One of the widest high meadows in Garhwal, with Bandarpoonch and the Gangotri peaks across the valley, reached in short, easy days from a village with old five-storey wooden houses. A good first trek for families and beginners, and quieter than Kedarkantha in the same district. Budget-operator price from Raithal, permits included.
On the trail now and the next 7 days
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The route
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On the map
Dayara Bugyal · Open in Google Maps ↗
The climb
How to reach the start
Go from Dehradun to Uttarkashi by bus or shared jeep, then on to Raithal by local jeep. We could not confirm current bus fares. Operators run shared vehicles from ISBT Dehradun at about 7 am; a Sumo shared by 5-6 trekkers costs ₹6,500 one way for the whole vehicle.
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits↓Permits and rules
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Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.
Step 4 of 7Next: Gear↓What to carry
Altitude safety
Dayara Bugyal reaches 3,750 m, high enough for acute mountain sickness (AMS). Climb slowly, drink water, and tell your guide about headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness. If symptoms get worse, go down: descent is the treatment. Take travel insurance that covers trekking at this altitude and rescue.
What it costs
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Raithal (2 is extra.
Photos
Questions people ask
How hard is the Dayara Bugyal trek?
Easy grade. It takes 5 days and climbs to about 3,750 m. One of the widest high meadows in Garhwal, with Bandarpoonch and the Gangotri peaks across the valley, reached in short, easy days from a village with old five-storey wooden houses. A good first trek for families and beginners, and quieter than Kedarkantha in the same district. Budget-operator price from Raithal, permits included.
Do I need a permit for Dayara Bugyal?
A forest permit from the Uttarakhand Forest Department (Uttarkashi division) is checked on the way up to the meadow. Registered operators include it in their price. Sources disagree on how it is issued and what it costs, so check the current fee with the Uttarkashi forest office before you go. A 2018 Uttarakhand High Court order bars overnight camping on the alpine meadows (bugyals) themselves, so camps sit in clearings below the open meadow.
How do I reach the Dayara Bugyal trek?
Go from Dehradun to Uttarkashi by bus or shared jeep, then on to Raithal by local jeep. We could not confirm current bus fares. Operators run shared vehicles from ISBT Dehradun at about 7 am; a Sumo shared by 5-6 trekkers costs ₹6,500 one way for the whole vehicle. Base: Raithal (2,100 m), about 192 km and 8 hours by road from Dehradun via Uttarkashi.
What is the best season for Dayara Bugyal?
December to March for snow on the meadows; the trail is also walked in spring and autumn.
How much does the Dayara Bugyal trek cost?
From about ₹11,000 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.
What should I carry?
Waterproof boots, gaiters and microspikes in the snow months, warm layers for sub-zero nights, sunglasses, and a headlamp.
Guides for Dayara Bugyal
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
The Cheapest Snowfall Places in India in December (and the Roads That Close)Three underrated places with snow in December and open roads: Chopta from ₹4,600, Zuluk and Tawang. Plus three that…Read the guide →
The Best Winter Treks in India: Five Snow Treks, Compared on CostFive winter treks in Uttarakhand compared: Brahmatal, Kuari Pass, Dayara Bugyal, Har Ki Dun and Kedarkantha. Cost…Read the guide →Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- forest.uk.gov.in OfficialUttarakhand Forest Department, the permit authority
- bikatadventures.comFee ₹10,500 + 5% GST Raithal to Raithal, permits included; 5 days; 21 km; campsite altitudes (Raithal 2,100, Gui 2,948, Barnala 2,850, Chilapada 3,094, Dayara Top 3,750, Nayata 2,697 m); Dehradun 192 km, 8 h; shared Sumo ₹6,500 one way
- mountainiax.comForest checkpost on the route; fee described as about ₹50-100 per day, subject to revision by the Uttarkashi Forest Division
- himalayandreamtreks.inPermit checked at the Dayara entry point; claims online issue via the state single-window portal and ₹126 fee (older figure)
- downtoearth.org.in2018 Uttarakhand High Court order ending overnight stays on alpine meadows
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By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Shubhang99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Satdeep Gill · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Hippiefromhimalayas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Mkmittalddn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India · CC BY 2.0 · source
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