Dayara Bugyal Trek
The Most Beautifully Landscaped Meadow in our Country
The Most Beautifully Landscaped Meadow in our Country
For hundreds of years, shepherds have been taking their flock to graze at Dayara Bugyal. Time and again, they have come back with stories of the abundance of fresh, soft grass and the splendour of the mighty Himalayan mountain peaks cradling the meadows.
When our explorers reached Dayara Bugyal, they found the meadows exactly as the shepherds described – only, more beautiful. The multiple trails that they explored leading to the trails turned out to be even more rewarding. With splendid mountain views and clear water bodies strewn across the meadows, this turned out to be one of our most beautiful treks.
What’s more?
The meadows are lush in summer
Come April, the snow starts melting away from the meadows of Dayara, making way for fresh, soft grass. Trekking through the green meadows as the sun shines is one of the best experiences you’ll have while trekking.
Flower-decked meadows
This lushness lasts throughout April and May. Towards the end of May, the meadows are filled with flowers. This flowerbed is a pleasure to trek in till the end of June.
Dense, rich forests
Most treks traversing through this altitude in Uttarakhand boast of great forest trails. But the forest that you walk through here stands out.
You don’t find any pines here. Rather, trails here abound with brown and green oaks and rhododendrons. Unlike pines, the roots and leaves of these trees enrich the soil, adding to the bounty of the forests.
Splendid mountain views
Most people associate Dayara Bugyal with Bandarpoonch. But that is only one of the big mountains that you see on this trek. As you arrive at Raithal, the base camp, you see John Lee and Draupadi ka Danda draped in the orange rays of the setting sun. Also visible are Shrikhand Mahadev and the Gangotri peaks in the distance.
Once you cross Gui, you start seeing mountains on the other side as well. Finally, by the time you are in Dayara Bugyal, you get a complete 180-degree view of mountains starting from Bandarpoonch and Kalanag on the left extending to Draupadi ka Danda on the right.
For hundreds of years, shepherds have been taking their flock to graze at Dayara Bugyal. Time and again, they have come back with stories of the abundance of fresh, soft grass and the splendour of the mighty Himalayan mountain peaks cradling the meadows.
When our explorers reached Dayara Bugyal, they found the meadows exactly as the shepherds described – only, more beautiful. The multiple trails that they explored leading to the trails turned out to be even more rewarding. With splendid mountain views and clear water bodies strewn across the meadows, this turned out to be one of our most beautiful treks.
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Dayara Bugyal trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
The Gui Campsite at dawn. Gui is a small clearing nestled amidst oak forests. Picture by Ankur
The Chilapada campsite in winter. Almost all campsites of Dayara Bugyal are blanketed with snow in winter. Picture by Akshay Aralikatti
Nestled in a clearing amidst the oak trees is the Gui Campsite. Picture by Vishnu Sivanandan
The Chilapada campsite gets whitewashed in winter. Picture by Vishnu Sivanandan
Nayata Campsite is set in a picture-perfect clearing in the middle of the forest. Picture by Vishnu Sivanandan
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder
Trekking transforms lives. It has changed my life completely. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.
I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.
I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.
In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.
Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder
Trekking transforms lives. It has changed my life completely. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.
I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.
I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.
In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.
Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.
Expert Speak
Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO
Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO
Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, first went on this trek almost a decade ago. Since then, he has explored the Dayara Bugyal trek from several routes in several seasons. Here, he shares his candid thoughts about the Dayara Bugyal trek.
What I Like and Don’t Like About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
What I Like About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO
Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, first went on this trek almost a decade ago. Since then, he has explored the Dayara Bugyal trek from several routes in several seasons. Here, he shares his candid thoughts about the Dayara Bugyal trek.
1. The big mountains hanging above the meadows of Dayara
I remember it was early evening when I set out to explore the meadows. The golden-green grass undulated over mounds of hillocks. It was just meadows everywhere. Fluffy white sheep grazed peacefully in small clusters in the nooks of the meadows.
Mt Bandarpoonch, with its shimmering snowy flanks, stood over the meadows like a guardian angel. It was omnipresent. The big massif with Mt Kalanag followed me everywhere.
You always hear of how stunning mountain views are when they jut out of the meadows. But, on Dayara Bugyal it grabs you by the scruff of the neck. Because behind me, in the direction I had climbed up was the entire stretch of greater Himalayas of the Gangotri extension.
I don't think I can say I was stunned. It was more than that. I had to sit down on a rocky outcrop to steady myself at what I was seeing.
I think people have got it all wrong about the views. They talk only about the meadows. It is the mountain views from Dayara that are the stunner.
A trekker takes in the view of Mt Bandarpoonch from the meadows of Dayara. Picture by Karan Jain
2. The vastness of the meadows
I was taken aback at how vast the meadows were. I could not find an end anywhere. Curiosity got the better of me. I had to know where the meadows ended.
I climbed the second and third hillocks. The only thing that I got to see was more endless views of the meadows. I traversed my way towards Bakhariya top, the highest point of the meadows. It was many hills away.
Halfway, I climbed to a ridge that led to a hilltop. From the summit of the hilltop I could see the great deep valley many thousands of feet below me. On one side was the deep valley with the fading rolling hills, on the other were these great mountain ranges. In front was Mt Bandarpoonch. And below me were these endless carpets of green rolling meadows.
Where was I? This couldn’t be earth!
The meadows of Dayara stretch as far as your eyes can see. Picture by Arjun Majumdar
3. The forested trails and the biodiversity
I have trekked to Dayara from multiple routes — what strikes me is how shady the trail is. Right from the base camp until you breakout of the forests into the meadows, the trail is in good shade with lovely forest cover. The biodiversity is high. Which is why you’ll hear a lot of bird calls. While we talk about the meadows, don’t miss out on the forest. Dayara Bugyal is one of the Best Himalayan treks for Bird Watching.
Dayara Bugyal trek is a birder's paradise. Pictures by Madhav Anand
4. The camps in the clearings
Be it Gui, Chilapada, Nayata or even Barnala. Enclosed by forest but in grassy clearings, with commanding views of mountain tops, I think I could fall in love with these camps.
