Satopanth Climb

Quick Facts

Custom Departure | 25 Days

Price on Request

Highest Altitude: 6200 M

Difficulty:

Group Size: 8-16 persons

Man is a contradictory creature. Throughout his history he has assiduously sought security and ease and plenty; yet if he is provided with these blessings, he soon becomes restless and discontented. Deep in his nature there is a yearning for the hard and perilous road, for the difficulties and danger that test his skill and courage. Faced with this challenge his spirit rises, his heart beats faster and life takes on a new and fuller meaning. Confronted with the unknown, the difficult, the unattainable – on the seas, in the deserts, in Polar regions, in cosmic space-man’s response is swift and joyous. Recognizing this, it seems less strange that men climb mountains.
-Eric Shipton

Sato (meaning truth) and panth (meaning path) literally translates to true path. It is the second highest mountain in the Gangotri group in Uttarakhand and is quite a formidable undertaking. The route includes a complex glacier approach, high angled snow slopes and knife edge ridge, before the final section to the summit. At just over 7000m, the effect of high altitude is a significant factor, as is the remote location and possibility of extreme weather.

DAYS 1-5

Day 1: Delhi – Dehradun (447 M)

Arrive early morning in Delhi. Visit IMF office for the final formalities and meet the Liaison Officer. Board the overnight Nanda Devi Express leaving Delhi at 11:55pm to be in Dehradun by 5:00am.

Day 2: Dehradun – Uttarkashi (1158 M)

Board the waiting vehicles to be driven straight to Uttarkashi (7hrs). Breakfast enroute. Check out personal climbing kit at the Guest House. Overnight Guest House.

Day 3: Uttarkashi – Bhaironghati (2879 M)

After having a relaxed breakfast set off for a long drive to Gangotri. This pretty drive is now marred with a hydro electric project coming up on the upper Bhagirathi valley. What used to be a scenic drive is now busy with construction activity. However towards the end as we get out of the construction area the drive gets pretty with the views of high mountains straight in front. Overnight GMVN Guest House at Bhaironghati, 10kms short of Gangotri.

Day 4: Bhaironghati (2879 M)

After an early morning breakfast we drive 10 kms to Gangotri and start walking on the steep trail leading to the lake of Kedartal. The trail goes through birch forests and is steep all the way to the small campsite at Bhoj Kharak (3780m). We will carry packed food with us and after having gained some altitude would come back to Gangotri and drive to Bhaironghati. Overnight GMVN Guest House at Bhaironghati.

Day 5: Bhaironghati – Chirbasa (3580 M)

Visit the temple and the start the 4 hr walk up towards Gaumukh, the source of the river Ganges. The trail keeps following the river and just short of Chirbasa one gets the first views of the Bhagirathi Peaks. Chirbasa (3580m), literally meaning the home of pine is now a cluster of shops and some pine trees. Walk down from the main trail and setup camp close to the river.

DAYS 6-11

Day 6: Chirbasa – Bhojbasa (3775 M)

Have a relaxed day with only about 3 hrs of walk. Reach the campsite of Bhojbasa(3775m), home of birch (now only a few left in the much denuded area) and setup camp. Evening walk to one of the high points close by is recommended for better acclimatisation. Don’t forget to carry your cameras along, you just might chance upon a group of ibexes or a beautiful sunset.

Day 7: Bhojbasa – Nandanvan (4350 M)

Walk along the river till we get to Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri glacier. From here we walk up on the glacial moraine to the meadow of Nandanvan at the base of Bhagirathi group of peaks. The camp offers majestic views of Shivling – the Matterhorn of the Himalayas.

Day 8: Nandanvan (4350 M)

We acclimatize at Nanadanvan.

Day 9: Nandanvan – Vasukital (Base Camp) (4850 M)

Walk along a stream with views of Meru and Bhrigupanth. After 5kms, we bypass the outlet of the valley leading towards Bhagirathi and come to a deep gorge eroded by the glacier. Descend diagonally towards the snout of the lateral glacier to reach Vasukital, the base camp for our climb. Camp near the lake at the foot of the North-west ridge of Vasuki Parbat.

Day 10: Acclimatisation at Base Camp (4850 M)

HAPs do a load ferry to Advance Base Camp (ABC).

Day 11: Base Camp – ABC (5130 M)

Walk along the narrow ridge with Chaturangi glacier to the left and Vasuki Parbat to the right. We descend to the Sundar glacier from the ridge and get the first glimpse of the majestic Satopanth. The Advanced Base Camp is on the right side of the glacier.

DAYS 12-16

Day 12: ABC (5130 M)

We use this day to acclimatise at ABC.

Day 13: ABC – Camp 1 (5800 M)

The technical part starts here, the climb starts with negotiating a rock band followed by an icy gully and a steep snow slope till Camp 2. We will have ropes fixed on this section and one would be using jumars (ascenders) to get up.

Day 14: Camp 1 (5800 M)

HAPs load ferry Camp 1 – Camp 2 & Members rest & acclimatise at Camp 1 (5800m)

Day 15: Camp 1 – Camp 2 (6200 M)

Climb to the top of the hump and then traverse the razor sharp ridge with steep slopes on either side to get on to the face of the mountain. We will have ropes fixed on this part too.

Day 16: Camp 2 – Summit (7075 M) – Camp 2 (6200 M)

Early start today with a long summit (7075 M) push and return back to Camp 2.

DAYS 17-25

Day 17-21: Descend to Gangotri – Uttarkashi

We start our descend from Summit Camp to Gangotri and retrace our steps over the next 4 days. Drive to Uttarkashi.

Day 22: Uttarkashi – Haridwar – Delhi

Drive Uttarkashi – Haridwar and take the evening Shatabdi Express to Delhi.

Day 23-25: Contingency days for bad weather

Contingency days to be used in case of bad weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Inclusions:

All transfers in a non-ac vehicle as per the itinerary
All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
All trip arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
All common camping and trekking equipments.
Peak fee / sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable

Exclusions:

Sleeping bag
Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
Bottled water
Items of personal clothing
Individual climbing equipment (budget on spending INR 10,000 if renting climbing equipment from Uttarkashi)
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
Travel & cancellation insurance

FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS

Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.

Aquaterra Promo Video

#AdrenalinebyAquaterra

Life on an Aquaterra Trek

Video Preview

WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES

A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.

An Experienced Team

Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.

Value for Money

The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.

Best Equipment

Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.

Great Food

Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.

WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US

GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK!

Join us for a trip of a lifetime, if you crave for some high end adventure!

info@aquaterra.in

Mon to Fri: 0930-1730 hrs | Sat: 0930-1300 hrs

We strive to create the best trips possible for you, with uncommon professionalism, unsurpassed personal service and a commitment to protect and preserve the cultures and environments through which we travel. Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday