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Satopanth Trek Overview
Quick Facts of Satopanth Trek
Maximum altitude: 15,100 ft
Grade: Moderate to difficult
Duration: 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Trekking distance: 50 kilometres
Rail head: Rishikesh is the closest railhead to Satopanth trek which is 320kms away.
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport to Satopanth.
Snow Season: The main lake is covered in dense snow from Septemberend to mid-may.
Base camp: Mana village is the base camp for Satopanth glacier trek
Best season: Best season to undertake Satopanth trek is between summers (May- June) and post monsoon(September- October)
Region: Chamoli district
Who can participate: The minimum age requirement of Satopanth trek is 12 years.
Satopanth Trek Itinerary
Arrival at Joshimath
At the very first day you arrive at Joshimath, the starting point of this tour.
Here, you will meet and greet with the representative of the Satopanth trek who will give you crucial information about the trek.
After checking into your hotel, you’re free to roam around and explore the quaint little town that is Joshimath.
After exploring or resting, scrumptious dinner will be served followed by an overnight stay at the hotel.
It is advisable to get some good sleep as the rest of the days are bound to be a little tiring as the Satopanth glacier trek will start the next day.
Joshimath – Badrinath – Jhamtoli
The second day will commence with a scenic drive from Joshimath to Badrinath which is somewhere around 45 kilometres.
After having breakfast, you will have a chance of taking the blessings at the Badrinath temple.
Mana village – otherwise renowned to be the last village in India is going to be the next pit stop.
Mana village is where your lunch will be packed as the Satopanth trek towards Jhamtoli will commence from there on.
Trekkers are going to cover 8 kilometres on this day, while gaining an altitude of 3640 metres.
Jhamtoli to Chakratirtha
After spending the night camping at Jhamtoli, the caravan of Satopanth trek will move towards Laxmi van.
This day will also involve trekking for a good 8 kilometres while the altitude is going to be 4240 metres.
After crossing Laxmi Van, Sahastra Dhara will be the next pit stop.
Sahastra Dhara is also renowned to be the ‘thousand fold spring’ and is believed to be one of the most famous tourist spots in Uttarakhand.
Lunch will be packed at Sahastradhara and then the journey will continue towards Chakratirtha.
Chakratirtha – Satopanth Lake – Chakratirtha
Satopanth lake is around 5 kilometres from Chakratirtha and this jaunt of the Satopanth tal trek will involve meandering through seasonal and moraine glaciers.
You will be trekking in the close proximity of Parvati and Neelkanth peak with the Chaukhamba peak also making its presence felt.
The revered Satopanth lake is a three-cornered lake with a circumference of about 1-2 kilometres.
The lake is primarily famous for its spiritual significance and crystal clear emerald waters.
Situated at a height of 4465 metres above the sea level, the Satopanth lake trek is an absolute heaven nestled amidst the glorious Himalayas.
After having lunch at the Satopanth lake, you will trek back to Chakratirtha for an overnight stay.
Chakratirtha to Jhamtoli
After waking up at Chakratirtha and having breakfast, the caravan of Satopanth tal trek will move towards the top of the Chakratirtha which is home to a large formation of glaciers.
The revered gaumukh snout of the Bhagirathi river is also included in this jaunt.
After basking in these glorious and surreal experiences, you will start your trek towards Jhamtoli.
In Jhamtoli, dinner will be served and a overnight camp is how you wil culminate the day.
Jhamtoli – Badrinath – Joshimath
The second last day of Satopanth tal trek will see you trekking down to the Mana village from Jhamtoli.
This day will also involve visiting ganesh and vyas gufa. Both these caves hold special religious significance in Hindu mythology as it is believed that Lord Ganesh once stayed inside the Ganesh gufa for a considerable amount of time.
After visiting these caves, the drive towards Badrinath will commence as you will again have a chance to visit the famed Badrinath temple before leaving for your respective homes.
After having lunch at Badrinath, the drive will start towards Joshimath.
Departure from Joshimath
The last day will involve some chilled out time at Joshimath as this is where the Satopanth tal trek will end and all the adventure seekers will disperse at this point. Morning breakfast is included in the package which you can devour before your departure. It is also worth mentioning here that at an extra cost, you can also book the Satopanth lake trek from other popular cities of Uttarakhand like Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun.
