Dayara Bugyal Trek 2024, Uttarakhand | Book Now @ 19% Off

How to Reach:

Option 1: Take the direct route to Dehradun

Since Dehradun is the beginning point of the Dayara Bugyal trek itinerary, it only makes sense to reach the city directly. You can reach Dehradun by air, rail, or road from across India.

• By Air: The nearest airport from Dehradun is the Jolly Grant Airport, which is located 25 kilometres away from the city. Daily services are available from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Jolly Grant. From the airport, you can easily get cabs to reach Dehradun railway station, the trek pickup point, in around 40 minutes.
• By Rail: Dehradun is well-connected to major railway stations across India by regular train services. Some of the popular express and passenger trains providing services to the station include Dehradun Shatabdi, Dehradun Kathgodam Express, and Dehradun Howrah Junction Express. If you are coming from or through Delhi, the journey from Delhi to Dehradun takes around six hours.
• By Road: Dehradun is connected to most nearby cities like Delhi, Agra, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Shimla, and Mussoorie by highways. You can take Uttarakhand State Transport buses, semi-deluxe and Volvo buses, or even cabs to reach Dehradun railway station. The road distance between Dehradun and Delhi, the nearest metropolis, is around 250 kilometres and can be covered in five hours.

Option 2: Travelling to Delhi

As the closest metropolis from Dehradun, travelling to Delhi is a convenient and affordable method for most trekkers going for the Dayara Bugyal trek. You can reach Delhi by air, road, or rail and then head to Dehradun.

• By Air: Take a flight to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport from anywhere in the world. Once at the airport, you can take the only daily flight to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport from here. The flight time between Delhi and Dehradun is approximately an hour.
• By Rail: Delhi has over five railway stations that connect the metropolis to all parts of the country. Several trains like Dehradun Vande Bharat Express, Dehradun Shatabdi, and Nanda Devi AC SF Express provide services between Delhi and Dehradun. The journey takes around six hours.
• By Road: You can easily get buses and cabs to take you to Dehradun from Delhi. Interstate buses as well as luxury buses run from major bus terminals like Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. The journey takes around five hours via the Delhi-Panipat Expressway.

Option 3: How to get to Raithal on your own

In case you miss the pickup from Dehradun Railway Station due to any reason, you can easily reach Raithal on your own. Buses from Dehradun to Uttarkashi run from the city railway station and Lansdowne Chowk and take around four-and-a-half hours to reach Uttarkashi. Once at Uttarkashi, you can get shared taxis to Raithal from Bhatwari Taxi Stand until 4 PM. The taxis will drop you at Raithal Village, which is the base camp of the Dayara Bugyal trek.

Quick Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Raithal

Drive distance – 235 kilometres; Drive duration – 9 hours approx..; Location of basecamp – Raithal.

• Pickup is from Dehradun Railway Station at 7:30 AM, where you can reach by overnight bus and train.
• Ride in a cab or tempo traveller to Raithal from Dehradun via Uttarkashi.
• Arrive at Raithal, which is 20 kilometres uphill from Uttarkashi and is the base camp of the Dayara Bugyal trek.
• Participate in a quick introduction and briefing session with the trek leaders and fellow trekkers.
• Have dinner and stay at a comfortable homestay in Raithal.

Day 2: Trek from Raithal to Gui

Trek distance – 5 kilometres; Trek duration – 5 hours; Altitude gain – 7,142 feet to 9,630 feet

• Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the homestay before starting on your trek from Raithal to Gui campsite.
• The easy ascent in this part of the Dayara Bugyal trek passes through lush oak forests and lasts for approximately 5 kilometres.
• Arrive at Gui campsite by afternoon and relish a hot lunch with fellow trekkers.
• Walk around in the evening for acclimatising at the high altitude.
• Get evening refreshments and snacks after the walk.
• Stay overnight in comfortable camps at Gui.

Day 3: Trek from Gui to Dayara Top

Trek distance – 7 kilometres; Trek duration – 6 hours; Altitude gain – 9,630 feet to 11,830 feet

• Start your trek to Dayara Bugyal from Gui after a delicious breakfast.
• Admire the views of Dayara Bugyal after a 3.5-kilometre-long trek up to an altitude of over 11,000 feet.
• Take a break and enjoy a warm lunch at the stunning Dayara Viewpoint.
• After your lunch, descend back to Gui campsite from Dayara Top to reach back before evening.
• Arrive at the Gui campsite and have a relaxed dinner before wrapping up the Dayara Bugyal trek.

Day 4: Drive back to Dehradun

Trek distance – 5 km; Trek duration – 4 hours; Drive distance – 235 kilometres; Drive duration – 7 hours.

• Trek down 5 kilometres from Gui to Raithal after your breakfast to reach the base camp in four hours.
• Once at Raithal, a cab or tempo traveller will take you on a 235-kilometre-long drive to Dehradun via Uttarkashi.
• Enjoy lunch and evening snacks on the way from Raithal to Dehradun at roadside eateries.
• Expected arrival time at Dehradun is 7:30 PM to 8 PM, so you can plan beyond the Dayara Bugyal trek itinerary accordingly.

