6-Day Badrinath and Kedarnath Trek from Rishikesh via Satopanth Tal

• Drive to Badrinath (10-hour drive).

Stay overnight at Badrinath.

• Reach Mana early in the day. This is the last village within the Indian border.

• Get your permits checked and proceed with the trek.

• Head in the direction of Vasundhara Falls.

• Pass Saraswati temple. From here, the gradient of the trail becomes increasingly steep.

• Continue walking with the Alaknanda River flowing below you. The valley is incredibly green during the monsoon. Around 2-3 hours later, begin to hear the sound of water plunging down from 400 ft.

• Reach Vasundhara Fall, which is known for its scientifically proven medicinal value.

• Tread through the rich birch forests of Laxmiban.

• Take a 4 km moraine walk and reach the campsite of Laxmiban (5-6 hours).

• Enter the Satopanth Valley. The trail is dotted with green patches in the middle of the vast terminal moraine of the Dhano Glacier.

• Look for some of the most beautiful high-altitude alpine flowers here.

• Catch the first view of the famous three peaks of Bhagirathi from the Satopanth Valley.

• Climb up the steep ridge of Sahashradhara to Chakratirtha camping grounds, which are only a kilometre away.

• Bask in the beautiful view of the west face of Mt. Neelkanth (6 hours).

• Revel at the sight of Neelkanth, Satopanth, and Parvati peaks on your left, the Chaukhamba peak in the centre, and the Balakun range on your right.

• Prepare yourself for a difficult day of trekking.

• Take the trail that meanders through a maze of boulders and moraine. The sound of avalanches perpetually rumbles throughout the valley. The last 2 km of the trail has loose soil over the glacial moraine.

• Reach the top of the ridge and catch your first view of the triangular lake. There is a small room constructed as a temporary shelter here. A local sage, Mauni Baba, is known to live near the lake. From the lake, the views are spectacular.

• Cross Satopanth Col and connect with the icefield of Panpatia.

• Trek till Kedarnath.

• Do a return trek to Chakratirtha.

• Trek down to Laximban if time permits (6 hours).

• Start your descent and set up the campsite at Lakshmi Van once again. The area is a beautiful meadow full of high-altitude flowers and breathtaking views. Draupadi is believed to have left her body here.

• Trek back to Mana village. From Mana, Badrinath is 3 km away, and if you prefer, you can get accommodation at Badrinath or head to Joshimath and stay overnight there.