A Short Escape for a Long Weekend
Arrive at Raithal Village (2,100M)
Distance: 192 kms (Dehradun to Raithal)
Duration: 8 hours
Day 01 of the Dayara trek is reserved for participants to make their way to our homestay in Raithal in Uttarkashi. If you have signed up with Bikat for a drive from Dehradun to Raithal, the day starts early. Please ensure you report at the meeting point by 7 AM.
In case you plan to reach Raithal village on your own, this article can come handy to plan your journey.
On our way to the basecamp, we acclimatize ourselves with the mountain climate, get comfortable around fellow trekkers, enjoy the scenic landscapes on the way which comprises of vibrant yellow mustard fields, changing shades of hilltops, the calm flow of the Bhagirathi river and the picturesque Tehri Dam Falls.
The route via Dhanaulti takes us to Chinyalisour. As we drive through these quaint towns and villages of Uttarakhand, Raithal becomes visible from a short route towards Maneri after crossing the bustling town of Uttarkashi.
After this long drive and some rest, we conduct a briefing about our schedule, know-how, basic do's and don'ts, and environmental conservation practices. As a learning based organisation, we also conduct a briefing about essentials of trekking such as a demo of how to pack one's backpacks & sleeping bags along with the briefing on arrangements of all basic equipment one may need for successful completion of the trek.
The forest permits, related paperwork and clearances are also completed on the first day so as to ensure a hassle-free trek for all of us.
Raithal (2,100M) to Gui Campsite (2,948M)
Distance: 6 kms
Duration: 4 hours
Post a filling breakfast, we begin our trek from Raithal village towards our camp in the vicinity of Gui Lake. The trail initially runs through an alley bordered by terraced farms and golden paddy fields with a local stream accompanying them.
An hour in, we deep dive into a thick forest stretch lined up with pinewood and oaks, locally called Mohru and Pangar. This continues all the way till we reach an open ground with shepherd shielings. Our campsite is not far from here. The trees form a dense cover over us, leaving us with a sense of being in the wilderness, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A mesmerizing view of Mt. Srikanth, Mt. Bandarpoonch and DraupadikaDaanda peaks are visible through this scenic spot. On a good sunny day, one can see the whole panorama of Garhwal Himalayas right from Gangotri to Mt. Jaonli from these vast grounds. The elevation we gain today is about 848M.
Post snacking and some rest midway, we make our way towards our campsite. Gui Campsite is just four hours away from Raithal. We reach there by early noon. We pitch our own tents with our fellow trekkers after a demo by the trek leaders.
Once the campsite is ready, we have our lunch and then get ready to visit the jade colouredGui Lake. The winter temperatures near the lake make the water body completely frozen, even during daytimes.
After spending some time around the lake and surrounding clearings, we make our way back to the campsite. The sunset views from this campsite are a highlight not to be missed!
We spend the rest of the evening enjoying hot snacks followed by an early dinner.
Gui (2,948M) to Chilapada Campsite (3,094M), visit to Barnala Tal (2,850M)
Distance: 6 kms
Duration: 5-6 hours
We start the day early around 7 AM today. Morning tea followed by piping hot breakfast prepares us for the exciting day ahead. We pack our tents and start our day's trek to Chilapada. Crossing the thatch patches near Gui, we tread towards the forest patch layered with Golden Oaks and Maple trees. The trail is slightly more difficult than yesterday's, due to a steep half an hour ascent towards Chilapada campsite.
The campsite is three kilometers away from Gui Lake. Post reaching the campsite, we pitch our tents and cool off before we hike to Barnala Lake. This trail takes us through a dense alpine forest and soft snowy high grounds that gradually lead to the lake.
Two seasonal, semi-frozen water bodies are visible after crossing a small boulder zone. A spellbinding view of Mt. Bandarpoonch and Gangotri peaks is visible from a spot around a dry grass thatch, just before the top, leading to the partially-frozen Barnala Lake.
Spending the afternoon around the lake and an adjoining temple, we hike back to Chilapada campsite through the woods. Evenings at Chilapada in the winters can get a bit chilly so layer up accordingly. After a hot dinner, we retire for the day to recharge ourselves for what’s to come tomorrow!
Chilapada Campsite (3,094M) to Dayara top (3,750M) to Nayata (2,697M)
Distance: 9 kms
Duration: 5.5 hours
Today, we start our journey towards the highest point of the trek, i.e. Dayara Top. We begin at the break of dawn, post a sumptuous morning meal. The trail through the opaque forest patch is decorated with powdered snow uphill that leads towards the high grounds. A panoramic view of the Garhwal Himalayas presents itself to us as we reach near the last shieling or a 'Garhwali Chaani'. The snowy meadows of DayaraBugyal make an appearance from here.
Wide grounds shimmering with silver white snow can be seen in all their glory! Treading through these meadows, the panoramic view of prominent Garhwal Himalayas-Bakariya Top, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch, Mt. Srikanth, DraupadikaDaanda, Mt. Jaunli appear more alluring for their beauty and grandeur with each step forward.
The walk through the Bugyal gives way to a steeper, more upward snowy path leading to Dayara Top. Undulating, expansive snow grounds glitter with snow as far as the eye can see. The intriguing and magnanimous views from DayaraBugyal all the way up to Dayara Top are indeed worth the climb. The elevation gain today from Chilapada to Dayara Top is about 656M.
We spend some time at the summit appreciating the spellbinding view from the top. Replenishing our energy with some snacks, we make our way back to the last shieling towards the snow section in the south west, for descent. A snow walk in a meadow with a whistling cold breeze for the next couple of hours at this elevation could prove to be a challenge, but is filled with adventure and an adrenaline rush is guaranteed.
After crossing back over the high meadows, we make our way to Nayata through oakwoods, with peeking views of Mt. Bandarpoonch and Gangotri in the background. The trail route via Barnala Tal takes us towards Nayata. A moderate descent from the lake, the 3 kms trail is lined with maple trees and dry, sparse vegetation all the way to the campsite, offering stunning views of the sun setting over the mountains. We spend the remaining time at Nayata commemorating and sharing our experiences in the company of stars before calling it a night.
Nayata (2,697M) to Raithal (2,100M). Drive to Dehradun
Distance: 4 kms + 192 kms
Duration: 3.5 hours trek + 8 hours drive
We make our descent from Nayata back towards the village of Raithal today. Approximately 4 kms down through maple and oakwood trees; the forest turns moderately steep. Rhododendrons can be found aplenty on this path. We have our day’s packed lunch midway through our stride down to Raithal. The village landscape appears in the foreground from the forest, within an hour into the trail. The trail ends near GMVN cottage adjacent to a village cafe in Raithal, marking the completion of the trek. We can all now proudly say that we have completed the trek to Dayara Top - an adventure of a lifetime!
The drive back to the nearest city of Dehradun takes about 8 hours. If you have booked your trip back to Dehradun with Bikat, we leave by 1 pm to reach the city by evening. Kindly book your accommodations and travel ahead accordingly. Should you require any assistance with the same, please feel free to get in touch.
While the network coverage is minimal around Raithal village, a few points in Chilapada camp do get minimal range.
An astoundingly beautiful 21 km trail, divided into approximately 5-6 km trekking distances per day, makes Dayara Bugyal a perfect trek for beginners.
Since it is a beginner’s trek, you need no special prior experience. Although one is required to have mental preparedness and stamina before he/she begins the trek.
we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures
Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.
Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.
Cash refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date
Voucher refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date
Himachal
3 Days
BRS 2
3700 m
Himachal
3 Days
BRS 2
4267 m
Uttarakhand
5 Days
BRS 2
3810 m