Sahastra tal at an altitude of 4560m, is situated in Between Bhagirathi valley in the west and Bhilangana valley in the East. The word 'Sahastra' meaning 'a thousand' in Sanskrit, It is also the modification of the local Garhwali word 'Sahasyu' which means seven. The topmost and the largest lake on the Bhilangana side is referred to as Darshan tal. The other seven being - Pari tal, Arjuna tal, Bhim tal, Draupadi tal, Gaumukhi tal (or Vishnu tal) and Lam tal.
From Kush Kalyan plateau a high ridge continues towards north and several high altitude small and medium lakes are found on both side of the ridge. Sahastra Tal is situated at the head of this ridge. This less frequented trail offers grazing pastures, lush green alpine meadows (Bugyals), High Himalayan ranges and peaks including Banderpunch, Black Peak/Kalanag, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda along with Gangotri range. The walk over far flung alpine meadows of Kush Kalyan and Kyarki Bugyal is a delight to any trekker. The panorama of Western Garhwal range awaits at Kyarki Khal.
Khatling is a lateral glacier at the source of river Bhilangana with Sahastratal at the west and Masartal at the east. The Valley of Bhilangana offers panoramic view of Jogin group (6466 mts.), Kirti Stambh (6402 mts.) and Meru. The entire trek passes through thick forests and beautiful lush green meadows in the beginning. Later, it crosses two passes above 17,000 ft. and negotiates glaciers moraines and a snow patch. This is strenuous and physically challenging high altitude trek.
A Himalayan writer Bill Aitken Mckay called it " The Lake District of the Garhwal "
* Day 1 - Bhagirathi River bridge crossing *
OUTLINE TRIP ITINERARY
Day 01: Delhi - Dehradun - Uttarkashi, or Chandigarh - Dehradun - Uttarkashi
Day 02: Uttarkashi
TREK STARTS
Day 03: Uttarkashi - Lata (1100m) Drive 22 Trek Upper Chuna (1990m)
Day 04: Trek Jowari Thach (3200m)
Day 05: Trek Kush Kalyan (3500m)
Day 06: Trek Kyarki Khal (3900m)
Day 07: Trek Pari Tal (4210m)
Day 08: Trek Lamb tal - Sahastra tal (4560m)
Day 09: Trek Kalyani (2750m), 16 kms, 8/9 hrs
Day 10: Trek Kharsoli (2940m), 11 kms
Day 11: Trek Tambakund - Chowki (3640m)
Day 12: Day trip Khatling glacier
Day 13: Trek Masar tal (4500m)
Day 14: Trek Mayali pass (4980m) - Vasuki Tal (4315m)
Day 15: Trek Kedarnath (3500m), 7 hrs.
Day 16: Trek Gauri Kund, 16 kms, 5-6 hrs., Drive Sonprayag
END OF TREK
Day 17: Drive Joshimath - Rishikesh
Day 18: At Rishikesh
Day 19: Rishikesh to Delhi.
Day 20: Flight back home.
* Spectacular view of Bandarpunch I, II and Kala Nag (Black peak) towards North * from Lam Tal *
COST INCLUDES
· All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary.
· Delhi airport transfer.
· 6 nights of hotel / Guest house accommodation MAP plan. (Uttarkashi, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Rishikesh, Delhi)
· All camping facilities: dining tent, kitchen tent, camp stool & table.
· Accommodation in spacious 4 season tents, sleeping bags, comfortable foam sleeping mattress, trekking poles.
· All meals during trek from Indian, local, Tibetan, Chinese and continental cuisine.
· Qualified & trained local guide, experience crew.
· Porters for porterage of gear and baggages.
· Camping fee, trekking permits and fee, park fee.
· Medical first kit includes medicine for high altitude sickness, mini oxygen bottles.
· Goods and services tax.
Detailed Trek Itinerary
Day 1 - Delhi - Dehradun - Uttarkashi, or Chandigarh - Dehradun - Uttarkashi
Drive to Rishikesh, which is about 5 to 6 hrs. Check in to hotel and afternoon visit to Laxman Jhula and market.
