Sahastra Tal at an altitude of 4560m, is situated 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.
Overview
From the Kush-Kalyan plateau, a high ridge continues towards the north and several high altitude small and medium lakes are found on both sides 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 the 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 a panoramic view of the Jogin group (6466 meters.), Kirti Stambh (6402 meters.), 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 a strenuous and physically challenging high-altitude trek.
A Himalayan writer Bill Aitken Mckay called it ” The Lake District of the Garhwal ”
Previous Sahastra Tal and Mayali Pass trek review
Trek from Kaza, Spiti to Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
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 – Kedarnath
14 Aug to 22 Sept 2017 – 40 Days
Mr. Henry E, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Trip Highlights
- Trekking in the "Lake district of Garhwal"
- Scenic mountain trail
- Campsites at beautiful, lush green alpine meadows (Bhugyal).
- Seven lakes: Pari tal, Arjuna tal, Bhim tal, Draupadi tal, Gaumukhi tal (or Vishnu tal), Lam tal and Sahastra tal
- Spectacular view of Banderpunch, Black Peak/Kalanag, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda along with Gangotri range.
- Kush Kalyan plateau and high ridge-line trail.
