Explore
Intelligence
Detailed Route
Gidara Bugyal Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps
A 7-day rigorous trek to one of India's largest and highest alpine meadows, starting from the remote Bhangeli village.
Standard RouteThis is the standard mountain pacing for this trek. Specific operators may add an acclimatization day or alter the starting point. Check individual operator schedules for their exact logistics.
Duration
7 Days
Total Distance
38 KM
Max Altitude
13,900 FT
Trek Type
linear
Permits Required Before You Go
Permit Cost
Where to Get
Uttarkashi DFO
Documents
Aadhar Card, Medical Auto-declaration
Foreign Nationals
Standard passport copies. Permit process slightly extended.
Foreigner Process
Standard forest checkpost logging.
Nearest Embassy Hub
New Delhi
Day by Day Breakdown
Camp Alt
7,800 ft
Day Gain
+5,600 ft
Drive to Bhangeli
Drive 8 hours following the Bhagirathi river past Uttarkashi. Disembark at the roadhead and undertake a brutally steep, 3km heart-pounding climb just to reach the remote cliff-side village of Bhangeli.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The motorable road navigates deeper into the mountain river corridor, where the landscape transitions from lower foothills into the steep, dense forested valleys.
Camp Alt
10,500 ft
Day Gain
+2,700 ft
Reach Rikla
Enter a deeply shaded, ancient woodland mixing oak, pine, and rhododendron. The climb is consistently steep. Rikla is a small clearing still enclosed completely by the forest.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.
Camp Alt
12,500 ft
Day Gain
+2,000 ft
Reach Dokrani
A magical day. You ascend past the timberline, the trees shrinking into dwarf rhododendrons, and suddenly burst out onto the lower edges of the immense Gidara meadows. Gangotri peaks dominate the horizon.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Tree line disappears as the valley broadens into a spectacular high-altitude alpine meadow basin, replacing the dense forests with expansive grazing pastures.
Camp Alt
13,200 ft
Day Gain
+700 ft
Today's Objective
🏔 Summit Ascent To Gidara Top
The apex day. A zig-zag climb up the steepest grass flanks to crest Gidara Top (13,900 ft). Traverse miles of high rolling green mounds dropping abruptly into deep valleys. Descend slightly to camp at Thalot.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.
Camp Alt
11,500 ft
Day Gain
-1,700 ft
Explore Gidara Bugyal & Reach Jeemara
Spend the morning exploring the lesser-known western ridges of the bugyal. By afternoon, begin the long drop back toward the tree line, camping at the lush forest edge of Jeemara.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The route navigates the Gidara Bugyal meadow before dropping toward the tree line at Jeemara.
Camp Alt
7,800 ft
Day Gain
-3,700 ft
Reach Bhangeli
A massive, steep descent. The trail drops violently back through the oak forests, retracing steps to the dramatic cliff-side village of Bhangeli.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The high alpine meadows narrow into forested river terraces as tree line vegetation reappears in the lower mountain river corridor.
Camp Alt
2,200 ft
Day Gain
-5,600 ft
Drive to Dehradun
Descend the final 3km from the village to the roadside. Board vehicles for the long winding drive back down to the heat of the Dehradun plains.
Key Landmarks
The mountain valley topography transitions back into the lower foothill river plains.
Trek Extensions & Add-ons
Bakal Top Extension
+1 DayAn exploratory side-hike pushing higher onto the neighboring Bakal ridges for deeper views into the Gangotri glacier system.
Plan Your Trek:
Ready to book? Compare verified operators for Gidara Bugyal Trek — transparent pricing, no paid rankings.
Still deciding?
Compare routes side-by-side to find the perfect match for your fitness, dates, and budget.
Day by day, camp by camp. Send this to your group so everyone's on the same page.
Step 4: Cost & Logistics
You understand the route.
Now see what services, permits, and logistics actually cost.
View Cost Breakdown