The Dayara Bugyal trek is known for its alpine meadows. This trek is an all-seasons trek; except for the monsoon season, every season has its own antiqueness. Perfect trek for beginners and families. The trail of trek passes through dense forests of oak, pine, deodar, and rhododendron. In the summer season, the rhododendron flowers remain in full bloom, attracting trekkers.
About Dayara Bugyal Trek
The base village of the Dayara Bugyal Trek is Raithal in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. The trek starts from Raithal and ends in Barsu. The total distance of the trek is 17 km. The altitude of the summit point is 12,000 ft. From camp sites, you’ll see peaks like Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, Draupadi ka Danda, and the Gangotri ranges. The trek is not like others that take weeks and weeks to plan, it’s short and sweet and you can totally do it in like 5 or 6 days. What makes it so special is all the different stuff you see. The trek passes through oak and rhododendron forests, and then it passes small mountain villages. The bugyal feels like an endless field, the vastness of the meadow amazing.
The best time to visit Dayara Bugyal
One of the things that makes Dayara Bugyal so popular is that it looks good no matter where you go, because it is beautiful in every season.
Summer (May–June): The meadows get all lush and green, and they’re dotted with pretty wildflowers. The best time to go for people who love nature!
Autumn (Sept–Nov): The skies are super clear, so you get the clearest views of the mountains. It’s a great time for photographers, for sure.
Winter (Dec–Feb): The meadows are covered in snow, making it one of the best winter treks you can do in India. You can even go skiing, too; it is a truly false reality.
Spring (March–April): Rhododendrons blooms turn forest into red and pink colours. The weather remains very pleasant.
Trek Itinerary in Short
Most treks to Dayara Bugyal start from the village of Raithal, and end in Barsu; some people also finish at Raithal. Which is about 180 km from Dehradun.
- Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Raithal with a distance of 190 km. overnight stay in a guesthouse, or homestays.
- Day 2: Trek from Raithal to Gui (around 4 km). Overnight stay in alpine tents.
- Day 3: Trek from Gui to Dayara Bugyal (6–7 km) and get back to Gui Camp site or Barsu Camp site.
- Day 4: Return trek to Raithal and drive back towards Dehradun.
Difficulty Level
Dayara Bugyal is considered an easy to moderate trek. The trek route from Raithal to Gui via the goat village has a gradual ascent. The trek is beginner friendly. Families can also do this trek, but still need some preparation, like a regular walk or jogging.
Highlights of Dayara Bugyal Trek
Endless Meadowa:: One of the many attractions of Dayara is the big alpine meadows, which become white blankets of snow in the winter.
Mountain View: Mountains like Bandarpoonch, Black Peak and the Gangotri Massif are clearly visible.
Beautiful Campsites: Gui and Chilapada are ideal camp sites and place the mountain view right infront of your tent. And at night clear sky for stargazing
Local Culture: Raithal village itself is a very beautiful, one can explore and interact local communities.l
How to Reach the Base Camp
The trek begins at Raithal village. To reach Raithal there is several option:
By Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun. From there, take either a taxi or bus to Uttarkashi, and then take a taxi/bus to Raithal.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun.
By Road: There are regular buses and taxis from Deharadun to Uttarkashi. Raithal is about 38km from Uttarkashi town.