Dayara Bugyal is one of the largest alpine meadows in the Garhwal Himalaya, an open expanse of grazing land that unrolls for kilometres above the treeline with the Bandarpoonch massif and Gangotri peak group as backdrop. Historically used by shepherds for summer grazing, it’s become one of Uttarakhand’s most reliable easy treks — accessible in a compact four days and gentle enough in gradient to suit trekkers without prior high-altitude experience.
The approach from Barsu passes through a stretch of old-growth deodar forest before opening onto the meadow itself, and the trek works in nearly any season: a green, wildflower-dotted meadow from April through November, or a snow-covered plain from December through March, when it becomes a popular short winter snow trek in its own right.
Because the trail is short and well-established, Dayara Bugyal is often recommended as a genuine introduction to Himalayan trekking — enough altitude and scenery to feel like a real mountain trip, without the multi-day commitment of routes further into the range.