They are secluded, plenty of space to stretch your legs, walk about, take a peek in the forests, yet, you can just sit in one corner taking in the views. I have done lots of trek and have loved lots of camps, but if you ask me about Dayara, then I think it has some of the better campsites.
The Gui campsite is a clearing with many hidden surprises. Lovely mountain views greet you when you turn right and behind a mound lies this secret pond. Photo: Sudheer Hegde
What I Don't Like About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
1. The Campsite near Barnala
I didn’t like the new Barnala campsite. We have had to move down from the upper Barnala camp to the lower Barnala camp, near the forest huts. The lower camp is somewhat cramped with very few views.
It is marshy at one end. I am waiting for when we can go back to the higher Barnala camp. In any case, we don’t camp at Barnala these days. The wonderful new campsite of Nayata is a hop-step-and a jump away. Trekkers simply love Nayata.
Dayara Bugyal is Best Discovered Through Pictures
The same Dayara meadows that turn white in winters abound with wildflowers and lush green grass in Spring and Summer.
Picture by: Darshana Patil
Dayara Meadows
The green meadows of Dayara go into hibernation under a thick blanket of snow every winter. It is the largest expanse of snow you'll see on any winter trek in Uttarakhand.
Picture by: Ravi Ranjan
Dayara Meadows in Winter
We've always considered Dayara Bugyal to be unfairly rewarding to trekkers. You trek for hardly 4-5 hours and you're struck with this terrific view of Mt Bandarpoonch set as a backdrop against the lush meadows of Dayara.
Picture by: Swathi Chatrapathy
Mt Bandarpoonch
The first snowfall on the trek is a unique experience that you'll cherish for a long time.
Picture by: Jothiranjan
First Snowfall
The entire landscape gets covered in a thick blanket of snow during winter on the Dayara meadows.
Picture by: Vismay B
The Snowfields of Dayara
The forests on the Dayara Bugyal trek are dense. Sometimes sunlight hardly touches the forest floor.
Picture by: Sudheer
En route to Gui
Trekkers enjoying the snowfall for the first time in their lives at Gui campsite.
Picture by: Debashish Ghosh
Snowfall at Gui
A panorama of all the mountains in the Gangotri range opens up on the Dayara Bugyal trek. You see Gangotri, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda peaks in the picture.
Picture by: Pavan N
Gangotri Mountain Range
Even on an easy trek like Dayara Bugyal, evacuation can happen at any time. Here, trekkers are being evacuated from Chilapada to Gui due to heavy snowfall the previous day.
Picture by: Dhaval Jajal
Deep Snow
Raithal, where your campus lies is an ideal village setting to sit back, relax and have a cup of tea.
Picture by: Anubhav Bhatt
Raithal Village
Mt Shrikanth is seen at such close proximity from Dayara.
Picture by: Jothiranjan
Mt Shrikanth
Kids and families love the Dayara Bugyal trek for the experience it offers.
Picture by: Vishnu Sivanandan
Family Trek
The same Dayara meadows that turn white in winters abound with wildflowers and lush green grass in Spring and Summer.
Picture by: Darshana Patil
Dayara Meadows
The green meadows of Dayara go into hibernation under a thick blanket of snow every winter. It is the largest expanse of snow you'll see on any winter trek in Uttarakhand.
Picture by: Ravi Ranjan
Dayara Meadows in Winter
We've always considered Dayara Bugyal to be unfairly rewarding to trekkers. You trek for hardly 4-5 hours and you're struck with this terrific view of Mt Bandarpoonch set as a backdrop against the lush meadows of Dayara.
Picture by: Swathi Chatrapathy
Mt Bandarpoonch
The first snowfall on the trek is a unique experience that you'll cherish for a long time.
Picture by: Jothiranjan
First Snowfall
The entire landscape gets covered in a thick blanket of snow during winter on the Dayara meadows.
Picture by: Vismay B
The Snowfields of Dayara
The forests on the Dayara Bugyal trek are dense. Sometimes sunlight hardly touches the forest floor.
Picture by: Sudheer
En route to Gui
Trekkers enjoying the snowfall for the first time in their lives at Gui campsite.
Picture by: Debashish Ghosh
Snowfall at Gui
A panorama of all the mountains in the Gangotri range opens up on the Dayara Bugyal trek. You see Gangotri, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda peaks in the picture.
Picture by: Pavan N
Gangotri Mountain Range
Even on an easy trek like Dayara Bugyal, evacuation can happen at any time. Here, trekkers are being evacuated from Chilapada to Gui due to heavy snowfall the previous day.
Picture by: Dhaval Jajal
Deep Snow
Raithal, where your campus lies is an ideal village setting to sit back, relax and have a cup of tea.
Picture by: Anubhav Bhatt
Raithal Village
Mt Shrikanth is seen at such close proximity from Dayara.
Picture by: Jothiranjan
Mt Shrikanth
Kids and families love the Dayara Bugyal trek for the experience it offers.
Picture by: Vishnu Sivanandan
Family Trek
The same Dayara meadows that turn white in winters abound with wildflowers and lush green grass in Spring and Summer.
Picture by: Darshana Patil
Dayara Meadows
Know Your Trek
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Dayara Bugyal trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
Day 1 (Pick-up Day): Drive from Dehradun to Raithal
Drive Duration: 8 hours | Drive Distance: 185 km
Altitude: 7,142 ft
Drive Distance: 185 km
Highlights: Watch out for Tingling Point, from where you get to see the astounding views of almost all of Uttarakhand's highest peaks, including Mt Nanda Devi.
Raithal, the base camp for the Dayara Bugyal trek, is around 9 hours away from Dehradun.
The drive takes you through lovely forest stretches as soon as you exit Dehradun. Within an hour, you pass through Mussoorie, one of the most popular hill stations of Uttarakhand.
Between Mussoorie and Uttarkashi, you come across a viewpoint, often called the Tingling Point, from where you get astounding views of almost all of the Garhwal Himalayas. Right from the mountains near Himachal (Swargarohini and adjoining peaks) to Mt Bandarpoonch to Mt Srikanth, the Gangotri Peaks, the Chaukhamba massif, all the way to Mt Nanda Devi, you get striking views. This is of course possible only on a very clear day.
The largest town on the route is Uttarkashi, from where you head to Bhatwari.
