We want participants to have clarity in advance about which meals will be provided during the expedition and which meals they will need to arrange themselves.
1. Meals Provided by Indiahikes During the Trek
As per the current Indiahikes Dayara Bugyal trek information, the trek fee covers all meals from dinner at Raithal on Day 1 through dinner at Raithal on Day 5.
For our expedition, this means that Indiahikes' regular meal arrangements begin with dinner at Raithal on 13 November 2026 and continue through dinner on 17 November 2026.
Indiahikes has a dedicated Mountain Kitchen team that prepares fresh, hot vegetarian meals during the trek. The meals are planned keeping factors such as altitude, weather, digestion and the energy requirements of trekking in mind.
A typical Indiahikes meal schedule may include breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. The exact menu may vary depending on the day, campsite and operational circumstances.
2. Breakfast and Lunch on Day 1 — 13 November 2026
Nirog Bhumi will arrange and bear the cost of breakfast and lunch for all participants on 13 November 2026.
Depending on the final travel arrangements, these meals may be provided as packed meals, or the group may stop at a suitable place along the Dehradun–Raithal route for breakfast and/or lunch.
Participants will therefore not be required to separately pay for breakfast or lunch during the journey from Dehradun to Raithal.
Dinner on reaching Raithal will be provided as part of the Indiahikes trek arrangements.
3. Return Journey — 18 November 2026
The group will leave Raithal for Dehradun on 18 November 2026. Indiahikes' itinerary mentions expected arrival in Dehradun at approximately 6:00 pm, subject to road, weather and traffic conditions.
Nirog Bhumi will arrange and bear the cost of breakfast and/or lunch for participants on 18 November 2026.
Lunch may be provided as a packed meal, or the group may stop at a suitable restaurant or eating place during the journey from Raithal to Dehradun, depending on the final arrangements.
Dinner on 18 November is not included. It will not be provided or paid for by Nirog Bhumi or as part of the expedition arrangements. Participants are responsible for making and paying for their own dinner after reaching Dehradun on 18 November.
4. Dietary Requirements and Food Preferences
Indiahikes states that it can accommodate certain dietary requirements, including vegan, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant and Jain diets, provided it is informed in advance.
Participants should inform Nirog Bhumi well in advance about any food allergies, intolerances, dietary restrictions or other important dietary requirements so that these can be communicated to Indiahikes and considered while planning the expedition meals.
Participants should not assume that special dietary requirements can be accommodated if these are communicated only after the expedition has begun, particularly once the group is in the mountains.
5. Cutlery
Indiahikes asks trekkers to carry their own leakproof tiffin, mug and spoon for use during the trek. Participants should include these items in their personal packing list.
Meal Coverage at a Glance
| Date | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov — Dehradun to Raithal | Nirog Bhumi | Nirog Bhumi | Indiahikes |
| 14 Nov — Trek day | Indiahikes | Indiahikes | Indiahikes |
| 15 Nov — Trek day | Indiahikes | Indiahikes | Indiahikes |
| 16 Nov — Trek day | Indiahikes | Indiahikes | Indiahikes |
| 17 Nov — Trek day | Indiahikes | Indiahikes | Indiahikes |
| 18 Nov — Raithal to Dehradun | Nirog Bhumi | Nirog Bhumi | Participant's own arrangement and expense |
Meal timings, menus and the location or manner in which meals are served may change depending on the trek itinerary, weather, road conditions, availability of suitable establishments and other operational considerations. Nirog Bhumi and Indiahikes may therefore make reasonable changes to the meal arrangements where necessary.
Emergency Glucose: Honey
Carry it where you can reach it fast. Every participant should carry a small, leakproof bottle of honey in an easily accessible part of their daypack throughout the trek — not packed inside luggage carried separately.
Honey will serve as an emergency source of fast-acting carbohydrate in case of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). Approximately one tablespoon of honey provides about 15 grams of carbohydrate and may be used to treat a confirmed episode of low blood glucose. Participants may additionally carry glucose tablets or glucose gel as a backup source of fast-acting carbohydrate.
Honey should not be taken automatically merely because a participant feels dizzy, weak, tired or unwell. Some symptoms of low blood glucose may overlap with symptoms of altitude illness. Participants should therefore follow the expedition's Medical & Emergency Protocol, inform the team and check their glucose level before determining the appropriate response whenever circumstances permit.
Participants using insulin or medicines that can cause hypoglycaemia should be particularly careful to keep their honey or other fast-acting glucose source immediately accessible at all times.
This policy should be read in conjunction with all other policies and guidelines, and all the policies and guidelines are applicable to each participant.