Difficulty Level 

The Dayara Bugyal trek stretches over a distance of around 25-29 kilometres, depending upon the route chosen. The trek spans over 4-6 days and is of easy-moderate level difficulty. The maximum elevation reached on this trail is approximately 12000 feet.

Dayara Bugyal trekking trail is known to be the perfect one for beginners. This trek tests your stamina and endurance through steep yet safe climbs. If you wish to start your journey as a trekker, this adventure can familiarise you with high-altitude trekking, its challenges, and its thrilling beauty.

There are two main parts on the trek where the trail gets challenging-

• The initial part of the journey- From the base camp to the start of the trail in the forest is around 1 km long. This span is quite steep and full of boulder-climbs. Although it is a prominent trail, it is sure to test your resilience.
• The end part of the journey- The final climb to the Dayara Bugyal is sharp and narrow. The closer you reach your destination, the harder the trail gets. This part will test your strength and patience, especially during the winter when the entire route is covered with ice.

Best Time to Go for Dayara Bugyal Trek 

Although you can undertake this adventure at any time of the year apart from the monsoons, Dayara Bugyal’s best time to visit depends upon what kind of experience you wish to have.

• Dayara Bugyal in Winter - During winters, the entire trail gets covered in snow that gets thicker and colder towards the top. The entire landscape changes during this season, getting blanketed in white powdery snow and making it seem like a winter paradise. The daytime temperature can range from 8-10 degrees, and it falls to -5 to -10 degrees at night. The snow-laid journey pushes up the difficulty level by a few degrees and you need to prepare yourself well. This season is the best time to visit Dayara Bugyal for those who look for that extra twist of thrill during trekking. 
• Dayara Bugyal in Spring- Spring brings lush meadows filled with growing flora of various kinds, you can find the same white landscape of winter turning into a beautiful heaven with birds and flowers. The snow on the trail thaws, revealing the natural trail lined with towering Rhododendron and Pine forests. The temperature generally ranges from 13-17 degrees during the day, which drops to 3-0 degrees at night. Additionally, there is a high chance of witnessing snow at the Dayara meadow till mid-April. This is the best time to visit Dayara Bugyal if you wish to see snow and blooming flowers together in one trip.
• Dayara Bugyal in Summer- The summertime trek offers vibrant and bright sceneries coupled with lush green trees and the constant chirping of birds. The trek is relatively easier during this season, making it Dayara Bugyal’s best time to visit with your family. While trekking under the shadows of Pine and Rhododendron trees, you can smell the summer air filled with floral fragrances and budding pine cones. You can witness vast expanses of verdant meadows set against the background of mighty Himalayan peaks welcoming you with open arms. The daytime temperature ranges from 18-20 degrees and the nighttime temperature drops to 5-7 degrees. 
• Dayara Bugyal in Autumn- The Dayara Bugyal trek during the autumn season can be enchanting. The entire landscape turns into a mesmerising blend of yellow and red autumn foliage, with crispy dried leaves carpeting the trail. The sky is clearest during this time, offering wonderful views of the surrounding peaks like the Bandarpoonch and Gangotri. The same lush green meadow during the summers turns into a shade of sparkling golden shade. The temperatures during this season range from 12-15 degrees in the daytime, and at night it falls to 1-2 degrees. 

Fitness Required For Dayara Bugyal Trek:

Why get fit for the trek?

The main reason to get fit for the trek is the Dayara Bugyal altitude, which goes to a height of over 11,000 feet. Trekking up to such tremendous heights in a four-day itinerary requires strength and stamina which you can build by working out before. The trail is also full of challenges, ranging from steep ascents and descents and uneven terrain to summit climbs and pass crossings. If you lack fitness, you will end up struggling and lagging, become prone to injuries, and even fail to complete the journey. Thus, basic levels of fitness are essential for a successful trek up the Himalayas at Dayara Bugyal.

Fitness Target?

Based on the trek itinerary, you will need to be fit enough to run 5 kilometres in 38 minutes. If running is not your cup of tea due to age and health-related issues, you can practise walking 5 kilometres within 45 minutes. Dayara Bugyal is an easy-to-moderate trek, which makes the fitness target easier than most Himalayan trails. Remember that the target needs to be met consistently over weeks to ensure you can tackle the daunting Dayara Bugyal altitude.

How to achieve fitness?

To achieve the required levels of fitness, you can start by jogging or power walking at least 4 times a week. If running or walking 5 kilometres at once feels challenging in the beginning, you can start from 2 kilometres. Over the course of two to three weeks, gradually increase your target to five kilometres a day. Once you are able to run or brisk walk 5 kilometres, start increasing your pace to match the time limit of 38 to 45 minutes. Before the trek, you must be able to run 5 kilometres in 38 minutes consistently for at least two weeks.