Dayara Bugyal is a trek full of surprises. Lined with oak, pine and maple trees with rhododendrons scattered across the landscape, the enchanting trail offers magnificent views of peaks such as Mt. Bandarpoonch (6,316M), Mt. Srikanth (6,133 M), Gangotri I (6,672 M), and Black Peak (6,387 M). Across the summit - Dayara Top, one can witness a splendid panoramic view of the Garhwal range. This short trek also sends you gifts in the form of two mystical high-altitude lakes- that of Gui Lake sitting idly in the midst of this frozen landscape and the seaweed-green Barnala Tal, that wears the valley’s winter colours to perfection. Adding to this beauty it is also a haven for bird lovers - the music of Russet Sparrows, Eurasian Jays and Scarlet Minivets follow along all the way to the end of the trek.
Here we try to answer all the questions you might have about this trek before you decide to go for it:
1. Where is Dayara Bugyal Trek?
This trek that leads you to vast meadows of Uttarakhand lies in the Uttarkashi district of the state. The trek begins in the self-sustaining village of Raithal which is a perfect starting point if you are looking to get a sneak peek into the unique culture of high-altitude living.
2. Why should I do this trek?
There are many reasons this trek is very special. It offers a stunning range of beautiful landscapes, including forests, meadows, lakes, and breathtaking views of the Garhwal Range all in a short span of time.
Some of the major highlights of the Dayara Bugyal trek are the drive from Dehradun to Raithal, the high-altitude lake which goes by the name of Gui Lake and the Dayara Top which offers a 180-degree view of the Garhwal Range, including Mt. Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, Bakariya Top, and Gangotri I, II, and III. For more details on the highlights of this trek, read Highlights of Dayara Bugyal Trek.
3. How difficult is Dayara Bugyal Trek?
The trek takes you to an altitude of 3,750M and is a beginner-friendly trek which means that it is a safe bet if you are just about starting out your journey of Himalayan trekking. Having said that, the only thing to be cautious of are the challenges that come with high-altitude. It is nothing to worry about though, since the itinerary is designed in a way so as to take you up to the highest altitude in stages so the body is properly acclimatized each step of the way.
If anything, this is a fun process of discovering how your body reacts to different heights. For specific details on the challenges of this climb, read Who is this trek meant for?
4. What is the best season to do this trek?
Since it is a Bugyal meaning a Meadow, it is an all season trek with something unique to offer each time of the year. The landscape of spring brings the freshness of colours in the form of a wide spread of scented fauna, the summers are a carpet of green and white takes over the winter landscape of the meadows with the oak, maple and rhododendron trees sweating flakes of snow on you as you walk through the jungle. Pick your season based on your colour palette of preference!
5. What is the temperature like on this trek?
Winters are the coldest here. The temperature on the Dayara Bugyal trek from December to March can be quite cold due to the winter season. During this time, the temperature can drop to sub-zero levels, especially during the night. The daytime temperature can range from 5°C to 15°C, while the night time temperature can go as low as -5°C to -10°C.
6. What do I need to bring for this trek?
You will need all your general belongings that you would carry to any Himalayan trek. Be especially sure to carry your rainwear and your warmest clothes because the winds at this altitude make even the summer afternoons feel cold.
7. How does Dayara Bugyal fair against other beginner level treks in the region?
Dayara Bugyal is a great introduction to the Himalayas. The altitude, the terrain and the relatively manageable distances to be covered each day make it perfect for a beginner to test out their acumen for trekking. It is a good introduction to the outdoors.
There are also other beginner treks like Nag Tibba, Bead Kund, Brigu Lake, Ali Bedni Bugyal and many more which are a good place to start. You can choose between the treks based on what you are looking for from your experience in terms of the region you want to explore, the kind of terrain you are looking for and the number of days you have to spare.
8. Is it a good family adventure?
The Dayara Bugyal Trek is categorized as a level 2 trek on the BRS, which means it is relatively simple and suitable for novice trekkers and trekkers of all ages. The average of 6kms of distance to be covered on each day of the trek makes it a fairly easy trek to explore with your family.
9. Do I necessarily need a guide for this?
Since Dayara Bugyal, unlike treks like Sandakphu where there are tea houses for accommodation, needs camping and a fair bit of navigation to understand the trail, it is better to go with a guide if you are a beginner. If you are an experienced trekker looking for a DIY experience and are fairly good at navigating trails, picking campsites, preparing your own meals in the outdoors and setting up tents, this is a good place to try out a Do It Yourself trek given its close proximity to villages where you might find help in case you shall need it.
10. Is Dayara Bugyal worth doing?
The answer to this will depend on your level of experience in the outdoors, what you are looking for from a trek and how many days you have to spare. However, in terms of the beauty of the landscape and the views the trek offers, you will definitely not be disappointed.
11. How long does it take to complete?
From Dehradun to Dehradun, Dayara Bugyal is a five day trek.
12. How do I reach the base village of the trek?
Raithal is a small village located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is the starting point for the Dayara Bugyal trek. The closest airport and train station to Raithal is Dehradun which is 195 kms away. For detailed information, read How to Reach Raithal.
13. What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
In case you choose to spend some time in Uttarkashi before or after the trek, here are some places you can check out:
1. Gangotri Temple: It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Uttarkashi and is dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the holiest places in India.
3. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering: It is a premier mountaineering institute that offers several mountaineering and trekking courses.
4. Yamunotri: It is another popular pilgrimage site located a few hours' drive from Uttarkashi and is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
5. Nachiketa Tal: It is a beautiful lake located at an altitude of 2450 metres and is a popular trekking and camping spot.
6. Maneri Dam: It is a picturesque dam located on the Bhagirathi river and is a popular picnic spot.
This was it from our end. We hope this was helpful and we hope to see you on the trails of this trek soon! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our team and we promise to provide assistance in any way that we can.
