Bagji Bugyal Trek
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Bagji Bugyal Trek — Guide, Dates & Cost
Bagji Bugyal Trek is a 6-day easy–moderate trek in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,383 m (11,100 ft). It covers about 19 km on foot and starts at Ghes and ends at Himni. Best time: April to June and September to November. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
Updated
District: Chamoli
Duration: 6 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy–Moderate
Highest Altitude: 3,383 m / 11,100 ft
Trekking Distance: 19 km
Temperature: Spring/Summer (Apr-Jun): Day 12°C to 22°C, Night 2°C to 10°C | Autumn (Sep-Nov): Day 8°C to 18°C, Night -3°C to 5°C
A meadow named after the tigers that once lived in its forest, a sunrise over the western face of Trishul, and a village so far off the trekking map that there is no mobile signal at all. The Bagji Bugyal trek climbs from the Pinder valley village of Ghes through hundred-year-old rhododendrons to a rolling alpine meadow at 3,383 m (11,100 ft), then drops down the far side to Himni. It is the quiet cousin of Ali Bedni and Brahmatal, with the same mountains and almost none of the trekkers.
The Bagji Bugyal trek lies in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in the Dewal block of the Pinder valley, a little to the east of Lohajung. We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM and drive about 254 km up the Alaknanda through Srinagar and Karnaprayag, then up the Pinder through Tharali and Dewal, to the base village of Ghes at 2,408 m (7,900 ft). From Ghes the trail climbs past the village of Samrata to the forest camp of Devlikheti at 2,991 m (9,811 ft), then to the Bagji Bugyal base camp at 3,231 m (10,600 ft), over the top of the meadow at 3,383 m (11,100 ft) and down to the oak forest camp of Dhulamb at 3,008 m (9,870 ft), before the last walk to Himni village at 2,560 m (8,400 ft).
It is a 6-day trek, Rishikesh to Rishikesh, with four days on foot covering about 19 km, and it is a crossing: you start in one village and finish in another without walking any stretch twice. In the local telling, ‘bagh’ is tiger, and Bagji Bugyal is the meadow of tigers, after the big cats that the shepherds of Ghes remember from their grandparents’ stories. Today it is their cattle and sheep that use the grass, and in the trekking season you are likely to share the meadow with a shepherd or two and nobody else.
The Meadow of Tigers – What Makes the Bagji Bugyal Trek Unmissable
The view from the top is the first reason. Bagji Bugyal sits on the same high ground as the famous meadows of Ali and Bedni, and from its crest you look straight at the western flank of Trishul at 7,120 m and at Nanda Ghunti beside it, close enough that the ridges and icefalls stand out one by one. Mrigthoni, Maiktoli and Devtoli line up to the east; Chaukhamba and the Kedar Dome rise far to the west; and below you the Balan valley drops away towards the old Roopkund trail and the peak of Brahmatal. On Day 4 the group climbs the last stretch before dawn, so that the first light reaches Trishul while you watch.
The forest is the second reason. The climb out of Ghes passes through some of the oldest rhododendron and oak forest in this part of Chamoli, and the Devlikheti camp is fenced by rhododendron trees that the villagers say are a hundred years old. In April and May the whole hillside flowers red and pink, and in autumn the oaks hold the mist on cold mornings. Above the trees the meadows open, first the small clearing of Navali Bugyal, then the great sweep of Bagji itself, and on the way down the shepherd pastures of Buniya and the oak groves around Dhulamb.
The third reason is the villages. Ghes is a large, spread-out village of stone and slate houses, with terraced fields and a long tradition of taking cattle up to the bugyals in summer, and Samrata and Himni are smaller places on the two sides of the ridge where very few outsiders stop. There is no mobile signal at Ghes and no shop above it. For five days you are in a part of Garhwal that still runs on its own time, which for many trekkers turns out to be the thing they remember most.
The Trail Itself
For a 19 km trek, Bagji Bugyal has a clear shape: two days up, a summit morning and two days down, with the long drives on either side. Day 1 is the drive from Rishikesh to Ghes, with the night in a homestay in the village. Day 2 is the main climb, about 6 km and 4–5 hours from Ghes through Samrata and the rhododendron forest to Devlikheti, gaining about 580 m. Day 3 is short and steep, about 3 km and 2–3 hours of zigzags up through the last of the trees to the base camp on the edge of the meadow, with the afternoon free at 3,231 m. Day 4 is the summit day: a pre-dawn climb of about 150 m to the top of Bagji Bugyal, sunrise over Trishul, then about 6 km and 4–5 hours in all across the meadow and down through Buniya to the oak forest at Dhulamb. Day 5 is the descent to Himni, about 4 km and 3–4 hours, and Day 6 is the drive back to Rishikesh.
There is no technical ground and no river crossing of any size. The challenges are the steepness of the two climbing days, the thin air at base camp for anyone sleeping above 3,000 m for the first time, the lack of water on the summit day, and the weather: old snow can lie on the top in April, and a first snowfall is possible in late November, when microspikes come out.
Who Is This Trek For?
The Bagji Bugyal trek is graded easy to moderate, and we recommend it for fit beginners, solo trekkers, groups of colleagues and experienced trekkers who want the Ali Bedni views without the crowds. The hardest day is Day 4: a pre-dawn start, about 6 km and 4–5 hours on foot from the base camp over the top at 3,383 m (11,100 ft) and down to Dhulamb, with no water on the way. Day 2, at about 6 km and 4–5 hours with a gain of about 580 m, is the longest climb. We recommend four to six weeks of preparation, with regular jogging or brisk walking and a couple of weekend walks of three hours with a loaded backpack. Children aged 10 and above who walk regularly can join with a parent or guardian. Above 60: a doctor’s fitness certificate is needed, and an ECG or TMT report is recommended. Season: April to June and September to November.
