Dayara Bugyal Trek

If you are one of those who have never been trekking before and are now looking for a trail which is easy yet worthwhile! Well, the Dayara Bugyal Trek would be the perfect choice. It is one of the most recommended treks, specially for beginners. Its alpine forest and sprawling meadows are so surreal and beyond imagination, that they make you feel as if you enter into another world. Its five to six-day journey is loaded with adventure, which offers the ideal start to your trekking experience. The Dayara Bugyal Trek Distance is around 21 km, whose journey begins from Raithal Village in the Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand.

Situated at a height of more than 11,000 feet above sea level, Dayara Bugyal is one of the most fascinating and popular treks in Uttarakhand. With a total trek distance of 21 km, the Dayara Bugyal Trek falls under the easy to moderate difficulty level, which is suitable for beginners, families, and others. In this Dayara Bugyal Trekking Guide, we will share our experience and everything you need to know about the trek. 

Base Camp

For any trek, the base camp is considered the most important point, as it is the point where trekkers start their trail. This is the spot where the trekkers gather their energy, lace up their boots, and start off their journey. In most cases, the base camp is the last motorable point of the journey, which is equipped with accommodation and other essential facilities. 
 

Many treks have one or sometimes two base camps, which are used by the trekkers as per their convenience. In the case of the Dayara Bugyal Trek, the base camp is located in charming Raithal Village, around 185 km from Dehradun. It can be reached easily by hiring a taxi, as direct public transport is unavailable.

Trek Difficulty Level

On the difficulty scale, the Dayara Bugyal Trek is often rated as easy to moderate. Its 21 km long trail is easy to climb (except for some sections), making it suitable for beginners and families. Each season brings a different challenge. In winter, the trail becomes difficult and is hard to navigate, especially for the first-time trekkers. Similarly, the monsoon season may pose various challenges for the beginners, that they are not accustomed to. However, the autumn season is considered great and most welcoming.

Dayara Bugyal Trek Itinerary

Journey Commenced From

The Dayara Bugyal Trek begins from Dehradun, which is around 185 km from its base camp at Raithal village. Dehradun itself is around 255 km from Delhi and is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. Daily multiple trains like Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, and others arrive at Dehradun Railway Station. Also, its Jolly Grant Airport offers regular direct flights to the capital. Besides this, it can also be reached by road using buses and taxis.

Dayara Bugyal Trek Route: Key details

Dayara Bugyal Trek Route Map

Raithal, the base camp of the Dayara Bugyal Trek, lies about 185 km from Dehradun. The drive takes around 8 to 9 hours. The journey to Raithal village follows the following route map: -
 

Dehradun → Mussoorie → Suwakholi → Chinyalisour → Uttarkashi → Maneri → Raithal.

A Trail to the Dayara Bugyal Trek

The Dayara Bugyal Trek can be completed in four to six days, depending on your physical strength. Each day is filled with adventure, serenity, and breathtaking views of nature. The detailed itinerary of the trek has already been shared, but below we have shared how does it each day looks.

Day 1: Dehradun to Raithal (by driving)

The journey to the Dayara Bugyal trek primarily starts from Dehradun. On the first day, we will travel to Raithal Village in Uttarkashi, which serves as the base camp of the trek. Raithal is around 185 km from Dehradun and can be reached by road, as it has no rail or air connectivity. You can reach there by hiring a taxi or bus, though direct bus connectivity is not available. If you have opted for a trek package, adding a to-and-fro transportation service will be a good choice.
 

The journey to the Raithal village is amazing, giving a scenic view of the mountains. The serpentine Mussoorie- Suwakholi road is thrilling and may test your resistance to dizziness. Along the way, you can try the authentic Garhwal cuisines served at local dhabas and restaurants.
 

After completing a journey of 8 to 9 hours via Suwakholi- Chinyalisour-Uttarkashi, you will finally reach Raithal. The weather here remains cold throughout the year.
 

During peak trekking seasons in summer and winter, the village is surrounded by trekkers. Check into your accommodation (if pre-booked), or you need to book one upon arrival. Since Raithal is located at a high altitude, it is important to rest and let your body acclimatise to the condition before starting the trek. 

Day 2: (Trek from Raithal to Gui)

On the second day, we start our trek journey to Dayara Bugyual. The trek will start from Raithal Village and will end at our campsite at Gui. The distance from Raithal to Gui is around 4.5 km, which takes about 5 hours to complete.
 

After having our breakfast, we start our Journey, passing through the village and fields before entering the oak forests. Ensure you carry enough water, as there are no sources along the trail. The trail is well-marked and can be climbed easily, suitable for beginners.
 

It is surrounded by the forest, which becomes denser as soon as you are about to reach Gui. In summer, the trees in the forest appear lush and vibrant, while in winter, they are blanketed in snow. After reaching Gui, we rest at our campsite and prepare for the next day's trek. 

