- Max altitude
- 3,640 m
- Days
- 5 days
- Distance
- 21 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
Gentle forest climbs of 2.5-5 km on most days with no technical sections; only the Dayara Top day is long (about 9.5 km, 6-7 hours) and in winter it is on snow.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1
Dehradun → Raithal
640 m → 2,175 m
Day 2
Raithal → Gui
2,175 m → 2,935 m
Day 3
Gui → Chilapada
2,935 m → 3,205 m
Day 4 · highest point
Chilapada → Nayata (via Dayara Top)
3,205 m → 3,640 m → 2,800 m
Day 5
Nayata → Raithal (drive to Dehradun)
2,800 m → 2,175 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Raithal
at 2,175 mLoading forecast…
High point · Dayara Top (Dayara Bugyal meadow)
at 3,640 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Raithal (nearest town: Uttarkashi)
- Nearest railway
- Dehradun
- Nearest airport
- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- By road
- Dehradun (about 185-192 km via Chamba and Uttarkashi to Bhatwari and Raithal); Uttarkashi (about 40 km)
- Drive
- About 8 h from Dehradun
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹5,000–9,000
With an operator
₹9,500–14,000
Per person, ex-Dehradun. Guided prices published October 2026: Himalayan Dream Treks ₹8,999 + 5% GST including Dehradun transport (4 days); Bikat Adventures ₹10,500 + 5% GST ex-Raithal plus shared transport from Dehradun; Himalaya Shelter ₹11,299 + 5% GST plus ₹2,000 transport (6 days). Self-guided is an estimate: bus or shared jeep to Uttarkashi and Raithal, homestay nights, a local guide, tent hire and forest entry and camping fees.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 33
Snow on the trail in Dec–Mar: microspikes, gaiters and a warm layer are not optional.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Patchy: BSNL is most likely to work, Airtel and Jio are weak; minimal signal around Raithal and only a few spots at Chilapada.
- Last ATM
- Uttarkashi
- Nearest hospital
- Bhatwari (about 12 km from Raithal) for first care; District Hospital Uttarkashi for serious cases
- Water
- Streams and campsite water points near Gui, Chilapada and Nayata; in winter water may have to be melted from snow. Boil or treat all water.
Highlights
- One of India's largest high-altitude meadows, about 3.4 sq km of rolling grassland above 3,000 m
- Views of Bandarpunch, Srikantha, Jaonli and Draupadi ka Danda from Dayara Top
- Oak, maple and rhododendron forest with forest campsites at Gui, Chilapada and Nayata
- Snow-covered meadow from December to March, making it a classic beginner winter trek
- The Butter Holi (Andhudi) festival held on the meadow by Raithal villagers in mid-August
Risks
- Night temperatures fall to about -15 °C in winter; the meadow is on snow from December to March and microspikes help.
- July-August monsoon rain makes the forest trail slippery and leeches are common; some operators do not run the trek then.
- The Dehradun-Uttarkashi road is prone to landslides in monsoon, which can delay the drive by hours.
- Camping on the main meadow is not allowed; stay at the designated forest campsites.
Know before you go
Questions
Is Dayara Bugyal good for beginners and children?
Yes. Operators grade it easy to easy-moderate: the walking days are short (2.5-5 km) apart from the Dayara Top day of about 9.5 km. Operators accept children from about 8-10 years with basic hiking fitness.
What is the best time for Dayara Bugyal?
December to March for snow on the meadow, April to June for green meadows and rhododendrons, and October-November for clear mountain views. The meadow is reachable in monsoon too, but July and August bring rain and slippery trails.
How do I reach Raithal, the base village?
Raithal is about 185-192 km from Dehradun, a 7-9 hour drive via Uttarkashi and Bhatwari, and about 40 km beyond Uttarkashi. Operators run a morning pickup from Dehradun; Barsu, a nearby village, is the other common base.
Do I need a permit for Dayara Bugyal?
Yes, forest entry and camping charges apply and a government photo ID is needed. Guided packages include them. We could not confirm the current official fee, so self-guided trekkers should check at the forest office in Uttarkashi or Bhatwari.
Is there mobile network and an ATM?
BSNL works intermittently; Airtel and Jio are weak, and signal is minimal beyond Raithal. The last ATM is in Uttarkashi, so carry cash.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: UttarkashiUttarakhand
- Nearest hospital
- Bhatwari (about 12 km from Raithal) for first care; District Hospital Uttarkashi for serious cases
- Last ATM
- Uttarkashi
- Phone network
- Patchy: BSNL is most likely to work, Airtel and Jio are weak; minimal signal around Raithal and only a few spots at Chilapada.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Dayara Bugyal
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Dayara Bugyal Trek — Bikat Adventures
- Dayara Bugyal Trek — Himalaya Shelter
- Dayara Bugyal Trek — Himalayan Dream Treks
- Dayara Bugyal Trek — Indiahikes
- Dayara Bugyal — Wikipedia
Photos: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0; Shubhang99, CC BY-SA 4.0; Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0; Hippiefromhimalayas, CC BY-SA 4.0