What to Pack for Satopanth Trek?
Essentials
Rain cover: Although the chances are that the climate will remain cold and dry during the Satopanth glacier trek, if it rains, you don’t want yourself or your belongings to get drenched in this extreme cold.
Warm clothes: Keep warm clothes in abundance because it gets super chill on the Satopanth lake trek, especially after the sun sets.
Water bottle: A 1-2 litre water bottle to keep yourself hydrated all the time.
Fleece jackets and thermals: These will save you from the bone chilling winds of the Himalayas.
Others
Head torch: To find your way once it gets dark.
Toilet paper and wipes: To maintain your hygiene.
Walking stick: An essential that will definitely assist you on the trek.
Backpack: A 50-60 litre backpack will be enough to carry all your essentials.
Hiking shoes: Proper hiking / trekking shoes that can provide good grip over rough surfaces. Sports shoes and sneakers are best avoided because they tend to become slippery over rough surfaces that you will definitely encounter on Satopanth lake trek.
Know Before You Go to Satopanth trek
By Rail:
Rishikesh is the closest railway station which is around 250kms if you take the NH58. It is a good thing that Rishikesh is well connected to all the major cities of India. Joshimath is well connected by motorable roads if you’re traveling from Rishikesh.
By Air:
Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the closest airport to Joshimath. Jolly Grant airport is situated at the outskirts of Dehradun, around 25 kilometres away from the main city centre. In fact, the Jolly Grant airport is even closer to Rishikesh, which is only 20 kilometres from the airport.
By Road:
Joshimath is well connected by motorable roads as one can easily board a bus or hire a taxi from Rishikesh or Haridwar. It is a good thing that the drive is going to be very scenic as the tarmac runs parallel to the Ganga and its numerous tributaries. Although it is worth noting here that the private buses that run on this course are very poorly maintained. If you still wish to board a bus, they leave as early as 4:30 AM in the morning from Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar.
The Satopanth lake trek is moderate in difficulty so depending on your skill and stamina level, it might get hard at times. Endurance is the key and it is advisable to start working out a little, at least 15 days before your scheduled date of the trek. It is advisable not to undertake the Satopanth trek solo as it can get very risky. Here are some important tips for trekkers:
Carry enough warm clothes and liners because it can get very chilly up there, especially during the night.
Carry a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated at all times.
It is also advisable to carry something to eat like biscuits and energy bars to keep the momentum going.
Avoid wearing sports shoes or sneakers for that matter, when the trek commences because they tend to get slippery on such surfaces.
Even though the trek leader and other crew members carry enough medical supplies, it is advisable to carry your own medical kit as well.
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FAQs of Satopanth Trek
How difficult is the Satopanth trek?
It is widely believed that the Satopanth trek is of moderate difficulty. The trek starts at an altitude of 10,830 feet and at the end of the trek, the altitude reaches 15,100 feet. Ideally, you will be gaining 1000 feet in a day but it is worth noting here that the Indian Himalayas rise very quickly.
What is the highest altitude of Satopanth lake trek?
Situated 22 kilometres ahead of Badrinath, the highest altitude of Satopanth measures at 16,000 feet above sea level. Since it is so high, it is adorned with snow-capped mountain ranges all around. Given the height of Satopanth tal, the trek might be a little difficult but it is bound to bless your eyes and senses with its surreal vistas.
What is the best time to do a Satopanth lake trek?
The best time to go for Satopanth trek is during the summer months of May and June and after that, it is advisable to do it post monsoon during the months of September and October. Avoid going for this trek during rains and winters.
How much does the Satopanth trek cost?
The Satopanth trek costs around 15k-16k per adult, depending on the online portal you choose from.
What is Satopanth trek famous for?
The Satopanth trek is majorly famous for the majestic views it offers of the Himalayas and also, the spiritual significance the main lake holds in the Hindu mythology. Moreover, apart from the main highlight that is the trek, you will also explore Mana – the last village of India and Vasundhara waterfalls.
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