Day 2 - Rishikesh to Uttarkashi ( 155 kms, 5-6 hrs)
Drive to Uttarkashi At an elevation of 1158 meters on the bank of river Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi is an important pilgrimage center equated with Varanasi or Kashi in Divinity. Upon arrival at Uttarkashi check in to Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 3 - Uttarkashi to Lata (1100m) Drive 22 Trek Upper Chuna (1990m), 9 kms, 7 hrs
Early departure from Uttarkashi to Lata. Drive along the right bank of Bhagirathi river. Leaving Lata descend to cross the Baghirathi river by bridge. Gradual climb to Saura village and to Sara village. Long climb through dense forest to Upperchuna camp, which is set amidst in the trees. Be careful for Leeches. Especially on mud trail, can climb to leg through boots and suck your blood. They are small size, but can grow quick after sucking blood. Mid September to October end no traces of Leeches on first day.
* morning at Saura village *
Day 4 - Trek Jowari Thach (3200m), 8 kms, 6 hrs.
Leaving camp climb gradually to Belak at 2900m. Small houses and locals from around live here during summer with their cows and buffalo's. As well as tea shop. From Belak it's 2 hrs to Jowari campsite in an open ground. Now we are above tree line and view is spectacular.
* Belak - small & temporary settlement during summer *
Day 5 - Trek Kush Kalyan (3500m), 11 kms, 6 hrs.
From camp climb ridge, and follow the trail along the lush green ridge for several hours. Early starts recommended as afternoon clouds can cover the hills and the view and path will be difficult to find.
Day 6 - Trek Kyarki Khal (3900m), 14 kms, 6/7 hrs.
From camp descend to a small temple and climb for 45 minutes, than along the ridge line for several hours. You can see Malla village from trail at below in the valley. Now climb steep first one and then second one to Reach Kyarki khal. It's 45 minutes gradual descent to campsite.
Day 7 - Trek Pari Tal (4210m), 4 hrs
From camp climb steep for 45 minutes than along the ridge straight walk for an hour, than climb up for 30 minutes. Now trail are well paved, which is constructed many years before for pilgrims coming from Buda Kedar to visit Sahastra tal. Continue for 1:30 hrs to reach small lake called Pari tal. Descend to camp below the Lake.
Day 8 - Trek Lam tal - Sahastra tal (4560m), 5 hrs.
Leaving camp climb short to join main trail, 1:30 hrs of climb to top of ridge. Impressive view of Gangotri III peak or Jaonli peak 6632m in front to the north. Now descend steep for few minutes and gradually to Lamba tal Lake 45 minutes. From Lamba tal it's steep 2 hrs climb to Sahastra tal lake at 4559 m. Camp
* SahastraTal camp site *
Day 9 - Trek Kalyani (2750m), 16 kms, 8/9 hrs
From camp climb to the pass passing through big Lake than descend through middle of two lakes. Continue descend than climb up a ridge than long descend, again climb up another ridge than descend. The path is not good. Continue descend through forest for 2 hrs to reach main trail to Kalyani camp in Bhilangana valley.
* Steep descent to Kalyani - it took 12 hrs to reach Kalyani - due to fog it could be very difficult to find trail and at some point there are no trail and some rock patches are very dangerous *
Day 10 - Trek Kharsoli (2940m), 11 kms, 5/6 hrs.
From camp climb gently through forest and along the right bank of river and through forest for several hours. A short before Kharsoli small cross small stream by ford. At Kharsoli there is temple and.Dharamshala. find a suitable place for camp.
* Shepherd at Kharsoli - Bhilangana valley *
Day 11 - Trek Tambakund - Chowki (3640m), 6-7 hrs.
From Kharsoli along the right bank of river climb several hours, enroute 2-3 easy stream crossing. Finally climb to Tamberkund. It's an hour to a temporary bridge on river which can be dangerous for crossing especially during rain. Now climb 45 minutes to campsite of Chowki. Great view of peaks in front towards North.
* The most dangerous wooden bridge crossing near Chowki *
Day 12 - Day trip Khatling glacier
Either this day you can rest at Chowki or day trip to visit Khatling glacier with packed lunch.
* At Chowki *
Day 13 - Trek Masar tal (4500m), 6 hrs.
Leaving Chowki along the left bank of stream for few minutes, than steep climb. The trail may be small kind of shepherd's trail. Climb to base camp, small but wonderful, just below Masar tal.
