Tour overview

DURATION:- 05 NIGHT 06DAYS .

FROM :- DEHRADUN TO DEHRADUN .

STATE :- IN UTTRAKHAND . ( INDIA ) .

DISTRICT :- CHAMOLI .

ABOUT :- A trek to the Himalayas is incomplete without its share of local stories and legends. And BAGJI BUGYAL has one of its own. The local villagers talk about a time, 60-70 years ago, when tigers (Bagh in the local language) used to freely roam along the meadows.

Tribal herdsmen used to avoid the BUGYAL lest their flock, or even worse, the herdsmen themselves fall pray to these cats. Just to mark these particular set of BUGYAL , they gave it name – BAGJI BUGYAL . The literal translation being tiger meadows. Unfortunately, the tigers disappeared.

Deep virgin forests, gurgling brooks, breath taking campsite and unending meadows is what makes this trek special. Ali and BEDNI BUGYAL are quite famous among trekkers, but add BAGJI to them and they make a great trio of the high altitude alpine meadows. Simply put, the gigantic meadows on this 6 day trek will blow you away. It will be as if you walked into another world

But the most stunning highlight of them all, aren’t the meadows. It is the views along the trail. More so from BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp and the top as well. The trek offers 360 degree views of the all the neighboring peaks. hike the trail with views of Mt TRISHUL MT MRGTHONI and Mt Nanda GHUNTI for company. You will be spending the entire evenings and early mornings just gazing at those mighty mountains in awe.
SO LET’S PUT ON THAT BACK PACK , TIE THOSE LACES & STRAT TREKING .

DAY WIES ITINEARY :-

Day 1: REACH GHASE Irrespective of if you’re coming from DEHRADUN it’s a 10-12 journey to get to the basecamp in GHASE . After their first glimpse in THARALI , MT NANDA GHAUNTI ,, and Mt MRIGTHONI welcome you to the picturesque village of GHASE .

Altitude: 7900FT

Time taken: 10-12 hours of driving.

Before reaching GHASE make sure you have all your trek gear ready and make your phone calls to loved ones. There is no mobile phone networks available in GHASE although if you’re lucky you might get some on certain spots at BAGJI BUGYAL basecamp. You can buy jackets, gloves, caps and shoes in DEWAL but better get them beforehand and not rely on them to be readily available in DEWAL .

low-preview-ENROUTE GHASE –
ENROUTE TO GHASE THE BASE CAMP FOR BAGJI BUGYAL PC HIMANSHU SINGLA

GHASE is village with about 200-250 houses spread over a length of 7kms on an ascent in a clusters of small hamlets. The village developed in this form over a period of years as the locals migrated from higher hamlets to lower ones at the change of seasons. While you might not think of it as anything noteworthy when you’re in the village, you’ll be able to appreciate its real beauty on Day 2 when you look at the village from on elevation on following day of the trek.

Day 2: GHASE TO DEVLIKHETI
Altitude: … : 7900FT Time taken: 4 to 5 hours

Trek gradient: Gradual ascent with patches of steep ascent through forest with some rocky patches

Water Sources: Fill your water bottles before leaving base camp. There is only one source near SAMRATA village an hour after you leave base camp

Fill your water bottles and catch the trail in south east direction on steep ascent for first 10 minutes. The trail will go up very gradually, then 30 minutes later , look for a single shepherd’s hut to your right. All this time MT TRISHUL , MEKTOLI , DEVTOLI , MRAGTHONI will accompany you with you to your right. 15 minutes later you arrive at a village called SAMARTA

low-preview-GHASE village
GHASE village as viewed from trail to DEVLIKHETI on BAJI BUGYAL Trek. PC : Himanshu Singla

All mighty peaks will be on your back you go further south on a flat trail. Before you trek ahead a little bit about SAMRATA . It is the first high mountain village on trek at the height of 8879ft. Made up a cluster of hamlets and some small fields in which they grow seasonal vegetables, rajma and wheat. PINDER valley looks so endless from here.

Crossing SAMARTA , head south east and the trail will ascend steeply for for 150m. The climb takes up to 30 minutes and at the end of it take the extreme left out of 4 trails that you see. 15 minutes of gradual jungle ascent in the north eastern direction will lead you to a Guru Mandir. Listen to the temple bells ringing as you watch the flags fluttering in the sun. Continue straight on the trail keeping the temple to your left. An hour and half after continuing on the path with a gradual ascent and flat trails you’ll reach your first campsite – DEVLIKHETI

From DEVLIKHETI you can see BRAHMATAL Top staring at you with AJAN top on your right. NAVALI BUGYAL will be at your eye level and 100 year old RHODODENDROS fencing the campsite

Day 3: DEVLIKHETI to BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp
Altitude: 9811 FT to 10600 FT

Time taken: 3 to 4 hours

Trek gradient: Gradual ascent with some patches of steep ascent and some sections of descent as well starting with a jungle walk in the initial part of the trail

Water Sources: There’s one water source on the way. Once at campsite traverse for a 100 MTS towards Mt TRISHUL from the Forest Department huts you’ll come across a water source

forest department huts-
Forest department huts near the campsite. PC : HIMASHU Singla

