Gidara Bugyal

A trek to the grandest meadows in our bouquet

We have closed Gidara Bugyal

We are finding the campsites on the trek non-conducive, even with a single rainfall. We have explored an excellent alternative for Gidara.Check out Surya Top

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TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate-Difficult

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TREK DURATION

8 days

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HIGHEST ALTITUDE

13,900 ft

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TOTAL TREK DISTANCE

33 km

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BASECAMP

Raithal

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ACCOMODATION TYPE

Tents

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REGION

Uttarakhand

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PICK-UP DETAILS

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DROP-OFF DETAILS

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CLOAKROOM

Unavailable

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OFFLOADING

Unavailable

A trek to the grandest meadows in our bouquet

There is simply no comparison between Gidara Bugyal and any other meadow. Gidara Bugyal is the crown jewel of our bouquet of meadow treks. 

Hidden inside the folds of the mountains, the grassland spreads across the valley floor. It takes almost half a day to cross the length of it, so vast are the meadows.  

Trekker Reviews

Shreya Taneja

Age 32 | Group of October 2023

Just Amazing! I plan to go on a trek at least once every 6 months from now onwards.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Omkar Kulkarni

Age 28 | Group of November 2023

This trek has given me a reality check. I am going to work on my fitness.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Gowri Karpur

Age 48 | Group of November 2023

I am consciously going to reduce my waste.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Shreya Taneja

Age 32 | Group of October 2023

Just Amazing! I plan to go on a trek at least once every 6 months from now onwards.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Omkar Kulkarni

Age 28 | Group of November 2023

This trek has given me a reality check. I am going to work on my fitness.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Gowri Karpur

Age 48 | Group of November 2023

I am consciously going to reduce my waste.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut est ligula, mollis vitae erat et, hendrerit imperdiet ex. Fusce nec purus in orci pretium faucibus. Mauris ac augue nec ipsum aliquam condim...Read More

Gidara Bugyal - Complete Trek Information

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 Gidara 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.

The Indiahikes Spirit of Trekking

We're always ready for adventure

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Trekking comes with uncertainty. Weather, terrain, and setbacks are part of the journey. We embrace them with resilience and openness—each challenge makes us stronger and more appreciative of nature's beauty.

We embrace low-noise trekking

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We blend into nature, not the other way around. We avoid shouting, loud music, and noisy games. In silence, we hear birdsong, streams, and the wind—inviting peace, reflection, and a deeper connection with nature.

We protect the environment

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We protect the environment by minimising waste, reusing resources, and picking up litter. We carry eco-bags, segregate waste, and inspire others to preserve trails. Sustainable trekking ensures these mountains remain beautiful for future generations.

We are self-sufficient 

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We carry our load as much as possible, manage our gear, and stay prepared for all situations. Self-sufficiency builds confidence, independence, and respect for fellow trekkers, support staff, and the trail itself.  

We support each other

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Trekking is not a solo act. We wait for each other, share burdens, and uplift teammates. By putting the group first, we build strong bonds and help everyone complete the trek joyfully.

We are fit and prepared 

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We train well before our treks. This helps us walk longer, handle emergencies, and contribute to the team. Fitness ensures we are never a burden and always ready to help when needed.

Watch these videos for more information

Gidara Bugyal Videos

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Expert Speak

Nitesh Kumar, Senior Trek Leader

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Nitesh Kumar, Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has done over 27 treks in the Himalayas, and over 70 treks all over India. He is the mastermind behind the design of the Gidara Bugyal itinerary. He introduced the fantastic ridge walk above Gidara Bugyal, which trekkers have now come to love. Read what he has to say about the Gidara Bugyal trek here.

What I Like About the Gidara Bugyal Trek

What I Like About the Gidara Bugyal Trek

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Nitesh Kumar, Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has done over 27 treks in the Himalayas, and over 70 treks all over India. He is the mastermind behind the design of the Gidara Bugyal itinerary. He introduced the fantastic ridge walk above Gidara Bugyal, which trekkers have now come to love. Read what he has to say about the Gidara Bugyal trek here.