* Base camp Mayali pass *
* Masar Tal *
Day 14 - Trek Mayali pass (4980m) - Vasuki Tal (4315m), 7 hrs.
Leaving camp climb to Maser Tal (4670m), which will takes about 1 hr, than steep climb to a first pass at 4789m. Than through rocks to the foot of glacier, it will take 1:30 hrs to Mayali pass at 4980m. From pass descent through rocks down to valley for 3 hrs to reach Vasuki tal. From here Gupt ganga or Vasuki ganga starts which later joins with Mandakini at Sonprayag. Camp.2 kms before the Lake. Nice campsite.
* Crossing of Mayali pass *
* At Mayali pass *
Day 15 - Trek Kedarnath (3500m), 7 hrs.
From camp descend to Vasuki tal and climb on a well path to a pass. From pass it's long descent to Kedarnath. Impressive view of Kedardome peak and Kedarnath below. Arrive at Kedarnath check into guest house.
* Kedar Tal *
* Finally at Kedar Nath *
Day 16 - Trek Gauri Kund, 16 kms, 5-6 hrs., Drive to Sonprayag
Early departure from Kedarnath to Gaurikund. The descent could be hard on concrete and cemented path, cover your mouth with clothing or scarf as the whole trail smell with horse dung. Arrive at taxi stand at Gaurikund and drive 5km to Sonprayag. Check in to hotel and afternoon relax.
Day 17 - Drive Joshimath - Rishikesh
Leaving Sonprayag, its 6 hrs drive to Rishikesh passing through Srinagar and Devprayag. Check in to hotel at Rishikesh and evening explore the market at Laxman Jhula.
Day 18 - At Rishikesh
Rest and relax at beach resort or river beach or go for Rafting.
Day 19 - Rishikesh to Delhi.
Drive to Delhi and afternoon explore Delhi.
Day 20 - Flight back to home.
Departure to IGI airport and flight back to home.
Drive to Rishikesh, which is about 5 to 6 hrs. Check in to hotel and afternoon visit to Laxman Jhula and market.
Drive to Uttarkashi At an elevation of 1158 meters on the bank of river Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi is an important pilgrimage center equated with Varanasi or Kashi in Divinity. Upon arrival at Uttarkashi check in to Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
Early departure from Uttarkashi to Lata. Drive along the right bank of Bhagirathi river. Leaving Lata descend to cross the Baghirathi river by bridge. Gradual climb to Saura village and to Sara village. Long climb through dense forest to Upperchuna camp, which is set amidst in the trees. Be careful for Leeches. Especially on mud trail, can climb to leg through boots and suck your blood. They are small size, but can grow quick after sucking blood. Mid September to October end no traces of Leeches on first day.
Leaving camp climb gradually to Belak at 2900m. Small houses and locals from around live here during summer with their cows and buffalo's. As well as tea shop. From Belak it's 2 hrs to Jowari campsite in an open ground. Now we are above tree line and view is spectacular.
From camp climb ridge, and follow the trail along the lush green ridge for several hours. Early starts recommended as afternoon clouds can cover the hills and the view and path will be difficult to find.
From camp descend to a small temple and climb for 45 minutes, than along the ridge line for several hours. You can see Malla village from trail at below in the valley. Now climb steep first one and then second one to Reach Kyarki khal. It's 45 minutes gradual descent to campsite.
From camp climb steep for 45 minutes than along the ridge straight walk for an hour, than climb up for 30 minutes. Now trail are well paved, which is constructed many years before for pilgrims coming from Buda Kedar to visit Sahastra tal. Continue for 1:30 hrs to reach small lake called Pari tal. Descend to camp below the Lake.
Leaving camp climb short to join main trail, 1:30 hrs of climb to top of ridge. Impressive view of Gangotri III peak or Jaonli peak 6632m in front to the north. Now descend steep for few minutes and gradually to Lamba tal Lake 45 minutes. From Lamba tal it's steep 2 hrs climb to Sahastra tal lake at 4559 m. Camp
From camp climb to the pass passing through big Lake than descend through middle of two lakes. Continue descend than climb up a ridge than long descend, again climb up another ridge than descend. The path is not good. Continue descend through forest for 2 hrs to reach main trail to Kalyani camp in Bhilangana valley.