As you approach Raithal, you witness the brilliant colours of sunset over Mt Bandarpoonch, Mt Srikanth, Mt Jaunli and Draupadi ka Danda peaks.
Raithal, the base camp for the Dayara Bugyal trek, is around 9 hours away from Dehradun.
The drive takes you through lovely forest stretches as soon as you exit Dehradun. Within an hour, you pass through Mussoorie, one of the most popular hill stations of Uttarakhand.
Between Mussoorie and Uttarkashi, you come across a viewpoint, often called the Tingling Point, from where you get astounding views of almost all of the Garhwal Himalayas. Right from the mountains near Himachal (Swargarohini and adjoining peaks) to Mt Bandarpoonch to Mt Srikanth, the Gangotri Peaks, the Chaukhamba massif, all the way to Mt Nanda Devi, you get striking views. This is of course possible only on a very clear day.
The largest town on the route is Uttarkashi, from where you head to Bhatwari.
As you approach Raithal, you witness the brilliant colours of sunset over Mt Bandarpoonch, Mt Srikanth, Mt Jaunli and Draupadi ka Danda peaks.
Day 2: Trek from Raithal to Gui
Trek Duration: 4 hours | Trek Distance: 3km
Altitude Gain: ⇗ 2,488 ft (7,142 ft to 9,630 ft)
Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Gradually ascending trail throughout.
Highlights: Lovely oak forests with leafy forest floors. Sunset by the lake at the pond at Gui.
At Raithal, you can see Mt. Srikanth and Gangotri 1, 2, and 3 in the distance along with the mountains mentioned above. These become more prominent as you gain altitude on the trail to Gui.
The forest where the Gui campsite is located is visible from Raithal.
The trail from Raithal to Gui is a gradually ascending one. The initial trail goes out of the Raithal village quickly and takes you through the village fields. Go along the well laid out trail and in an hour you come to a flat grassy clearing which also has a hand pump. Take a small water break here and then proceed.
Post the water point, the trail becomes more wooded. You make your way into a forest that consists mainly of green and brown oaks (moru and kharsu) and rhododendron. This makes it a very rich forest. Unlike other places, you do not find pines here.
The forest opens up to a couple of small clearings before you reach Gui.
The campsite at Gui is located in a small clearing surrounded by forests. There is a small table close by. You will find village huts around - these are used by villagers in the summer. There is also a u-shaped forest department hut at some distance.
At Raithal, you can see Mt. Srikanth and Gangotri 1, 2, and 3 in the distance along with the mountains mentioned above. These become more prominent as you gain altitude on the trail to Gui.
The forest where the Gui campsite is located is visible from Raithal.
The trail from Raithal to Gui is a gradually ascending one. The initial trail goes out of the Raithal village quickly and takes you through the village fields. Go along the well laid out trail and in an hour you come to a flat grassy clearing which also has a hand pump. Take a small water break here and then proceed.
Post the water point, the trail becomes more wooded. You make your way into a forest that consists mainly of green and brown oaks (moru and kharsu) and rhododendron. This makes it a very rich forest. Unlike other places, you do not find pines here.
The forest opens up to a couple of small clearings before you reach Gui.
The campsite at Gui is located in a small clearing surrounded by forests. There is a small table close by. You will find village huts around - these are used by villagers in the summer. There is also a u-shaped forest department hut at some distance.
Day 3: Trek from Gui to Chilapada
Trek Duration: 3 hours | Trek Distance: 2 km
Altitude Gain: ⇗ 885 ft (9,630 ft to 10,515 ft)
Difficulty: Easy. Meandering flat trail through the forest
Highlights: Beautiful oak forests with mountains peeking through the trees. First views of Mt Bandarpoonch
The day's trek sees you carrying on along the trail the climbs out of Gui towards Dayara. As you climb up from Gui, you start seeing mountains on the other side, which were earlier hidden from view.
Today is a short day (3 km) with gradual ascends punctuated with flat sections.
Once you start from Gui, join the main trail and start climbing to Gui Thatch. This is a small meadow in the forest. On one side we have 5-6 Chania (shepherd) huts. Right in front of these huts is a compact pond. Just by the pond is a mound.
You also see the igloo-shaped structures of the Forest Department near the Chania huts. Beside the shepherd’s hut, you see Forest Department huts in the shape of igloos.
Insta point: Gui Thatch has incredible views of the entire Gangotri range. These include Shrikanth, Gangotri I, II and III. Look straight, you see the Jaonli peak there. On your left, you can spot the top of Bandarpoonch.
The next half kilometre from Gui Thatch is a relaxed and easy walk. It goes through beautiful rhododendron. The terrain allows you to leisurely walk and soaks in the setting of a Himalayan forest.
Hug a tree: Spend some time connecting with nature. If you are trekking with Indiahikes, your Trek Leader may facilitate the hug-a-tree experience here that helps you connect much more deeply with the forest.
You gradually start ascending once the relaxed forest walk ends. You cross a couple of streams which may be flowing, dried or frozen depending on the season.
Barely five minutes after crossing these streams, you see an umbrella-shaped rain shelter. This is the rest point. Chilapada is not far from here. Catch your breath, stretch your legs and pause for 10-15 minutes before proceeding further.
Chilapada is 20 minutes from the rain shelter. Five minutes into the trek from the rain shelter, notice a broken trail on your left. Leave the main trail and start trekking on this broken trail. This goes to Chilapada, a small opening between the meadows.
Look around, on one side you have the Chilapada Top with some Chania huts.
The day's trek sees you carrying on along the trail the climbs out of Gui towards Dayara. As you climb up from Gui, you start seeing mountains on the other side, which were earlier hidden from view.
Today is a short day (3 km) with gradual ascends punctuated with flat sections.
Once you start from Gui, join the main trail and start climbing to Gui Thatch. This is a small meadow in the forest. On one side we have 5-6 Chania (shepherd) huts. Right in front of these huts is a compact pond. Just by the pond is a mound.
You also see the igloo-shaped structures of the Forest Department near the Chania huts. Beside the shepherd’s hut, you see Forest Department huts in the shape of igloos.
Insta point: Gui Thatch has incredible views of the entire Gangotri range. These include Shrikanth, Gangotri I, II and III. Look straight, you see the Jaonli peak there. On your left, you can spot the top of Bandarpoonch.
