Satopanth Lake Trek

Satopanth lake is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand, India, located in the midst of snow-capped peaks at an altitude of 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) above sea-level. The lake is considered to be of religious significance to the local people; residents of Mana village throw the ashes of the dead in the lake. Many people believe that the Trimoortis, viz, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, take bathe in the lake on an auspicious day. Certain species of birds are found here, which pick up the pollutants of the lake and thus keep the lake clean. These birds are not found anywhere. The local belief is that they are the Gandharvas disguised, who guard the lake against evils.

Geologically this is a glacial corrie lake. The alkapuri glacier is huge and a lot of corrie lakes are formed and this one is the biggest. The waters of the lake are held by the vast boulders and lateral moraines of the glacier. The beauty of this trek is that it starts at 3300m (the altitude of badrinath) and continues alongside the Alaknanda River until the alkapuri glacier. The junction of the 2 glaciers is a magnificent sight. The peaks of neelkanth, balakun and Satopanth give company throughout the trek. The camping locations on this trek are devoid of any trees and are beautiful alpine meadows. There are numerous waterfalls along the way which make the walk a pleasant sight.

The trek is moderate-difficult especially for the trekkers lacking high-altitude trek experience. The best time to undertake your trekking journey is from May to October except for monsoon time. The trek is ideal for those who want a spiritually fulfilling experience along with scenic adventure of mountains.

History of Satopanth Lake Trek

The name 'Satopanth' means the 'path of truth' which speaks of the significance of truth and purity. It is believed that taking a bath in Satopanth Lake washes away all sins and leads one to the path of truth and moksha (liberation). The lake is triangular in its shape which is often associated with three supreme divines (Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh). Locals believe that all 3 divines take bath in this lake on Ekadashi.  

The Satopanth Lake has been mentioned in the Mahabharata's Swargarohan Parv where Pandavas journey to Swargarohini (liberation) has been described. It is believed that when the Pandavas were ascending towards Swargarohini (heaven) and meeting their end one by one, Satopanth Lake was the place where Bhima gave up on his life. This is why the lake came to be known as Satopanth. It is also said that the Swargarohini glacier (a little farther to Satopanth) has seven steps leading to heaven. However, usually only three steps are visible, while the rest remain hidden under layers of deep snow.

The Satopanth Lake is formed by the Alkapuri Glacier. The water of the lake is held by the vast boulders and lateral moraines of the glacier. It is said that despite the extremely cold temperature, the water of the lake never freezes. People of Mana village believe that throwing the ashes of the dead into the lake helps the departed soul attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) sooner. 

Highlights of the Satopanth Lake Trek

• Vasudhara Falls: Vasudhara Falls is believed to be a celestial place connecting with the Mahabharata. Here, Sahadeva, the youngest brother of Pandavas was believed to leave his body while on the journey to Swargarohini. The water of this fall is believed to have healing properties and taking a bath under this fall is considered holy. 
• Lakshmi Van: This beautiful campsite is named after Goddess Lakshmi. As per mythology, this place is blessed with the divine blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. In the context of Mahabharata connection, here Nakul, the younger brother of Pandavas abandoned his body. Laxmi Van is surrounded by Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan Birch) and offers a scenic and peaceful halt for trekkers.
• Chakratirtha: As per mythology, this place was created by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. Chakratirtha is a large and open meadow and considered a spiritually powerful site where you can feel the divine calmness. It is surrounded by the majestic peaks like Neelkanth and offers a serene and spiritual atmosphere to connect with your soul.
• Sahastradhara: Sahastradhara means 'thousands springs'. This place is filled with water streams where mineral-rich water flows down in the form of small falls. Trekkers often camp here to experience the therapeutic charm and soothing sound of water. The water of this fall is considered holy and brings purity to the soul. Surrounded by caves and hills, it feels both healing and mystical. 
• Mana Village: Mana Village is known as 'the last Indian village' (from India side) or 'the first village' (from Tibet side) and holds deep mythological significance. Here you can find ancient caves like Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa, associated with Mahabharata. Snowcapped peaks and rivers like Alaknanda and Saraswati add a scenic charm to this place. 

Difficulty Level of Satopanth Lake Trek

Satopanth Lake trek is a moderate to challenging trek suitable for those who have prior trekking experience or a good fitness level. The elevation point of the trek is around 4,600 m above sea level. Since it passes through remote regions like Lakshmi Van, Chakratirtha and Sahastradhara, trekkers need to be prepared mentally and physically for challenging stretches and camping conditions.

The trek is not ideal for families, kids and elderly people, especially those who have no prior high-altitude trekking experience. The trail demands physical and mental endurance as trekkers have to walk for 5-8 hrs in a day through uneven terrain, steep ascents, rocky and glacial sections along with river crossings and dense forest paths. Trek duration is around 6 to 7 days, depending on chosen itinerary. There are beautiful campsites where trekkers can take acclimatization halts.

Though no particular technical challenges occur while trekking, path difficulty increases due to remote areas and limited access to emergency facilities. Especially after Mana village, there's a lack of settlements like shops and guesthouses. Trekkers need to carry all essentials, including food, tents and medical supplies. Beginners can attempt this trek but they need to be physically fit and to be guided by professional trek leaders. 

For navigation and safety concerns, solo trekking is not advisable. Taking help of a certified guide or joining a group is highly recommended. Since the route is close to the Indo-Tibetan border, special permits are mandatory and army check posts are present along the way.

For weather conditions, air feels thin at higher altitudes. Nights can be freezing. The best time is early summer and autumn. Outside of these windows, rain and snowfall make the trail slippery and unsafe. 

Best Time to Visit the Satopanth Lake Trek

Satopanth Lake trek is best done during summer (May-June) and autumn (September-October). This time the weather is stable, trails are accessible and the sky is clear to spot the stunning views of the Himalayas.

• May-June

By this time, the snow starts melting and trails open up into lush green alpine meadows. The landscapes are fresh and blossoming with wildflowers. This is the right time for exploring more about the places. The daytime temperature is around 10°C to 20°C and can be around 5°C near the lake. At night time the temperature can drop to 0°C and around -5°C near the lake. Sudden rainfall or hailstorm can happen; keep check on weather updates.

• September-October 

After the monsoon, the weather becomes dry and crisp but the sky is at its clearest which makes mountain visibility perfect. Forests start turning golden and brown which give warm and cozy vibes. Due to visibility, photography can be done at its best. The daytime temperature remains around 5°C to 15°C while at night time can drop below 0°C and to -10°C near the lake. The trails are dry and comfortable for walking.

• Months to Avoid

July-August should be avoided due to the monsoon and heavy rainfall. Trails become slippery and prone to landslides. Leeches are common and chances of bacterial infection are high. Similarly, from October to April, heavy snowfall can block the trails and the weather is too cold to acclimatize.

How to Reach the Satopanth Lake Trek

To reach Satopanth lake, the journey usually begins from Haridwar or Rishikesh, which are well connected by road and rail. From here, one can take a bus or taxi to reach Joshimath via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Chamoli. 

From Joshimath, a short drive of about 45 km takes you to Badrinath town, which is the last motorable point and a pilgrimage site. Badrinath is the base camp for the trek to Satopanth Lake.

From Badrinath, the trek to Satopanth begins. The first stretch takes you to Lakshmivan, a beautiful meadow surrounded by mountains. From here, the next stop is Chakratirth. The final stretch is a challenging trail that leads to Satopanth Lake itself. 

The trek usually takes about 4-5 days, depending on the pace and weather conditions. The path goes through rocky terrain, moraines and high-altitude meadows, so it requires the help of a guide or trekking agency.