This guide is about the Dayara Bugyal Trek — dates, price, day-by-day itinerary and booking are on the trek page.
Quick answer: Yes, the Dayara Bugyal trek runs in January, and it is the month of the deepest snow on the climb from Gui (2,936 m) to Dayara Top (3,749 m). Winter days on the trail run 4°C to 11°C and tent nights -10°C to -2°C. The trek takes 4 days and covers about 20 km on foot from Raithal.
January sits in the middle of the snow season on the Dayara Bugyal trek, which Trekkaro runs from September to June with snow from December to March.
Is there snow on Dayara Bugyal in January?
Yes. From December to March the whole trail above Raithal lies under snow: the oak, pine and rhododendron forest on the way to Gui, the open meadow and the final slopes to Dayara Top. January is when the snow is deepest, and the deepest part is the climb from the Gui camp to the top on summit day.
The route is graded Easy–Moderate, but summit day is 10 km and 8–9 hours on snow, most of it uphill to the top. On snow, take shorter steps and lean on your trekking poles. Microspikes and gaiters from Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear grip the surface and keep the snow out of your shoes.
How cold does Dayara Bugyal get in January?
Trekkaro's winter figures for Dayara cover December to March, so a January batch walks in 4°C to 11°C by day and sleeps at -10°C to -2°C in the tents at Gui (2,936 m). Gui is also where the team has recorded its coldest reading, -16°C. In January that cold comes with the deepest snow, so plan for both the nights at Gui, where the sleeping bags are rated to -20°C, and a long summit day in snow.
The full year is in Dayara Bugyal weather and temperature. For the forecast in the days before your start, the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre publishes the district forecast and warnings for Uttarakhand.
What does each day look like on a January batch?
The route stays the same in winter; what changes is the snow underfoot and the time the climb takes.
| Day | Route | Distance and time | Height | What January adds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehradun to Raithal by road | About 180 km, 8–9 hours | Raithal 2,256 m | Night in a Raithal guesthouse or homestay |
| 2 | Raithal to Gui | 5 km, 3–4 hours | Gain of about 680 m to 2,936 m | Snow through the forest; the first night in a tent at -10°C to -2°C |
| 3 | Gui to Dayara Top and back | 10 km, 8–9 hours | Gain of about 813 m to 3,749 m | The deepest snow of the season on the climb; a steep half hour towards Chilapada |
| 4 | Gui to Raithal, then the drive to Dehradun | 5 km, 2–3 hours on foot | Down to 2,256 m | Descent on snow in microspikes, then the road back |
Summit day starts at sunrise from Gui, after an early breakfast. Trekkaro's trek leaders plan to reach Dayara Top between 9 and 10 AM and stay 30 to 45 minutes before turning back. Out of the forest the trail opens onto Dayara Bugyal, with views of Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, Mt Srikanth, Draupadi ka Danda, Mt Jaunli and Bakariya Top, and the top gives a 360° view of the Garhwal Himalaya. Section-by-section distances are in Dayara Bugyal trek distance and height.
What happens if it snows during your January batch?
January is the month when the snow lies deepest, and fresh snow still does not call for ropes on Dayara. After a snowfall the team clears the trail and helps trekkers across the slippery sections, and it carries ice axes. On the mountain, the trek leader makes the calls on route, pace, start times and turning back, made for the group's safety. A trek leader's decision on health and safety grounds is final.
If the forest or permit office closes the route before the batch starts, Trekkaro cancels that batch. You are told by e-mail and WhatsApp with the reason, and you get back 100% of what you paid, refunded within 7 working days. Once a trek has started, no refund or TrekCash voucher is issued for an early exit.
January, December or February: which month should you pick?
All three months are inside the snow season, and the itinerary and the gear are the same. The difference is the snow and the number of people on the trail.
| Month | Snow | Trail | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | The snow season begins | Busiest in the last ten days of the month, the Christmas and New Year weeks | Trekkers who can only travel in the year-end holidays |
| January | Deepest on the climb from Gui to Dayara Top | Quieter than the year-end weeks | Trekkers who want the most snow on summit day |
| February | Good snow for walking; the team's favourite month for Dayara | Quieter trail | Trekkers who want good snow and fewer people on the trail |
February is the month Trekkaro's team rates highest for Dayara, because the snow is good for walking and the trail is quieter. January has the deepest snow of the year on the climb to Dayara Top. If you are choosing between the two, pick January for the most snow and February for good snow with fewer people. The December picture is in Dayara Bugyal trek in December.