The next half kilometre from Gui Thatch is a relaxed and easy walk. It goes through beautiful rhododendron. The terrain allows you to leisurely walk and soaks in the setting of a Himalayan forest.
Hug a tree: Spend some time connecting with nature. If you are trekking with Indiahikes, your Trek Leader may facilitate the hug-a-tree experience here that helps you connect much more deeply with the forest.
You gradually start ascending once the relaxed forest walk ends. You cross a couple of streams which may be flowing, dried or frozen depending on the season.
Barely five minutes after crossing these streams, you see an umbrella-shaped rain shelter. This is the rest point. Chilapada is not far from here. Catch your breath, stretch your legs and pause for 10-15 minutes before proceeding further.
Chilapada is 20 minutes from the rain shelter. Five minutes into the trek from the rain shelter, notice a broken trail on your left. Leave the main trail and start trekking on this broken trail. This goes to Chilapada, a small opening between the meadows.
Look around, on one side you have the Chilapada Top with some Chania huts.
Day 4: Trek from Chilapada to Nayata via Dayara Top
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Trek Distance: 9.25 km
Altitude Gain and Loss: ⇗ 1,435 ft; ⇘ 2,764 ft (10,515 ft to 9,186 ft via 11,950 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate. Undulating walk across meadows followed by a final ascent.
Highlights: The grand meadows of Dayara Bugyal, set against the backdrop of the Gangotri range of peaks and Mt Bandarpoonch.
Chilapada is pretty close to the start of Dayara Bugyal giving you almost the whole day to explore the massive meadows.
Climb through the forests and in half an hour the tree line ends and you find yourself at the edge of meadows. You do not see the full magnitude of the meadows yet.
Here you can spot the Chania huts in front. The trail goes right on the edge of the meadow. Look up to your right to see the magnificent view of Bandar Poonch and Kala Nag. All the summits which were with you from Raithal and Gui are now a lot bigger adorning the panorama behind.
Photo point: The early morning view of Dayara Bugyal is worth every effort put in to get there. Miles of undulating meadows stretch in every direction, with the rays of the sun catching them in many moods.
If early in the season (May-June), thousands of yellow, violet and white flowers sprout across the meadows – sometimes, there are so many that you have to deliberately skirt around them.
In winter, you see miles and miles of powdery snow on the undulating terrain.
Spend at least a couple of hours exploring the Dayara meadows before retracing your steps to the Chania huts. The trail to Nayata goes below the huts and immediately enters the forest. The wooded trail is well laid out again. About 45 minutes of descent brings you to Nayata.
Chilapada is pretty close to the start of Dayara Bugyal giving you almost the whole day to explore the massive meadows.
Climb through the forests and in half an hour the tree line ends and you find yourself at the edge of meadows. You do not see the full magnitude of the meadows yet.
Here you can spot the Chania huts in front. The trail goes right on the edge of the meadow. Look up to your right to see the magnificent view of Bandar Poonch and Kala Nag. All the summits which were with you from Raithal and Gui are now a lot bigger adorning the panorama behind.
Photo point: The early morning view of Dayara Bugyal is worth every effort put in to get there. Miles of undulating meadows stretch in every direction, with the rays of the sun catching them in many moods.
If early in the season (May-June), thousands of yellow, violet and white flowers sprout across the meadows – sometimes, there are so many that you have to deliberately skirt around them.
In winter, you see miles and miles of powdery snow on the undulating terrain.
Spend at least a couple of hours exploring the Dayara meadows before retracing your steps to the Chania huts. The trail to Nayata goes below the huts and immediately enters the forest. The wooded trail is well laid out again. About 45 minutes of descent brings you to Nayata.
Day 5: Trek from Nayata to Raithal
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Trek Duration: 8.3km
Altitude loss: ⇘ 2,044 ft (9,186 ft to 7,142 ft)
Difficulty: Easy. Short stretches of ascents and descents for 1.5 hours followed by a steeply descending trail
Highlights: Pleasurable descent through a lovely canopy of trees. Last views of Mt Bandarpoonch
It takes about 4 hours to reach Raithal, so start your days trek by 9 am. From the Chilapada campsite, continue on the main trail you came down from Dayara yesterday. The trail continues to descend under a heavy canopy of forest cover.
Fifteen minutes of descent brings you to the rain shelter from where you diverted to Barnala on the way up. Continue moving down on the main trail. In an hour's march, you come over the clearing of Gui - your first campsite. Around Gui is where you get the final views of Mt Bandarpoonch on the trek.
Continue further for an hour before coming to the grassy clearing with the water source. Take a break here before completing the final hours descent to Raithal. The arch of Raithal marks the end of the trek. GMVN is half a kilometer down the paved road.
Continue till you reach GMVN . It brings to an end your enchanting Dayara Bugyal trek.
It takes about 4 hours to reach Raithal, so start your days trek by 9 am. From the Chilapada campsite, continue on the main trail you came down from Dayara yesterday. The trail continues to descend under a heavy canopy of forest cover.
Fifteen minutes of descent brings you to the rain shelter from where you diverted to Barnala on the way up. Continue moving down on the main trail. In an hour's march, you come over the clearing of Gui - your first campsite. Around Gui is where you get the final views of Mt Bandarpoonch on the trek.
Continue further for an hour before coming to the grassy clearing with the water source. Take a break here before completing the final hours descent to Raithal. The arch of Raithal marks the end of the trek. GMVN is half a kilometer down the paved road.
Continue till you reach GMVN . It brings to an end your enchanting Dayara Bugyal trek.
Day 6: Drive from Raithal back to Dehradun
DDrive Duration: 8 hours | Drive Distance: 185 km
Driving Distance: 185 km
Highlights: Crossing the Tehri Dam and Tingling Point
Start from Raithal after breakfast. Enjoy the scenic drive back to Dehradun. You are expected to reach Dehradun at around 7.00 PM on this day.
Start from Raithal after breakfast. Enjoy the scenic drive back to Dehradun. You are expected to reach Dehradun at around 7.00 PM on this day.
Easy-Moderate Trek | Level 1
Suitable for Beginners
At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this, we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.