1. The Ridge Walk to Gidara Top

The ridge walk to the Gidara Top is easily one of the best highlights of this trek. If you are lucky and there are no clouds, the view from here is a spellbinding panorama. Right in front of you are the Gangotri ranges – Gangotri I, II, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda. Srikanth stands prominently among them. On your left, you see the indomitable Bandarpoonch etched in the sky. The entire Gidara meadows, right to the very end, can be seen from this ridge!

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The ridge walk at Gidara is one of the biggest highlights of the trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

2. The forests and their clearings

We can't just focus on the Gidara Bugyal Trek's meadows without highlighting the trek's superb forests. One of the most beautiful and pristine forests you'll see on treks is between Bhangeli and Thiriya. While the forest stays with you for almost two days, there isn't a section that you can take your eyes away from. 

Beautifully dense vegetation, expansive clearings, breathtaking views of the Gangotri range, and a few water bodies here and there will keep you glued to the trail. A light mist drifts between the trees. Monals fly out of the boughs now and then. We have never seen as many monals on our other treks as on the Gidara Bugyal Trek. 

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The lovely forest section on the very first day of your trek - fbetween Bhangeli and Munda ka Thattar. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

3. The campsites of Gidara - Dokrani and Thalotya

Gidara Bugyal is a trek blessed with unusual but striking campsites. Thalotya is a vision. It is set in a narrow valley, with a stream gently flowing through. The entire slope of Thalotya is lush, filled with lavender-pink rhododendrons! Then there is Dokrani, a clearing sitting on the slope of a mountain with a view of the Gangotri massif right opposite. The sunset from the Dokrani campsite is magical. The light plays with the Gangotri massif and the valley the camp overlooks.

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Our remote campsite in the grasslands of Gidara. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

4. The feeling of seclusion and exclusivity on the trek

Gidara is unusually high for a meadow trek. The entire meadow lies above 12,000 ft and ends just shy of 14,000 ft. It is the highest among our alpine meadows. This rare high-altitude meadow lies deep inside the mountains behind many of its folds. You cross forests, rivers, smaller meadows, and snow bridges to reach this grand meadow. It is why Gidara Bugyal is not a well-trodden trail. The feeling of seclusion and exclusivity, otherwise hard to find in today's well-trekked world, is an excellent reason to do the Gidara Bugyal trek.

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Gidara is undoubtedly one of the most secluded meadows of our country. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Gidara Bugyal

Did You Know Gidara Bugyal is Connected to Dayara Bugyal?

Gidara Bugyal is not very faraway from Dayara Bugyal. It might just be around 20 km away as the crow flies.

Our team recently explored a route from Barsu, one of the base camps of the Dayara Bugyal trek, all the way to Gidara Bugyal and Bhangeli.

It was a successful exploration, and makes for a terrific trek on its own!

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Siyari Bugyal is another meadow hidden near Gidara Bugyal

While trekking the route from Dayara Bugyal to Gidara Bugyal, you come across another splendid meadow called Siyari Bugyal.

Trekking to Siyari is a delight on its own and can be done as a short trek from Raithal or Barsu.

It's a route you can trek on your own and must do as a circuit from Dayara Bugyal. Watch a video of our founder speaking to you from Siyari Bugyal.

Click here for more information on the Surya Top Trek.

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A lesser-known hot spring - Gangnani

Very few people know or visit the Gangnani Hot Spring, which is just a stone's throw away from Bhangeli.

These are large pools of refreshingly hot water, that bubble out of the core of the mountains. If you've just ended your trek and have time to visit the hot springs, it's a must-do in the region!

(They have separate baths for men and women, but the maintenance of the place is not the best.)

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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.

By signing up to trek with Indiahikes, you also sign up to do your part to ensure that the mountains are left in better condition.

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