Key Highlights of the Bagji Bugyal Trek
- Sunrise on Trishul – the western face of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti lit by the first sun from the top at 3,383 m (11,100 ft)
- The meadow of tigers – a wide alpine bugyal that shares its high ground with Ali and Bedni, with hardly anyone on it
- Hundred-year-old rhododendrons – the old forest around Devlikheti, in flower in April and May
- A full-circle view – Mrigthoni, Maiktoli and Devtoli to the east, Chaukhamba and the Kedar Dome to the west, Brahmatal and the Balan valley below
- Ghes village – a large, spread-out Pinder valley village with stone houses, terraced fields and no mobile signal
- Shepherd meadows – Navali Bugyal on the climb and the Buniya pastures on the way down, with flocks in summer
- Dhulamb oak forest – a sheltered camp among old oaks, loud with birds in the morning
- A true crossing – from Ghes to Himni without retracing a step
Best Time to Do the Bagji Bugyal Trek
The Bagji Bugyal trek runs in two windows: April to June, before the monsoon, and September to November, after it. The meadow is the constant; what changes is the colour of the forest, the clarity of the air and the cold at night. July and August bring heavy rain, slippery trails and road blocks on the long drive, and from December to March deep snow covers the meadow and the upper forest.
April to June – Spring and Summer (The Rhododendron Season)
In April the rhododendrons are in flower along the whole climb from Ghes to Devlikheti, and patches of old snow can still lie on the top of the meadow and in the shaded gullies above base camp early in the month. By May the grass is green and the shepherds of Ghes begin to arrive with their cattle, and June is warm in the valleys with the first afternoon clouds building before the monsoon. Days are mild, from 12°C at base camp to 22°C at Ghes, while nights range from 10°C in the village down to 2°C at base camp, with frost on the tents on the colder mornings in April.
September to November – Autumn (The Clear-Sky Season)
After the monsoon the air is washed clean and the view of Trishul from the top is at its sharpest, with the peaks standing against a deep blue sky from October onwards. The meadow turns gold in October and the mornings are crisp, and by November the grass is brown, the shepherds have gone down and the camps are quiet. It is colder than spring: days range from 8°C to 18°C, and nights drop from 5°C at Ghes to -3°C at base camp by November. A first snowfall on the top is possible in late November, and the trek team carries microspikes for it.
Bagji Bugyal Trek Cost and Booking in 2026
The Bagji Bugyal trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 6 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, with Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes. Meals on the trek, stays, permits and a certified trek leader are included; transport between Rishikesh and the two road heads is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Book online on this page by choosing a batch date. Booking closes at 5 PM on the day before the trek, and you can reschedule once, free of charge, up to 8 days before departure.
📅 Best months for the Bagji Bugyal Trek: April to June and September to November. Still choosing dates? Compare all treks in October, treks in November, treks in April and treks in May.
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Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, from Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM to Ghes. Your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
Day 1: Rishikesh to Ghes
Route Details:
Drive: Rishikesh → Srinagar → Karnaprayag → Tharali → Dewal → Ghes | Distance: about 254 km | Duration: 9–10 hrs | Altitude: 340 m → 2,408 m
We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM, where your trek leader checks your documents, hands over your Free Trekking Gear and takes your first health readings. The group then sets off on the long drive into Chamoli, about 254 km and 9–10 hrs, up the Ganga to Devprayag and along the Alaknanda through Srinagar and Rudraprayag to Karnaprayag. This drive is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers.
At Karnaprayag the road leaves the Alaknanda and turns up the Pinder valley, a quieter river with terraced villages and pine forest on both banks. There are stops for breakfast and lunch along the way; meals on the drive are paid by you. Karnaprayag has the last reliable ATMs before the trek, so draw cash there if you have not already. Beyond Tharali the valley narrows, and at Dewal the cabs leave the main road for the last climb to Ghes.
Ghes is a large village of stone and slate houses spread along the hillside at 2,408 m (7,900 ft), with terraced fields below and the forested ridge of Bagji Bugyal rising above. There is no mobile signal here at all, so make your calls from Dewal or Tharali on the way up. You should arrive in the late afternoon, with time to stretch your legs, walk through the village and watch the evening light on the fields.
You stay tonight in a simple homestay at Ghes, with a hot dinner and a briefing from the trek leader on the days ahead. Lay out tomorrow’s clothes, fill your bottles and pack your day bag before you sleep: Day 2 is the longest climb of the trek and starts soon after breakfast. The night in the village is mild compared with the camps above, and a good sleep after the long drive sets up the whole trek.
What to Expect:
- Meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM
- Shared cab to Ghes via Karnaprayag and Dewal, about 254 km, 9–10 hrs (not included)
- Last reliable ATM at Karnaprayag; no mobile signal at Ghes
- Stone and slate houses of Ghes below the Bagji ridge
- Briefing from the trek leader after dinner
- Overnight: homestay at Ghes
Day 2: Ghes to Devlikheti
Route Details:
Trek: Ghes → Samrata → Devlikheti | Distance: 6 km | Duration: 4–5 hrs | Altitude: 2,408 m → 2,991 m
The longest climb of the trek begins after an early breakfast. The trail leaves Ghes on a village path between the fields and climbs steadily along the hillside, with the Pinder valley opening out behind you as you gain height. The gain is about 580 m over 6 km, most of it in the first half of the day, so settle into a slow, steady pace and let the trek leader set the rhythm. Walking poles help on the short, steep rises.
