Pakhwa Bugyal Top Trek
Bageshwar, Uttarakhand
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- Max altitude
- 3,299 m
- Days
- 6 days
- Distance
- 38 km
- Difficulty
- Difficult
Short in total, but the climb from Jhuni to the bugyal is a steep 7 km pull and operators run it as two 11 km days at around 3,300 m. One operator rates it moderate-difficult; another says it is not for beginners.
The route
Day by day
Day 1
Kathgodam → Tarsal Patiyasar
554 m → 1,910 m
Day 2
Tarsal Patiyasar → Jhuni
1,910 m → 2,250 m
Day 3
Jhuni → Pakhwa Bugyal
2,250 m → 3,250 m
Day 4 · highest point
Pakhwa Bugyal → Jhuni (via Pakhwa Top)
3,250 m → 3,299 m → 2,250 m
Day 5
Jhuni → Tarsal Patiyasar
2,250 m → 1,910 m
Day 6
Tarsal Patiyasar → Kathgodam
1,910 m → 554 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 · Tarsal Patiyasar (Taarsal / Tharsali)
at 1,910 mLoading forecast…
High point · Pakhwa Top (exact summit position not mapped; pin shows Jhuni, the last village below it)
at 3,299 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
- Tarsal Patiyasar (Taarsal / Tharsali) (nearest town: Kapkot)
- Nearest railway
- Kathgodam
- Nearest airport
- Pantnagar Airport
- By road
- Kathgodam (about 215-220 km via Almora, Bageshwar and Kapkot; the last stretch from Kapkot is a narrow road)
- Drive
- About 9.5 h from Kathgodam
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
₹6,000–10,000
With an operator
₹9,900–15,750
Per person, ex-Kathgodam/Bageshwar. Guided prices published October 2026: eUttaranchal ₹9,900 ex-Bageshwar (6 days, forest camping charges and permits included; a Kathgodam-Bageshwar cab is extra at about ₹4,000 per cab each way); Himalaya Shelter ₹15,000 + 5% GST. Self-guided is an estimate: shared taxis Kathgodam-Bageshwar-Kapkot-Patiyasar both ways, a local guide and porter for four trekking days, tent and stove hire, and food.
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
Nights near 3,299 m can drop close to freezing even in summer. Pack one more warm layer than you think.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect little or no mobile signal beyond the road head at Patiyasar.
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; Bageshwar is the safe place to draw cash (Kapkot may have one). Carry cash.
- Nearest hospital
- Not confirmed by our sources; Kapkot for first care and the district hospital at Bageshwar for anything serious.
- Water
- Operators describe streams and waterfalls along the forest trail; carry water for the steep climb from Jhuni and treat all water.
Highlights
- A wide, little-visited alpine bugyal at about 3,300 m in the Kumaon Himalaya, green in summer and snow-covered in winter
- Panoramic views of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Nanda Khat, Changuch and the Panchachuli peaks from the top
- Oak, pine and rhododendron forest that turns red and pink in spring
- Kumaoni villages such as Jhuni and summer camps of shepherds who graze their flocks on the meadow
Risks
- The final climb to Pakhwa Top is steep, and the trail is slippery in monsoon and winter.
- Mid-June to August brings mud, leeches, landslide risk and clouded views; one operator calls monsoon trekking very risky.
- December to February the meadow is under snow; operators say winter suits only experienced trekkers with proper gear.
- Remote, lightly used trail with few published route details: go with a local guide, not solo.
Know before you go
Questions
What is the altitude of Pakhwa Bugyal Top?
Operators give about 3,299-3,300 m (10,826 ft). eUttaranchal puts the Pakhwa Bugyal camp at about 3,250 m.
When is the best time to trek to Pakhwa Bugyal?
March to June and September to November. Spring brings rhododendron bloom, post-monsoon gives clear views; mid-June to August is wet and slippery, and December to February the meadow is under snow.
Where does the trek start and how do I get there?
It starts at Tarsal Patiyasar (also written Taarsal or Tharsali) beyond Kapkot in Bageshwar district. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station and Pantnagar the nearest airport; from Kathgodam it is about 215-220 km, a 9-10 hour drive via Almora, Bageshwar and Kapkot.
How long is the trek?
Operators run it in 6 days including drives. Published totals vary from about 30-32 km (Himalaya Shelter) to 42 km (eUttaranchal FAQ); eUttaranchal's day-by-day plan of 8 + 11 + 11 + 8 km comes to 38 km.
Is Pakhwa Bugyal suitable for beginners?
Opinions differ. Himalaya Shelter says fit beginners can do it with preparation; eUttaranchal says it is not for beginners and that you should not trek it alone. Prior Himalayan trekking experience is the safer choice.
Do I need a permit?
We could not find an official permit notice. eUttaranchal's package includes forest camping charges and permits, so fees may apply; self-guided trekkers should check with the forest office in Kapkot or Bageshwar.
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: BageshwarUttarakhand
- Nearest hospital
- Not confirmed by our sources; Kapkot for first care and the district hospital at Bageshwar for anything serious.
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; Bageshwar is the safe place to draw cash (Kapkot may have one). Carry cash.
- Phone network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect little or no mobile signal beyond the road head at Patiyasar.
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 Pakhwa Bugyal Top
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Pakhwa Bugyal Top trek - Altitude, Distance, Itinerary, Package — Himalaya Shelter
- Pakhwa Bugyal Trekking Tour from Bageshwar — eUttaranchal
- Pakuwa Bugyal Trek FAQs (archived 12 Jun 2026) — eUttaranchal
- Hidden Bugyals in Uttarakhand Where You Can Live the Mountain Life You've Always Wanted To — Tripoto
