Satopanth Tal Trek- An adventure to explore the Pristine Glacial Lake

An untouched Glacier Lake, Satopanth Tal is a triangle-shaped hidden treasure amidst the magnificent Garhwal region. The destination happens to be an impeccable religious site for the locals and is believed that the three supreme deities of Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara meditated on the three different corners. Nestled at a huge elevation of 4600 meters above sea level, this crystal clear green water lake is beautifully bedecked amid the snow-shrouded peaks.

This renowned trekking trail in Uttarakhand holds immense significance in Hinduism and attracts thousands of travelers from all across the globe. A massive crowd of devotees treks to this lake on solar and lunar fortnights to take bath into it as this is considered very auspicious. This gorgeous site also offers a great opportunity to have glimpses of the Himalayas.

Along with enjoying the thrilling trekking experience, one can also witness the surreal beauty of the scenic vistas and the glory of the gorgeous Vasudhara Falls. In addition, the traveler also gets an opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring views of Himalayan gigantic such as Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, and Swargarohini.

Note- Be informed that you are not going to find any permanent establishments for an overnight halt on the Satopanth Tal Trek expedition. Hence, you are strictly advised to carry food, raw materials, tents, and sleeping gear along with you.

Also Check Out: Detailed Itinerary for Mt. Satopanth Peak Expedition

Brief Details about the Trek

• Duration of the trek- 6 days
• Difficulty level- moderate
• Distance covered- around 50 km
• Start and end point- the journey continues from Rishikesh to Badrinath
• Base Camp- Mana Village
• Nearest Airport- Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun
• Nearest Railhead- Rishikesh
• Best time- between May-June and then September-October

Trekking Tour Highlights

1. Witness the impeccable charm of the untouched Satopanth Lake.
2. Walk over the Bheem Pul, a natural rock bridge.
3. Watch out for the mesmerizing views of Vasudhara Falls.
4. Climb up the Dhano Glacier, one of the majestic glaciers in North India.
5. Walkthrough Mana, the last Indian village.
6. Witness the spell-binding views of the Himalayan peaks like Swargarohini, Chaukhamba, and Neelkanth.
7. Enjoy camping at Satopanth Lake under the starry sky during the night.

The Legend of Satopanth Tal

If we go by the traditional Sanskrit then the word ‘Sat-o’ means ‘of truth’ and ‘Panth’ means ‘Pathway’. Hence, Satopanth altogether means a pathway leading to ultimate truth. Several myths are existing about the lake that has passed on from one generation to another and is spread among locals and tourists as folklore.

 

There is a belief that some unique bird species often come to the shores of this lake, which are Gandharvas from heaven. It is believed that they come here to pick the garbage, dirt, and pollution to keep the lake clean and hygienic.

When you roam around the village, you will get to hear several stories related to the origin of this revered site.

Best Time to Trek along the Satopanth Tal Trek

This high-altitude trekking trail however overflows with beauty all around the year and is best to be undertaken either during monsoon months or the summer season.

Covering This Trek during the Summer Months

Summer month in Uttarakhand starts in May and the clear skies offer clear views of the snow-peaked Mt. Neelkanth, Swargarohini, and Mt. Chaukhamba. The starry sky looks so enchanting, especially on the full moon day. Adventure lovers can enjoy the eye-treating views of the nature during summer months with colorful and scented flowers blooming all around.

The trails pass through the dense forest areas, lush meadows, and bluish-green water enhances the glory of this pristine glacial lake. The average temperature of the site ranges between 12 degrees Celsius during the daytime and during the night, the temperature hovers between 7 Degree Celsius and -5 degrees Celsius.

Also Check Out: Detailed Itinerary for Satopanth Base Camp Trek

Covering this Trek Post Monsoon 

Another ideal time to trek along Satopanth Lake is the post-monsoon season. September and October reveal another aspect of the scenic vista of this region. This is the most ideal time to witness the beauty of River Alaknanda at its utmost level. In October, the region starts receiving snowfall covering the landscape in a light cover of white.

Winter months are not recommended to plan your Satopanth Tal Trek due to extreme climatic conditions and during the monsoon months, the region becomes quite prone to landslides making routes inaccessible. When you reach the top of this high altitude, it is quite common to find a lot of snow in the winter months.

How to Reach Satopanth Tal Trek

The trek commences at Mana in Uttarakhand, the last village established on the Indo-Tibetan border. Located only 4 km away from the main town of Badrinath, the destination is well connected with several major cities of the country.

By Air- Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport and is only 317 km away from Badrinath. The airport is well connected to various big cities with several direct and connecting flights available on regular basis. One can also opt for the helicopter services available from the Sahastradhara helipad in the city.

On reaching the airport, one can easily find a taxi or a cab to reach the desired destination.

By Rail– Unfortunately, there is no railway station in Badrinath and the nearest railhead to the pilgrimage is Haridwar Railway Station which is nicely connected to the different parts of the country.

By Road– Badrinath is very well connected to its surrounding states via NH-58 and this makes it easily accessible by roadways. You don’t need to worry about safety as the roads are well maintained and very safe to travel. We would recommend you to take a bus rather than driving your own to reach the place as it would be very arduous and hectic for you.

If you are coming from Delhi then you can easily catch a bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Once you arrive in Badrinath then take a bus or taxi to reach Mana Village which is only 3-4 km from here.

Satopanth Tal Trek Itinerary

To have a clear understanding of the journey you are planning to cover, you must check out this meticulously designed itinerary.

