Dayara Bugyal Temperature and Weather Guide for Your Winter Trek

Quick answer: In winter (December to February), the Dayara Bugyal temperature is roughly 5°C to 10°C during the day and around -5°C to -10°C at night at the campsites. January nights at the upper camps can drop below -10°C. The snow season usually runs from late December to March, and February often has the most snow.

At Raithal, the base village, a sunny winter afternoon can feel like a pleasant hill-station day. Two days later, at Chilapada camp, the water left outside your tent can freeze by morning. That gap between bright days and freezing nights is what you need to plan for.

Below: temperatures by season and month, snow timing, each campsite, today's weather and what to wear.

All temperatures in this guide are approximate. They change from year to year, and even from day to day, so check the latest forecast before you travel.

• What it is: a high-altitude alpine meadow in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
• Highest point: Dayara Top, about 11,950 ft (3,640 m)
• Base village: Raithal, 7,142 ft
• Route: Raithal, Gui, Chilapada, Dayara Top, Nayanta, then back to Raithal
• Duration: 6 days from Dehradun, about 21 km in 4 walking days
• Drive: Dehradun to Raithal, 185 km (8 to 9 hours)
• Difficulty: easy to moderate (moderate in snow)
• Snow season: late December to March

For dates and the day-wise plan, see the Dayara Bugyal trek page. Short on time? The 3-day Dayara Bugyal trek from Barsu is a quick weekend version.

The table shows approximate daytime temperatures on the trail and night temperatures at the campsites. Raithal, the base village, is lower and milder.

January nights at the upper camps can go below -10°C, and wind on the open meadow makes it feel colder than the number.

Dayara Bugyal Temperature in December

December is when winter sets in. The first snowfall usually arrives in early to mid December, often as patches near Dayara Top, and by late December the meadows are mostly white in most years. Early December nights tend to sit at the milder end of the winter range.

Day: roughly 5°C to 10°C | Night at camp: around -5°C to -10°C

Dayara Bugyal Temperature in January

January is usually the coldest month. The meadows are mostly white, and after a fresh spell the snow can be knee-deep. Clear, still nights are the coldest, and at the upper camps the temperature can go below -10°C.

Day: roughly 5°C to 10°C | Night at camp: around -5°C to -10°C, below -10°C on the coldest nights

Dayara Bugyal Temperature in February

February stays cold, but the days are a little longer. It usually brings the most snow of the year, and the trail above Gui is often under snow. This is the month for a deep-snow meadow walk.

Day: roughly 5°C to 10°C | Night at camp: around -5°C to -10°C

Dayara Bugyal Temperature in March

In March, the days warm up and the snow starts to melt. Patches usually remain above Chilapada, so you can still walk on snow near the top while the lower forest turns green. Nights still dip to around freezing.

Day: roughly 8°C to 14°C | Night at camp: around -3°C to 2°C

Dayara Bugyal Weather from April to June

By April the snow is mostly gone and the rhododendrons bloom along the forest trail. May and June bring green meadows and comfortable walking days, while mornings and evenings stay cool. Carry a warm layer even in summer.

Day: roughly 12°C to 20°C | Night at camp: around 2°C to 8°C

Dayara Bugyal Weather in July and August

These are the monsoon months. Days are mild but wet, clouds often hide the peaks, and the trails get slippery. We suggest you avoid Dayara Bugyal in July and August.

Day: roughly 12°C to 18°C, with rain | Night at camp: around 8°C to 12°C

Dayara Bugyal Temperature from September to November

After the rains, the air is clean and the sky is usually clear, which gives the best mountain views of the year. September is green, while October and November bring autumn colours and colder nights that can drop below freezing at camp.

Day: roughly 10°C to 16°C | Night at camp: around -2°C to 5°C

Dayara Bugyal gets good snow every winter, but the timing shifts from year to year. A rough guide:

If snow is your main goal, late December to February is the safest window.

Altitude matters as much as the month. You climb roughly 4,800 ft from Raithal to Dayara Top, so the higher camps are always clearly colder than the base village.

Every camp is coldest just before sunrise, so keep your warmest layers close at night.

