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5 Reasons Why Indiahikes
We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with—everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes. When you join our treks, we first make our No-Compromise Safety Promise. It’s our unwavering commitment to keep you safe, no matter what.
Our commitment to the environment is relentless. We don’t just encourage responsible trekking; we insist on it. That’s why our Green Trails principles are non-negotiable. They don’t involve just our trekkers or our staff members. Our entire trek processes and policies are designed to favour the environment, even if it is often counterintuitive to our business.
More than 30,000 trekkers trek with us every year. In addition, our outdoor learning division (InSoul) has participants from the who’s of the education organisation in India, from the IIMs to BITS to top international schools. More than 5,000 participants from these institutions trek with us annually. We do not spend a single rupee on advertising to get these participants. Our reputation precedes us.
We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have documented and brought out most of India’s famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023-24 alone, we brought out nine new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own. We believe everyone must trek.
We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.
TREK DIFFICULTY
Easy Moderate
TREK DURATION
6 days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
11,830 ft
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE
21 kms
BASECAMP
Raithal
An ideal Himalayan trek for beginners and families
We first explored the Dayara Bugyal trek in 2010. Back then, trekking just to a meadow wasn't a popular concept. Treks were focused on high mountain passes and glacial lakes. Routes stretched across Bugyals but meadows weren't destinations in themselves. After our recce at Dayara Bugyal, we knew that this mindset needed to change.
The Dayara Bugyal Trek takes you trek through beautiful forests of pine, maple, oaks and rhododendrons. And then, the landscape suddenly opens up to a vast, high-altitude meadow. The rolling grasslands of Dayara are so perfectly shaped, they almost feel unreal. Not a rock or tree seems out of place. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Greater Himalayas—Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, Jaonli, and Draupadi Ka Danda—the trek covers every classic element of a Himalayan adventure.
Did you know we run Adventure Therapy Treks on the Dayara Bugyal trek? If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or seeking clarity, this therapeutic journey—guided by a trained therapist—can help you break through. Read more here.
What makes it even more special is that Dayara Bugyal is stunning all year round. Spring brings rhododendrons in full bloom, summer meadows burst with wildflowers, autumn paints the hills in vibrant orange, and winter blankets everything in snow. The best part? You can reach the meadow in just 3 days of easy-moderate trekking. Dayara Bugyal has everything you’d want in a Himalayan trek—vast meadows, dense forests, and breathtaking mountain views—without being too challenging. It’s perfect for beginners and families looking for a memorable adventure.
At first, getting trekkers to embrace a meadow trek wasn’t easy. Many believed easy treks couldn’t be beautiful. It took time to change that mindset. But today, Dayara Bugyal is not only loved by beginners but also by seasoned trekkers.
So, it’s no surprise that Dayara Bugyal is consistently among the most popular treks we run at Indiahikes.
5 Things We Love About the Dayara Bugyal Trek
1) Our Raithal Campus
Staying at the Indiahikes Community Campus in Raithal is a standout experience for many trekkers. With Urjino Café, Crosstrek Stores, and relaxed breakout zones, it’s a refreshing change from the usual lodge stay. What truly sets it apart is the location — Mt. Srikanth rises right in front of you, while the forested hills behind lead to Dayara Bugyal. It’s as enriching as it is relaxing to spend the night here before your trek begins. If you’re a birding enthusiast, take a short 30-minute walk around the campus — you can spot upto 10–15 Himalayan bird species within that time.
2) The Big Mountains Looming Over the Meadows
The meadows of Dayara Bugyal are spectacular, but the towering mountains truly captivate trekkers. Imagine standing in the middle of these vast grasslands, with undulating hills stretching endlessly around you. Above it all rises Bandarpoonch, its snow-covered slopes glowing in the sunlight. The massif is omnipresent, like a guardian of the landscape. From Dayara, you can see the Greater Himalayan range in all its beauty. The majestic summits of the Gangotri range, including Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, Jaonli, and Draupadi Ka Danda, are so close that you can almost touch them.
3) The Vastness of the Meadows
Dayara meadows are a sight to behold. They stretch endlessly, rolling over hillocks in a seamless carpet of green. Trekkers are often compelled to explore further, climbing one hillock after another, only to discover even more meadows ahead. The sheer scale and beauty of the meadows are otherworldly, leaving trekkers with a sense of wonder and disbelief that such a place exists.
4) The Shaded Forest Trails and Rich Biodiversity
Beyond a clearing called Ubaru ki Darali, above Raithal, tall oaks (kharsu) announce the onset of forests. Maples, rhododendrons (burnash), bamboo, and wild Himalayan Cherry (tileen), gradually join the mix. Giant roots hold the forest floor in a monstrous grip—mighty peaks of the Gangotri Range peep through gaps in foliage. Birdsong fills the day. Alarm calls of Sambhar deer shoot across the silence of the night. These shaded trails, alive with bird calls and dappled sunlight, create a magical ambiance. The forests are a haven for birdwatchers, home to species like the vibrant Himalayan Monal. You encounter the first pines at a rain shelter near Chilapada, and then the forest gradually thins into Dayara’s treeless grassland– witnessing this transition is an experience beyond description.
5) Campsites Tucked in Forest Clearings
The campsites on the Dayara Bugyal trek are some of the most picturesque in the Himalayas. Gui, Chilapada, and Nayata are all set in grassy clearings surrounded by dense forests, offering stunning views of the mountain tops. At these campsites you have the freedom to explore nearby woods, or simply sit back and admire the surroundings. Their seclusion and charm make them a favourite among trekkers.
Dayara Bugyal takes you through some of nature’s finest landscapes. While it is perfect for beginners and families, it is equally rewarding for seasoned trekkers. No matter the season, you simply can’t go wrong with the Dayara Bugyal trek.
We first explored the Dayara Bugyal trek in 2010. Back then, trekking just to a meadow wasn't a popular concept. Treks were focused on high mountain passes and glacial lakes. Routes stretched across Bugyals but meadows weren't destinations in themselves. After our recce at Dayara Bugyal, we knew that this mindset needed to change.
The Dayara Bugyal Trek takes you trek through beautiful forests of pine, maple, oaks and rhododendrons. And then, the landscape suddenly opens up to a vast, high-altitude meadow. The rolling grasslands of Dayara are so perfectly shaped, they almost feel unreal. Not a rock or tree seems out of place. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Greater Himalayas—Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanth, Jaonli, and Draupadi Ka Danda—the trek covers every classic element of a Himalayan adventure.
Did you know we run Adventure Therapy Treks on the Dayara Bugyal trek? If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or seeking clarity, this therapeutic journey—guided by a trained therapist—can help you break through. Read more here.
Dayara Bugyal - Complete Trek Information
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Dayara Bugyal trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
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