Satopanth Peak (7,075 m): Expedition Guide & Climbing History
A Gangotri giant on a long, corniced ridge.
Satopanth is the second-highest peak in Gangotri National Park and one of the better-known 7,000 m climbs in India. Here is the north-east ridge from Vasuki Tal camp by camp, the honest difficulty, the season, the 2026 permit rules and the climbing history since 1938.
- 7,075 m summit (23,212 ft)
- About 3 weeks from Dehradun (estimate)
- May–Jun Sep–Oct
- Grade AD snow and ice
- 2026 open (Uttarakhand list)
Mountains of India › Uttarakhand › Satopanth Peak
Last verified 28 Oct 2026
How high is Mount Satopanth, and how do you climb it?
Mount Satopanth is 7,075 m (23,212 ft) high and stands in the Gangotri group of the Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Teams walk from Gangotri to a base camp at Vasuki Tal (4,680 m), then climb the long, corniced north-east ridge, graded AD on snow and ice. It is open in 2026 and best in May–June or September–October. See all 7,000 m peaks in India.
Status, checked 28 October 2026: open. Satopanth is named in the list of 83 peaks between 5,700 and 7,756 m that Uttarakhand opened on 4 February 2026. Indian climbers apply on the state’s UKMPS portal and pay no state fees in 2026; foreign teams pay only the IMF fees. We found no closure or accident report for the peak in 2026.
Peak, not lake. Most searches for “Satopanth” are about Satopanth Tal, a lake reached by a popular summer trek. That is a different place. The peak’s base camp is Vasuki Tal, on the Gangotri side, and this page is about the mountain.
Satopanth was first climbed by a Swiss team on 1 August 1947, fifteen days before Indian independence. It is often described as one of the more accessible 7,000ers, but its long corniced ridge and avalanche-prone final slope make it a serious expedition. For the bigger picture, see our Indian Himalaya guide and the full list of India’s highest peaks.
Route from Gangotri, camp by camp
The road-head is the temple town of Gangotri (about 3,415 m). The walk-in goes up the Gangotri valley to Bhojbasa (about 3,775 m), crosses the Gangotri Glacier to the meadows of Nandanvan (about 4,500–4,800 m; sources differ), and reaches base camp at the glacial lake of Vasuki Tal (4,680 m, as recorded by the 1997 NIM team).
Above base camp, an advance base sits on the lateral moraine where the Sundar Bamak glacier forks (5,200 m). Camp 1 (5,920 m) is on a col between the north-east ridge and an ice pinnacle, and Camp 2 (6,400 m) is a platform cut into the ice above the Sundar Bamak. From there the route crosses the “Bumps”, a corniced section of the ridge roughly 800 m to 1 km long with steep drops on both sides, then a final slope that can avalanche, to the summit. The approach heights are approximate; the camp heights are from the Himalayan Journal account of the 1997 ascent.
| Camp / point | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | 3,415 m / 11,204 ft | Road-head temple town (about 3,415 m) |
| Bhojbasa | 3,775 m / 12,385 ft | Approach camp via Chirbasa (about 3,775 m) |
| Nandanvan | 4,500 m / 14,764 ft | Meadows across the Gangotri Glacier (about 4,500–4,800 m; sources differ) |
| Base camp, Vasuki Tal | 4,680 m / 15,354 ft | Glacial lake (4,680 m in 1997; some teams quote 4,876 m) |
| Advance base | 5,200 m / 17,060 ft | Lateral moraine at the Sundar Bamak fork |
| Camp 1 | 5,920 m / 19,423 ft | Col between the north-east ridge and an ice pinnacle |
| Camp 2 | 6,400 m / 20,997 ft | Platform cut into the ice above the Sundar Bamak |
| Satopanth summit | 7,075 m / 23,212 ft | Over the corniced "Bumps" of the north-east ridge |
A typical plan (estimate, not a fixed schedule)
- Days 1–2 · Dehradun to GangotriDrive via Uttarkashi to Gangotri and rest a day there to start acclimatising.
- Days 3–4 · Walk-in to BhojbasaUp the valley via Chirbasa to Bhojbasa, about 3,775 m.