About an hour above Ghes the path reaches Samrata at 2,707 m (8,879 ft), a small mountain village and the last one on this side of the ridge, with a water source where you can refill both bottles. A little further on, a small Guru Mandir stands beside the trail, where the villagers stop on their way up to the pastures. Above Samrata the fields end and the forest begins, oak first and then rhododendron, with moss on the trunks and a thick carpet of leaves underfoot.
Packed lunch is eaten in the forest, and the afternoon continues through older and denser trees, with the trail rounding the folds of the hillside and climbing in steps. In April and May the rhododendrons are in flower along this whole stretch, and the forest is shaded and cool even on a bright day, so keep a light layer handy. Just before camp the trees open at the small meadow of Navali Bugyal, with the first clear view of the ridge you will climb tomorrow.
Devlikheti is a clearing in the forest at 2,991 m (9,811 ft), fenced by rhododendron trees that the villagers say are a hundred years old. Tents are pitched on the flat ground among them. After tea the trek leader runs the daily SpO2 and pulse checks, and the evening is quiet under the trees, with the first stars appearing between the rhododendron tops. Sleep in your thermals: this is the first properly cold night of the trek.
What to Expect:
- Longest climb of the trek: about 6 km, 4–5 hrs, gaining about 580 m
- Samrata village and its water source an hour above Ghes
- Guru Mandir beside the trail
- Old oak and rhododendron forest, in bloom in April and May
- Navali Bugyal clearing just below camp
- Overnight: camping at Devlikheti
Day 3: Devlikheti to Bagji Bugyal Base Camp
Route Details:
Trek: Devlikheti → Bagji Bugyal Base Camp | Distance: 3 km | Duration: 2–3 hrs | Altitude: 2,991 m → 3,231 m
Today is short on purpose, about 3 km and 2–3 hours, so that your body has time to adjust to sleeping above 3,000 m. After a slow breakfast the trail climbs straight out of the clearing in a series of steep zigzags through the last of the forest, with the trees growing shorter and more wind-bent as the meadow comes closer. It is steep but brief: take short steps, breathe steadily and stop for water every twenty minutes or so.
Within an hour or two the trees fall away and you step out onto the lower edge of Bagji Bugyal, a wide, rolling meadow at the top of the ridge. The base camp is set on the grass at 3,231 m (10,600 ft), near a cluster of Forest Department huts with a water source beside them. You arrive by lunch, which leaves the whole afternoon free on the meadow.
Use the afternoon well. A short walk up the slope above camp brings the first big view of the trek: the western face of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti to the north-east, with Mrigthoni beyond, and the long line of the Garhwal peaks to the west. In May and June there may be shepherds from Ghes on the meadow with their cattle; please ask before taking photographs and keep your distance from the dogs. Drink plenty of water and tell the trek leader about any headache or tiredness.
The evening at base camp is cold and clear, and with no village lights for miles the sky over the meadow fills with stars once the sun is down. After dinner the trek leader runs the daily health checks and briefs the group on the summit morning: wake-up time, layers, headlamps and water. Pack your day bag before you sleep, keep your water bottle inside your sleeping bag and get to bed early, as the climb to the top starts well before dawn.
What to Expect:
- Short, steep climb of about 3 km in zigzags
- Out of the forest onto the edge of the meadow
- Base camp beside the Forest Department huts, with water nearby
- First view of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti from above camp
- Free afternoon and a night sky full of stars
- Summit-morning briefing and early night
- Overnight: camping at Bagji Bugyal base camp
Day 4: Base Camp to Bagji Bugyal Top and Dhulamb
Route Details:
Trek: Base Camp → Bagji Bugyal Top → Buniya → Dhulamb | Distance: 6 km | Duration: 4–5 hrs | Altitude: 3,231 m → 3,383 m → 3,008 m
This is the day the trek is built around. The wake-up call comes about an hour and a half before sunrise, and after a hot drink the group leaves camp with headlamps on, climbing the open meadow towards the top. The gain is only about 150 m, but the air is thin and the grass is wet or frosted, so the pace stays slow. In April there may be old snow in the hollows, and microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear go on if it is hard underfoot.
The top of Bagji Bugyal, at 3,383 m (11,100 ft), is a broad crest rather than a sharp summit, and the view runs in a full circle. As the light comes up, the first sun reaches the western face of Trishul and then Nanda Ghunti beside it, with Mrigthoni, Maiktoli and Devtoli strung out to the east. To the west stand Chaukhamba and the Kedar Dome, and below you the Balan valley drops away towards the old Roopkund route, Brahmatal and the small lake of Kalital. Give yourself time here before breakfast; it is the moment the trek has been building towards.
After breakfast back at camp the group packs up and crosses the meadow on its far side, dropping gently through the shepherd pastures of Buniya, where flocks and cattle graze in summer and a herder may offer you a cup of tea. There is no water on the trail between base camp and Dhulamb, so fill both bottles at the Forest Department huts before you leave and sip steadily through the day. The descent is easy underfoot, with wide views of the forested ridges to the south.
The trail enters old oak forest and reaches Dhulamb at 3,008 m (9,870 ft), a sheltered clearing among the trees where the tents are pitched. After the open wind of the meadow the camp feels calm, and the forest is loud with birds in the late afternoon. The trek leader runs the daily SpO2 and pulse checks after tea, and the evening is relaxed: the high point is behind you, and tomorrow is a short walk down to Himni.
