Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult
Duration
7 Days
Highest Altitude
13,900 ft
Age
8 to 55 years
Duration
7 Days
Age
8 to 55 years
Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult
Highest Altitude
13,900 ft
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
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 moderate one. It has treacherous paths, steep ascents and descents. You need to prepare well for this trek.
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Gidara Bugyal Videos
Watch these videos to prepare for your Gidara Bugyal trek.
Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Gidara Bugyal trek
Day 1
Reach Bhangeli (7,520 ft)
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 Rikoda
Trek Distance: 5.2 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: 7,520 ft to 10,857 ft
Trek gradient is moderate. Gradual climb for a few hours, after which the trail becomes steeper up to Rikoda. Carry 2 litres of water from Bhangeli. You will cross streams intermittently where you can refill your water bottles.
Day 3
Rikoda to Dokrani
Trek Distance: 3.2 km | Trek Duration: 4 hours | Altitude gain: 10,857 ft to 12,192 ft
Gradual ascent with initial rolling terrain through the forests and steep descent alongside the mountain. Carry sufficient water from Rikoda.
Day 4
Dokrani to Dokrani Top to Thalotya
Trek Distance: 2.2 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours | Altitude gain: 12,192 ft to 12,870 ft to 12,116 ft
Today is the easiest day of the trek. It is an hour's steep climb to the Dokrani Bugyal top and today serves as an acclimatization day. Carry enough water as there are no water sources on this day.
Day 5
Thalotya to Gidara Top to Thirya
Trek Distance: 9.7 km | Trek Duration: 10-11 hours | Altitude gain: 12,116 ft to 10,672 ft to 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
Thirya to Bhangeli
Trek Distance: 6.60 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude loss: 10,672 ft to 7,520 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
Bhangeli to Dehradun
Trek Distance: 1.1 km | Trek Duration: 40 minutes
Drive Distance: 185 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours
A short walk from the village to the road followed by a drive to Dehradun. 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 R .9,500 per vehicle, for a Tempo Traveller which will have to be shared by trekkers. You will reach Dehradun by 8.00 PM.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek (three to a tent)
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- 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.
- 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.
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 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.
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Gidara Bugyal trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
Rikoda is a small clearing in an oak forest. A small stream trickles by. You camp in the middle of this clearing. Picture by Sarvotam Pai
The Thirya campsite on the Gidara Bugyal trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar
The riverside Thalotya campsite. Picture by Nitesh Kumar
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder
Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. 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 About the Gidara Bugyal Trek
What I Like About the Gidara Bugyal Trek
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
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!
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