From camp climb gently through forest and along the right bank of river and through forest for several hours. A short before Kharsoli small cross small stream by ford. At Kharsoli there is temple and.Dharamshala. find a suitable place for camp.
From Kharsoli along the right bank of river climb several hours, enroute 2-3 easy stream crossing. Finally climb to Tamberkund. It's an hour to a temporary bridge on river which can be dangerous for crossing especially during rain. Now climb 45 minutes to campsite of Chowki. Great view of peaks in front towards North.
Either this day you can rest at Chowki or day trip to visit Khatling glacier with packed lunch.
Leaving Chowki along the left bank of stream for few minutes, than steep climb. The trail may be small kind of shepherd's trail. Climb to base camp, small but wonderful, just below Masar tal.
Leaving camp climb to Maser Tal (4670m), which will takes about 1 hr, than steep climb to a first pass at 4789m. Than through rocks to the foot of glacier, it will take 1:30 hrs to Mayali pass at 4980m. From pass descent through rocks down to valley for 3 hrs to reach Vasuki tal. From here Gupt ganga or Vasuki ganga starts which later joins with Mandakini at Sonprayag. Camp.2 kms before the Lake. Nice campsite.
From camp descend to Vasuki tal and climb on a well path to a pass. From pass it's long descent to Kedarnath. Impressive view of Kedardome peak and Kedarnath below. Arrive at Kedarnath check into guest house.
Early departure from Kedarnath to Gaurikund. The descent could be hard on concrete and cemented path, cover your mouth with clothing or scarf as the whole trail smell with horse dung. Arrive at taxi stand at Gaurikund and drive 5km to Sonprayag. Check in to hotel and afternoon relax.
Leaving Sonprayag, its 6 hrs drive to Rishikesh passing through Srinagar and Devprayag. Check in to hotel at Rishikesh and evening explore the market at Laxman Jhula.
Rest and relax at beach
resort or river beach or go for Rafting.
Drive to Delhi and afternoon explore Delhi.
Departure to IGI airport and flight back to home.
Cost includes
· All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary.
· Delhi airport transfer.
· 6 nights of hotel / Guest house accommodation MAP plan. (Uttarkashi, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Rishikesh, Delhi)
· All camping facilities: dining tent, kitchen tent, camp stool & table.
· Accommodation in spacious 4 season tents, sleeping bags, comfortable foam sleeping mattress, trekking poles.
· All meals during trek from Indian, local, Tibetan, Chinese and continental cuisine.
· Qualified & trained local guide, experience crew.
· Porters for porterage of gear and baggages.
· Camping fee, trekking permits and fee, park fee.
· Medical first kit includes medicine for high altitude sickness, mini oxygen bottles.
· Goods and services tax.
Cost excludes
· Rest of hotel accommodation in Rishikesh, Delhi
· Personal health insurances.
· Soft or hard drinks.
· Personal tipping to staff. Guide(s), Porter(s), Driver(s), Camp crew
· Any unforeseen cost arises by natural hazards rain, snow, road block which cost extra lodging & boarding which is beyond trip Schedule
A long trek in three phases, excellently organized with first-class guides and support team. Even when we reconfigured the third phase at short notice, Prem got everything in place. A tough trek!Bhaba pass - Lamkhaga pass - Sahastratal - Mayali pass - Kedarnath14 Aug to 22 Sept - 40 Days
What we provide
We provide all the GROUP GEAR included in the following list:
What you may need - Your personal gear recommended in List:-
Accessories :-
Others :-
Trip Info
TRIP FACTS
Activity - Trekking & hiking
Region - Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Difficulty Level - Strenuous
Max Altitude - 4,980 m
Max sleeping altitude - 4,560 m
Lowest trek altitude - 1,990 m
Trip Length - 19 days Delhi to Delhi
15 days Uttarkashi to Rishikesh
14 days trekking
12 nights camping
6 nights hotel / guest house
Best time - Mid May to Mid July, Sept to Nov
HIGHLIGHT
Sahastra tal area also called The lake district of Garhwal
Panoramic ridge line trails
Spectacular view of 6000 m peaks
Kedarnath visit
PRICE
Price on request
