Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek: A Complete Guide for Beginners
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through endless green meadows with snow-capped Himalayan peaks shining in the distance, the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is exactly what you’re looking for. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this trek combines everything a beginner could wish for – stunning alpine meadows, ancient forests, rustic Himalayan villages, and breathtaking views of Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
The best part? You don’t need to be an experienced trekker to experience this paradise. The Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is easy to moderate in difficulty, making it one of the best options for first-time trekkers who want to dip their toes into Himalayan adventures.
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know – from the best time to go, a day-by-day itinerary, what to pack, how much it costs, and why it’s the perfect trek for beginners.
What Makes Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek So Special?
The word Bugyal means alpine meadow in the local Garhwali language, and Ali and Bedni are two of the most beautiful meadows in Uttarakhand. At around 11,500 ft, these meadows open up to vast green pastures stretching as far as the eye can see.
Unlike some treks that test your endurance with steep ascents and harsh conditions, the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek offers high rewards with relatively less effort. You walk through forests of oak and rhododendron, cross gurgling streams, camp under starry skies, and then suddenly find yourself standing in wide-open meadows with a 360° view of the Himalayas.
For beginners, this is the perfect introduction to trekking – a chance to experience the magic of the mountains without pushing your limits too far.
Quick Facts About Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
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Location: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
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Altitude: 11,500 ft approx.
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Duration: 6–7 days (including travel)
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Trek Distance: 20–24 km (depending on route)
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Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
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Starting Point: Lohajung village (reachable from Kathgodam)
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Best Time to Visit: March–June (spring/summer) & September–November (autumn)
Best Time to Visit Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
One of the reasons this trek is beginner-friendly is that it can be done in multiple seasons, each offering a unique charm:
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Spring & Summer (March–June): Meadows come alive with wildflowers, forests are lush, and the weather is pleasant. Ideal for first-timers.
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Autumn (September–November): Golden meadows, crisp mountain air, and the clearest views of Himalayan peaks. Great for photography.
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Winter (December–February): The meadows are blanketed in snow, turning the trek into a winter wonderland. Beginners can still attempt this with proper gear, though it’s colder and slightly tougher.
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Monsoon (July–August): Not recommended due to slippery trails and risk of landslides.
Day-by-Day Itinerary for Beginners
Planning your trek becomes much easier when you know exactly what each day looks like. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek itinerary, based on the Rishikesh pickup plan:
Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung (Pickup Day)
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Duration: 10–11 hours (approx. 270 km)
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Highlights: Scenic drive through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag.
Your adventure begins with a drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung, the base camp of the trek. Along the way, you’ll witness the confluence of rivers at Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag – each merging into the mighty Ganga. The road winds through pine-covered valleys and charming mountain villages. By evening, you’ll reach Lohajung, a small village surrounded by Himalayan peaks. Overnight stay in a homestay or guesthouse.
Day 2: Drive from Lohajung to Wan, Trek to Gehroli Patal
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Drive Duration: 1 hour
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Trek Distance: 3–4 km
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Altitude Gain: 8,000 ft → 9,800 ft
After breakfast, drive to Wan village, the starting point of your trek. The trail begins with a descent to Neel Ganga, a refreshing river stream perfect for a short break. From here, you climb steadily through oak and rhododendron forests until you reach Gehroli Patal, a beautiful forest campsite. Overnight in tents under the starry sky.
Day 3: Trek from Gehroli Patal to Abin Kharak via Bedni Bugyal
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Trek Distance: 9–10 km
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Altitude Gain: 9,800 ft → 11,500 ft
This is one of the most scenic days of the trek. You’ll ascend gradually, and soon the forest clears into the endless rolling meadows of Ali Bugyal. Walking on these vast green pastures with the Himalayas in the backdrop is an unforgettable experience. By afternoon, you’ll reach Bedni Bugyal, home to the sacred Bedni Kund lake. After exploring the meadows, continue trekking towards Abin Kharak, where you’ll camp for the night.
Day 4: Trek from Abin Kharak to Didna
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Trek Distance: 6–7 km
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Altitude: 11,500 ft → 8,200 ft
After breakfast, you’ll begin your descent from the alpine meadows towards Didna village. The trail takes you through dense oak and rhododendron forests, alive with birds and wildflowers. Didna is a quaint Himalayan village where you can experience traditional Garhwali culture. Overnight stay in homestays or tents.
