Meals: All Meals
Day 6From Pandavsera To Barma Bugiyal, Via - Nandi Kund, Ghiya Vinayak Pass
Quick Information: - Pandavsera: 4100 meters / 13530 feets
- Nandi Kund: 4800 meters / 15840 feets
- Ghiya Vinayak Pass: 5250 meters / 17325 feets
- Barma Bugiyal: 4100 meters / 13530 feets
- Approximate Distance: 12 Km
- Approximate Time: 7 - 8 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Barma Bugiyal:
Coordinates: 30.58910988 , 79.35197233Fly to Barma Bugiyal on Google Map
View 360 degree from Barma Bugiyal using Peak Finder
- Ghiya Vinayak Pass:
Coordinates: 30.60011090 , 79.34046071Fly to Ghiya Vinayak Pass on Google Map
View 360 degree from Ghiya Vinayak Pass using Peak Finder
- Nandi Kund:
Coordinates: 30.60462282 , 79.32488835Fly to Nandi Kund on Google Map
View 360 degree from Nandi Kund using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Today is the highlight day of out trek as we come across the pious lake of Nandi Kund and will also cross the mighty Ghiya Vinayak Pass to topple over to the other side of the valley. It will be a long day today, so as early as we can leave, it will be rewarding for us.
The trail follows the Madhyamaheshwar nala emmerging out from Nandi Kund. Its a gradual climb which gets steeper at times. The rough terrain presents its challenges. We cross the Madhyamaheshwar nala multiple times and then climb up steep for another hour to reach the serene Nandi Kund. The peaceful lake takes our heart right away. The peaks of Chowkhamba hovers over and on a clear weather, its very easy easy to catch a reflection of the Mighty Chowkhamba on the emerald surface of the serene Nandi Kund.
The trek for the day is not over yet as we are required to cross the daunting Ghiya Vinayak Pass. A steep continuous climb for about 3 hours fro here will take us to the top of the Ghiya Vinayak Pass. The view from the Ghiya Vinayak pass is just breath-taking. The peaks of Chowkhamba, Neelkantha and Nanda Devi are visible on a clear day. The glacier table of the Panpatia too is visible from here.
Soon we find ourself negotiating the very steep descend to the other side of the Ghiya Vinayak pass to the meadow of the Barmna Bugiyal. We loose altitude very fast and in some hour and a half we reach out designated campsite for the night.
Its been a long rewarding day and we have completed the 2 missions of our trek to Nandi Kund and the Ghiya Vinayak Pass. The remaining days of the trek is just about taking ourselves back to civilization. The trek still remains very beautiful.
Accommodation: Tents / Barma Bugiyal
Meals: All Meals
Day 8From Bansi Narayan To Urgaon
Quick Information: - Bansi Narayan: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Urgaon: 2000 meters / 6600 feets
- Approximate Distance: 12 Km
- Approximate Time: 6 - 7 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Urgum:
Coordinates: 30.53334247 , 79.46185381Fly to Urgum on Google Map
View 360 degree from Urgum using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: We continue the descend similar to yesterday with multiple ascends and descends to get us to the settlement of Urgum.
Kalpeshwar is just 2 Kilometers from here and we will visit it in the evening. With this, our beautiful trek to the Nandikund and Ghiya Vinayak pass has ended.
What a terrific trek it was !!
Accommodation: Hotel / Urgum
Meals: All Meals
Day 9From Urgum To Rishikesh
Quick Information: - Urgum: 2000 meters / 6600 feets
- Rishikesh: 552 meters / 1822 feets
- Approximate Distance: 230 Km
- Approximate Time: 8 hours
- Day's Activity: Drive
Brief Details Of The Day: Early morning, we drive back to Rishikesh and bring an end to our walking ways! We bid good byes with a promise to meet sooner, in the Himalayas - same spirit, different location !
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Covid19 Safety Protocol For Himalayan Treks
Unnatural times call for an unusual response. We at Himalayan High are facing it with even more stringent safety measures to ensure our treks, trekkers, and the local support team are safe. The Covid19 Pandemic has completely changed the way we look at the World and do things. It has changed the way we trek as well. Here is a brief.