Dayara Bugyal is a perfect trek for beginners, it can even be considered as a pre-trek to get used to the rigours of high-altitude trekking. Almost like an appetizer. It does not have tricky sections, but a couple of sections on the trek can get challenging. Amongst the high-altitude treks on our list (treks that go over 11,000 feet), Dayara Bugyal poses the least risk.
This is why it’s a trek we recommend to many beginners, families and even those starting trekking late in their lives.
The only two challenges you'll face on the trek are these sections:
1. From the basecamp to the forest: This initial 1 km stretch is steep. And although there is a well-laid trail, this section will test your stamina.
2. Climb to Dayara top: The final climb to Dayara top is also steep. And it gets challenging in snow during the winters. As you step out of your campsite for the summit push early in the morning, the snow is going to be hard, having frozen overnight. This snow section continues until you get to the top, getting steeper as you approach the top.
Safety on the Dayara Bugyal Trek
While climbing the steep sections in the snow – especially on your way to Dayara top-wear your microspikes. Hard snow is extremely prone to slips. A small slip can result in injuries like a ligament tear, a sprained ankle or even a fracture. Always put your foot on footholds made by earlier trekkers. Look out for deep footholds. Do not try to make new paths of your own.
Note: If you are trekking with Indiahikes, your Trek Leader will tell you when to wear the microspikes. Indiahikes technical team will lead in this section to make the footholds required for trekkers to step on.
At altitudes above 10,000 ft, the chances of being hit by Acute Mountain Sickness are real. Altitude sickness does not distinguish between a first timer and an experienced trekker. Even experienced trekkers can get affected. Fitness helps in making your trek easier. But do not forget that even a fit person climbing too high too soon runs an equal risk of developing AMS.
Some symptoms to watch out for: (a) Persistent headache (b) Feeling fatigued or weak (c) Feel nauseous or vomit (d) Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, often while sitting up or standing suddenly (e) You don’t feel like eating, you have a loss of appetite (f) You don’t sleep very well at night.
The itinerary of the Dayara Bugyal trek allows you to acclimatise well. And yet, you must stay alert for any signs of AMS.
Weather plays a big role in your safety on the trek. Here are some of the weather-related issues that can play an important role in your Dayara Bugyal trek.
At altitudes above 10,000 ft, snowfall can happen anytime. A spell of rain on the lower slopes almost usually leads to light or heavy snow in the upper regions.
It can rain or snow abruptly at any time at such high altitudes. A rainfall or snowfall that lasts more than four hours can change your trek plans. Rain can flood the trails or make them too slushy to walk safely on. Some normal sections can become very slippery.
The Indiahikes technical team along with the Trek Leader takes a call on when to proceed with the trek and when to stay back. A team may have to turn around from the highest camp if the weather turns worse.
Emergency Exits: There are easy exits on the Dayara Bugyal trek. In case of an AMS emergency at or before Chilapada, you will need to return to Raithal. If you are hit by AMS after reaching the top and crossed over to the other side of the trail, then you have to descend to Barsu. These are long distances and evacuation can take 7-8 hours from the farthest point.
Closest Hospital: If a medical emergency occurs, then the District Hospital in Uttarkashi is the closest to you. Uttarkashi can be reached within an hour if you drive from Raithal or Barsu.
Dayara Bugyal is a trek that can be done around the year except during the monsoons. This means that the trek is open and great for almost 8 months in a year.
If we take out the monsoons, we get 4 distinct seasons to experience Dayara Bugyal – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. Each season is different and lovely in its own way.
Dayara Bugyal in Winter
Day time: Between 8 °C and 12 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between -5 °C and -10 °C.
Presence of snow: You will find snow from the base camp towards the end of December. The entire landscape and valley will be in white.
No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers.
In winter, people trek to Dayara Bugyal to experience snow. The landscape again changes colour when draped in the white snow. Soft, powdery snowflakes loosely hang from pine trees offering a tinge of Christmas-y feel. Perfect for snowball fights and an experience of snowfall if you’re lucky. However, snow raises the difficulty of the trek by a notch. So, prepare well if you are going in winter.
Watch this video of trekkers singing and trekking at Dayara Bugyal in winter. It will give you a feel of what it is like to be on this trail in winter.
Dayara Bugyal in Spring
Day time temperature: Between 13 °C and 17 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 0 °C.
Great time to experience the last of the winter snow. The snow starts to recede from the lower campsites when spring sets. The upper reaches of Dayara are still under snow.
No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers.
Spring in Dayara starts by mid-March and goes on till the end of April. The snows start to melt in the upper reaches while the grass begins to turn green in the lower meadows. Tiny flowers make their heads out of the grass while rhododendrons bloom on the trees.
The upper reaches of the Dayara meadows are usually under snow until mid-April.
Spring is a great time to experience colour contrasts on the meadows. You see snow, greenery and the colour of flowers altogether.
Dayara Bugyal in Summer
Day time temperature: Between 18 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 5 °C.
Most of the snow has melted, owing to warmer temperature.
No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers.
Summers are warm on Dayara Bugyal trek. Picture bright green meadows getting toasted under hot sunlight.
There is also a distinct summer fragrance in the air especially as you trek under the shadows of oaks and maples.
The atmosphere also gets hazier as there is a lot of dust and pollen in the air at this time. So, you might not get as sharp views as you get in autumn. But you will see the snow-capped mountains in their grandeur on a clear day.
There’s another plus side to the summers on Dayara Bugyal trek. Without the challenges of cold temperature or snow, this trek is at its easiest in the summers. And so, we open the family batches of Dayara Bugyal trek during this time. It’s a great time to introduce children to the Himalayas.
Dayara Bugyal in Autumn
Day time temperature: Between 12 °C and 15 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 2 °C.
There is no snow on the trek in the autumn season. The lush greenery on the trail starts to turn golden.
No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers.
In autumn, the skies are at their clearest. That’s when you witness the sharp mountain views. Imagine the majestic Gangotri range, Bandarpoonch popping up from the golden meadows under brilliant blue skies. Sounds picturesque, doesn’t it?
And if you wish to capture these ranges through your camera lens, autumn is the perfect time to do so.
