Difficulty
Easy-Moderate | Level 1
Duration
6 days
Highest Altitude
11,950 ft
Age
8 to 60 years
Duration
6 days
Age
8 to 60 years
Difficulty
Easy-Moderate | Level 1
Highest Altitude
11,950 ft
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Dayara Bugyal Trek
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.
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Dayara Bugyal Videos
Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek.
Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Dayara Bugyal trek
Day 1
Drive From Dehradun to Raithal
Drive Distance: 185 km | Drive Duration: 9 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel, Dehradun.
Transport will be arranged at 6.30 AM. This cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs 6,500 per vehicle for SUV and Rs 10,000 per vehicle for Tempo Traveller.
Day 2
Trek from Raithal to Gui
Trek Distance: 3 km | Trek Duration: 4 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,142 ft to 9,630 ft
Gradually ascending trail through oak and maple forests. Explore the village of Raithal in the morning before your trek, it's an idyllic village, living harmoniously with the nature around it.
Day 3
Trek from Gui to Chilapada
Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 2-3 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,630 ft to 10,515 ft
Quick trek through lovely oak forests and clearings. Mostly flat walks. Use this day to explore the areas around Chilapada and acclimatize well. In winter, expect a carpet of snow under your feet.
Day 4
Trek from Chilpada to Nayata via Dayara Top
Trek Distance: 9.25 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 10,515 ft to 9,186 ft via 11,950 ft
Undulating walk across meadows followed by a final ascent to Dayara Top. This is your introduction to the meadows of Dayara. Take off your shoes, wiggles your toes in the soft grass. These are few of the best alpine meadows you'll step in.
Day 5
Trek from Nayata to Raithal
Trek Distance: 8.30 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,186 ft to 7,142 ft
Short stretches of ascents and descents for 1.5 hours followed by a steep descent. The descent is mostly through forests until you reach Raithal.
Day 6
Drive back from Raithal to Dehradun
Drive distance: 185 km | Trek Duration: 9 hours | Drop off point for Indiahikes trekkers: Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun
This transport cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs. 6,500 per vehicle and Rs 10,000 per vehicle for Tempo Traveller. You will reach Dehradun between 6.00 and 7.00 PM.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the Campus, your stay will be arranged in lodges
- On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent
- We have a Cloak Room facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
A route map of the Dayara Bugyal trek
PRO-TIPS
Onward Travel
If you're planning your travel, choose to travel by bus instead of train. They're usually on time compared to trains. If you're travelling by train, choose the Jan Shatabdi Express and reach Dehradun a day before the trek (Day 0).
Return Travel
While returning, you will reach Dehradun between 6.00 and 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Dehradun. The Kota DNNExpress will suit your schedule well.
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
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.
What I Like and Don’t Like About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
What I Like About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
Dayara Bugyal is Best Discovered Through Pictures
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
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.
PRO TIPS
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.
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