Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 2
Duration
8 Days
Highest Altitude
13,900 ft
Age
8 to 62 years
Duration
8 Days
Age
8 to 62 years
Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 2
Highest Altitude
13,900 ft
Gidara Bugyal Trek
The Remotest and Prettiest of All our Meadow Treks
Gidara Bugyal is an ancient, pristine meadow that is known in trekking circles. It is one of the largest high-altitude meadows you will set foot on. It is larger than its twin Dayara Bugyal. Possibly larger than the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal as well. It takes at least two days to traverse!
Even though it is known in the trekking circles, Gidara is extremely secluded. There are very few people that trek in these meadows. The only signs of civilisation you are likely to spot are the shepherds and their settlements around your first campsite, Rikoda. You may see a mountain dog or two. But you are likely to be the only group trekking and camping in these meadows!
Geographically, Gidara is about 15 km away from Dayara. It is also at a slightly higher elevation. This means that the mountains you see from Dayara – Bandarpoonch, Gangotri I & III, Draupadi Ka Danda, Jaonli, and Srikanth – look much closer and much grander from here. It is especially fascinating to see these mountain faces from a slightly different perspective.
Having said that, the Gidara Bugyal trek is a moderatel-difficult one. It has treacherous paths, steep ascents and descents. You need to prepare well for this trek.
Gidara Bugyal Videos
Watch these videos to prepare for your Gidara Bugyal trek.
Quick Itinerary
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Gidara Bugyal trek.
Day 1
Drive from Dehradun. Reach Bhangeli
Drive distance: 185 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours
We will pick you up from Dehradun on Day 1. Transport will be organized from Hotel Grand Legacy Lalpul in Dehradun at 6:30 AM. Cab cost – Rs 6,500 per vehicle, for an SUV and Rs 9,500 per vehicle, for a Tempo Traveller. This fare is split among drivers and paid directly to the driver.
Day 2
Trek from Bhangeli to Munda ka Thatthar
Trek Distance: 5.2 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude gain: 7,630 ft to 10,547 ft
Trek gradient is moderate. Gradual climb for a few hours, after which the trail becomes steeper up to Munda Ka Thatthar. Carry 2 litres of water from Bhangeli. You will cross streams intermittently where you can refill your water bottles.
Day 3
Trek from Munda ka Thatthar to Thiriya
Trek Distance: 3.4 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,547 ft to 10,755 ft
Gradual ascent with initial rolling terrain through the forests and steep descent alongside the mountain. Carry sufficient water from the campsite.
Day 4
Trek from Thiriya to Thalotya
Trek Distance: 4.3 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,755 ft to 12,235 ft
Today is a slightly easier day of the trek. It is an hour's steep climb to the Dokrani Bugyal top and then entering the clearing of Thalotya. Carry enough water as there are no water sources on this day.
Day 5
Trek from Thalotya via Gidara Top to Thalotya
Trek Distance: 7.2 km | Trek Duration: 10-11 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,235 ft to 12,235 ft via 13,900 ft
The day is going to be long and tiring. A series of undulating meadows over gradual to steep ascents and descents. Carry sufficient water. Streams are flowing through the trail in case you run out of water.
Day 6
Trek from Thalotya to Munda ka Thatthar
Trek Distance: 7.7 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude loss: 12,235 ft to 10,547 ft
Gradual ascent followed by a series of descents on a familiar trail. Carry sufficient water, although there are multiple water sources along the way.
Day 7
Trek from Munda ka Thatthar to Bhangeli. Drive from Bhangeli to Raithal
Trek Distance: 5.2 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude loss: 10,547 ft to 7,142 ft
A complete descent to reach Bhangeli and then a short drive to Raithal.
Day 8
Drive from Raithal to Dehradun
Drive Distance: 185 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours
We arrange a cab from Bhangeli to Dehradun at noon. It takes 7-8 hours to reach Dehradun. It costs Rs 6,500 per vehicle, for an SUV and Rs 9,500 per vehicle, for a Tempo Traveler which will have to be shared by trekkers. You will reach Dehradun by 8.00 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
➤Stay facility: Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek (three to a tent)
➤Stay facility: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek. Do not bring any packaged food, tags from your new clothes, or any waste with you. We follow a Dustbin Free Zone and No Wet Wipes Policy at our base camps in line with our spirit of Green Trails. Please note that you will be staying in tents (twin sharing) on all days of the trek.
➤Rental of Gears: We have rental gear available for the Gidara Bugyal trek. You will have to order it online in advance. You will receive the gear at Bhangeli and can return it at Bhangeli at the end of the trek.
➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: If you have excess luggage that you'd like to leave behind, we have a cloakroom facility at Bhangeli. Ensure you don't leave any valuables such as laptops or wallets behind.
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Gidara Bugyal trek.
PRO-TIPS
Book flexible flight tickets:
You are going on a Himalayan trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.
Choose trains over buses:
Trains are a lot more reliable than buses for your final journey to Dehradun. If you're coming from Delhi, the Jan Shatabdi or Nanda Devi Express (Kota SNN) are good options.
Gidara Bugyal is Best Discovered Through Pictures
One of the biggest highlights of the Gidara Bugyal trek is the ridge walk from one end of the meadow to the other. It stretches for almost 3-4 hours, and makes for one of the most pleasurable ridge walks in the country!
Picture by: Nitesh Kumar
The Famous Ridge Walk of Gidara Bugyal
What I Like About the Gidara Bugyal Trek
What I Like About the Gidara Bugyal Trek
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 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.
PRO TIPS
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!
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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