Dayara Bugyal Trek

As famously observed by John Muir, “In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks.”

Dayara Bugyal is one such trek that floors you with much more than you can dream of. Whether you are seeking a blissful walk through dense alpine forests dreaming of setting up a camp in scenic campsites or simply willing to explore the rich culture of quaint mountain villages, Dayara Bugyal leaves no stone unturned in surprising you with its generous offerings.

This amazingly beautiful and lavish grassland cradled between gigantic Himalayan peaks extends as far as one can see. Add to this the thrilling hikes to beautiful summits surrounded by mountain views and endless expanses of Alpine meadows, Dayara Bugyal is one mountain destination with all the aspects of a perfect Himalayan Trek. To top it all, it is an easy-moderate trek, an incredibly rare combination!

Gradual ascents (barring a few tricky ascents) and fairly easy descents of Dayara Bugyal trek are just ideal for beginners.

Dayara Bugyal can be reached from village Raithal or village Barsu by road and a further 9 kilometres by trekking.

Highlights of Dayara Bugyal Trek:

Marvellous Meadows

One of the most expansive meadows in the country, Dayara Bugyal stretches across an area of 28 square km. This vast expanse of green bedecked by gigantic Himalayan ranges rising as high as 20,000 feet is an absolute delight.

Ravishing Ranges

En route, you are treated to ravishing views of exotic mountain ranges of Mount Srikanth, Draupadi ka Danda, Jaonli and Bhagirathi. The colossal mountain called Bandarpoonch is a constant companion through most of the trek. The wholesome view of this majestic mountain is the star highlight of the Dayara Bugyal trek.

Terrific Trails

Dayara Bugyal offers one of the most terrific trekking trails that meander through thickets of trees, meadows, and  villages.

Village Life

You get a chance to explore the rustic life in the small and scenic hamlet of Barsu or Raithal, the base camp for the trek. Get acquainted with the customs and traditions of this mountain village beautifully nestled in the mountains of Uttarakhand.

Butter festival

The butter festival or “Anduri” festival is a typical festival celebrated by locals to thank God for his blessings and for keeping their cattle healthy. It is a gesture of their gratitude towards the magical Dayara Bugyal and its environs, where villagers leave their cattle to graze healthy grass and herbs. The Butter Festival is usually celebrated in August.

Barnala Tal

A trek of 4 km from Barsu leads to the scenic Barnala Tal which is a clear water lake surrounded by mighty oak trees. The crystal clear waters of the lake reflecting the mighty Himalayan ranges make for the most picturesque scene.

Bakaria Top Summit

Bakariya top is the highlight of the Dayara Bugyal trek. A little challenging sharp ascent leads to this beautiful summit which showcases the awe-inspiring magnificence of the vast Dayara Bugyal and a 360-degree view of some of the most exotic Himalayan mountains.

Gangotri Temple and Harsil

Trek to the nearby Gangotri Temple located at an elevation of 10,500 feet. The sacred temple located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River is visited by thousands of Hindus every year. Visit the scenic and serene quaint village of Harsil located by the side of the Bhagirathi river. You can even trek to Sat Tal, meaning Seven Lakes, from Harsil.

Landscape Photography

The splendour of Bugyal is akin to some fantasy land. Photography enthusiasts go wild to experience such grandeur in real life, the sheer magnificence of the place leaves them awestruck. Exotic flora and fauna, unexplored topography and the amazingly beautiful mountain villages are an absolute delight for photographers.

Quick facts about Dayara Bugyal Trek

• Region- Uttarakhand Himalayas
• District- Uttarkashi
• Altitude- 12,000 feet
• Duration- 6 days/ 4 days
• Trekking Distance- 24 km (to and fro)
• Difficulty level- Easy to moderate
• Start Point- Dehradun
• End Point- Dehradun
• Base Camp- Barsu/Raithal
• Nearest Railway Station- Dehradun Railway Station
• Nearest Airport- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
• Last ATM- Uttarkashi and Bhatwari en route Barsu have the last ATM
• Mobile connectivity- Idea network is available at Barsu. Almost all other networks are available on the main road at Bhatwari. There is poor connectivity in the mountains.
• Best time to visit- September to June

Difficulty Level of Dayara Bugyal Trek

Being an easy-to-moderate trek, Dayara Bugyal is an ideal choice for beginners. It is the perfect destination for someone looking for a soft thrill and adventure. The trek can be easily undertaken by first-timers without any prior trekking experience.

Dayara Bugyal trek difficulty level is considered an easy gradient one. Regardless of the notion that the summit is fairly low in height, physical stamina and a good fitness condition are recommended.

Is Dayara Bugyal Trek safe?

Dayara Bugyal is an easy trek that journeys through tiny mountain villages. The locals inhabiting these villages are simple people who lead a honest lifestyle. Dayara Bugyal is one of the safest Himalayan treks.

Water availability in Dayara Bugyal Trek

Water will be provided at every campsite. There is a water source at the start of the trek from Raithal. After that a water bottle is recommended to  carry after filling it at the campsite. Freshwater is available at Barnala campsite and Dayara Bugyal campsite. It is recommended that you carry a water bottle all through the trek.

