Amidst the highlands of Uttarakhand lies nature’s hidden treasure: the grand sprawling grasslands or meadows. When summer casts its magic spell, the meadows burst to life as vibrant wildflowers splash a dreamy touch to these verdant grasslands. Uttarakhand is known for its wealth of meadows colloquially called Bugyals, and is home to diverse picturesque meadows or Bugyal treks.
But amidst the plethora of options, there is one trek that weaves together the grandeur of three of Uttarakhand’s most stunning meadows, offering an experience of a lifetime. The Great Meadows of India Trek seamlessly combines the splendour of three popular treks, Dayara Bugyal, Surya Top and Gidara Bugyal. It takes you on a journey of discovering breathtaking vistas.
The Great Meadows of India is beyond a trek, it’s a journey to a Himalayan Paradise. Imagine traversing the vast expanse of Dayara Bugyal where the lush green carpet sprawls to infinity, wrapped in a myriad of vibrant wildflowers. Add a rewarding ascent to Surya Top. Here, as the sun sets, golden hues dance upon the snow-capped peaks, casting a magical glow. The journey culminates in a dreamy wonder as Gidara Bugyal and its ethereal expanse mesmerize you with sheer magnificence, leaving you breathless.
As you wander through the lush green carpet, Himalayan peaks keep you company and play hide and seek right from the beginning. Gleaming peaks of Shrikanth, Jaonli, DKD and Bandarpooch appear right in front of you.
The Great Meadows of India Trek stands out amongst all other Bugyal treks. It’s exclusive and remains off-beat, offering you a secluded trail and serene campsites.
Backpacking is a distinctive style of travel characterized by its emphasis on simplicity, self-reliance, and immersive experiences in nature. It involves setting out on foot with all your essential belongings packed into a single backpack, which gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore a variety of terrains and environments. Unlike traditional travel, which often includes structured itineraries and comfort-focused accommodations, backpacking is about embracing the journey itself and the unpredictability that comes with it.
Amidst the highlands of Uttarakhand, Over 7 days, you’ll backpack through ancient forests, high-altitude passes, and remote villages, all while honing vital wilderness and leadership skills. This backpacking trip offers a unique opportunity to explore and challenge yourself to grow both personally and professionally, hence discovering the true potential of your being. Whether you’re learning to navigate through rugged terrain, mastering backcountry cooking, or building teamwork in remote villages, this backpacking trip will push you to your limits and leave you more resilient, confident, and prepared for the future.
The Basecamp of the Great Meadows of India trek is Raithal, a remote village near Uttarkashi. The base camp is around 180km and is roughly 7- 8 hrs drive from Dehradun. To reach the base camp, plan your travel to the nearest airport or the railway station well in advance.
OWLS arranges pick-up from Dehradun to Raithal for the participants. The pick-up will be available at the Prince Chowk, Dehradun. Reach the pickup location at 6 a.m.
[Note: Fare for a 5-7 seater cab will be Rs. 8,000 per vehicle. The 12-seater Tempo Traveller costs Rs. 12,000. This amount will be split by the participants and paid to the driver.]
The base camp Raithal is around 180 km and is a 7 -8 hrs drive from Dehradun. Dehradun is easily accessible by air, train and road. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant International Airport in Dehradun. You can book your tickets well in advance till Dehradun to avail of tickets at cheaper rates. You can choose to travel by air from any metro city to Dehradun. The other option is to reach Delhi by air and travel by train or bus from Delhi onwards.
If you are reaching Dehradun by air, here are a few options for planning your travel. Dehradun Airport is well connected with all the metro cities. You can book a direct or connecting flight to Dehradun. If you plan to reach Dehradun by air, ensure to land in Dehradun on Day 0.
Dehradun city is 32 km away from the Jolly Grant Airport. It takes 1 hour to reach the city. You can opt to hire a cab/auto directly from the Airport. The other option is to exit the Airport complex and book an auto rickshaw. The charges for prepaid cabs at the airport are exorbitant. Another low-cost alternative to get to Dehradun city is to travel on a city bus. Walk towards the Dehradun – Rishikesh highway and hop on a shared auto or city bus. You will have to wait for the bus. Regular city buses run between Dehradun and Rishikesh almost every half an hour.
If you land in Dehradun on day 0, book a hotel or dorm near Prince Chowk, Dehradun. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam’s hotel is 30 minutes away from Prince Chowk and offers rooms at reasonable rates. They have economical as well as deluxe rooms.
OWLS pick-up will be available on Day 1 at Prince Chowk, Dehradun at 6. a.m.
This option will be economical for you. Flight to Dehradun will be slightly priced higher than flight to Delhi. To cut down your travel budget, fly to Delhi, then get on a bus or train from Delhi to Dehradun.
You can book and find bus options at UTC Online or Redbus. Another option is to go to Kashmere Gate and book a bus offline. Try to board a bus or train which will arrive in Dehradun on the evening of Day 0. Reaching Dehradun on Day 0 helps you to rest before your trek starts on Day 1.
If you want to travel overnight, Nanda Devi Express runs daily and departs from H. Nizamuddin at 11.35 p.m. and arrives at Dehradun early at 5.40 a.m. Overnight Volvo AC buses also run frequently between Delhi and Dehradun. It takes 6-7 hours to get to Dehradun from Delhi.
Your Trek is 7 days long, including travel to and from the base camp. The team will be back in Dehradun on Day 7. You reach Dehradun in the evening, between 8 to 9 pm.
While returning, you can fly directly out of Dehradun to your city. The second option is to travel by bus or train to Delhi.
[Note: Bhangeli to Dehradun fare for a 5-7 seater cab will be Rs. 8,500 per vehicle. The 12-seater Tempo Traveller costs Rs. 12,500. This amount will be split by the participants and paid to the driver.]
If you go with the first option, you can book a direct flight from Dehradun to your city on Day 8.
The second option requires you to travel to Delhi by train or bus. Once you reach Dehradun in the evening, you can head to ISBT Dehradun and book an AC Volvo bus to Delhi and travel comfortably. The other option to reach Delhi from Dehradun is to book a train.
If the second option suits you better, book a flight that departs late morning or early afternoon of Day 8. The overnight buses from Dehradun arrive in Delhi in the wee hours. It is advisable to book an afternoon flight to avoid rushing.
Some trekkers prefer to stay back for a day and use the buffer day to explore Rishikesh or Mussorie. You can either stay for a night and explore Dehradun city or proceed home the same evening if flying out of Delhi.