What to Expect:
- Pre-dawn climb of about 150 m to the top for sunrise
- Trishul and Nanda Ghunti lit by the first sun, with a full-circle view
- Buniya shepherd pastures on the way down
- No water between base camp and Dhulamb: fill both bottles
- Sheltered oak forest camp, loud with birds
- Overnight: camping at Dhulamb
Day 5: Dhulamb to Himni
Route Details:
Trek: Dhulamb → Himni | Distance: 4 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 3,008 m → 2,560 m
The last walking day is short and all downhill, about 4 km and 3–4 hours, losing about 450 m from the oak forest to the village of Himni on the far side of the ridge. The group is up with the birds, and after breakfast the trail drops out of the clearing and into mixed forest, oak giving way to rhododendron and then to pine as you lose height. Keep your trekking poles in use and take smaller steps on the loose, leafy sections.
About halfway down the trees open at a small pond where the cattle from Himni come to drink, a good place for a rest and a refill. Below it the forest thins, the first fields appear and the sound of village life returns: dogs, cowbells and children on the paths. The village reservoir is the second water source of the day, and mobile signal returns in patches on the last stretch for the first time since Dewal.
Himni sits at 2,560 m (8,400 ft) above the Pinder valley, a small village of slate-roofed houses and terraced fields that sees very few trekkers. The camp is set on open ground near the village, and you arrive in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is free to walk through the village, sit in the sun and look back up at the forested ridge you have just crossed.
The last evening is a celebration of sorts: a hot dinner, the final health checks and time with the group and the trek team. Return your Free Trekking Gear to the trek leader this evening or at the end of tomorrow’s drive; the deposit is refunded by UPI within 2 working days after we check the returned gear. Pack tonight, as the cabs leave early in the morning for the long drive back to Rishikesh.
What to Expect:
- Short descent of about 4 km, losing about 450 m
- Oak, rhododendron and pine forest on the Himni side
- Pond and the village reservoir for water
- Mobile signal returns in patches near Himni
- Quiet Pinder valley village and a free afternoon
- Overnight: camping at Himni
Day 6: Himni to Rishikesh
Route Details:
Drive: Himni → Dewal → Karnaprayag → Srinagar → Rishikesh | Distance: about 259 km | Duration: 9–10 hrs | Altitude: 2,560 m → 340 m
The drive back begins soon after an early breakfast at Himni. The cabs wind down from the village to the Pinder valley road, through Dewal and Tharali to Karnaprayag, and then down the Alaknanda through Rudraprayag, Srinagar and Devprayag to Rishikesh, about 259 km and 9–10 hrs in all. This cab is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
There are stops for breakfast, lunch and tea along the way; meals on the drive are paid by you. Mobile signal is back from Dewal onwards, and Karnaprayag and Srinagar have ATMs and shops if you need anything. The road follows the rivers for most of the day, and the confluences at Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag make good places to stretch your legs.
Expect to reach Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, depending on the road and the stops. We recommend staying the night in Rishikesh and travelling home the next morning, or booking a night train or bus from Haridwar or Rishikesh that leaves after 10 PM, so that a slow road or a landslide block does not put your onward journey at risk.
What to Expect:
- Early departure from Himni
- Shared cab to Rishikesh via Karnaprayag, about 259 km, 9–10 hrs (not included)
- Signal and ATMs return from Dewal and Karnaprayag
- Confluences at Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag on the way
- Reach Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM
- Overnight: no stay (trek ends)
How To Reach
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED), about 21 km from Rishikesh, with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. A taxi from the airport reaches Rishikesh in about 45 minutes to 1 hr. Fly in the day before the trek and stay the night in Rishikesh, as the pickup is at 6:00 AM.
From Rishikesh to Ghes: about 254 km, 9–10 hrs by shared cab via Srinagar, Karnaprayag, Tharali and Dewal. The meeting point is Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1.
Return: The drive from Himni on Day 6 reaches Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare. Book your flight home from Dehradun for the day after Day 6.
Nearest railway station: Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK), the meeting point for this trek, with Haridwar (HW) about 25 km away as the better-connected junction and Dehradun (DDN) about 45 km away. Kathgodam (KGM) is the other railhead for the Pinder valley, via Almora and Gwaldam, but the group meets at Rishikesh.
- Overnight trains from Delhi to Haridwar – several services arrive early in the morning, and a taxi reaches Rishikesh in about 1 hr; the Yoga Express and a few others run on to Rishikesh.
- Daytime trains – the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat to Haridwar and Dehradun take 4–5 hrs; take one the day before and stay the night in Rishikesh.
Check current timings before you book.
From Rishikesh to Ghes: about 254 km, 9–10 hrs by shared cab. Be at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station by 6:00 AM on Day 1; we recommend reaching Rishikesh the day before.
Return: The group reaches Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 6 by shared cab from Himni (not included; paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers). Plan your train home from Haridwar or Rishikesh for after 10 PM, or for the next day.
By bus: Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses run from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar) to Rishikesh, about 240 km and 6–7 hrs, through the day and overnight. Get down at Rishikesh ISBT or Natraj Chowk; the railway station is a short auto ride away. Arrive in Rishikesh the day before, as the pickup is at 6:00 AM.
From Rishikesh to Ghes: about 254 km, 9–10 hrs. The meeting point is Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1, and the group travels together to Ghes by shared cab. Buses and shared jeeps run from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag and on to Tharali and Dewal, but they involve two or three changes and do not reach Ghes, so the shared cab keeps the group together and saves hours.