What should you wear and carry for Dayara in January?
Trekkaro gives Free Trekking Gear on this trek: Decathlon trekking shoes, a padded jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes. There is no rental fee; you pay a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge.
Plan on five warm layers from December to March. Among the things you bring yourself:
- One set of thermal innerwear, top and bottom, two fleece or woollen layers to wear under the padded jacket, and a rain jacket or poncho to go over it.
- A woollen cap that covers the ears, a balaclava, and a fleece pair of gloves plus a waterproof pair for the snow. Keep the cap and gloves on at the top.
- Two pairs of woollen socks for the nights, on top of your walking socks.
- Two 1-litre water bottles, one of them insulated so the water does not freeze. Fill them with hot water from the mess tent.
- UV-protected sunglasses, which prevent snow blindness on summit day, with SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm.
- A headlamp with spare batteries and a power bank, as the cold drains phone batteries fast.
One trekker wrote on the trek page:
"The trekking gear they provided was top-notch, their guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the food was delicious" — Hiren Methia, Dayara Bugyal Trek
A fuller list is in the winter trek packing list.
How does Trekkaro run a January batch safely?
Batches take up to 20 trekkers, with one trek leader or guide for every 8. Trekkaro's trek leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and lead with local guides. Blood oxygen (SpO2) and pulse are checked for every trekker twice a day at every campsite, so a falling reading is acted on early. One oxygen cylinder and one stretcher travel with every batch.
The minimum age is 8, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. Every trekker brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor, and travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is mandatory and not part of the fee. Carry your original photo ID, as it is checked at the forest check posts.
How do you reach Raithal, and what does a January batch cost?
The trek starts and ends at Raithal, about 180 km and 8–9 hours by road from Dehradun. The shared cab leaves Dehradun Railway Station in the morning, and on Day 4 the return cab reaches Dehradun late in the evening. Transport is not part of the fee: Trekkaro helps the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. The fare is ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle, about ₹1,083 per person when six share. Luggage you do not need on the trail stays free of charge in Trekkaro's store in Raithal, while valuables stay with you; more on the village is in the Raithal village guide.
The Dayara Bugyal trek costs ₹7,800 per person plus 5% GST (₹8,190 with GST). EMI starts at ₹402 a month. With a one-sixth share of the cab both ways, the trek comes to about ₹10,357 per person, plus the refundable gear deposit and the ₹200 washing charge.
The fee covers the Free Trekking Gear, trekking permits and forest camping fees, pure vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 4 breakfast, one night in a Raithal guesthouse or homestay and two nights in tents at Gui, shared by three trekkers with men and women in separate tents. Meals on the drive, personal gear, travel insurance, backpack offloading and a single tent are extra. Booking closes at 5 PM India time the day before departure.
See Dayara Bugyal trek dates and book | Dayara Bugyal in December | Dayara Bugyal in March
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dayara Bugyal trek open in January?
Yes. Trekkaro runs Dayara Bugyal from September to June, and January falls inside the snow season, which lasts from December to March. The route and the 4-day itinerary are the same as in the other winter months.
Do I need microspikes and gaiters on Dayara Bugyal in January?
Yes, the snow on the climb from Gui to Dayara Top is at its deepest in January. Microspikes and gaiters are part of Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear on this trek, and the team carries ice axes. Ropes are not used.
What sleeping bag and jacket do I get for January nights at Gui?
Trekkaro provides sleeping bags rated to -20°C, and the free padded jacket is rated to -10°C. Winter nights at Gui run -10°C to -2°C, and the coldest reading the team has recorded there is -16°C, so wear your own warm layers under the jacket.
Can a beginner do the Dayara Bugyal trek in January?
Yes, if you are physically fit and ready for the cold; some prior trekking experience helps. The trek is graded Easy–Moderate and open from age 8, but summit day is 10 km and 8–9 hours, with the deepest snow of the year on the climb. Build your fitness in the weeks before with running, cycling or swimming, and with hikes.
Is there mobile signal on the Dayara Bugyal trek in January?
Bhatwari, about an hour before Raithal on the drive, is the last place with a stable mobile signal and the last reliable ATM. The signal is weak to non-existent at Raithal and on the trek, and cards are not accepted, so tell your family before you leave Bhatwari and carry the cash you need.