Day 5: Trek from Didna to Kulling, Drive to Lohajung
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Trek Distance: 3–4 km
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Drive Duration: 1 hour
On your final trekking day, descend from Didna to Kulling village. The trail is gentle and passes through terraced fields and small hamlets. From Kulling, a short drive takes you back to Lohajung, where you’ll spend your last night at the base camp.
Day 6: Drive from Lohajung to Rishikesh
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Duration: 10–11 hours (approx. 270 km)
Bid farewell to the mountains as you drive back to Rishikesh. The long but scenic drive marks the end of your Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek, leaving you with memories of meadows, peaks, and warm Himalayan hospitality.
Difficulty Level – Is It Really Beginner Friendly?
Yes – and here’s why:
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Daily treks are around 5–7 km, which is manageable even for first-timers.
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Trails are well-defined and don’t require technical climbing.
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The maximum altitude is 11,500 ft, which is high enough to give you a taste of altitude trekking but not extreme.
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With some basic fitness (regular walking/jogging for a few weeks before the trek), you’ll be able to enjoy it comfortably.
Permits and Fees
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Forest Permits: Required to enter forest areas, usually arranged by trek organizers.
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Camping Fees: Applicable at certain sites like Bedni Bugyal.
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Overall Cost: ₹7,500 – ₹9,000 per person (including guide, food, accommodation, and permits).
Packing Checklist for Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
For beginners, packing right makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Trekking shoes with good grip & ankle support
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Warm clothing (layers: thermals, fleece, padded jacket)
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Rain protection (poncho or raincoat)
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Trekking poles (helpful for ascents & descents)
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Daypack for essentials
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Sleeping bag (if not provided by organizer)
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Water bottles & purification tablets
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Headlamp/torch & power bank
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First aid kit & personal medicines
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Sunscreen, sunglasses & cap
What You’ll See on the Trek – Flora & Fauna
Nature lovers are in for a treat:
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Forests: Dense oak, pine, and rhododendron trees.
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Meadows: Endless alpine pastures with seasonal wildflowers.
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Birds: Himalayan Monal (Uttarakhand’s state bird), eagles, lammergeiers.
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Wildlife: Occasionally musk deer, Himalayan foxes, and langurs.
Cultural & Mythological Significance
The trek also gives you a glimpse into Garhwali culture. Villages like Lohajung, Didina, and Wan showcase traditional stone houses, terraced farms, and warm hospitality.
Bedni Kund, located in Bedni Bugyal, is considered sacred. Local legends connect it to the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas are believed to have rested during their journey to heaven.
Budget Breakdown for Beginners
Here’s a rough cost estimate:
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Travel (Kathgodam ↔ Lohajung): ₹2,000–₹3,000
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Trek Package (6 days): ₹7,500–₹9,000
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Gear rental (if needed): ₹1,500–₹2,000
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Miscellaneous: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Total Budget: Around ₹12,000–₹15,000 per person
Tips & Safety for First-Time Trekkers
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Train your body by walking 4–5 km daily before the trek.
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Stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
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Always trek with a guide or reputed trekking company.
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Carry cash – ATMs are rare in remote villages.
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Respect local culture and environment – leave no waste behind.
Photography Tips
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Best light for landscapes: sunrise and sunset.
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Wide-angle lens works great for meadows.
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Carry extra batteries (charging facilities are limited).
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If trekking in autumn, golden meadows make perfect frames.
Why Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is Perfect for Beginners
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Gentle trails, yet breathtaking views.
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Meadows that look straight out of a fairy tale.
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A safe introduction to high-altitude trekking.
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Affordable and accessible.
In short – it’s the perfect blend of beauty, culture, and adventure for first-time trekkers.
Conclusion
The Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is not just a trek – it’s an experience that stays with you forever. Standing in the middle of a vast meadow with towering Himalayan peaks surrounding you is a feeling words can hardly describe.
If you’re a beginner looking for your first Himalayan trek, this is the one to choose. It will give you confidence, joy, and memories that will make you fall in love with trekking for life.
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