Return: The shared cab from Himni (not included in the trek fee; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare) reaches Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 6. Night buses to Delhi leave Rishikesh and Haridwar through the evening; book a departure after 10 PM, or stay the night and travel the next day.
Things To Carry
Bagji Bugyal means two nights above 3,000 m on an open meadow and in a forest clearing, a pre-dawn summit walk with no water on the way, old snow on the top in April and two long drives, so pack for cold, windy evenings, strong sun on the meadow and a full day without a refill.
- Trekking shoes – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear (one refundable deposit of ₹3,000 + ₹200 washing charge covers the whole kit); your own broken-in pair with ankle support is welcome too.
- Trekking poles – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear; they save your knees on the descents.
- Microspikes and gaiters – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear, for the snow sections.
- Backpack (40–60 L) – with a rain cover.
- Day pack (20–30 L) – needed if you offload your main backpack; carries water and a warm layer.
- Two water bottles (1 L each) – an insulated one in the cold months.
- Headlamp – with spare batteries, for early starts and camp evenings.
- Lunch box – reusable, for packed lunch on the trail.
Nights on the Bagji Bugyal trek range from 10°C to 2°C between April and June and from 5°C to -3°C between September and November; pack three warm layers for spring and summer and four for autumn (thermal top and bottom, one or two fleece or woollen layers and a padded jacket).
- -10°C padded jacket – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear; your main warm layer at camp and on the high sections.
- Thermal inners (top and bottom) – 1 set, for camp and the night.
- Fleece jackets or woollen sweaters – 1 in the warmer months, 2 in the cold months.
- Rain jacket or poncho – for sudden showers or wet snow.
- Trek pants x2 – quick-dry, no jeans.
- Quick-dry collared T-shirts x2–3 – full sleeves protect from sun.
- Socks – 3–4 pairs: sports socks for walking and woollen socks for the night.
Keep these handy for the bright open sections and the cold evenings.
- Sun cap – for the open ridges and meadows.
- Woollen cap – covering the ears.
- Balaclava or buff – a balaclava in winter, a buff or scarf in other months.
- Gloves – a woollen pair plus a waterproof pair (essential in snow).
- UV sunglasses – for sun and snow glare.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm – for the exposed sections.
- Quick-dry towel and toiletries – small and light; no wet wipes, as they are not biodegradable.
- Plastic or ziploc bags – for wet clothes and to carry back your waste.
- Snacks – dry fruits, energy bars and chocolates for the trail.
- Power bank – there is no charging point on the trail.
- Personal medicines – and a small first-aid pouch; tell the trek leader what you carry.
- Cash in small notes – cards are not accepted on the trail.
- Original government photo ID – Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID, with a photocopy.
- Medical certificate signed by a doctor – download the format from your booking.
- Signed disclaimer form – from your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bagji Bugyal Trek is a 6-day easy–moderate trek in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,383 m (11,100 ft). It covers about 19 km on foot and starts at Ghes and ends at Himni. Best time: April to June and September to November. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
The Bagji Bugyal trek is in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in the Pinder valley a little to the east of Lohajung, and it starts on foot from Ghes, a village above Dewal. We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1 and drive about 254 km via Srinagar, Karnaprayag and Dewal to Ghes. The trail climbs through Samrata and the forest camp of Devlikheti to the base camp on the meadow, crosses the top of Bagji Bugyal at 3,383 m (11,100 ft) and comes down through Dhulamb to Himni, from where the group drives back to Rishikesh on Day 6.
The Bagji Bugyal trek takes 6 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, with four days on foot covering about 19 km.
- Day 1: Drive Rishikesh to Ghes, about 254 km
- Day 2: Ghes to Devlikheti, 6 km
- Day 3: Devlikheti to Bagji Bugyal base camp, 3 km
- Day 4: Base camp to the top and down to Dhulamb, 6 km
- Day 5: Dhulamb to Himni, 4 km
- Day 6: Drive Himni to Rishikesh, about 259 km
You reach Rishikesh between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 6, so book your train or bus home for after 10 PM or, better, for the next day.
The maximum altitude on the Bagji Bugyal trek is 3,383 m (11,100 ft), at the top of the meadow on the sunrise climb on Day 4. The trek starts at Ghes at 2,408 m (7,900 ft), and the camps are at Devlikheti at 2,991 m (9,811 ft), the base camp at 3,231 m (10,600 ft), Dhulamb at 3,008 m (9,870 ft) and Himni at 2,560 m (8,400 ft). The height is gained in steps over three days, with a short Day 3 built in so your body can adjust before the two nights above 3,000 m.
The Bagji Bugyal trek is graded easy to moderate. The distances are short, about 19 km over four days, but the two climbing days are steep: Day 2 gains about 580 m in 6 km through forest, and Day 3 is a short, sharp zigzag climb to the base camp at 3,231 m. Day 4 starts before dawn and has no water between base camp and Dhulamb. There is no technical ground and no river crossing. Four to six weeks of regular jogging or brisk walking, with a couple of three-hour weekend walks carrying a loaded backpack, will prepare you well.
The best time for the Bagji Bugyal trek is April to June for rhododendron bloom and green meadows, and September to November for the clearest views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti from the top. In April the forest between Samrata and Devlikheti is in flower and old snow may lie on the top; by May the shepherds from Ghes bring their cattle up to the meadow. After the monsoon the skies are clear, the grass turns gold in October and the nights are colder. The trek does not run in July and August, when rain blocks the roads and trails, or from December to March, when snow covers the meadow.
