Satopanth Tal: Route to Heaven According to Hindu mythology, Satopanth Tal is on the route taken by thePanch Pandavas on their Swarga Yatra. At various places their name remainsas a memorial of this sacred journey. At the starting point at Mana, 3 kmaway from Badrinath, is the natural rock bridge, Bhima Pul. Here, Bhima isbelieved to have made the bridge over the river Saraswati so Draupadi couldcross. At Lakshmi Ban, Draupadi is believed to have breathed her last. In theaustere barren landscape at an altitude of 12600 feet, strewn with hugeboulders, bhuj plants grow in the small patch of Lakshmi Ban. At Bandhar, itis said that Yudhishthir?s thirst was quenched by the baan or arrow shot byArjun which caused a stream of water to gush forth from the very Earth. AtBhimbar, the rock pillar commemorates Bhima?s release from earthly life.At Chakratirtha the great yogi and warrior, Arjun gave up his body. Ahead,only Yudhishthir with his dog, who was indeed Dharma Raja himself, wentin his mortal form, negotiating dangerous glaciers and hidden crevasses. AtSatopanth Tal, the celestial rath received him.

Day 1: Badrinath, Mana to Chamtoli (12000 feet) 8 Km.

Day 2: Chamtoli to Lakshmi Ban (12600 feet) 1 Km. Lakshmi Ban to Bandhar (13000 feet) 2 Km. Bandhar to Shahasra Dhara (14000 feet) 4 Km.

Day 3: Sahasra Dhara to Chakratirtha (15000 feet) 5 Km.

Day 4: Chakratirtha to Satopanth Tal (16000 feet) 5 Km.

Day 5: Satopanth Tal to Bandhar (13000 feet) 14 Km.

Day 6: Bandhar to Badrinath, Mana (10500 feet) 11 Km.

The Cost- Min. 6pax , Ex. Badrinath( 5night/6days)

Per head- 30,000/- full board basis.

Day 01 – Badrinath, Mana to Chamtoli (12000 feet) 8 Km.On left of the raging waters of the Alkananda, we need to climb a looseboulder wall of some 500 feet having a tough gradient. Ahead, the path tillChamtoli is reasonable. Though we had planned on a night halt further on atBandhar, the mornings delay saw us pitching tent at Chamtoli at 3 p.m. Thisis a beautiful green flat valley just opposite the well-known waterfallVasudhara, in memory of Rishi Vyasa Dev. Looking back towards ManaPass, the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kuber is visible among other peaks.

Day 02- Chamtoli to Lakshmi Ban (12600 feet) 1 Km. Lakshmi Ban to Bandhar (13000 feet) 2 Km. Bandhar to Shahasra Dhara (14000 feet) 4 Km.

Start your walk along trackless paths and over large boulders. Onapproaching Lakshmi Ban, just opposite the Banglung Glacier snout point atAlkapuri from where the river Alkananda originates. At Lakshmi Ban onewould come across Bhuj Plants that grow in the Himalayan region ataltitudes over 10000 feet. In ancient days, the leaves of the bark of theseplants were used for manuscripts.

At Bandhar, one gets the first view of the Bhagirathi Kharak Glacieremerging from Mt. Bhagirathi I, II & III and continues to meet the BanglungGlacier at Alkapuri. Mt. Bhagirathi I (22488 feet), II (21359 feet) & III(21169 feet) are visible from here. From Bandhar, up to Sahashradhara thepath is entirely over boulders strewn over a narrow ridge. The west face ofMt. Neelkanth (21638 feet) is visible from here.

Wake up to spell-binding views of the snow capped peaks of Mt. Neelkanth(21638 feet), Mt. Chaukhamba (23413 feet) and Mt. Balakun (20040 feet).

Day 03 - Sahasra Dhara to Chakratirtha (15000 feet) 5 Km.

On approaching Chakratirtha, the wide view of the snow capped peaksopens, one by one to offer first view of Mt. Parvati & Mt. Satopanth (23206feet) along with the others, previously seen. The sacred lake, Satopanth Tal,lies below Mt. Satopanth (23206 feet). The valley at 15,000 feet has a largegrassland.

Day 04 - Chakratirtha to Satopanth Tal (16000 feet) 5 Km.

We reach Satopanth Tal On Ekadasi, when it is believed that Lord NarayanaHimself bathes in these sacred waters. Climbing diagonally up a rockysharply inclined wall face, it takes about an hour to reach the top of a ridge.One needs to be extremely cautious climbing down the precipice-like slope.From here the entire region of sheer glacier is visible.

From here till Satopanth Tal one walks over the unseen glacier. At last onesees the welcome flag at the top of a ridge. Below the flag on the other sideof the ridge is Satopanth Tal.

On reaching get a magnificent view of the Lake: Satopanth Tal. It's atriangular shaped lake with each side about 1 Km. long. The crystal clearwater had a greenish colour and all around the lake stands mightyHimalayan snow peaks. From left to right, they are Mt. Neelkanth (21638feet), Mt. Satopanth (23,206 feet), Mt. Swargarohini (20507 feet), Mt.Chaukhamba I (23413 feet) and Mt. Balakun (20040 feet). As one comes atthe bank of the lake, there is beautiful reflection of Mt. Chaukhamba on thewater. Offer your prayers and puja to Lord Brahma, Vishnu & Maheshwar.

At Satopanth Tal there is a room which had been constructed by a pilgrimfrom the South. This room is still used by visiting sadhus and trekkers alike.From here, one gets glorious view of Swargarohini. We trek up to SuryaKund, 1 km ahead.

Day 05 – Satopanth Tal to Bandhar (13000 feet) 14 Km. Leave Satopanth Tal, Stopping for lunch at Chakratirtha reach Bandhar.

Day 06 - Bandhar to Badrinath, Mana (10500 feet) 11 Km.

The next morning began your last days trek to Mana at 8:30 a.m. Lunch isset up opposite the Vasudhara, continue there on to reach Mana at 2 p.m.From here take a jeep to arrive at Badrinath.