Quick answer: Raithal village is at 2,256 m (7,400 ft) in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, and is the start and end of the 4-day Dayara Bugyal trek. It is about 180 km (8–9 hours) by road from Dehradun. Bhatwari, about an hour before it, has the last reliable ATM and stable signal; Raithal has a few small shops and homestays.
How high is Raithal village, and how far is it from Uttarkashi and Dehradun?
Raithal is in Uttarkashi district. The Uttarkashi district page on Dayara Bugyal gives about 30 km by road from Uttarkashi to Bhatwari/Raithal and says the trek route to the meadow starts from Raithal village. On the Trekkaro trek the cab from Dehradun covers about 180 km in 8–9 hours, and the walk starts from the village after breakfast the next day.
The village stands at 2,256 m. Gui, the camp, is 5 km away at 2,936 m, and Dayara Top at 3,749 m (12,300 ft) is about 1,490 m higher than Raithal. The road route from Dehradun and the shared-cab fare are set out in where Dayara Bugyal is and how to reach Raithal; this page covers the village itself.
| Raithal fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Height | 2,256 m / 7,400 ft |
| District | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand |
| From Uttarkashi | About 30 km by road to Bhatwari/Raithal (district page) |
| From Dehradun | About 180 km, 8–9 hours by road |
| Last reliable ATM and stable signal | Bhatwari, about 1 hour before Raithal |
| Signal in the village | Weak to non-existent |
| Nights in Raithal | One: Day 1, guesthouse or homestay |
| Camp above the village | Gui, 2,936 m / 9,630 ft, 5 km away |
What is Raithal like as a village?
The trek page calls Raithal "a quaint village in Uttarkashi that offers a first, unhurried look at Himalayan hill life", with views of snow-clad peaks and warm local hospitality. The walk out of it on Day 2 starts on village paths before the forest begins, and on the Day 4 descent back to the village you catch glimpses of terraced farms and the Garhwal peaks.
The meadow above Raithal has its own life. The district page says shepherds bring their cattle up to Dayara in summer and stay until the onset of winter, and that in winter the meadows turn into snow land with potential for skiing and snow activities.
Is there an ATM, mobile network and shops in Raithal?
Sort out cash and calls before you reach the village. Bhatwari, about an hour before Raithal, has the last reliable ATM and is the last place with a stable mobile signal. After Bhatwari the signal is weak to non-existent, in Raithal and through the trek, so finish important calls there and tell your family about the limited connectivity. The trek page names no operator. Withdraw enough by Bhatwari for your cab share, and carry small notes, because cards are not accepted on the trail.
Raithal has a few small shops for basic trekking items, but the trek page recommends that you carry everything you need. You do not need to buy gear there: Free Trekking Gear covers Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, against a ₹3,000 refundable deposit plus a ₹200 washing charge.
Where do you stay in Raithal?
Day 1 is a night in a guesthouse or homestay in Raithal, on a triple or quad sharing basis, with dinner served there. Meals run from Day 1 dinner to Day 4 breakfast and are pure vegetarian. The two nights after that are in 3-person tents at Gui, with sleeping bags rated to -20°C.
Luggage you do not need on the trail can stay in Trekkaro's store in Raithal free of charge until you come back. Keep valuables and documents with you; stored bags are at your own risk.
What happens in Raithal before and after the trek?
The cab leaves Dehradun at around 7:30 AM so the group reaches Raithal by evening. You check into the guesthouse or homestay and have dinner in the village.
On Day 2 you leave Raithal after breakfast on village paths, and the trail enters oak, pine and rhododendron forest on the 5 km, 3–4 hour climb to Gui. On Day 4 you walk the same 5 km back down in 2–3 hours. There is time for a short break and a chat with the villagers before the cab leaves at around 1:00 PM, reaching Dehradun Railway Station by about 9:00 PM.
How cold does it get on the trek from Raithal?
The trek page gives one set of seasonal figures for the whole trek, up to 3,749 m, and none for the village itself. Winter nights run -10°C to -2°C, and October and November nights are around 0°C, colder towards the end of November. The trek runs from September to June, with December to March for snow.
The full season-by-season figures are in our Dayara Bugyal weather guide.
What is paid for at Raithal, and what do you pay separately?
The Dayara Bugyal trek costs ₹7,800 per person + 5% GST (₹8,190), and the trek page shows EMI from ₹402 a month. The Raithal night, Day 1 dinner, trekking permits and forest camping fees are included. The cab between Dehradun and Raithal is not: we help the group book shared cabs at about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers.
Every trekker brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor; the form is in My Bookings. Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is mandatory and not included.
See Dayara Bugyal Trek dates and book | Dayara Bugyal trek guide | Dayara Bugyal trek distance and height
Frequently asked questions
How high is Raithal village?
Raithal is at 2,256 m (7,400 ft). Dayara Top, the high point of the trek, is about 1,490 m higher at 3,749 m.
Which district is Raithal in?
Raithal is in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The district page gives about 30 km by road from Uttarkashi to Bhatwari/Raithal.
Is there an ATM in Raithal?
Do not count on one. The trek page names Bhatwari, about an hour before Raithal, as the last reliable ATM, so withdraw cash there or earlier and carry small notes.
Is there mobile network in Raithal?
The signal is weak to non-existent in Raithal and on the trek. Bhatwari is the last place with a stable signal, so make your calls there.
Can I stay in a homestay in Raithal on the trek?
Yes. On Day 1 you stay in a guesthouse or homestay in the village, on a triple or quad sharing basis, with dinner included.