Other than the brilliant mountain views, Dayara Bugyal in autumn is a riot of colours. You will witness maple leaves turning fiery red. This is a signature sight in the Himalayas, and against the backdrop of meadows turning golden, well, it is a sight to behold.
Witness these as you trek, inhaling the crisp, pine-scented autumn air.
Planning your onward flight/train booking
If you are travelling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai or any other city, book your air tickets either for Day Minus One, which is the day before Day 1 on the itinerary or book a flight/train as such where you will reach half an hour before the pick-up time.
There are two options for your flight booking.
Option 1: Fly directly to Dehradun
We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Dehradun. Most metros are directly connected to Dehradun. However, if the cost of the flight ticket to Dehradun is too high, book to Delhi and connect to Dehradun by train/bus.
The Dehradun airport is inconvenient when it comes to city connectivity (either to Rishikesh or Dehradun). Airport buses that ply between Rishikesh to Dehradun via the airport run every hour. In our experience, the hour can stretch to even 1½ hours.
Taxis are available from the airport (plenty). Prepaid taxis are available (look for the pre-paid taxi counter just out of the conveyor belt at the arrivals). You can also flag down a taxi (bargain a bit) with taxis outside the airport. Airport taxis are exorbitant. They usually charge Rs 1500.
Usually, most passengers take taxis from the airport. Try to hook up with co-passengers on the flight for your taxi ride to Dehradun.
Pro Tip: If you want to save real money walk 1.5 km to get to the Dehradun-Rishikesh national highway just outside the airport terminal complex. Take a private/Uttrakhand Vikas Mandal Nigam bus till ISBT Dehradun which will charge you 40 rs. From ISBT Dehradun take a shared auto (shared autos are called Vikrams) to Dehradun Railway Station. Shared autos charge about 10 rs.
Option 2: Flying to Delhi
Flying to Delhi may be a lot cheaper than getting to Dehradun. Make sure to book a flight that reaches Delhi by 8.00 pm. You must arrive in Delhi on Day Zero and not on Day 1.
Note: If you notice the difference in air ticket prices between Delhi and Dehradun is less than Rs 1000 then book directly to Dehradun. The rest and shorter travel time are worth the difference.
Next, book yourself on the Nanda Devi Express to Dehradun (Train No: 12401). It is a fully AC train that leaves at 23.45 hrs from Hazrat Nizamuddin and gets to Dehradun at 5.40 am.
Note: Earlier the Nanda Devi express would depart from New Delhi railway station. From 26 Aug 2019, it leaves from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train now comes from Kota. So expect about 15 to 30 mins delay in arrival. The train number has changed too from 12206 to 12401.
For Metro train connectivity from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, take a metro to Dhaula Kuan metro station. Get off and walk down to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus metro station (there are convenient traveller belts over a skywalk). Take a metro to Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station over the pink line. It takes about 45 mins to an hour to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin over the metro.
At Dehradun, wait for Indiahikes pick up at 6.30 am. Contact your driver by 6.00 am. The number of your transport coordinator will be shared with you a week before your departure.
Caution: Do not book on any other train except the Nanda Devi Express. The other option, Mussoorie express, is notorious for its delay. Your pickup vehicle may leave without you. If you do not get tickets on the Nanda Devi Express, take a bus from Delhi to Dehradun, but do not book on the Mussoorie Express.
Pro Tip: Take the afternoon Jan Shatabdi express from New Delhi railway station (leaves at 3.20 PM) to arrive at Haridwar by 9.10 pm. Stay overnight at Dehradun. Take the Indiahikes to pick up the next morning directly from Dehradun Railway Station.
Bus
If in case you do not get a train ticket, there are regular Volvo AC buses from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Dehradun. You also get Non-AC buses. Buses are frequent and not usually crowded. You can get a bus almost every half hour. Buses take 7-8 hours to get to Dehradun from Delhi. AC bus tickets cost about Rs 700.
Planning your return flight/train booking
Booking your return tickets requires some thought. If your trek ends on day 6, you can book your flight/train tickets for day 7. Make sure to make bookings post 8:00 – 9:00 pm.
Next, if your onward flight departs from Delhi, then book flight tickets on Day 7.
Sometimes trekkers worry if they can book an early morning flight out of Delhi on Day 7. Yes, you can. But book flights that depart only after 8 am. Do not book any flight between 6.00 and 8 am. You may not reach Delhi in time.
How to get to Delhi on time for an early morning flight.
If your flight is early, say between 8.00 and 9.00 am, then there are two options.
Train: Take the Nanda Devi Express from Dehradun (12402) that leaves Dehradun at 10:50 pm to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 4.35 in the morning. From Hazrat Nizamuddin, you get airport buses from outside the station as well as taxis. For the Metro train walk down to the Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station, take a metro to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus, get off and connect to the Dhaula Kuan Airport line metro station (there are convenient traveller belts over a skywalk). From Dhaula Kuan you get the metro train to the airport.
Note: Earlier Nanda Devi express would arrive at the New Delhi railway station. From 26 August 2019, it has been extended up to Kota. It no longer goes to the New Delhi railway station. Instead, it goes to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train number has changed from 12206 to 12402.
Bus: The other option is to take a bus from Dehradun. It is about a 5½ – 6 hrs journey to Delhi. So if you take a bus that leaves around 9.00 pm, then expect to reach Delhi at around 3.00 AM (ISBT Kashmiri Gate). A bus that leaves at 10 pm will reach Delhi around 4.00 am. AC Volvo buses are the fastest, so opt for them. Non AC buses can take up to 7-8 hours for the journey.
From Kashmiri Gate ISBT you get Airport buses or taxis.
Note: Metro trains in Delhi do not start before 5.00 am.
If you are taking a flight out of Dehradun
If you are taking a flight out of Dehradun then book yourself on Day 7. Most metros are now well connected by Dehradun by flight.
Planning your hotel/stay
While booking hotels on your return, always assume book your rooms assuming the buffer day is not being used. Assume the trek is going to run without any hiccups. So what happens if you use your buffer day on the trek? Unfortunately, then you’ll probably lose your hotel booking. So book hotels where you may not have to transfer money in advance. Even if you do, consider it better than missing out on the trek. In Dehradun, it is not difficult to find last minute hotel bookings if in case the buffer day is used.