Gear up for first ascent of 30 minutes just behind your campsite just to catch the trail in W Direction. The trail then, very gradually heads north-east. Go ahead this steep incline for 30 minutes in a zig-zag manner as the ascent is steep and walking zig-zag makes it easier. Once you SUCESFULLY negotiate, the next couple of hours is very gradual going up. You’ll get a glimpse of BAGJI BUGYAL . But don’t be alarmed if it looks dark. It is only that jungle and the steep slope around doesn’t let the sun rays shine on the BUGYAL . Enjoy a break here for a while. Not only to catch your breath but also to enjoy the smells and sounds of the jungle. Another 15 minutes of another gradual ascent, Mt TRISHUL and MEKTOII come into your views again. Get your cameras out and press that shutter release button a few times. It is a sight to behold. BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp is an hour long walk from here in an hour in same direction and. From here you’ll see first time you see CHAUKHUMBA on your left and KEDAR dome peeking out from clouds. And you are done for the day. BAGJI BUGYAL summit is a 45 minute hike up the ascent next morning.
BAGJI BUGYAL BASECAMP

Views from BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp. PC: Himanshu Singla

As you gaze at the NEIGHBOURING mountains while having your tea, it’ll be impossible to resist being spellbound by the magic those colors weave. To one side of meadow, you see GARHWAL KUMAON ranges in red and many shades of it. While on the other side watch the sun drops into a sea of clouds behind NARVALI Top. As the last few rays of the sun fall on big mountains, they mountains change from a shade of dark orange to red and finally cold white. Enjoy a hot dinner before make your whole day before you sneak into your sleeping bag. Next morning you summit BAGJI BUGYAL l top.
Day 4: BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp to DHULAMB via BAGJI BUGYAL top
Altitude: 10600ft to 9870 FT via 11100FT

Time taken: 4 to 5 hours

Trek gradient: A half and half mix of ascent and descent through forests, ridges and meadows

Water Sources: There aren’t any water sources along the trail. So make sure you have your water bottles filled before leaving camp. There is water at DHULAMB campsite though.

Pre-dawn on BAGJI BUGYAL Basecamp. PC: Himanshu Singla

Start before sunrise and head towards the summit which is 45 mins of ascent in the north east direction from the campsite. Watch the sunrise from there and spend about 30 minutes soaking in the first light of the morning. The views from the top are well worth the early morning wake up call. You’ll sight the Balan valley with Balan village, DEWAL GHAT , LOHAJUNG , the entire ROOPKUND trail, BRAHMTAL top, Ali BUGYAL , KAALI DAAK , Mt TRISHUL , Mt NANDA GHATI , Mt DEVTOLI , Mt MRIGTOLI , Mt MEKTOLI , and KAALITAA . After enjoying the 360 degree view of landscape which is rare in GARHWAL Himalayas comes the descent.

Walk for 15 minutes along the meadows of BAGJI BUGYAL keeping Mt TRISHUL in front of YOU FROM there on it is a steep descent of 45 minutes through a lush jungle. Towards the end of this descent you’ll see small pastures from where you take the ridge heading north. You’ll gradual hiking up and down for the next 2 hours From here its gradual ascents, gradual descend for next 2 hours. You’ll come across BUNIYA meadows where you will see some shepherds with their SHEEPS and CATTLES . This would be a perfect place to take a break, stretch those legs and have some water before your 30 minute ascent of the day. This will be your final ascent of the day after which continue on the trail to your left heading in the northern direction. 30 minutes later you are at DHULAMB – your campsite for the day. DHULAMB campsite is located in a small patch of meadows surrounded by oak trees. If you’re a bird enthusiast, head to the water source close by and you’ll heard chirps of various birds and may be spot a few as well.

`Day 5: DHULAMB ` to HIMNI
Altitude: 9870 FT OT 8400 FT

Time taken: 4 hours

Trek gradient: Descent through forests and meadows some of which can be steep and mostly a flat trail otherwise

Water Sources: There are a couple of water sources along the way, one of them being a small pond surrounded by grassy land and the other being water reservoir of HIMNI village.

Make sure to take a lot of pictures on BAGJI BUGYAL Trek. PC: Himanshu Singla

The trail on the penultimate day of the trek begins near the water source. A gradual ascent of 10 minutes will lead you to a flat pathway going southwest for about 30 minutes. Once at the meadows on a high incline, begin your steep descent at the end of which is a long walk. The first sign of civilization you’ll see is what is called a ‘chaniya’ and small hut, some farm animals. Continue along the trail to your left in the southwest direction for an hour until you see a pond surrounded by grassy area and oak trees to you right. A good place to fill up your water bottles if they’re emptied or just simply to take a break and enjoy the view. A further half an hour on the trail you’ll see a water reservoir that is the source of water for HIMNI village. An hour later you’ll arrive at HIMNI village. Observe the little houses, the villagers working in the fields and kids playing. That is how life in many of the villages in this regions passes by.

Day 6: HIMNI , to DEHRADUN.
The next morning take a bus or a shared jeep back to the nearest rail head or airport and then ahead to your home

GROUP :- MINIMUM 12 PERTION .

INCLUDE:- PICK UP & DROP . BREAKFAST ,LUNCH & DINNER .

ACCOMMODATION :- TENT , HOME STAY GUEST HOUE , DOUBLE /TWIN SHARING BASIS . ROAD TAX FUEL CHARGES & ALL APPLICABLE , TAXES PACKAGE .

INCLUDE:- PICK UP & DROP . BREAKFAST ,LUNCH & DINNER .

EXCLUDES:- ANY EXTRA OTHER THAN MENTIONED IN INCLUSIONS . Who Can Participate

AGE :- 10 YEARS + .
FIRST TIMERS CAN APPLY; PREVIOUS TREKKING EXPERIENCE IS MORE APPRECIATED .
THE CLIMBER MUST BE FIT AND HAVE SUFFICIENT STAMINA TO COVER 5KM OF DISTANCE IN 35 MIN OR 10KM IN 80–90 MIN WITHOUT STRESS .