Day 3: (Trek from Gui to Chilapada)

After waking up in the morning, Gui offers the pleasant view of the surrounding landscape, which is on a next level. Today's trek is the shorter one, as we have to cover around 3 km to reach our next campsite located at Chilapada.
 

After our morning meal, we begin the trek. As soon as we start, the view of the surroundings becomes clear, and the snow-capped mountains which are hidden the previous day are now clearly visible. Along the trail, we pass through a small meadow and a traditional chhanis (a shelter home for the animals). Alongside, we also identify igloo-shaped huts built by the forest department.

After walking a while, the trek guide introduced us to the Gangotri range, which includes Shrikanth Gangotri I, II, and III. Along with this, we also catch a glimpse of the Bandarpoonch. The gushing sound of a nearby stream is so refreshing, which adds to the charm of the trail. For trekkers, there is a rain shelter near the stream, which marks that our campsite is just 15 to 20 minutes away. By noon, we reached our second campsite, where we rested and prepared for the following day, which is the most important part of the trail.

Day 4: (Trek from Chilapada to Dayara Top and return to Nayata)

Today is the most important day of the trek. After a short trek yesterday, now we have to cover around 10 km in today's trek, when we will witness the beauty of Dayara Bugyal. After breakfast, we start heading to our destination. After walking through the forests, we slowly enter into the sprawling meadows of Dayara Bugyal. In summer, this place is engulfed with lush green grass, while in winter, it turns into a snow-covered wonderland. The meadow is huge, making it seem endless. It is the same place where the renowned Butter Festival is celebrated.

At its topmost point, the panoramic view of the landscape cannot be described in words. Here, we saw the Dodital range, Kala Nag, and Bandarpoonch mountain. After spending some time here, we start descending towards Nayata campsite, which is around 6 km away. Nayata is an amazing place surrounded by Rhododendron and maple trees, creating a beautiful setting. After this long yet rewarding day, we rest at Nayata Camp to prepare for the next day.

Day 5: (Nayata to Raithal)

It is the final day of our trek journey, where we will head back to our base camp, i.e. Raithal. The journey is around 4 km and can be easily covered in 4 to 5 hours. The trail is surrounded by forest and is easy to navigate, thanks to our tour guide. If we begin early, we can even head back to Dehradun the same day. Otherwise, trekkers choose to stay in Raithal overnight and depart the next morning with a fresh mind. 

Day 6: (Raithal to Dehradun)

It is the last day of our journey, as we head back to Dehradun, where this journey began. After breakfast, we said goodbye to these mountains that keep mesmerising us with their beauty. It will take around 8 to 9 hours to reach Dehradun, retracing the same route we took on Day 1.

Backpack Check List for Dayara Bugyal Trek

Accommodation

Raithal, the base camp of the Dayara Bugyal Trek, is a small village which offers limited accommodation facilities. It is important for the visitors to book their stay before their arrival. Raithal mostly provide homestay-type accommodation, and among them, some recommendations are: -

• GMVN Raithal.
• Dhruva Homestay.
• Bugyal Homestay.
• Raithal Retreat.
• Bhala Ho Cafe and Homestay.
• Dayara Homestay.
• Sky Homestay.
• Shivalik Homestay.
• Aastha Homestay Raithal.
• Himalayan Valley Homestay.
• Judiyal Homestay Raithal.
• Raithal Homestay.
• Akshat Homestay.
• Atal Homestay.
• Sirkanth Homestay.
• Raithal Barbeque Homestay
• Saanvi Homestay.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• Trekkers, especially beginners, must keep the following tips in mind, as they can be very helpful during the trail: -
  • Beginners must hire an experienced tour guide.
  • Good physical fitness is necessary for covering the 21 km high-altitude journey.
  • Carry the essential items according to the season of your visit.
  • Travelling during the monsoon must be avoided, as it may bring lots of challenges.
  • Carry enough cash, as ATMs are not available in the region.
  • Jio and BSNL mobile networks are available only at Raithal.
  • Mobile connectivity is not available along the trekking route.
  • Drink water at regular intervals to keep your body hydrated.

Dayara Bugyal Trek Package

Dayara Bugyal Trek is relatively easy and can be undertaken without any guidance. However, for beginners, it is important to hire a trek guide, as it may help them during the trek. Dayara Bugyal Trek package generally costs between Rs 7,000 and Rs 11,000, depending on the services and provider you choose.
 

Before booking, verify the provider, their experience, and check reviews. It is also important to read the terms and conditions and facilities included in the package.

Facilities in the Trek Package

Popular Trek providers

• India Hikes.
• The Searching Souls.
• Trek the Himalayas.
• Trekup India.
• Himalayan Hikers.
• Bikat Adventures.

Helpline Number

In case of emergency, reach out to your trek guide or dial 112.