Dayara Bugyal Trek
Level: Easy
Dayara Bugyal TREK
Garhwal Himalayas
Altitude: 11,830 ft.
The winter trek to Dayara Bugyal presents an enchanting adventure, transforming the meadows into a magical snowy wonderland.
3 N / 4 D
Daily Departure: 14 November 2024 – 14 March 2025
₹6839/-
OFFER - FREE RUCKSACK worth 2000/-*
Extra Benefits worth 500/-*
Brief Description:
The Dayara Bugyal trek is a favourite among our beginner and seasoned trekkers alike at Pahadi hikes. “This trek is superbly rewarding at any time of the year. The forests are splendid in spring, the meadows are an unbeatable green in summer, and they turn orange in autumn, with striking mountain views.
On this trek, we have a soft spot for the meadows, which is perfect. "The meadows are so meticulously landscaped that there isn't a single rock or tree out of place." "With the majestic Gangotri mountain range in the background, the rewards are massively disproportionate to the effort you put in.”
The reason Dayara Bugyal is so breathtakingly beautiful is because of its location. The meadow is at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. From Dayara, you can see the Greater Himalayan range in all its beauty. The majestic summits of the Gangotri range, including Bandarpunch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, Jaonli, and Draupadi Ka Danda, are so close that you can almost touch them. Trekkers spend hours just watching the sunset over these mountains.
Image Gallery!!
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SHORT ITINERARY DAYARA BUGYAL TREK
DAY 01- Pickup Dehradun Railway Station Morning 06:00 Am to 07 am.
Drive to Raithal Village Base via Suwakholi, Uttarkashi , Drive Distance: 180 km | Duration: 07-08 hours | 7589 ft -Overnight Stay Home stay at –sharing Basis.
Day 2 – Trek from Raithal village 8:30 am to Gui Camp 01 (4.5 km) (4/5 Hours) (9,884 feet) overnight stay camp twin sharin.
Day 3 - Early morning 3:30 am Trek from Gui Camp to Dayara bugyal summit 11,181 ft via Chilapada Base Then back to Gui (12 km) (8/9 hours) Gui camp overnight stay camp.
Day 4 – Trek from Gui Camp to Raithal Village (4.5 km) (3/4 Hours) Same day Drive to Dehradun by taxi (175 km) (7/8 Hours)
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Dayara Bugyal is a perfect trek for beginners, it can even be considered as a pre-trek to get used to the rigours of high-altitude trekking. Almost like an appetizer. It does not have tricky sections, but a couple of sections on the trek can get challenging. Amongst the high-altitude treks on our list (treks that go over 11,000 feet), Dayara Bugyal poses the least risk.
This is why it’s a trek we recommend to many beginners, families and even those starting trekking late in their lives.
The only two challenges you'll face on the trek are these sections:
1. From the basecamp to the forest: This initial 1 km stretch is steep. And although there is a well-laid trail, this section will test your stamina.
2. Climb to Dayara top: The final climb to Dayara top is also steep. And it gets challenging in snow. As you step out of your campsite for the summit push early in the morning, the snow is going to be hard, having frozen overnight. This snow section continues until you get to the top, getting steeper as you approach the top.
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While climbing the steep sections in the snow – especially on your way to Dayara top-wear your microspikes. Hard snow is extremely prone to slips. A small slip can result in injuries like a ligament tear, a sprained ankle or even a fracture. Always put your foot on footholds made by earlier trekkers. Look out for deep footholds. Do not try to make new paths of your own.
Note: If you are trekking with Pahadi hikes, your Trek Leader will tell you when to wear the microspikes. Technical team will lead in this section to make the footholds required for trekkers to step on.
At altitudes above 10,000 ft, the chances of being hit by Acute Mountain Sickness are real. Altitude sickness does not distinguish between a first timer and an experienced trekker. Even experienced trekkers can get affected. Fitness helps in making your trek easier. But do not forget that even a fit person climbing too high too soon runs an equal risk of developing AMS.
Emergency Exits: There are easy exits on the Dayara Bugyal trek. In case of an AMS emergency at or before Chilapada, you will need to return to Raithal. If you are hit by AMS after reaching the top and crossed over to the other side of the trail, then you have to descend to Barsu. These are long distances and evacuation can take 7-8 hours from the farthest point.
Closest Hospital: If a medical emergency occurs, then the District Hospital in Uttarkashi is the closest to you. Uttarkashi can be reached within an hour if you drive from Raithal or Barsu.
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Dayara Bugyal is a trek that can be done around the year except during the monsoons. This means that the trek is open and great for almost 8 months in a year.
If we take out the monsoons, we get 4 distinct seasons to experience Dayara-Bugyal – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. Each season is different and lovely in its own way.
Dayara Bugyal in Winter
Day time: Between 8 °C and 12 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between -5 °C and -10 °C.
Presence of snow: You will find snow from the base camp towards the end of December. The entire landscape and valley will be in white.
No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers.
In winter, people trek to Dayara Bugyal to experience snow. The landscape again changes colour when draped in the white snow. Soft, powdery snowflakes loosely hang from pine trees offering a tinge of Christmas-y feel. Perfect for snowball fights and an experience of snowfall if you’re lucky. However, snow raises the difficulty of the trek by a notch. So, prepare well if you are going in winter.
Dayara Bugyal in Spring
Day time temperature: Between 13 °C and 17 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 0 °C.
Great time to experience the last of the winter snow. The snow starts to recede from the lower campsites when spring sets. The upper reaches of Dayara are still under snow.
No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers.
Spring in Dayara starts by mid-March and goes on till the end of April. The snows start to melt in the upper reaches while the grass begins to turn green in the lower meadows. Tiny flowers make their heads out of the grass while rhododendrons bloom on the trees.
The upper reaches of the Dayara meadows are usually under snow until mid-April.
Spring is a great time to experience colour contrasts on the meadows. You see snow, greenery and the colour of flowers altogether.
Dayara Bugyal in Summer
Day time temperature: Between 18 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 5 °C.
Most of the snow has melted, owing to warmer temperature.
No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers.
Summers are warm on Dayara Bugyal trek. Picture bright green meadows getting toasted under hot sunlight.
There is also a distinct summer fragrance in the air especially as you trek under the shadows of oaks and maples.
The atmosphere also gets hazier as there is a lot of dust and pollen in the air at this time. So, you might not get as sharp views as you get in autumn. But you will see the snow-capped mountains in their grandeur on a clear day.
There’s another plus side to the summers on Dayara Bugyal trek. Without the challenges of cold temperature or snow, this trek is at its easiest in the summers. And so, we open the family batches of Dayara Bugyal trek during this time. It’s a great time to introduce children to the Himalayas.
Dayara Bugyal in Autumn
Day time temperature: Between 12 °C and 15 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to 2 °C.
There is no snow on the trek in the autumn season. The lush greenery on the trail starts to turn golden.
No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers.
In autumn, the skies are at their clearest. That’s when you witness the sharp mountain views. Imagine the majestic Gangotri range, Bandarpoonch popping up from the golden meadows under brilliant blue skies. Sounds picturesque, doesn’t it?
And if you wish to capture these ranges through your camera lens, autumn is the perfect time to do so.
Other than the brilliant mountain views, Dayara Bugyal in autumn is a riot of colours. You will witness maple leaves turning fiery red. This is a signature sight in the Himalayas, and against the backdrop of meadows turning golden, well, it is a sight to behold.
Witness these as you trek, inhaling the crisp, pine-scented autumn air.
Click here to download Trek essentials for the trek.