- Small Groups of less than 15 members
- No Fixed Camps at all. Use a single sleeping bag, mattress & sleeping bag inners throughout the trek without any mixup
- Sanitized Transportation
- Contactless Screening of Participants on arrival
- Contactless Paperwork and Online Booking Procedure
- Mandatory Sanitization Before Entry
- Sanitized Accommodation, Linens, Sleeping Bags, etc
- Sanitized and sun-dried Camping Equipment
- Monitored Support Crew with extra protection of masks, gloves and frequent use of sanitizers
- Social Distancing from other unmonitored groups
- Daily evaluation of Health for Safe Mountain Health
- Twin Sharing Accommodations on the trek
- Single tent supplement available
- Proper Dining Hygiene in Dining Tents
- Dry Toilets in toilet tents.
- Covid Hygiene Kit including personal Sleeping Bag Inner for free
- Precautionary Quarantine Tents On Trek
- Immunity-Boosting Food Menu and Drinks
- Filtered, Boiled and Treated Drinking Water
Read more on the following link about our Covid19 safety measures to ensure a safe trek.
Safe trekking in the Himalayas during COVID-19With this protocol, we have resumed our Himalayan Treks.
** click to expand and read
+ Quick Info- Duration: 9 Days, Rishikesh to Rishikesh
- Highest Altitude: 5250m
- Grade: Strenuous ( know trek grades )
- Best Time: May End - June, Sep - Early October
- Terrain: forest, bushes, alpine meadows, rocky, snow field
- Activity Type: Trek
- Trail Type: Different Entry Exit Point
- Starts At: Ransi
- Ends At: Urgum
- Region: India - Uttrakhand
- Country: India
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehraoon, Uttrakhand
- Nearest Rail Head: Rishikesh, Uttrakhand
- Travel Guide: Where and How To Reach Ransi
- Mobile Network: BSNL and Vodafone available at the base and Urgum
- Internet Option: No
- Temperatures:
- Is Cloak Room Available: No
- Generic Food Menu: Indian, Garhwali
+ Short Travel Itinerary** click on the DayNumber to read detailed itinerary for the day
- Day 1
Drive
Arrival Day Arrive In Ransi (2100m ), Via - Guptkashi (1320m ), Ukhimath (1310m ). 7 - 8 Hrs. 197 Kms
Overnight In: Ransi (2100m )
Accommodation: Hotel / Ransi
Meals Included: Evening Snacks, Dinner
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
- Day 2
Trek
From Ransi (2100m ) To Bantoli (2700m ), Via - Gaundhar (2850m ) . 4 - 5 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Bantoli (2700m )
Accommodation: Homestay / Tents / Bantoli
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 3
Trek
From Bantoli (2700m ) To Madhyameshwar (3500m ), Via - Nanu Chatti (2720m ), Kun Chatti (2780m ). 4 - 5 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Madhyameshwar (3500m )
Accommodation: Tents / Madhyamaheshwar
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 4
Trek
From Madhyamaheshwar (3500m ) To Kachni Dhar (4400m ) . 5 - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Kachni Dhar (4400m )
Accommodation: Tents / Kachni Dhar
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 5
Trek
From Kachni Dhar (4400m ) To Pandavsera (4100m ) . 5 - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Pandavsera (4100m )
Accommodation: Tents / Pandavsera
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 6
Trek
From Pandavsera (4100m ) To Barma Bugiyal (4100m ), Via - Nandi Kund (4800m ), Ghiya Vinayak Pass (5250m ). 7 - 8 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Barma Bugiyal (4100m )
Accommodation: Tents / Barma Bugiyal
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 7
Trek
From Barma Bugiyal (4100m ) To Bansi Narayan (3500m ) . 6 - 7 Hrs. 14 Kms
Overnight In: Bansi Narayan (3500m )
Accommodation: Tents / Bansi Narayan
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 8
Trek
From Bansi Narayan (3500m ) To Urgaon (2000m ) . 6 - 7 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Urgaon (2000m )
Accommodation: Hotel / Urgum
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 9
Drive
From Urgum (2000m ) To Rishikesh (552m ) . 8 Hrs. 230 Kms
Overnight In: Rishikesh (552m )
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Breakfast
+ Package Cost InclusionsWHAT'S INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 1 Medical Expert + Certified Technical Climbing/Trek Leader.
- 1 Dedicated Pre-Trek Orientation Expert
- 1 Dedicated Pre-Trek Coordinator
- 1 Local Route Guide.