Hotel options at Dehradun
Hotel Drona, which is a government property owned by the GMVN is decent. It is an old, but large and spacious property. It is about 1.5 km from Dehradun railway station. Rooms start at Rs 750.
Latest Update: Hotel Drona has been converted into a Covid Centre
Phone: +91-135-2746847
Book online http://gmvnl.in/newgmvn/online_reservation/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sjWSkGhe5LfAN8wDA
MyRoom252 is a new backpacker facility in Dehradun. Modern, colourful and clean. Bunk beds start at Rs 300. Rooms are available too. It is not too far from the Dehradun Railway station. Shared autos (which are called Vikrams) can get you there. For online booking: http://www.myroom252.com/. Phone: 086308 81083. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/p5xkbMyUF4X5VHwx9
Nomads House is another new backpacker hostel in Dehradun. The atmosphere is good. The place is neat and clean. Indiahikes trek leaders love Nomads House. It is about 10 mins from the Dehradun railway station. Bunk beds start at Rs 400, rooms start at Rs 800. Shared autos are easily available to get to Nomads House. Phone: 9760596464 Location: https://g.page/NomadsHouse?share
What if you miss the Indiahikes pickup? How to get to Raithal on your own
If you miss the Indiahikes pick up from Dehradun. Here is how you can get to Raithal base camp on your own.
If you are at Dehradun, take a bus to Uttarkashi as quickly as you can. A bus generally leaves from Dehradun Railway Station to Uttarkashi at 8:00 am. It charges about 250 rs.
There are shared taxis available near Indiranagar Market (Till 10:00 am) or Rispana Pool (From 11:00 – 12:00 PM) till Uttarkashi. They charge 350 rs. You can reach Indiranagar Market/Rispana Pool using a shared auto (Vikram).
From Uttarkashi, you will find shared taxis for Raithal from the taxi stand which is at a walkable distance if you get down at the bus stand. Raithal is 43 km from here. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach there. The taxi will charge 100 rs. These shared taxis are available only till 4:00 pm.
In case you do not find a direct taxi till Raithal take a shared taxi till Bhatwadi. It will charge you 70 rs. From Bhatwari, Raithal is 10 km away. You can find shared taxis for Raithal from there which charge 30 rs.
| Tip: While this bus hopping may sound cumbersome, we do it regularly at Indiahikes. They are a fun and a good way to know the real Uttarakhand. You also get to meet very interesting local people. So while no one wants to miss a pickup, don’t be too disheartened if it happens. You may just experience one of your best travel moments!
These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.
- Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.
- Disclaimer certificate. This is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during the registration at the base camp – Download the PDF
- Medical certificate. There are two sections in this. The first part must be filled by a practising doctor. The second part must be filled by you. Without the medical certificate, the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download PDF
PRO TIPS
Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.
1. Trekking Shoes:
Dayara Bugyal requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.
| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.
| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean.
2. Backpack:
For a trek like Dayara Bugyal, you need a 40-50 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.
| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.
| Rental: The 48-litre backpack by Adventure Worx is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack.
3. Clothes:
Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required.
Base layer:
3 T-shirts:
Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.
| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)
| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them.
3 insulation layers:
The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 11,978 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.
1 Outer layer:
A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.
| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.
Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.
| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter.
Two trek pants:
Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.
| Buying tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.
| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.
Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek.
These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Dayara Bugyal without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.
1. Sunglasses:
Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Dayara Bugyal, you will find snow all over the trail during winter. Expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.
| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.
Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.
| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.
| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.
2. Suncap:
A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.
| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.
| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way.
3. Synthetic hand gloves:
On a trek like Dayara Bugyal, you are going to be handling snow quite a bit during winters. You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.
4. Woollen cap or Balaclava:
Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.
Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head.
5. Socks (3 pairs):
Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well.
6. Headlamp:
Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Dayara Bugyal trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.
| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you.
7. Trekking pole (a pair):
Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Dayara Bugyal trek, there are gradual ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.
| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.
8. Rainwear:
On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.
Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.
| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.
9. Rain cover for your backpack:
Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.
| Pro tip: It’s good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.
10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional):
Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a porter on the Dayara Bugyal trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.
A day pack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not day packs. Do not get them.
Other mandatory requirements
1. A toilet kit:
Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.
| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.
Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Dayara Bugyal.
| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.
2. Cutlery:
Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.
| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.
3. Plastic covers:
Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.
Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.
- Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Raithal. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Dayara Bugyal trek.
- Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
- Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.
- Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol.
- Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS.
- ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually a mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
- Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.
Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.
Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.
Dayara Bugyal is a beautiful alpine meadow situated in the northwest part of Uttarakhand in India. It is approximately 45 km from the famous town of Uttarkashi and around 190 km from Dehradun.
To reach Dayara Bugyal, first, make your way to the base camp Raithal. It is a quaint Himalayan village. From there, trek through the beautiful oak, rhododendron and maple forest to the Dayara Bugyal.
Bugyal (pronounced boog-yaal) is a Hindi word that refers to alpine pasture lands or alpine meadows that grow above around 10,500 ft and below 13,000 ft. These alpine meadows are always found above the treeline, so they’re vast open lands, usually with great scenic views of the mountains and valleys around them.
At Raithal you will be staying in the guest house. There are different types of dorms available.
Based on the number of trekkers rooms will be given. Whereas on the other campsite you will be staying in tents. We will have twin-sharing tents, where two people stay in a tent.
The accommodation is separate for men and women unless you're a couple or a family.
You can do the trek almost throughout the year, except during the monsoon. So, the best season is – spring, summer, autumn and winter. And the trek looks different in all these seasons.
In spring you will find that the snow has freshly melted and green meadows dotted with flowers have started peeping out. Rhododendrons will also be in bloom in the forest. In summer, the meadows are bright and temperatures are warm. Autumn is known for its blue skies and brilliant view of the Bandarpoonch range and winter on Dayara Bugyal is magical with undulating meadows blanketed in powdery snow.
Dayara Bugyal is a perfect trek for beginners. It does not have tricky sections, but a couple of sections on the trek can get challenging. Amongst the high altitude treks on our list (treks that go over 11,000 feet), Dayara Bugyal poses the least risk.
This is why it’s a trek we recommend to many beginners, families and even those starting trekking late in their lives.
