Sattal Travel Guide | Activities, Attractions & more

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Sattal Travel Guide

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Sattal or Sat Tal in Uttarakhand is a heavenly beauty located in the district of Nainital which is formed by the joining of seven lakes ( Garud or panna Tal, Hanuman Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal, Sita Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal, and Sukha or Bharat tal). Located in the lower Himalayas, the serene hill station is famous for its natural beauty and freshwater lakes. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Rama, along with his brother Laxman and wife Sita took a shelter near these lakes after their eviction from Ayodhya and therefore Sattal Lakes in Uttarakhand is named after them. The lake is surrounded by dense pine and oak forests with unique flora and fauna which makes it more admirable for every photographer. This majestic hill station perched at an altitude of 1219 meters above sea level is a natural gem of Uttarakhand and a must visit place for all the adventure geeks and lovers of nature.

Things to do in Sattal

Bird Watching and Nature Walks – Sattal is a shelter to plenty of migratory and local birds. Pangot and Kilbury bird sanctuary is a great place to observe different species of birds. It is said that nearly 500 species of birds can be found in Sattal throughout the year. October to May is the best time for birding in Sattal. Sattal is also known as birder’s den and travelers can discover different varieties of birds while walking between the jungles or just sitting near the lakes. Visitors also love to go for morning walks on the beautiful trails nearby Sattal or around the lakes for the picturesque view and calm vibe around nature. 

Adventure Activities – Sattal adventure activities include camping, mountain biking, rappelling, rock climbing, boating, kayaking, but the most popular adventure activity is trekking in Sattal. It is one of the easiest treks which makes it suitable for every age group of visitors. A 3-4 kms trek starts from Dharali village and ends up to Harsil from where trekkers can get the majestic view of beautiful seven lakes’s interconnection, dense and lush green forests of oaks and pines and huge himalayan peaks. Sattal trek is the most recommended activity for all the adventure buffs.  

Sattal Christian Ashram – The Sattal Ashram was founded by E. Stanley Jonas in 1930 and is located on the banks of Garud Tal. Surrounded by the forests of oaks and pines, this ashram gives a quiet and peaceful vibe. Visitors often come to this place to take the blessing of Lord Jesus and to enjoy the calmness in between nature with their family and friends. 

Sattal waterfall and Scenic Spots – There are numerous waterfalls near Sattal every tourist should explore. Waterfalls like – Corbett Waterfall, Jharipani waterfalls, Rahala Waterfalls, Birthi Falls, Kempty Falls, Tiger Falls are some of the best waterfalls near Sattal. Visitors are also recommended to explore some places near Sattal like, Bhimtal, Subhash Dhara, Seven Lakes, Kainchi Dham, Butterfly Museum which are worth visiting. 

Sattal’s Best Accomodations

Lake View Hotels and Resorts in Sattal

  • Shivraj Lake View Hotel – 4.5/5 stars rating
  • Sattal Forest Resort – 4.2/5 stars rating
  • Sattal Resort – 4.5/5 stars rating
  • Wild Kumaon – 4.6/5 stars rating
  • Neelesh Inn – 3/5 stars rating

Unique Homestays and Campsites in Sattal

  • YMCA Campsite Sattal – 4.5/5 stars rating
  • KMVN Tourist Rest House Sattal – 3.5/5 stars rating
  • Incredible Birding – 4.5/5 stars rating
  • Getaway Jungle Camp – 5/5 stars rating

Popular Hotels in Sattal

  • Country Inn Sattal – 4/5 stars rating
  • The Lake Ambience – 8.6/10 stars rating
  • Spruce Hill Hotel and Restaurant – 8.4/10 stars rating

how to Reach Sattal

To reach Sattal by Train 

The nearest railway station to Sattal is Kathgodam which is located at a distance of around 32 kms. Taxis can be hired from there to reach Sattal.

To reach Sattal by Road

Taxis are the best option to reach Sattal via road from different cities as Sattal does not have good bus connectivity, but if you still prefer traveling through bus you can take a bus from any Kumaon cities like Nainital, Almora, etc, and reach Sattal.

To reach Sattal by Flight

As Sattal does not have its own airport, tourists can travel via flight with either of the two options – Pantnagar Airport at a distance of 61 kms from Sattal and Dehradun Airport at a distance of 180 kms from Sattal. After that a cab can be hired to reach the destination.

Delhi to Sattal

Delhi to Sattal distance is approximately between 310-340 kms and traveling by a car or train can be the easiest way to reach Sattal.

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Distance between Major Destinations and Sattal

Major DestinationDistance ( in km)
Sattal to NainitalBy road – 46                         By flight – 23
Sattal to BhimtalBy road – 49                         By flight – 27
Sattal to DelhiBy road – 256                       By flight – 216
Sattal to Kathgodam Railway StationBy road – 28                         By flight – 22
Sattal to Harsil (plz cross check )By road – 517                      By flight – 210

Best Time to Visit Sattal and its Weather Conditions

Winter (October-February) is the best time for Sattal activities with ideal weather for bird watching. It is the most preferable time to explore Sattal with pleasant weather.

all about Sattal for travellers

However, if you are looking for a less crowded place, Sattal in summer can be a good option with a slight warm temperature.

Although Sattal looks beautiful in monsoon, it is less recommended to travel during this time due to high risk of landslides and slippery mountains and also no outdoor activities are accessible during monsoon. 

Watch This Video To See How sattal Looks like

Contact Details For Key Locations

Key LocationsContact Details
KMVN Tourist Rest House Sattal059422 47047
YMCA Campsite Sattal099997 18684
Sattal Christian Ashram098105 48291

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sattal located?

Sattal is located in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, at a distance of 23 kms from Nainital.

What are the main activities to do in Sattal?

Activities that are highly recommendable during the trip to Sattal are exploring the seven lakes, Subhash Dhara, bird watching, trekking, butterfly museum, and fishing.

Are there bird watching opportunities in Sattal?

Sattal gives a great opportunity for bird watchers to discover wide varieties of beautiful and vibrant coloured birds amidst the scenic view of himalayan mountains and greenery all around.

How many lakes are there in Sattal?

Sattal has in total seven lakes which are – Garud or panna Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Hanuman Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal, Bharat Tal or Sukha Tal.

What is the distance from Nainital to Sattal?

Driving distance between Nainital and Sattal is around 46 kms and the aerial distance is about 23 kms. 

Are there campsites available in Sattal?

Sattal has various campsites options for travelers and YMCA in Sattal is one of the best campsites for all the nature lovers.

Which are the best hotels and resorts in Sattal?

Sattal offers various kinds of stays to make your trip more comfortable and some of them are – Wild Kumoan, Sattal Resort, Country Inn, Getaway Jungle Camp, etc,

What’s the current weather in Sattal?

Current weather in Sattal is quite sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees to 24 degrees celsius and at night it can be partly cloudy to chilly. 

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