- Days 5–6 · Nandanvan and Vasuki TalCross the Gangotri Glacier to Nandanvan, then on to base camp at Vasuki Tal.
- Days 7–9 · Base camp and advance baseRest, gear checks and load carries to advance base at 5,200 m.
- Days 10–13 · Camps 1 and 2Fix ropes and move up to Camp 1 (5,920 m) and Camp 2 (6,400 m).
- Day 14 · Summit dayOver the Bumps and up the final slope to 7,075 m, then back to Camp 2.
- Days 15–18 · Spare daysKept for weather, a second attempt and a careful descent.
- Days 19–21 · Back to DehradunWalk out to Gangotri and drive back.
Itineraries vary with the outfitter, group and weather; rest days are added when needed.
How hard is Satopanth?
Our dataset grades Satopanth moderate for a 7,000er: the easiest route is graded AD on snow and ice, and it is often called one of the more accessible 7,000 m peaks in India. That does not make it easy. The crux is the Bumps, a corniced ridge of roughly 800 m to 1 km with near-vertical drops; the final slope is prone to avalanches; and there is rockfall below the pinnacles. Summit day starts from 6,400 m.
You should arrive with at least one 6,000 m summit and solid glacier and fixed-rope skills. In Himachal, the natural steps are Deo Tibba (6,001 m), then technical peaks such as Indrasan or Mulkila. Read our altitude sickness guide before you go higher.
- ExperienceAt least one earlier 6,000 m summit and time on big glaciers.
- TechniqueCrampons and ice axe on snow and ice, fixed ropes, crevasse rescue and moving roped along a corniced ridge.
- FitnessLong load carries between camps and a summit day from 6,400 m to 7,075 m.
- AcclimatisationA slow walk-in from Gangotri and rest days at Vasuki Tal before the upper camps.
- TrainingA Basic and preferably an Advanced Mountaineering Course; Indian teams also follow IMF rules on team qualifications.
Best time to climb Satopanth
May to June and September to October. The NIM team of 1997 climbed in July (base camp on 6 July, summit on 14 July), but an early monsoon forced it to change route, so July is a risk rather than a plan.
Gangotri National Park reopened on 1 April 2026 and closes on 30 November, so autumn teams need to be out before the park shuts. Build in weather days: fresh snow loads the final slope and makes the corniced ridge slower and more dangerous.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
BestPossibleClosed / not advised
Permits for Satopanth in 2026
Indian climbers apply on Uttarakhand’s UKMPS portal. Satopanth is on the state’s February 2026 list of 83 open peaks, and state and government fees are waived for Indian climbers in 2026.
Foreign nationals need IMF permission, applied for at least 90 days ahead, with a liaison officer and insurance; state and Forest fees no longer apply to them, only the IMF fees. Above 7,000 m the IMF base fee is US$1,000 for a team of two, plus US$500 for liaison-officer equipment, and per-member charges apply (IMF peak-fee page, as of 1 Oct 2026). More in our IMF permit and peak fees guide and mountaineering in India for foreign climbers.
Everyone also needs a Gangotri National Park entry permit, online through the Pathik portal or from the forest office in Uttarkashi. The Gaumukh–Tapovan route is capped at 150 people a day.
What to pack
- Insulated mountaineering boots rated for 7,000 m, with crampons
- A mountaineering ice axe and a jumar (ascender)
- Climbing harness, helmet, carabiners, slings and a belay device
- Expedition down suit or down jacket and trousers, and a very warm sleeping bag
- Windproof and waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Summit mitts plus liner gloves
- Glacier sunglasses (UV400), goggles and sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries for the early summit start
- Trekking poles for the walk-in and moraine
- Two water bottles and a personal first-aid kit
Climbing history of Satopanth
1933: Kirkus and Warren climbed what they called the “second Satopanth peak”. It is now known to be Bhagirathi III (6,454 m), not Satopanth.
1938: an Austrian expedition under R. Schwarzgruber tried both the north-east and north-west ridges.