In early April the Bagji Bugyal trek can have patches of old snow on the top of the meadow and in the shaded hollows above base camp, left over from the winter, and the sunrise climb on Day 4 may be on frozen ground. Microspikes and gaiters come with Free Trekking Gear for these sections. By May the snow has gone, and from September to early November the trail is dry, though a first snowfall on the top is possible in late November. The forest camps at Devlikheti and Dhulamb stay snow-free through both seasons.
On the Bagji Bugyal trek, nights range from 10°C to 2°C between April and June and from 5°C to -3°C between September and November, with the base camp on the open meadow at 3,231 m the coldest and November the coldest month. Days are mild: 12°C to 22°C in spring and summer and 8°C to 18°C in autumn, with a cold wind on the top in the early morning. Pack three warm layers for spring and summer and four for autumn, including the -10°C jacket that comes with Free Trekking Gear, plus a woollen cap, gloves and woollen socks for the night.
The minimum age for the Bagji Bugyal trek is 10 years, for children who already walk regularly and can manage a steep 6 km climb and two nights above 3,000 m. Trekkers under 18 must come with a parent or guardian. The short Day 3 and Day 5 make the trek easier for a family than its altitude suggests.
There is no upper age limit. Trekkers above 60 are welcome if they are fit and in good cardiovascular health; along with the medical certificate signed by a doctor that all trekkers bring, we recommend an ECG or TMT report.
For the Bagji Bugyal trek, reach Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station by 6:00 AM on Day 1; we recommend arriving the day before. Overnight trains from Delhi reach Haridwar early in the morning, about 1 hr from Rishikesh by taxi, and buses from Delhi take 6–7 hrs. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 21 km from Rishikesh.
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. This covers Rishikesh to Ghes on Day 1 and Himni back to Rishikesh on Day 6; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
The Bagji Bugyal trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 6 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh. The trek fee includes:
- Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes (₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing)
- One night in a homestay at Ghes and four nights of camping in 3-person tents, with sleeping bags and mats
- All vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast
- Forest permits and camping fees
- A certified trek leader, local guide, cook and support staff
Transport, meals on the drives, backpack offloading and single tents are extra; see Terms & Conditions. Booking closes at 5 PM the day before the trek.
The last reliable ATM on the Bagji Bugyal trek is at Karnaprayag, and there is no mobile signal at Ghes or at any of the camps except a weak signal in a few spots near the base camp. Draw cash at Karnaprayag or Srinagar on the drive up and keep it in small notes. Jio, Airtel and BSNL work well until Karnaprayag, and BSNL and Jio work in Tharali and Dewal, which is the last place to make a call on Day 1. Signal returns in patches near Himni on Day 5. Charge your phone and power bank fully, and tell your family to expect silence for four days.
Yes, the Bagji Bugyal trek needs a forest entry permit from the Chamoli forest division for the reserve forest and the camps on the meadow, and we arrange it for the group; the fees are included in the trek price. You only need to carry an original government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID) and a photocopy, along with the medical certificate signed by a doctor. Please share your ID details when you book so the permit can be processed before the batch date. Foreign nationals should carry their passport and visa.
The Bagji Bugyal trek is safe when the itinerary, the team and the trekker are well prepared, and we plan it around the two nights above 3,000 m. Height is gained in steps, with a short Day 3 before the base camp, and the trek leader checks your SpO2 and pulse every day to catch early signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Trek leaders are NIM (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) certified or equivalent, and the team carries oxygen cylinders, a first-aid kit and stretchers. On the summit morning the group stays together with headlamps, and microspikes go on if there is old snow. Report any headache, nausea or breathlessness at once.
Yes, a fit first-time trekker can do the Bagji Bugyal trek, and it is a good first taste of a high meadow: the distances are short, the days are well spaced and the only long day is the summit morning. What you need is the stamina for the steep 6 km climb on Day 2 and the willingness to sleep two nights above 3,000 m. We recommend four to six weeks of training, building up to jogging 5 km in about 40 minutes or walking briskly for an hour a day, with a couple of three-hour weekend walks carrying a loaded backpack. Batches are capped at 20 trekkers, so the trek leader can keep an eye on each first-timer.
For the Bagji Bugyal trek, the main gear comes with Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, for a ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing. You bring:
- A 40–60 L backpack with rain cover, and a small day pack for the summit morning
- Thermal inners, one or two fleece or woollen layers and a rain jacket or poncho
- Woollen cap, gloves and three pairs of socks, including woollen socks for the night
- UV sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm for the open meadow
- Headlamp, two 1 L water bottles, a lunch box and personal medicines
On the Bagji Bugyal trek you stay one night in a homestay at Ghes, on Day 1, and four nights in 3-person tents, at Devlikheti, the Bagji Bugyal base camp, Dhulamb and Himni, with sleeping bags and mats provided. Each campsite has a dining tent and a toilet tent. Food is simple, freshly cooked vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner at Ghes to breakfast at Himni on Day 6: breakfast, a hot or packed lunch, evening tea with snacks and dinner, with soup and hot drinks on the cold evenings. Meals on the drives are paid by you. Single tents are available at extra cost.
