Dayara Bugyal (3,408 m) in Uttarkashi is one of the largest alpine meadows in Uttarakhand, roughly 28 square kilometres of open grassland. It is unusual among Garhwal treks in having two genuinely different seasons: golden autumn meadow in October and November, and a snowfield from December through February. Junegiri Yatra runs it from Raithal between September and March.
October & November
Complete Calendar
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Status | Weather | Crowds | Price | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Open | −6°C to 7°C · Deep snow across the meadow · Crisp, clear days | Medium | Peak pricing around Makar Sankranti | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The meadow becomes an open snowfield — visually the most dramatic version of this trek, and easier underfoot than a forested snow trail. |
| February | Open | −4°C to 9°C · Settled snow · Long clear spells | Medium | Peak pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Full snow cover with steadier weather than January. A strong choice if you want snow without December crowds. |
| March | Open | 0°C to 12°C · Snow receding · Patchy cover on the meadow | Low | Low pricing | ⭐⭐⭐ | Transitional. Snow is patchy and the meadow is not yet green — the least distinctive month of the open season, but the quietest. |
| April | Closed | Spring · Meadow greening · No snow | No trekkers | N/A | — | No departures. The operator runs Dayara Bugyal September to March. |
| May | Closed | Warm · Green meadow · Hazy afternoons | No trekkers | N/A | — | No departures in this window. |
| June | Closed | Warm · Pre-monsoon build-up | No trekkers | N/A | — | No departures. Monsoon approaches from late June. |
| July | Closed | Monsoon · Heavy rain · Landslide risk on approach roads | No trekkers | N/A | — | Closed. Peak monsoon — the meadow is waterlogged and approach roads are landslide-prone. |
| August | Closed | Monsoon · Heavy rain · Landslide risk on approach roads | No trekkers | N/A | — | Closed. Peak monsoon — no departures. |
| September | Open | 4°C to 16°C · Post-monsoon green · Washed-clean air | Low | Low pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Season opens with the meadow at its greenest and the clearest air of the year. Some late-monsoon showers are still possible early in the month. |
| October | Open | 0°C to 14°C · Golden meadow · Exceptional visibility | High — peak season | Peak pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The best month. The meadow turns gold, the Himalayan skyline is at its sharpest, and conditions are comfortable rather than cold. |
| November | Open | −3°C to 11°C · First snow possible late in the month | Medium | Standard pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Equal best. Cold, exceptionally clear, and you may catch the first snowfall on golden grass — the most photographed version of this trek. |
| December | Open | −5°C to 8°C · Snow settling across the bugyal | High — winter season | Peak pricing around Christmas and New Year | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Snow arrives properly. A gentler introduction to winter trekking than most, because the gradient is easy and the meadow is open rather than forested. |
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
They are close to two different treks. October and November give you a golden meadow, the year's clearest mountain views and comfortable walking. December to February give you an open snowfield and a genuine winter experience at an easier grade than most snow treks. Choose autumn for scenery and comfort, winter for snow.
Yes — it is among the more approachable Garhwal treks, graded Easy to Moderate with a short 4 nights / 5 days itinerary and gentle gradients. Winter departures are harder than autumn ones because of snow and cold, so first-time trekkers are usually better served by October or November.
A bugyal is a high-altitude alpine meadow, a Garhwali term for the grasslands that sit above the treeline and below the snow line. Dayara is one of the largest, covering roughly 28 square kilometres, which is why the views open out so completely once you reach it.
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