Dayara Bugyal Trek

[Adwait Dike]

There are numerous treks in the state of Uttarakhand that offer scenic landscapes and a variety of flora and fauna. Thousands of trekking enthusiasts from across the globe visit Uttarakhand to explore its beauty and walk on the unexplored trails. Some popular treks in Uttarakhand include Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Valley of Flowers, Har ki Dun, Deoriatal- Chandrashila, etc.

Dayara Bugyal trek in Uttarakhand is among the most popular treks in the summer and winter season. I explored this beautiful trek last year in the month of April. We began our train journey from Delhi to Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, we drove towards our base village Maneri, a small town in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. We started our trek after an overnight stay at a resort in Maneri. 

There are two alternatives for beginning the Dayara Bugyal trek. One is from Raithal village towards Barsu, and another option is to start the trek from Barsu and end it at Raithal. However, most of the trekkers prefer the route from Barsu towards Raithal, as this route takes you through dense forests and snow-clad mountain peaks such as Bunder Poonch, the Black Peak, Mt. Gangotri, and Draupadi ka Danda in the background. On the trek route, you walk through the beautiful Rhododendron, Pine, and Deodar trees, which are a treat to the eyes if you are doing this trek during the summer.

Dayara Bugyal can also be done during winter as this region receives heavy snowfall. There are lush green meadows with wildflowers spread throughout the trek in summer. One of the most scenic spots on the Dayara Bugyal trek is Barnala Tal, a beautiful lake with Oak trees and spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains in the backdrop. 

Dayara Bugyal trek can be done within 3 to 5 days, starting from the base village of Raithal or Barsu. This trek is at an altitude of approximately 12,500 feet above sea level. The highest point or summit of the Dayara Bugyal trek is Bakaria Top, just 3 kilometers away from Dayara Bugyal. After the summit, we returned to the base village of Barsu and visited Gangnani, where you can see natural hot water springs. After spending an hour or two at Gangnani, we came back to the resort in Maneri for an overnight stay.

Dayara Bugyal is one of the perfect treks for beginners, and it can be best explored during the summer as compared to the winter. The main reason is the lush green meadows and thousands of Rhododendron trees throughout the trek. After completing this trek, I felt rejuvenated and full of energy to return to my daily routine. I will forever remember this trek for its scenic beauty and all the moments I shared with my friends on this trek. We will forever be grateful to the local trek guides, the cook, and all the support staff who were always there for us till the end of this trek.