Terms & Conditions
1. Free Trekking Gear (FTG)
- Decathlon trekking shoes
- Decathlon jacket rated to -10°C
- Trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes
- No rental fee: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge
2. Accommodation
- Day 1: homestay at Ghes, on a sharing basis
- Day 2: camping in 3-person tents at Devlikheti
- Day 3: camping in 3-person tents at Bagji Bugyal base camp
- Day 4: camping in 3-person tents at Dhulamb
- Day 5: camping in 3-person tents at Himni village
- Sleeping bags and mats provided at each camp
3. Meals
- All meals from Day 1 dinner at Ghes to Day 6 breakfast at Himni
- Simple, freshly cooked vegetarian food
- Tea, coffee, soup and snacks on the trail and at camp
4. Permits & Camping Fees
- All forest permits and entry charges for the trek
5. Camping & Safety Equipment
- Tents, sleeping bags and mats for the nights at camp
- Dining tent and toilet tent at the campsite
- First-aid kit on the trek
- Pulse oximeter and blood-pressure checks during the trek
6. Trek Team
- Certified trek leader and local guide throughout the 6-day trek
- Cook, helpers and support staff
1. Transport
- Not included: Rishikesh to Ghes, and Himni back to Rishikesh
- Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
- Travel to and from Rishikesh, arranged by you
2. Food During Transit
- Meals on the drive between Rishikesh and Ghes
3. Backpack Offloading (optional)
- ₹1,400 + 5% GST for the entire trek
- Maximum weight: 9 kg; no suitcases, trolleys or duffel bags
4. Single Tent Occupancy (optional)
- ₹2,000 + 5% GST per tent for the entire trek
5. Personal Equipment
- Your backpack, clothing and other personal gear (trekking shoes, jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes come with Free Trekking Gear)
6. Trek Insurance
- Travel insurance is mandatory and not included. It must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.
7. Anything Not Mentioned Under Inclusions
- Personal expenses and tips
We know that cancelling a trek can be genuinely disappointing. Plans change, life intervenes, and sometimes the mountains have to wait. That is why Trekkaro has designed one of the most trekker-friendly cancellation policies in the industry — to reduce the financial impact on you and give you real options when things do not go as planned.
Important: Bookings made on trekkaro.com are cancelled online from My Bookings. Bookings made offline with our team must be cancelled in writing by e-mail by the person who originally booked the trek. Requests over the phone, via WhatsApp, or through third parties are not accepted.
How to Cancel Your Trek
Booked online on trekkaro.com:
- Log in and open My Bookings.
- Choose Cancel Booking on the trek you want to cancel.
- Pick a refund (as per the charges below) or Get TrekCash Voucher instead — the voucher is issued instantly and appears under My TrekCash Vouchers.
Booked offline with our team:
- Compose an e-mail from the registered e-mail ID used at the time of booking.
- Attach a copy of your tax invoice to the e-mail.
- Send both to info@trekkaro.com.
- Your cancellation is effective from the date Trekkaro receives and acknowledges your e-mail.
How to Reschedule Your Trek (Free)
- Once per booking, to another batch of the same trek, free of charge. A request we decline doesn’t count.
- Up to 8 days before departure, also in the 8–14-day window when there is no cash refund. The new batch must start at least 7 days after the day you ask.
- Subject to seat availability for every trekker on the booking.
- Not available for bookings paid fully or partly with a TrekCash Voucher.
- No fee or price difference; add-ons and the number of trekkers stay as booked.
Booked online: My Bookings → Reschedule free → pick a batch. Our team confirms by e-mail and your booking moves once approved. Booked offline: e-mail info@trekkaro.com.
How to Transfer Your Booking
You can give your booking to another trekker up to 8 days before departure. E-mail info@trekkaro.com from your registered e-mail ID with your booking ID and the new trekker’s name, age, phone number and ID proof. The new trekker must meet the fitness, age and document rules of the trek. We confirm the transfer by e-mail.
Cancellation Charges
| When you cancel | Cash refund | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days or more before departure | 70% refund (30% cancellation charge) | Or instead: a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule or a transfer |
| 15 to 29 days before departure | 50% refund (50% cancellation charge) | Or instead: a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule or a transfer |
| 8 to 14 days before departure | No cash refund of the trek fee | You can take a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule (once per booking) or a transfer to another trekker |
| 7 days or less before departure, or no-show | No refund of the trek fee | None: no voucher, reschedule or transfer |
A 100% voucher instead of a refund. From the day you book until 8 days before departure, you can take a TrekCash Voucher worth 100% of the amount paid, valid for 1 year on any Trekkaro trek. This works in every slab above, including 8–14 days, when there is no cash refund. Online bookings take the voucher from My Bookings → Cancel Booking (issued instantly). Offline bookings ask for it by e-mail to info@trekkaro.com.
If you paid the FTG security deposit and the washing charge, both are refunded in full when you cancel before the trek starts, in every slab.
Cancellation of Voucher-Based Bookings
- The standard cancellation policy applies to voucher-based bookings in the same way it applies to direct bookings.
- Any remaining balance after the applicable cancellation charge has been deducted will be credited back to your Trekkaro account as a new voucher.
- If your voucher has already expired at the time of cancellation, no refund, credit, or extension will be issued under any circumstance.
- If a voucher is set to expire on a Sunday or public holiday, it must be redeemed before the expiry date.
Additional Terms
- Free Rescheduling: Switching to a different batch of the same trek is free of charge once per booking, up to 8 days before departure, subject to seat availability. Not available for bookings paid with a TrekCash Voucher. See “How to Reschedule Your Trek” above.
- Trek Transfers: You can transfer your booking to another person up to 8 days before departure, by e-mail. The new trekker must meet the fitness, age and document rules of that trek. See “How to Transfer Your Booking” above.
- No Refund Post-Commencement: Once the trek has commenced from Day 1 of your confirmed itinerary, no refunds or TrekCash Vouchers will be issued for any reason, including early exit, illness, or dissatisfaction with services.
- Policy Changes: Trekkaro reserves the right to amend or withdraw this cancellation policy at any time without prior notice. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation governs your booking.
