Red rhododendron trees covered with snow
Barnala Tal at Barnala Meadows on the way to Dayara Bugyal
Drive: 182 km, 7-8 hrs
Trek: 5 km, 2 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude Gain: 1200 ft – 7,217 ft
Meals: Dinner
We drive through the towns of Chamba, Uttarkashi, Bhatwari to reach Barsu. A number of temples and ashrams are situated in Uttarkashi. The famous Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is also based here. The road to Barsu diverges from near Bhatwari. The final 30 km is an uphill drive. Barsu is a quaint little village with a reservoir and a GMVN guesthouse. This village is a birder’s paradise with many ground birds easily sighted. It is very easy to spot a black eagle on this trek.
We follow the trail past the reservoir and after the village enter a forest. Trees like oak, rhododendron, walnut and maple are most common here. One can find walnuts lying on the trail during autumn. In spring the red rhododendrons provide a colorful touch to the forest hues. We pitch tents about 5 km above Barsu village near Barnala Tal and spent the night here. There is a vast meadow at Barnala and one can enjoy the views of Himalayan peaks as well.
Trek: 2.5 km, 2 hrs
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Altitude Gain: 7,217 ft – 10,006 ft
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
We start post-breakfast. Once we clear the tree line the walk becomes very rewarding with unending views of the snow-clad peaks. We reach Dayara Bugyal and pitch our tents. We spend the afternoon exploring the area and can hike up to Bakariya top for a panoramic view of the meadows. The Banderpunch peaks are visible clearly towards our north. Towards our east, a range of Himalayan peaks including Srikantha, Draupadi ka Danda and Jaonli can be seen. We can also explore the nearby Gidara Bugyal and walk on the ridge connecting Dayara to Assi Ganga valley.
Drive: 182 km, 7-8 hrs
Trek: 7.5 km, 4 hrs
Altitude Loss: 10,006 ft – 6,725 ft – 1,200 ft
Meals: Breakfast
We trek downhill back to Barsu and leave in a vehicle for Dehradun. We reach Dehradun by early evening.
The trek can be done all year round except monsoons.
You will find the last ATM at Uttarkashi. However, there’s chances the last ATM might run out of cash, so be prepared beforehand.
BSNL and VI are both available at both Raithal and Barsu.
Electricity is available at Raithal and Barsu
The district hospital in Uttarkashi is the closest. Uttarkashi is an hour drive from Raithal or Barsu.
Summer brings out the best in Dayara Bugyal, offering a peaceful getaway into nature’s arms. The meadows burst into a riot of colors with wildflowers, making the land a vibrant painting of endless shades. The weather is kind, with temperatures ranging from a cozy 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The sky is wide and open, giving a perfect view of the stunning mountains that surround the meadows.
In October, when you go for the Dayara Bugyal trek, you can expect nice and sunny weather. The days are comfortable and warm, with temperatures between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. However, once the sun sets, it gets chilly, sometimes even dropping below 5 degrees Celsius. The sky is usually clear and bright blue, giving you a stunning view of the nearby mountains. It’s really an amazing sight!
The height of Dayara Bugyal is 11,880 feet.
During the winter trek in Dayara Bugyal, the weather gets really cold and there’s a lot of snow. Days are short, and temperatures range from about -5 to 2 degrees Celsius. Nights are even colder, sometimes dropping below -10 degrees Celsius. The sky is usually covered in clouds, and it might snow at any time.
But, even with the chilly weather, Dayara Bugyal looks incredibly pretty in winter. The meadows and mountains are all covered in a thick blanket of snow, making everything look like a winter wonderland. The air is super fresh and clean, and the quietness of the mountains is truly amazing.
The best time for the Dayara Bugyal Trek is during Spring and Autumn. These seasons offer pleasant weather and stunning natural beauty, making for an ideal trekking experience.
The Dayara Bugyal trek is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is a high-altitude meadow situated in the Indian Himalayas. The trek starts from the village of Raithal, which is the base camp for the Dayara Bugyal trek.
A Dayara Bugyal trek package generally covers the following:
Transportation: This includes the journey from Dehradun to Raithal and the return trip.
Accommodation: You’ll be provided with either tents for a camping experience or guesthouses for a more comfortable stay during the trek.
Meals: All your meals throughout the trek will be taken care of.
Guide and Support Staff: A professional guide and support team will accompany you, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
Permits: All necessary permits required for the trek will be arranged.
The cost of a Dayara Bugyal trek package depends on several factors including the duration of the trek, the type of accommodation chosen, and the level of services provided. Here’s an approximate cost breakdown:
3-day trek: INR 6,000-10,000 per person
5-day trek: INR 7,000-13,000 per person
7-day trek: INR 10,000-16,000 per person
In Dayara Bugyal, the snowy season can vary each year, but it generally spans from November to April. The most substantial snowfall tends to grace the meadows in December and January. In these winter months, the entire landscape transforms into a breathtaking spectacle. The meadows are blanketed in a deep layer of snow, while the encircling mountains stand tall with their snow-capped peaks, crafting a picturesque winter wonderland.
Bakaria Top is like the crown of Dayara Bugyal meadows, which are like a beautiful carpet of grass high up in the mountains of Uttarakhand, India. It’s the tallest point there, sitting at a lofty 11,830 feet (3,606 meters). From here, you get to see some of the tallest mountains around like Swargarohini, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
To get to Bakaria Top, first, you’ll trek to Dayara Bugyal. You start this adventure from a village called Raithal, which is the closest starting point. This trek to Dayara Bugyal usually takes about 2-3 days, depending on how fast you go.
Once you’re at Dayara Bugyal, the next exciting part is hiking to Bakaria Top, which you can do in a single day. The hike itself takes around 3-4 hours, but that can vary based on how strong and fit you feel. The path is clear and not too hard to follow. Just remember, it’s quite high up, and in the winter, there might be snow, so be prepared!
The maximum altitude of Dayara Top is 11800 feet from sea level.
To get to the Dayara Bugyal starting point, first, you have to go to Dehradun, which is the main city in Uttarakhand. Dehradun is well-connected to big cities in India by roads, trains, and planes.
From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or share a taxi with others to go to Raithal village. Raithal is the closest place to start your Dayara Bugyal adventure. This ride from Dehradun to Raithal takes about 6-7 hours.
By road is the only way to travel from Dehradun to Raithal:
You can either get a taxi or share one with others. This drive from Dehradun to Raithal takes about 6-7 hours.
There are no direct buses from Dehradun to Raithal. You’ll need to take a bus from Dehradun to Uttarkashi, and then get a taxi or share one to reach Raithal. This whole journey takes about 7-8 hours.
