If you’re arriving with a bit of daylight left, start at Yulla Kanda Temple in the Yulla village trailhead area. This is the spiritual heart of the place — the lake-and-temple setting is quiet, windy, and very much worth slowing down for before you do any walking. Give yourself about 45–60 minutes here to take in the views, walk gently around the shrine, and let your lungs adjust to the altitude. Keep your pace easy; even a short uphill wander can feel more serious this high up.
After the temple, head onto the Yulla Kanda trail for the first stretch toward Yulla Kanda Meadow. This is less about “covering distance” and more about getting your body used to the climb and catching those open alpine views before dark. Plan roughly 1.5–2 hours, and turn back while there’s still enough light to descend comfortably. Wear proper shoes, carry water, and don’t push for speed — the trail is best enjoyed as a slow acclimatization walk, with plenty of pauses for the mountain air and wide views.
Return to Yulla village for a simple local homestay dinner and an early night. Ask for dal, rajma, roti, and whatever seasonal vegetable is being cooked that day; that’s the kind of meal that actually sits well before a trek morning. Expect to pay around ₹250–₹500 per person, depending on what’s included. Most homestays here keep dinner straightforward and filling rather than fancy, which is exactly what you want after a high-altitude walk.
Wrap up with a hot chai at a village dhaba after sunset — the most low-key, practical way to end the day. A cup will usually run ₹50–₹150, and the best ones are the places with a few locals lingering around the stove. Use this time to pack your day bag, check your water, and get to bed early; tomorrow’s climb will feel much better if you treat tonight like part of the trek, not just downtime.