- 1 Assistant Route Guide/ Technical Help ( for group size between 8 - 15 ).
- 1 Cook + Required Kitchen Helpers.
- Required Camp Helpers.
- Required Evacuation Helpers.
- All camping equipment including Dining and Toilet Tents.
- All essential safety gears as required according to the condition like Helmet, Harness, Crampons, Gaiters, Ice Axes, Climbing Rope, etc
- Sleeping bags with fleece liners for warmth and hygiene.
- All meals on Treks suited for high altitude.
- 3 meals, i.e BLD with morning and evening teas, evening snacks, dessert and hot drinks after dinner
- High Altitude Medical kit with oxygen cylinders.
- All permits required for trekking and camping in the National Park
- All staff, their wage, insurances, transfers to and from their home and meals.
- Accommodation for 2 nights in Ransi & Urgum ( room + breakfast + lunch + dinner )
+ Package Cost ExclusionsWHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Porter For Personal Bags ( optional at extra cost )
- TRANSPORT Ex Haridwar / Dehraun / Rishikesh: Can be arranged on request to be paid on actuals and shared by the group ( ~ 6000 Rs. one way fare for small vehcicle with seating capacity of 7 pax )
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Personal Purchases
- Food Purchased Outside Our Menu
- Personal Gears
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion list
+ Trek HighlightsPeaks At Glance: Bhartekunta ( 6578m ), Chaukhamba I ( 7138m ), Chaukhamba II ( 7058m ), Chaukhamba III ( 6974m ), Chaukhamba IV ( 6854m ), Dunagiri ( 7066m ), Mandani Parvat ( 6193m ), Nanda Devi ( 7816m ), Nanda Kot ( 6861m ), Nilkantha ( 6596m ), Sumeru Parbat ( 6350m ), Trisul I ( 7120m ), Trisul II ( 6690m ), Bethattoli Himal ( 6352m ), Latu Dhura ( 6392m ), Rishi Kot ( 6236m ), Devistan ( 6678m ), Devistan 2 ( 6529m ), Bethattoli South ( 6318m ), Devi Mukut ( 6648m ), Jaonli ( 6632m ), Gangotri 2 ( 6590m )
- Close views of Chaukhamba and Mandani
- Views of Panpatia glacier, Neelkanth, Parvati from Ghiya Vinayak Pass
- The serene and pious Nandi Kund
- Meadows of Barma Bugiyal, Manpai Bugiyal
- 2 of the Panch Kedars - Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar
- A difficult trek
+ Reviews & Testimonials
Read All Our Reviews Online
We keep our reviews gladly, transparently and boldly on Google unlike hiding it on our own website and showcasing only the positive ones. Heartful thanks and gratitude to all of our Trekkers who took the effort to review us after they completed their trek with us. We understand none is perfect, but with proper experience, intention and feedbacks, one can achieve perfection. Our reviews are a result of our hardwork and intention to serve with the best intentions. + Cancellation PolicyWhen Should You Book?
We typically get booked about 3 - 6 months in advance. It is advisable to book this much in advance as you get early bird discounts and also your travel costs like flights/hotels/trains etc are much cheaper and confirmed if you book well in advance.
SPECIAL CANCELLATION TERMS DURING COVID19:
(1st OCTOBER 2020 TILL 31st MARCH 2021 )
Considering the uncertainties during the COVID19 pandemic, we have eased our cancellation rules.
- Up to 3 days or more before the trek start date - Full Refund of the total invoiced amount. No questions asked.
- 2 days to 1 day before the trek start date - We will either issue you a trek voucher with a value of 100% of the trek fee or refund 85% of the trek fee if you want us to transfer the money back.
- Transfer Of Seat to Different Batch/ Trek: No Loss Of Money, valid up to 1 year from Invoice date. It can be availed up to 1 day before Trek Start Date by sending an email.
- Transfer of Seat to Friend/ Family: No Loss Of Money, valid up to 1 year from Invoice date. It can be availed up to 1 day before Trek Start Date by sending an email.
- Validity Of The Covid19 Cancellation Policy: The above-listed cancellation rules apply only to bookings for which the trek start date falls between 1st October 2020 till 31st March 2021.
Find detailed info on Cancellation & Refund Policy
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 9:34:00 PM
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