The only two challenges you'll face on the trek are these sections:
1. From the basecamp to the forest: This initial 1 km stretch is steep. And although there is a well-laid trail, this section will test your stamina.
2. Climb to Dayara top: The final climb to Dayara top is also steep. And it gets challenging in snow during the winters. As you step out of your campsite for the summit push early in the morning, the snow is going to be hard, having frozen overnight. This snow section continues until you get to the top, getting steeper as you approach the top.
The Dayara Bugyal Trek covers around 23 km in 4 days. (6 days including the drive to and from the basecamp). The altitude ranges from 7,096 ft in Raithal all the way to Dayara Top at 11,830 ft.
A trek like Dayara Bugyal requires a good fitness level. There are gradual ascends and 4-5 hours of trekking every day. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:
Run at least 5 km in 38 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 20 km a week or 80 km in a month. It's our minimum mandatory requirement.
OR
Alternatively, cycle for at least 22 km in 60 minutes. Aim to cycle 110 km a week or 440 km in a month. However, running is better suited for your trek preparation.
Once you get confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trek experience.
Yes you can!
If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.
On the Dayara Bugyal Trek, we usually take around 20- 23 trekkers in total.
Dayara Bugyal is an easy-moderate trek and requires trekkers to be physically fit. The minimum age for eligibility is 8 years. If your child meets this criterion and is physically fit, you can take her/him along.
In winter, people trek to Dayara Bugyal to experience snow. The landscape again changes colour when draped in the white snow. Soft, powdery snowflakes loosely hang from pine trees offering a tinge of Christmas-y feel. Perfect for snowball fights and an experience of snowfall if you’re lucky. However, snow raises the difficulty of the trek by a notch. So, prepare well if you are going in winter.
Dayara Bugyal is a 6 day trek. You will be staying at our campus in Raithal and in tents on other days of the trek. Each tent accommodates 3 trekkers.
The basecamp at Raithal will have concrete toilets. On Trek days, toilet tents will be set up along each campsite.
A toilet tent will have a deep pit, where one can answer nature’s call. There will be a mound of soil and a shovel to cover it up. These are dry toilets, where you’ll have to use toilet paper. There will be a room freshener as well. It’s the most hygienic and convenient way to answer nature’s call in the wild.
Please use plain toilet paper and refrain from using wet wipes since these are not biodegradable.
What Happens To Your Poop in the Mountains? | Green Trails | Indiahikes
Our campsites are pitched near water sources. For your day’s trek, two litres of water should be enough. On Day 4 and Day 5, you will find one water source to refill your water bottles. Your trek leader will brief you about these before starting the day’s trek. There will be no water sources on the trail on the other days of trekking.
When it comes to a mobile phone network and an internet connection, you’ll find a good network all across your trek. You will get a 4G network even at Dayara Top!
As for electricity, Raithal Campus is the last point with electricity. At the Indiahikes base camp in Raithal, all the rooms are equipped with plug points for trekkers to charge their electronic devices.
However, once you leave the base camp, there is no electricity. We suggest you bring additional batteries for your cameras and a power bank with more than 10,000 mAh to last you the entire trek.
Uttarkashi is the last town en route to Kotgaon where you’ll find ATMs to make some cash withdrawals. All major private and public sector banks have their ATMs and some even have branches in Uttarkashi. However, cash does run out quickly at the Uttarkashi ATMs. Hence, Dehradun is your best bet to make last-minute cash withdrawals.
We advise you to carry around Rs 5000 in cash to pay for your transport to the basecamp, for rental gear deposit and personal expenses en route to the basecamp.
If you’re an Indiahikes trekker, there is no major need for cash as once you arrive at the base camp. All meals, accommodations, permits, and related expenses are taken care of by Indiahikes.
Yes, you can keep the extra luggage at the base camp. Once the trek ends, you will be able to collect the luggage. Our team will arrange for this.
The transport takes you from Dehradun to the Base. However, you need to walk about 3 floors on foot to get from the basecamp to where you actually stay. We advise you to not bring any luggage that is bulky and heavy.
Ensure you do not keep any valuables at the base. Laptops, mobile phones, cash or any important items cannot be kept here.
You can spend time exploring tourist attractions around Dehradun. Please note that these are suggestions and Indiahikes does not make any arrangements for visiting them.
Having more footprint through porters or mules on any trail isn’t good for the ecosystem. This is why, at Indiahikes, we do not encourage offloading. A trekker carries his/her own backpack in the true spirit of trekking.
But if — due to a medical condition — you are unable to carry your own backpack, you may offload your backpack.
The cost of offloading on the Dayara Bugyal trek is Rs 1,200 for the trek.
Why fitness matters on the Dayara Bugyal Trek
On Easy-Moderate treks, you’re likely to trek around 5-6 km each day. Expect gradual ascents and descents along the way. The maximum altitude will be about 12,500 ft. There are no technical sections on these treks, but there could be small sections of steep gradients or tricky patches that require you to be surefooted.
Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 38 minutes.
Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of registration.
Why fitness matters on the Dayara Bugyal Trek
On Easy-Moderate treks, you’re likely to trek around 5-6 km each day. Expect gradual ascents and descents along the way. The maximum altitude will be about 12,500 ft. There are no technical sections on these treks, but there could be small sections of steep gradients or tricky patches that require you to be surefooted.
Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 38 minutes.
Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of registration.
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Dayara Bugyal
Did you know Dayara Bugyal is connected to two other alpine meadows?
If you have a bit of adventure in your heart, you can explore two more alpine meadows from Dayara Bugyal -- Siyari Bugyal and further ahead, Gidara Bugyal.
Siyari Bugyal is a lot easier to access, via Devkund, a ridge that leads to Siyari from Dayara.
Gidara Bugyal is a lot more difficult to access and requires good fitness levels.
A thousand year old home in Raithal
When you're staying at the Indiahikes campus in Raithal, don't miss exploring the village in your own time.
Raithal is home to a 4-storey building, which is said to be over a thousand years old. Built with wood and slated roofs, this home has stood the test of time, surviving a thousand harsh winters.
The construction of his home is said to be so clever that almost all visitors that go to Raithal, make it a point to visit this home and study architecture.
Leaving Mountains Better
Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.
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