1 August 1947: the first ascent, by André Roch (leader), René Dittert, Alexander Graven and Alfred Sutter of the Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, with five Sherpas assisting. It came fifteen days before Indian independence.
1981: the second ascent, by M. Gardzielewski and L. Lehrer on the north-east ridge. 1982: the first Japanese ascent, by K. Toya, after the peak opened to foreigners. 1986: a Polish team opened a route on the south face.
14 July 1997: a Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) team led by Col. Ajit Dutt reached the summit by the north-east ridge and north face; its Himalayan Journal account is the source of the camp heights on this page.
2026: the peak is on Uttarakhand’s open list. Nearby, on 27 May 2026, Sean McLane and Vitaliy Musiyenko climbed a new south-west ridge route on Balakun (6,471 m), above the Satopanth Glacier.
Satopanth and its Garhwal neighbours, side by side
In the Gangotri group, Satopanth stands above Shivling (6,543 m), Vasuki Parbat (6,792 m) and Kedarnath (6,940 m), and just below Chaukhamba I (7,138 m). All of them are information here: Suzu arranges climbs in Himachal only.
Compare every summit above 7,000 m, with status and grade, in our list of 7,000 m peaks in India, or see the dated story of the closed giant to the east, Nanda Devi.
Other Uttarakhand peaks of a similar height
-
Uttarakhand7,074 m23,209 ft
Tirsuli
-
Uttarakhand7,066 m23,182 ft
Dunagiri
-
Uttarakhand7,120 m23,360 ft
Trisul I
-
Uttarakhand7,138 m23,419 ft
Chaukhamba I
Satopanth: questions people ask
How high is Satopanth?
7,075 m (23,212 ft) for the main summit. Wikipedia gives 7,084 m, and the west summit is about 7,045 m.
Where is Satopanth peak?
In the Gangotri group of the Garhwal Himalaya, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. It is the second-highest peak in Gangotri National Park, and its base camp is the lake of Vasuki Tal.
Who first climbed Satopanth?
A Swiss team, André Roch, René Dittert, Alexander Graven and Alfred Sutter, on 1 August 1947, with five Sherpas assisting.
Is Satopanth an easy 7,000 m peak?
It is often called one of the more accessible 7,000ers, with an AD snow-and-ice route, but the corniced north-east ridge and the avalanche-prone final slope make it a serious climb that needs earlier high-altitude experience.
Is Satopanth Tal the same as Satopanth peak?
No. Satopanth Tal is a lake reached by a separate trek. The peak’s base camp is Vasuki Tal, on the Gangotri side.
Is Satopanth open in 2026?
Yes. It is on the list of 83 peaks Uttarakhand opened on 4 February 2026. Indian climbers apply on the UKMPS portal; foreign teams need IMF permission.
What does Satopanth mean?
The name comes from Sanskrit and is usually explained as “the true path” or “true figure” of devotion.
What is the best time to climb Satopanth?
May to June and September to October. Gangotri National Park closes on 30 November.
What is the IMF fee for Satopanth?
For foreign teams, peaks above 7,000 m carry an IMF base fee of US$1,000 for two climbers plus US$500 for liaison-officer equipment, and per-member charges apply (as of October 2026). Indian teams pay no state fees in Uttarakhand in 2026.
Working towards a 7,000er? Start in Himachal
Suzu arranges climbs in Himachal only, so we do not sell Satopanth. If it is your goal, a Himachal expedition is a good way to build the record it needs: Deo Tibba first, then Indrasan or Mulkila. Tell us your dates, team size and experience, and we pair you with a registered Himachal outfitter and certified guides. Price: Get Quote.
Keep exploring
Sources
- Wikipedia — Satopanth
- Himalayan Journal 54 — Satopanth: the mountain of good faith
- ETV Bharat (Feb 2026) — Uttarakhand opens 83 Himalayan peaks
- The News Mill (Feb 2026) — Uttarakhand opens 83 peaks for expeditions
- Indian Mountaineering Foundation — peak fees for foreign expeditions
- Outlook Traveller (2026) — Gangotri National Park reopens: dates and permits
- Explorersweb (2026) — New route on Balakun in the Indian Himalaya
