Dayara Bugyal Trek

Dayara Bugyal Trek

Dayara Bugyal is often placed at the top position only to be hotly contested and pushed to the next best. But there is no debate amongst trekkers that Dayara Bugyal would fall within the two most beautiful high altitude meadows in India. It is not difficult to see why. For hundred of years shepherds from far have been taking their flock to graze at Dayara.

They have come back with stories of the abundance of grass and splendor of the mighty Himalayan mountain peaks cradling the meadows. They described the place with such intensity that soon word about Dayara Bugyal reached explorers. When the explorers got back from their treks to Dayara Bugyal, they came back profoundly affected. The meadows were exactly as the shepherds had described them – but only more beautiful. The mountains they talked about were the Bhagirathi peaks, Bandarpoonch, Black peak and scores of other peaks they could not name. They discovered clear water bodies strewn across the green meadows – in whose reflection the peaks looked even more beautiful. Flowers sprung up around streams and brooks that ran across the meadows.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1- Haridwar to Barsu (7545 ft) 220kms, 6-7 hrs drive
Day 2- Barsu to Dayara via Barnala (8530 ft) 8-9 Km, 6-7 hrs trek
Day 3- Dayara Bugyal to Bakaria Top (12000 ft)3 Km 2½-3 hrs, back to dayara Bugyal
Day 4- Dayara Bugyal to Pichkiya (7873 ft) 8 Km, 6-7 hrs trek
Day 5- Pichikya (7873 ft) to Barsu (7545 ft) 4½ Km, 3-4 hrs trek
Day 6- Barsu (7545 ft) to Haridwar whole day drive

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1- Haridwar to Barsu (7545 ft) 220kms, 6-7 hrs drive

We leave at dawn break and drive to Barsu which is a day long journey. We pass through the towns of Rishikesh, Chamba and Uttarkashi. Barsu is a small village about 32 kms from Uttarkashi and is on the way to Gangothri. The drive to Barsu from Uttarkashi is along with Bhagirathi river. Barsu is the base camp for Dayara Bugyal trek, Overnight stay at Barsu in a guest house

Day 2- Barsu to Dayara via Barnala (8530 ft) 8-9 Km, 6-7 hrs trek

The trek to Dayara is 9 Kms and is a normal step ascend till Barnala. We pass through the beautiful landscape of laced of Rhododendrons, forest cover of Silver Oaks, Deodar. Barnala is a place from where the famed meadow of Dayara starts. The miles of green undulating meadows stretching as far as your eye can see is a beautiful sight. The trail to the high alpine meadow Dayara Bugyal, is through the Barnala meadows. The landscape is picturesque and the dense forests lend a sneak peak of the greater Himalayas. As you end the ascend at Dayara, the vast meadow unfolds in front of you. The meadow is like a table top as you set foot on the meadow the sight of the mighty Himalayas surrounds you. Srikanth, Rudregaira, Gangotri I, II & III , Jaonli, Draupadi ka Danda I & II, Black peak, Bandarpunch and many other unnamed peaks are visible from Dayara Bugyal meadow. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 3- Dayara Bugyal to Bakaria Top (12000 ft)3 Km 2½-3 hrs, back to dayara Bugyal

Bakaria Top is the highest point of Dayara Bugyal, itÂ’s a steep ascent to Bakaria top. Dayara Bugyal is divided into many small bugyals and Bakaria top is one of them. We start trek along the meadows and gain altitude gradually till we reach Bakaria Top. The views from the top take your breath away. Snow capped mountains, Valley deep below, towns as far as Uttarkashi can be seen from the top. It offers a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire greater Himalayas. We descend back to Dayara to camp for the night.

Day 4- Dayara Bugyal to Pichkiya (7873 ft) 8 Km, 6-7 hrs trek

We begin our descent to Pickkiya. The trail takes around 6 to 7 hrs with a few ascends in between. We walk through the vast stretches of the alpine meadows and the sub alpine forests and small spiralling rivulets. Pichkiya campsite is a small grassland situated in between the alpine forests. The inner dry valleys, dwarf rhododendrons grow along with patches of grasslands near the campsite.

Day 5- Pichikya (7873 ft) to Barsu (7545 ft) 4½ Km, 3-4 hrs trek

We descend down to Barsu along a well marked trail through the thick forests. The village of Barsu and the adjoining settlements can be sighted half way down the trail. We reach Barsu by afternoon and camp for the night.

Day 6- Barsu (7545 ft) to Haridwar whole day drive

We drive back to Haridwar to board the night train out to New Delhi.