Dayara Bugyal Trek

Dayara Bugyal is a high-altitude meadow in the Uttarkashi district of the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. The trek starts from Raithal village, about 185 km (7–8 hours by road) from Dehradun.

"Bugyal" is the Garhwali word for a high-altitude alpine meadow. Dayara Bugyal is one of the largest and most well-known bugyals in the Garhwal region.

The trek runs April–June, September–November, and December–March. Each window looks different: December–March gives you snow, April–June gives you the meadow at its greenest, and September–November gives you the clearest peak views. The trek stays closed in July and August for the monsoon.

It's a 4 Days / 3 Nights trek, covering roughly 22 km round trip from Raithal, with a highest point of about 3,750 m at the meadow itself.

Snow is most reliable from December through March. Outside that window, expect green meadow (April–June) or clear, dry terrain with autumn colour (September–November).

Trekkers should start each trekking day with around 2 litres of water. Designated water sources are available at campsites, but trekkers should not depend on continuous water sources along the trail. The trek leader will identify safe refill points during the briefing.

Mobile network can be available at multiple points on the Dayara route, but coverage is inconsistent and should not be relied upon. Raithal is the practical point to make important calls before starting the trek. There are no guaranteed charging facilities at Gui campsite, so trekkers should carry a fully charged power bank.

Uttarkashi should be treated as the last reliable ATM/cash point before proceeding towards Raithal. ATMs are available in Uttarkashi, while Raithal does not have a dependable ATM facility. Trekkers should withdraw sufficient cash before travelling to the base village.

The expected temperature range for Winter (Dec–Mar) is typically 5°C to 12°C during the day and -8°C to 0°C at night. In Summer (Apr–Jun), it is generally 15°C to 25°C during the day and 1°C to 10°C at night. In Autumn (Sep–Nov), day temperatures are typically 10°C to 18°C, dropping to -2°C to 6°C at night. These are typical ranges, not guaranteed conditions, as temperatures vary with altitude and weather systems.

Group size on the Dayara Bugyal trek is 15–25 trekkers.

Yes, extra luggage can be left at the Raithal base camp and collected after completing the trek. However, trekkers should not leave valuables such as cash, laptops, cameras, jewellery, important documents or other high-value items in stored luggage.

Yes, backpack offloading is available on the Dayara Bugyal route, subject to local porter/mule availability. The exact charge can vary depending on the operator, season, bag weight and whether a mule or porter is used.

You'll stay in a guesthouse or homestay at Raithal on Day 1, and alpine tents (twin or triple sharing) at Gui campsite on Day 2 and Day 3.

A mix of built and camp stays: a guesthouse/homestay at Raithal on the first night, then alpine tents on twin/triple sharing at Gui campsite for the two nights spent there.

At Gui campsite, washroom facilities are provided through shared campsite toilet tents/dry toilets, not attached private toilets. Facilities can vary slightly depending on the campsite setup and season.

Dayara Bugyal is rated easy to moderate. A first-time trekker with reasonable fitness can complete it comfortably, though winter snow adds difficulty regardless of experience level.

We don't have a published fitness benchmark (like a required running distance or cardio threshold) for this specific trek yet. General guidance: being able to walk 5–8 km comfortably and having some cardio base makes the trek noticeably easier, especially on Day 3.

There's no fixed upper age limit, but trekkers 58 and above need to confirm their fitness with our team before booking. Reach out to us directly and we'll talk through what to expect based on your fitness level.

Yes — the minimum age for this trek is 8 years. It's one of the more accessible high-altitude treks for younger trekkers, given the moderate grading and short duration.

This one's general trekking advice rather than a Mountthrill-specific fact, so it's safe to answer directly: build up short walks or hikes in the weeks before the trek so your child is used to sustained walking, keep them well-hydrated throughout, dress them in layers rather than one heavy jacket, and watch for early signs of altitude discomfort — headache, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite — rather than pushing through them. Since Dayara Bugyal only touches 3,750 m for a short stretch, it's a reasonable first high-altitude trek for a child, but check in with your guide the moment something feels off rather than waiting it out.

The trek begins with a drive from Dehradun to Raithal — about 185 km, taking 7–8 hours by road. From Raithal, the walking route to Dayara Bugyal starts the next day via Gui campsite.