Early Exit or Removal from Trek
A trekker may be required to leave the trek before completion for health concerns (AMS, hypertension, cardiac symptoms, or fitness that poses a safety risk), rule violations (alcohol or non-prescribed drugs on trail, smoking in prohibited zones, reckless behaviour, or misconduct), or by their own decision. In all cases of early exit or removal, no refund, partial refund, or TrekCash Voucher will be provided, and any additional transport or exit expenses are the trekker's responsibility. The trek leader's decision on health and safety grounds is final.
If Trekkaro Cancels Your Trek
In rare circumstances beyond our control — natural disasters (extreme snowfall, avalanche, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unforeseen civil events (government curfews, lockdowns, political unrest) — Trekkaro will issue a TrekCash Voucher for the full trek fee paid, valid for 12 months on any trek listed on Trekkaro.com. If the new trek costs more, the difference is payable by the trekker. The voucher is sent to your registered e-mail within 10 working days and may be transferred to another person who meets Trekkaro's eligibility requirements.
Refund Processing
Refunds are processed within 10 working days of cancellation approval and credited to the original payment method only (credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, or wallet). Your bank may take another 3–5 business days. Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.
The full policy is part of our Terms & Conditions (Section 09).
Oxygen, first aid, daily SpO₂ checks, trained leaders — tap to read
1. Trained Trek Leaders
- Trek leaders hold NIM (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) certification or an equivalent qualification
- Their training covers casualty assessment, high-altitude medical response, rope work and evacuation
2. Daily Health Checks
- Blood oxygen (SpO2) and pulse are checked for every trekker every day
- A falling SpO2 reading is acted on early, before it turns into Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
- If you are not fit to continue, the trek leader will ask you to rest or descend; the trek leader’s decision on health and safety is final
3. Emergency Equipment
- Portable oxygen cylinders carried with the group
- First-aid and medical kit with the trek team
- Stretchers for emergency evacuation
- Radio communication across the trek team, as mobile signal is not reliable on the trail
4. Proper Trekking Gear
- Free Trekking Gear, with no rental fee: Decathlon trekking shoes with good grip, a jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes
- No one walks in worn-out or wrong gear, the cause of many slips and cold injuries
5. Tents and Sleeping Bags
- Sleeping bags rated to -20°C, and tents shared by three trekkers, with men and women in separate tents
6. Snow and Steep Sections
- On snow, ice or exposed ground, the trek team fixes ropes and cuts steps where needed and helps you across
7. Risks on the Bagji Bugyal Trek
- Highest point: 3,383 m (11,100 ft)
- Two nights above 3,000 m at base camp and Dhulamb, with daily SpO2 and pulse checks for early signs of AMS
- Day 4 is a pre-dawn start with no water between base camp and Dhulamb: carry both bottles full
- Steep forest climbs on Day 2 and Day 3, slippery after rain or under old snow in April; microspikes where needed
- Long mountain drives of 9–10 hrs on Day 1 and Day 6, with the risk of road blocks after heavy rain
8. Your Part
- Build your fitness before the trek with running, cycling or swimming
- Tell the trek leader about any medical condition and the medicines you carry before Day 1
- Report a headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness to the trek leader at once
- Carry travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
What a day on the trek feels like — tap to read
1. What You Can Expect From Us
- Safety first on the Bagji Bugyal trek: daily SpO2 and pulse checks, oxygen cylinders and a stretcher with the group
- Personal attention: batches of up to 20 trekkers, so the trek leader knows each trekker’s health and pace
- NIM-certified trek leaders (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, or an equivalent qualification), with local guides who know the Bagji Bugyal route, its weather and its campsites
- An itinerary planned for altitude, with daily distance and height gain set so your body can adjust
- Clear pricing: everything included and excluded is listed under Terms & Conditions, with the price of each optional add-on
2. What We Expect From You
- A willing attitude: cold nights, steep climbs and sudden weather changes are part of the mountains
- Physical preparation: you do not need to be an athlete, but train before the trek so the longest day feels comfortable
- Trust in your trek leader: follow their calls on route, pace, start times and turning back, as they are made for the group’s safety
Last ATM and phone network on the route — tap to read
1. Last ATM
- Last reliable ATM: Karnaprayag, with more in Srinagar on the drive up; Tharali and Dewal have machines that cannot be relied on
- There is no ATM at Ghes, anywhere on the trail or at Himni
- Carry small notes: cards are not accepted on the trail
2. Mobile Network
- Jio, Airtel and BSNL work in Rishikesh, Srinagar and Karnaprayag; BSNL and Jio work in Tharali and Dewal
- No mobile signal at Ghes, Devlikheti or Dhulamb; a weak signal in a few spots near the base camp only
- Signal returns in patches near Himni and properly at Dewal
- Make your important calls and tell your family about the limited connectivity before you leave Dewal on Day 1
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Why Trekkaro?
Leaders in providing Free Trekking Gear for 8+ years — redefining the way everyone must trek.
World's first free trekking gear company — Decathlon trekking shoes, -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters & microspikes. ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge.
Up to 8 days before departure, reschedule to another batch for free or take a TrekCash Voucher worth 100% of your amount — valid for 1 year on any future trek.
Rated 4.9/5 on Facebook & 4.7/5 on Google by trekkers who trekked with us.
We keep you safe from the moment you book to the moment you head home — certified leaders, first aid & emergency support.
Well-planned itineraries balanced with the freedom to make the experience your own — no matter the trek difficulty.
Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to making trekking a force for good — for people and the planet.
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