🏕️ Uttarkashi Trek Guide

Dayara Bugyal Trek 2026 — India's Most Beautiful Alpine Meadow Near Uttarkashi

📅 December 2025
⏱ 6 min read
✍️ Trek Desk — Paradise Point Cottage

Dayara Bugyal is one of the most spectacular alpine meadows (bugyals) in the Indian Himalayas — a vast carpet of green grass and wildflowers stretching across the ridgeline at 3,408 metres altitude, offering breathtaking 360° panoramic views of the Gangotri peaks, Bandarpunch, Srikanth and Kala Nag ranges. Located just 22 km from Uttarkashi, this is the perfect day-trek or weekend escape from our hotel — the best hotel near Dayara Bugyal.

3,408m
Bugyal Altitude
5 km
Trek from Barsu
22 km
From Our Hotel
Easy+
Difficulty Level

What is Dayara Bugyal?

Dayara Bugyal (Bugyal = alpine meadow in Garhwali) is a stunning high-altitude grassland located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated between 3,200m and 3,650m altitude, the meadow spans several square kilometres and transforms dramatically with each season — lush green carpets in summer, golden browns in autumn, and a pristine snow playground in winter.

The bugyal offers some of the most accessible 360° Himalayan views in Uttarakhand without requiring technical climbing skills. On clear days, you can see Bandarpunch (6,316m), Srikanth Peak (6,133m), the Gangotri group of peaks and the distant snows of Kedarnath range. The trek is often called "the poor man's Kashmir" for its surreal landscape beauty.

Himalayan Peaks Visible from Dayara Bugyal

🏔️
Bandarpunch
6,316m · Most prominent peak visible from bugyal
⛰️
Srikanth Peak
6,133m · Dramatic rocky silhouette
🏔️
Gangotri Peaks
Gangotri I, II, III — snowcapped giants
❄️
Kala Nag
6,387m · The "Black Mountain" — striking dark profile

Dayara Bugyal Trek Route — From Barsu Village

The trek to Dayara Bugyal starts from Barsu village — a small Garhwali hamlet at approximately 2,307m altitude, located 22 km from Uttarkashi via a scenic road through pine and oak forests. Our hotel arranges daily taxi to Barsu village.

PointAltitudeDistanceDetails
🏨 Our Hotel (Uttarkashi)1,158m0 kmStart — taxi to Barsu (~35 min)
🏘️ Barsu Village2,307m22 km by roadTrek starting point · Parking available
🌲 Dense Forest Zone2,500–2,900m2 km from BarsuBeautiful oak and rhododendron forest trail
🌿 Barnala Tal (Lake)3,000m3.5 km from BarsuSacred glacial lake — 30 min rest stop
🏕️ Dayara Bugyal Top3,408m5 km from BarsuMain meadow — 360° panoramic views
💡 Trek Highlights
  • Barnala Tal (Lake): Sacred glacial lake at 3,000m — beautiful reflections of surrounding peaks
  • Rhododendron forest: Blooms brilliant red in April–May — absolutely stunning trail
  • Sunrise views: Reach Dayara by 7 AM for golden hour light on Bandarpunch peak
  • Wildlife: Himalayan Monals, Cheer Pheasants, Himalayan Tahr commonly spotted
  • Winter skiing: Dayara hosts basic ski slope in Dec–Feb — contact Uttarkashi tourism

Best Season for Dayara Bugyal Trek

✅ Recommended
May – June
Green meadows with wildflowers — Himalayan Cobra Lily, Brahma Kamal. Rhododendrons in full bloom. Mild temperature 10–18°C. Very popular with trekkers and photographers.
✅ Best Views
October – November
Crystal-clear skies — best mountain panoramas. Golden-brown meadow grasses. Early snowfall possible. Temperature 0–12°C. Pack warm layers.
⚠️ Caution
July – August
Monsoon season — slippery trail, poor visibility, risk of leeches in forest zone. Not recommended for beginners. Experienced trekkers may still attempt with guide.
🎿 Winter Special
December – February
Heavy snow at bugyal. Skiing possible on basic slope. Road to Barsu may be blocked. Only for experienced winter trekkers. Uttarkashi base temperature: 2–8°C.

How to Reach Dayara Bugyal from Uttarkashi

Our hotel is the ideal base for Dayara Bugyal Trek. We arrange daily taxi from the hotel to Barsu village (22 km, ~35 minutes). This allows you to start your trek fresh, without the long journey from Dehradun or Rishikesh.

🚗 Day-Trek Itinerary from Our Hotel
  • 6:00 AM: Satvik breakfast at our restaurant
  • 6:30 AM: Taxi from hotel to Barsu village (22 km, 35 min)
  • 7:15 AM: Trek begins from Barsu (altitude 2,307m)
  • 9:00 AM: Reach Barnala Tal glacial lake (3,000m) — rest and photos
  • 10:30 AM: Reach Dayara Bugyal top (3,408m) — enjoy panoramic views
  • 12:30 PM: Packed lunch at bugyal (carry from hotel) — sunset photography
  • 2:00 PM: Descend back to Barsu village (2 hrs)
  • 4:30 PM: Return to hotel — dinner at restaurant

Book Your Dayara Bugyal Base Hotel

Paradise Point Cottage, Uttarkashi · 22 km from Barsu · Taxi arranged · Packed lunch available

Dayara Bugyal Trek — FAQ
Is Dayara Bugyal Trek suitable for beginners? +
Yes! Dayara Bugyal is rated Easy to Moderate — perfect for first-time trekkers and families. The 5 km trail from Barsu is well-marked with a steady, gradual ascent. The main challenge is the altitude (3,408m) — acclimatize 1 night at Uttarkashi before the trek. Children above 8 years can do this trek comfortably.
Do I need a permit for Dayara Bugyal Trek? +
No special permit is required for the basic Dayara Bugyal Trek to the meadow level. However, if you plan to camp overnight or go beyond to Dodital, you may need a forest department permit. Contact our hotel team for current requirements — +91 7467062536.
How far is Dayara Bugyal from Uttarkashi? +
Dayara Bugyal trek starts from Barsu village, 22 km from Uttarkashi (35 min by road). Then it is a 5 km trek from Barsu to the bugyal top (3,408m). Our hotel arranges taxi to Barsu — call +91 7467062536 to book.
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