This guide is about the Dayara Bugyal Trek — dates, price, day-by-day itinerary and booking are on the trek page.
Quick answer: For the 4-day Dayara Bugyal trek, compare what the fee covers from Raithal, whether shoes, a jacket, gaiters and microspikes come for the winter snow, how the 10 km summit day to Dayara Top is run, health checks, leader ratio and refunds. A Trekkaro batch includes Free Trekking Gear, with an oxygen cylinder and stretcher on the trail.
Why does a short trek still need careful checks?
The Dayara Bugyal Trek is only 4 days, and it is graded Easy to Moderate, so it is easy to book on price alone. The days themselves explain why that is a mistake. Day 1 is a drive of about 180 km, 8 to 9 hours, from Dehradun to Raithal (2,256 m). Day 2 climbs about 680 m over 5 km to the Gui camp at 2,936 m. Day 3 is the big one: a 10 km round trip of 8 to 9 hours from Gui to Dayara Top at 3,749 m (12,300 ft) and back to the same camp. Day 4 is the walk down to Raithal and the drive back.
From December to March the trail to Dayara is under snow, deepest on the climb from Gui to Dayara Top in January. Winter nights fall to -10°C to -2°C, and the coldest reading the team has recorded is -16°C at Gui. With one camp used for two nights and one long summit day, what the batch carries matters more than the number of days.
What should you compare between Dayara Bugyal trek companies?
These are the questions to put to each company, and Trekkaro's answers for Dayara Bugyal.
| What to check | Why it matters | With Trekkaro |
|---|---|---|
| Does the fee include trekking shoes, a jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes? | Without them you rent or buy a winter kit for a 4-day trek, and the snow above Gui needs microspikes and gaiters. | Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes. No rental fee; a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. Buying the kit costs about ₹13,395. |
| How many times a day are health checks done? | Without regular readings, a trekker who is struggling at Gui may start the summit day anyway. | SpO2 and pulse twice a day at every campsite; a falling reading is acted on early. |
| What emergency kit goes on the trail? | Without oxygen and a stretcher with the group, help for a sick trekker waits for a team from Raithal. | One portable oxygen cylinder, one stretcher and a first-aid and medical kit go with the group. |
| How many trekkers per trek leader or guide? | With too few leaders, the group cannot split if one trekker needs to turn back on summit day. | Up to 20 trekkers per batch, one trek leader or guide for every 8. |
| What does the fee include? | Without a list, the Raithal stay, permits or snacks may cost extra. | ₹7,800 per person plus 5% GST (₹8,190 with GST), with the inclusions in the next section. |
| What are the cancellation terms? | Without clear terms, an early booking carries more risk. | 70% back at 30 or more days, 50% at 15 to 29 days, or a 100% TrekCash voucher, reschedule or transfer up to 8 days before. |
| Can the fee be paid in EMI? | Without EMI the full fee is due at booking. | EMI starts at ₹402 a month. |
| Where does extra luggage stay? | Without a store, your travel bag goes up to Gui with you. | A free store in Raithal, kept at your own risk. |
| Where are the last ATM and signal? | Without a warning you reach Raithal short of cash, and cards are not accepted on the trail. | Bhatwari, about 1 hour before Raithal, has the last reliable ATM and stable signal. |
What comes with the Dayara Bugyal fee?
On Trekkaro's batch the fee covers a guesthouse or homestay in Raithal on a triple or quad sharing basis, tents at Gui shared by three with men and women in separate tents, and -20°C sleeping bags. Meals are pure vegetarian and freshly prepared, from Day 1 dinner to Day 4 breakfast, with tea, coffee, soups and snacks on the trek and large mess tents with tables. All trekking permits and forest camping fees and the Free Trekking Gear are included.
Transport from Dehradun to Raithal and back is not in the fee. The shared cab leaves from Dehradun Railway Station in the morning of Day 1. It costs ₹6,500 one way per 5 to 6 seat vehicle, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, which is ₹1,083 each when six share. Meals on the drive, optional backpack offloading, a single tent and your own backpack and clothing are also extra. Our Dayara Bugyal cost guide works out the full budget. Live batch dates and fees are on the Dayara Bugyal Trek page.
How is the summit day to Dayara Top run?
Ask each company how it runs Day 3, because that is where the trek is decided. On a Trekkaro batch you leave Gui at sunrise, and groups reach Dayara Top between 9 and 10 AM, stay 30 to 45 minutes and walk back down to the same camp.
In winter the trail carries a coat of snow. Put on microspikes when the trek leader asks you to, take shorter steps and use your poles. Ropes are not needed on this trek. Trekkaro's trek leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and lead with local guides, and the team uses radios because mobile signal is not reliable on the trail. Our guide to Dayara Bugyal distance and height lists every leg.
What should you sort out before Raithal?
Bhatwari, about 1 hour before Raithal, has the last reliable ATM and the last stable mobile signal; after it, signal is weak to non-existent. Cards are not accepted on the trail, so carry cash in small notes. Bags you do not need on the trail stay free of charge in Trekkaro's store in Raithal.
Every trekker brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor (the form is in My Bookings), and travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is mandatory and not included. The minimum age is 8, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. Online booking closes at 5 PM (India time) the day before the batch starts. Trekkaro runs Dayara Bugyal from September to June; see the trek page for live batch dates. Check the Uttarkashi district forecast on the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre before you travel.
See Dayara Bugyal Trek dates and book | Raithal village guide | Where is Dayara Bugyal
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when choosing a company for the Dayara Bugyal trek?
Start with how the company runs the 10 km Day 3 from Gui to Dayara Top and whether the snow gear is included. Then check SpO2 checks at every campsite, an oxygen cylinder and stretcher, a 1:8 ratio, inclusions, refunds and a Raithal luggage store.
Is the Dayara Bugyal trek fee inclusive of transport from Dehradun?
No. The drive from Dehradun to Raithal and back is not included. Trekkaro helps the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers.
How long is the summit day on the Dayara Bugyal trek?
Day 3 is a 10 km round trip from the Gui camp to Dayara Top and back, taking 8 to 9 hours. Groups reach the top between 9 and 10 AM and stay 30 to 45 minutes.
Do I need my own trekking shoes for Dayara Bugyal?
No. Dayara Bugyal includes Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear, so Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes come with the trek against a refundable deposit.
Where is the last ATM before the Dayara Bugyal trek?
Bhatwari, about 1 hour before Raithal, has the last reliable ATM. Carry cash in small notes, because cards are not accepted on the trail.