Day 1- Rishikesh- Badrinath- Drive for almost 300 km

You will be covering a total of 11 hours long road journey to reach Badrinath from Rishikesh. We would recommend you to start your day a little early in the morning so that you can reach the site on time and can save your energy for the next day’s schedule. You will be left with a little time in the evening when you can visit the pilgrimage. After darshan and completing the puja rituals return to the hotel for a night meal which is then followed by a relaxing overnight stay.

Day 2- Badrinath- Lakshmi Van- 5 hours long trekking

Kickstart your second day of the trip with a relishing morning meal and then get ready to move towards Mana Village. You can either think of covering the distance between Badrinath and Mana Village by walking or can hire a taxi or cab. After you have completed 3-4 hours of the distance you get to see the mesmerizing beauty of the gorgeous Vasudhara Falls.

After crossing the waterfalls area, keep on moving towards Lakshmi Van campsite elevated at 11,900 feet where you will go for an overnight stay in the tent.

Day 3- Lakshmi Van- Chakratirtha – 4 hours long trekking            

On the 3rd day of your journey, you will be walking along the green grasslands along with the rocky areas of Dhano Glacier. This is going to be a very exciting journey where you will be enjoying glimpses of Bhagirathi peaks and the patches of colorful wildflowers. Start trekking towards Sahastradhara from where you get to enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the majestic Neelkanth Peak on a very clear day.

Go for an hour-long trek to reach the Chakratirtha Campsite from here.

Day 4- Chakratirtha to Satopanth Lake and back- 8 hours long trekking

This is the day when you start trekking towards Satopanth Lake from where you get the first glimpse of the pristine glacial lake. Enjoy the scintillating views of a lifetime with Swargarohini on the left, Neelkanth behind you, Balakun on the right, and Chaukhamba straight ahead. Climb up to Chakrateerth once you are done with clicking pictures.

Day 5- Chakrateerth to Badrinath via Mana- 6 hours long trekking

Climb down to Mana Village by following the same route which takes almost 6 hours. Take a direct jeep or cab to reach Badrinath if you feel too exhausted which you definitely would be.

Day 6- Badrinath- Rishikesh

On the last day of your journey, you will be taking a cab or bus to Rishikesh for your onward journey towards home. Take out some time to shop out your heart’s contents or souvenirs from either Rishikesh or Badrinath before you leave the state.

How Arduous is Satopanth Tal Trek

Although the trekking trail to reach the pristine glacial lake in Uttarakhand is of moderate level yet there are some challenges you are surely going to face.

Attitude Gain

• One of the most challenging things on a trek is steep attitude gain as when you climb up the hills, oxygen level in the atmosphere goes down. Our heart and the respiratory organs are bound to function more heavily and this is how acute breathing problems might also occur to someone.

Steep Climb on the 3rd Day

• You will be gaining an altitude of more than 2500 feet in altitude, so be ready for some heavy legwork. Do not forget to keep a water bottle with you to stay hydrated and also carry extra snacks in your bag so that you feel energized throughout the day.

Climate and Temperature

• One needs to stay updated with the weather forecast and be prepared for a sudden drop in the temperature, especially during the night. You will be acclimatizing for a day so that your body gets adapted to the cold climate of the region. The temperature often goes down to a sub-zero level and ranges between -5 and -7 degrees Celsius.

Mountain Sickness

• Altitude Motion Sickness is one of the most common challenges faced by the trekkers as there is a bit of rising in the altitude while climbing up to Satopanth Tal Lake. Altitude Motion Sickness is similar to motion sickness that causes headaches and nausea to the traveler. However, it is not a very serious problem but if ignored initially then it can become very dangerous.

Physical Fitness

• One needs to be physically very fit and should have great strength or else trekking to the height of 2000- 2500 feet is not possible. The entire terrain is covered with loose rocks, moraines, and boulders making the walk pretty stressful for the ankles and knees.

Snow

• The entire valley from Chakratirtha to Satopanth Lake is bedecked with thick sheets of snow throughout the year. One needs to be very smart and attentive while packing their trekking bags as your backpacks must include UV protected sunglasses to deal with the snow blindness, good pair of trekking shoes to comfortably walk on the moraines, and a good pair of gloves to keep your hands warm and help with snow handling.

Frequently Asked Questions about Satopanth Tal Trek

It is quite obvious for a traveler to have his/her mind filled with plenty of questions when they plan for this trekking trail. We have enlisted a few of the most commonly asked questions of the trekkers about this thrilling adventure.

Q: How High is Satopanth

• Ans- This crystal clear green water lake is nestled beautifully at an altitude of 4600 meters above sea level.

Q: How Do you Reach There?

• Ans– Badrinath is the starting point of this adventurous trail and then from there, one move to Mana Village. From this place, you will be crossing two campsites, first at Lakshmi Van and the other one is at Chakratirtha.

Q: Where is This Gorgeous Lake Located?

• Ans- This glimmering lake is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Satopanth Lake is located closer to Badrinath Dham and is easily accessible from Mana Village.

Q: What is the Itinerary of the Satopanth Tal Trek?

Ans- The itinerary for this thrilling experience goes as follows-

• Day 1- Rishikesh to Badrinath
• Day 2- Badrinath to Lakshmi Van
• Day 3- Lakshmi Van to Chakratirtha
• Day 4- Chakratirtha to Satopanth and then return to Chakratirtha
• Day 5- Chakratirtha to Mana and then to Badrinath
• Day 6- Badrinath to Rishikesh

Q: How Difficult is Satopanth Trek

• Ans- The trek is of moderate to difficult level and you need to have prior trekking experience and a high fitness level to cover this trekking trail.