About Dayara Bugyal

Alpine meadows or pasture lands are known as bugyals in the local dialect. The divine state of Uttarakhand is blessed with many such bugyals which are also known as “Nature’s Own Gardens”. Mostly flat or sloped, the high-altitude bugyals snuggled in the laps of Himalayan ranges offer a tranquil respite from the mad rush of city life.

Dayara Bugyal is, located at an astounding height of 12,000 feet. Bejewelled by the majestic Himalayan ranges of Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag Shrikhand Mahadev, Mount Shrikhand and Gangotri Peak, Dayara Bugyal floors you with distinct views in each season.

While summers boast of expansive meadows covered in glossy greens and lined with seasonal wildflowers, winters transform the meadows into beautiful ski slopes, covering an area of 28 square kilometres. Dayara Bugyal trek distance is 24 kilometres long in total. The virgin wilderness and untamed beauty of this high-altitude meadow make for an ideal trekking destination.

How to reach Dayara Bugyal?

The total distance between Delhi and Dayara Bugyal is 445 km. Out of this distance, 433 km is covered by transport. Only the remaining distance of 12 km is covered by the trek.

Dayara Bugyal, in Uttarkashi district, is one of the most accessible hiking sites. This beautiful emerald green cruising altitude meadow may be reached after about 9 kilometres of walking from Barsu Village. Uttarkashi is 45 kilometres away from Barsu village.

• By Train- Dehradun is well connected with most of the major cities of India like Delhi, Lucknow Kolkata, etc. by train. Driving to Barsu from Dehradun takes around 6 hours and 30 minutes. From Dehradun to Raithal the drive is around 8 hours long.
• By Road- The distance between Delhi and Barsu is 440 km and can be covered in around 12 hours by road. You can also reach Dehradun by train and then drive to Barsu from Dehradun. The distance between Dehradun and Barsu is 186 km and can be covered in 6 hours and 30 minutes.
• By Flight- Reach Dehradun from Delhi by flight. There are daily flights available between the two cities, with a flying time of around 55 minutes. Driving to Barsu from Dehradun takes around 6 hours and 30 minutes.

The best time to visit Dayara Bugyal Trek

This all-season trek is best visited in the spring, summer, fall and winter seasons.

The best time to visit Dayara Bugyal is during the months between May and November.

In the spring months, the landscape is freshly inviting with new grass, glossy leaves, blazing red rhododendrons and a mix of yellow, violet and white wildflowers.

Summer months treat you to the picture-postcard view of this magical land. The beauteous Dayara Bugyal looks heavenly with the display of bright wild and seasonal flowers against the backdrop of lush green landscape, cows grazing on the mountainside and cool mountain breeze to fill your senses.

The fall months of September to November exhibit a wide variety of flora and wild plants that change hues from shades of cognac to orange, red and brown. You can even find walnuts strewn on the forest trail during the fall season. The meadows look stunning as they turn golden.

In winter (December-March), the expansive meadow covered in powdery snow gets transformed into a skiing wonderland. The 28 square km expanse with undulating slopes makes for a wondrous skiing ground.

Dayara Bugyal Weather

Dayara Bugyal is an all-season trek. Blessed with a salubrious atmosphere throughout the year, Dayara Bugyal weather is ideal for trekking in all seasons except monsoons when the region experiences heavy to moderate rainfall. The weather remains cloudy and the terrain becomes slippery, making trekking a trifle complicated.

In January, the landscape in Dayara Bugyal is blanketed in snow. Dayara Bugyal temperature in January ranges from around -5 degrees Celsius, respectively. In February, the weather in Dayara Bugyal is likely to be snowy.

Dayara Bugyal Temperature

• Spring months of March and April- Temperatures range from 0 degrees minimum to +15 degrees maximum. These months boast of pleasant and clear weather.
• Summer months from May to June- Temperatures vary from +5 degrees minimum to +23 degrees maximum. The weather remains pleasant and clear.
• Monsoon months of July and August- The temperatures range from +9 degrees minimum to +25 degrees maximum. The weather is cloudy and rainy.
• Fall/Autumn months of September to November- Temperatures range from +9 degrees minimum to +21 degrees maximum. The weather remains pleasant and clear.
• Winter months of December to February-Dayara Bugyal trek in December is quite chilly. Temperatures range from -5 degrees minimum to +13 degrees maximum.
• Dayara Bugyal is covered with snow and February also has chances of snowfall.

How to prepare for the Dayara Bugyal Trek?

It is recommended to prepare yourself well in advance before undertaking any trek. “How to dress up” and “how to get fit” should be important aspects while undertaking any Himalayan trek.

Despite being an easy to moderate-level trek, Dayara Bugyal still requires some basic preparation.

• Ensure that you are physically fit to undertake the trek. Improve your cardiovascular strength by running, swimming, jogging or taking brisk walks at least one week before going for the trek.
• The trekkers should have sufficient stamina to trek a distance of 5 kilometres in 45 minutes and carry a backpack of 10 kgs.
• It is advisable to have an experienced guide accompanying you to help you through the trekking route.
• It is recommended that you trek in a group, with 3-4 people.
• Be well equipped with all trek essentials such as trekking gear, proper clothing, and trekking accessories so that you are comfortable doing the trek.