No website can tell you the exact temperature on the meadow right now, and this guide does not show live data. Here is how to get a useful picture before you go:

• Check a nearby town: search for Raithal, Bhatwari or Uttarkashi in Google's weather box or any weather app. These are valley readings, so the camps and Dayara Top will be much colder, especially at night.
• Read the official forecast: the IMD Meteorological Centre, Dehradun publishes Uttarakhand district forecasts and weather warnings. Dayara Bugyal is in Uttarkashi district.
• Read winter rain as snow: rain in the Uttarkashi forecast in winter often means snow on the meadows.
• Plan around the afternoon: in the mountains, the weather often turns cloudy or wet after noon, which is why trek days start early.
• Ask the trek team: a few days before you leave, ask the Himalaya Shelter team for the latest trail and snow update.
• Check before you walk: BSNL and Vi usually work at Raithal and Barsu, but do not count on a signal higher up.

Several thin layers keep you warmer than one heavy jacket, and you can add or remove them as the day changes:

In snow, wet hands and feet get cold fastest, so waterproof gloves and woollen socks matter most. Himalaya Shelter provides tents, sleeping bags, microspikes and gaiters. For a full list, read our guide to essential clothing for Himalayan winter treks.

It depends on what you want to see:

• Snow: late December to March, with February usually giving the most snow.
• Snow with milder nights: March, when patches remain near the top but nights are close to freezing rather than well below it.
• Green meadows and rhododendrons: April to June.
• Clearest mountain views: mid-September to November.
• Avoid: July and August, the monsoon months.

Want to see how the meadow changes through the year? Read Dayara Bugyal in all seasons. Once you have picked your month, check the batch dates on the Dayara Bugyal trek page.

Kedarkantha, also in Uttarkashi district, is the other popular winter trek in this area. Its summit is about 12,500 ft, slightly higher than Dayara Top, and summit day starts in the dark, so its winter mornings usually feel colder and harder. Dayara Bugyal has no steep summit push. Compare the Kedarkantha trek, our Kedarkantha temperature and weather guide and the Kedarkantha vs Dayara Bugyal comparison.

Dayara Bugyal is one of the gentlest ways to see the Himalaya in snow, but its winter nights are properly cold. Pack in layers and check the Raithal and Uttarkashi forecast before you leave.

With Himalaya Shelter, you trek in a small group, usually 8 to 12 people, with trained trek leaders, and tents, sleeping bags, microspikes and gaiters are provided. Check the dates and book your Dayara Bugyal trek once you have chosen your season.

What is the Dayara Bugyal temperature in December?

In December, Dayara Bugyal is roughly 5°C to 10°C during the day and around -5°C to -10°C at night at the campsites. The first snowfall usually arrives in early to mid December, and by late December the meadows are mostly white in most years.

Pack a down jacket and thermals even for early December.

What is the Dayara Bugyal temperature in January?

January is usually the coldest month at Dayara Bugyal. Days are roughly 5°C to 10°C, and nights at the campsites are around -5°C to -10°C. On clear nights at the upper camps, the temperature can go below -10°C.

The meadows are mostly white, and fresh snow can be knee-deep.

What is the temperature at Dayara Bugyal at night?

It depends on the season. In winter (December to February), nights at the campsites are around -5°C to -10°C, and below -10°C on the coldest January nights. In March they are about -3°C to 2°C, from April to June about 2°C to 8°C, and from September to November about -2°C to 5°C.

Raithal, the base village, is lower and milder than the camps.

When does it snow at Dayara Bugyal?

The first snowfall usually arrives in early to mid December. From late December to January the meadows are mostly white, and February usually has the most snow. In March the snow melts, leaving patches above Chilapada, and by April it is mostly gone.

Timing changes every year, so check the forecast a week before you leave.

Is Dayara Bugyal open in winter?

Yes. Dayara Bugyal is open all year except the July and August monsoon, and winter is its most popular season because of the snow. Snow makes the walk slower, so the trek is graded moderate in winter instead of easy to moderate.

In winter, go with a guide or a group, as snow can hide the trail.

Which is the best month for the Dayara Bugyal trek?

For snow, go between late December and March, with February usually giving the most snow. Choose April to June for green meadows and rhododendrons, and mid-September to November for the clearest mountain views. Avoid July and August, the monsoon months.

March suits trekkers who want snow near the top with milder nights.

How can I check the Dayara Bugyal weather today?

Search for Raithal, Bhatwari or Uttarkashi in Google's weather box or any weather app, and read the IMD forecast for Uttarkashi district. These are valley readings, so the camps and Dayara Top will be much colder, especially at night.

Before you leave, ask the trek team for the latest trail and snow update.