Journey to the Heart of Peace: My Dayara Bugyal Trek

Located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Dayara Bugyal is another beautiful place that offers lush green meadows, high peaks and serene beauty. I personally had the privilege of visiting this magical place some time back and it left me feeling refreshed and inspired, and I am looking forward to taking you on this journey.

What is the Bugyal

It is an alpine meadow of Dayara Bugyal which is more than 3,282 meters or 10,750 feet high and reaches up to 3,855 meters or 12,645 feet. This amazing campsite is quite interesting as it takes two days of easy trek from the Himalayan village of Raithal via Barnala and Gui to reach here. From Raithal village it is a gradual climb on a 10-km long track to reach the highest point Dayara Bugyal at 3,657 meters above sea level. As you move ahead enjoying the soft meadow, you reach the highest point of the meadow known as Bakaria Top from where the view of the Himalayan peaks and valleys is incredible. Suddenly you get a close view of Mount Bandarpoonch. Apart from this, there are spectacular and awe-inspiring views of the Garhwal Himalaya and other major nearby peaks including Kala Nag (Black Peak), Shrikanth, Dwari Ka Danda (DKD), Janoli and Mount Gangotri group of peaks.

The Call of the Mountains

The plan to visit Dayara Bugyal was brewing in my mind for several weeks now. Also known as one of the most beautiful high altitude meadows in India; this place would surely give both the peace and grandeur that I so desperately wanted while traveling; the thrill of getting out in nature! So, I packed some clothes, snacks, water bottles and more in my backpack and put on my new trekking shoes for practice.

Reaching the base: Raithal Village

The trek starts from Raithal, a small village located at an altitude of 7,400 ft above sea level. As I was entering Raithal, the slightly strange but warm friendly people and basically rustic atmosphere had a calming effect on me. The nice aroma coming from the cabins of Pahadi food specially cooked from the ‘pahadi’ region inspired me to have a heavy lunch before going to bed.

At the time of the final setup break at my homestay house above, the sky above was pitch black and I could see many snowcapped mountains in the distance. There was a certain excitement in the air at those heights, which further strengthened my eagerness while waiting for the daylight.

Day 1: In the jungle

The next morning was the first thing to do. Shivam, a young guy originally from the region and very agile, led me through oak, pine and rhododendron trees. Birds were chirping in the trees and twigs were crackling under our feet all along the way. There was a new surprise to be found at every turn – a cascading waterfall, a blooming flower or a spectacular view of the belly of the valleys.

As we gained altitude, the trees thinned out and we came across many large and open meadows. It was magical to get the first view of Dayara Bugyal. The lush green meadows seemed to stretch as far as it was possible to and the whole view was under the setting sun. Mountains like Bandarpoonch, Srikant and Draupadi ka Danda rose high in the background.

Camp under the stars

We chose a spot next to the meadows for camp. As is the case with most sunsets, the evening was spent watching the color change from blue to orange and then indigo. When night fell, the weather turned cold, but thanks to the fire that was still burning and a warm cup of ginger tea.

As I lay in my tent, I only had a small mesh window through which I could see the stars in the sky. I could feel the universe coming down to my level to meet me. There was complete silence and sometimes the sound of the wind could be heard from a distance. It was one of the happiest moments of my life and I thought to myself, I am glad nature has so much to offer.

Day 2: Climbing to the Peak

The next morning we climbed even further to Bakaria Top, which is at the peak of the trek at around 12,000 feet. The climb was supposed to be tough and it was and yet the climb was enjoyable. As I climbed up the final climb like a trooper, straight on as they say, the view that greeted me was worth my little energy.

I felt so relieved and proud at this spot on Bakaria Top. The entire Garhwal range lay spread out in front of me like crescent-shaped peaks of snow and sky. They were calming, and always reminded me how vulnerable we are in the face of such marvels.

A Heartwarming Encounter

As we were returning back, we met some shepherds who had gone to graze their animals. They then told me about their life in the mountains: they and the mountains are one and the same. One of them, an elderly man who had a beer belly like the mountain natives, invited us to drink fresh milk. He was really simple and generous which touched my heart.

Journey back

Though it was a bit sad to come down the path. Now that I stopped, I was just looking at the beautiful views in front of me which were no longer a part of my life. Perhaps the meadows, forests, mountain rivers all had left their mark on my heart.

After returning to Raithal I also spent the last evening of my trek feeling the whole experience. It was not a journey of miles and hours but a journey of the soul. The mountains were an important part that taught me the lesson of living a slow life or at least taking time to see and admire the creations around you.

Lessons from the Bugyal

As I learnt from the Dayara Bugyal trek. On reflection it helped remind me of the need to stay close to the natural environment, accept hardships and value the simple pleasures in life. The trek also led to the discovery of the state of Uttarakhand, which is my home, and perhaps the most beautiful state in India.

Why Dayara Bugyal should be on your list

If you are a low to medium level trekker who wants to enjoy beautiful views and atmosphere, then Dayara Bugyal is the ideal trek for you. A journey that is a reward in itself, that is what the Trail of the Century is: a visit to the Novi Styl Siedlce centre. In this sense, trekking is highly recommended for both experienced trekkers and first-timers as it gives you an amazing feeling of happiness and inspiration.

Dream of returning

When I said goodbye to Raithal and started my journey towards the city I told myself that I will definitely come back. There is something in the mountains that slowly pulls you back and I was sure I would come back again, roaming the meadows of Dayara Bugyal.

My only consolation for the next years would be the memories of this trek, which truly teaches the magic of the lap of Himalayas.