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Major city · India

Sattalसातताल

Go for 1–2 nights if you want birds and quiet, not sightseeing: walk the lake loop, skip it if you need cafés, bars or shops.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Sattal is seven linked freshwater lakes at about 1,370 m in the Kumaon hills, 4 km from Bhimtal and 21 km from Nainital. It is a birding and walking stop with guesthouses, forest camps and a 1930s Christian ashram, and almost nothing else: no ATMs, no bars, no rickshaws. One night covers the lakes; two nights adds a forest walk and a slow morning.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
INR
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
avoid Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon, leeches on trails)
Airports
DEL · PGH
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 6
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
  • India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
  • India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
  • India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sattal112 ▾
  • All emergency services112
  • Police100
  • Ambulance108
  • Tourist helpline (24 h, multilingual)1363

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Sattal, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Street or quick mealChai at a stall or dhaba₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
  • Museum or sight ticketButterfly Museum entry₹30 (≈ under US$1)
  • Budget bedAshram guesthouse room, a night, per room₹700 (≈ US$8)
  • Mid-range bedFamily-run guesthouse double, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
  • High-end bedFamily-run guesthouse double, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,500 (≈ US$65)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Seven interconnected lakesBirdwatching (Important Bird Area)Sattal Christian AshramQuiet alternative to Nainital
Airports
DEL Delhi Indira Gandhi International (About 310 km (193 mi) by road via Moradabad, Rudrapur and Haldwani; 8 h+ in a car, so most people arrive by train instead.) · PGH Pantnagar (Closest airport, near Rudrapur; onward by road via Haldwani and Bhimtal. Check current flights and taxi rates.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  5. May

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    25°C (77°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    24°C (75°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest May (30°C (86°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Apr (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Sattal: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

14°C (57°F)

3°C (37°F)

3 rd

Feb

17°C (63°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Mar

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Apr

28°C (82°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

May

30°C (86°F)

17°C (63°F)

4 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

10 rd

Jul

25°C (77°F)

18°C (64°F)

18 rd

Aug

24°C (75°F)

17°C (63°F)

17 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

15°C (59°F)

11 rd

Oct

23°C (73°F)

10°C (50°F)

4 rd

Nov

19°C (66°F)

6°C (43°F)

2 rd

Dec

15°C (59°F)

4°C (39°F)

2 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

On foot. Marked paths link Purna Tal to the other lakes and the ashram, and a loop around all seven lakes runs about 5 km (2–3 h). There are no rickshaws or local buses inside Sattal; a vehicle is only needed for the 4 km from Bhimtal. Cycle hire exists at a few guesthouses, and paddle boats and kayaks are rented at the main jetty.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Bhimtal

go

Door to door: About 15–20 min

Shared jeep or taxi down the 4 km (2.5 mi) link road

Nearest market, pharmacy and ATM; also the boat jetty on Bhimtal lake.

Nainital

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Taxi via Bhimtal, 21 km (13 mi)

Full hill-station day: lake, mall road, cable car. Go early, parking is tight.

Kainchi Dham

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Taxi via Bhowali on the Nainital road

Small ashram with a steady stream of visitors; mornings are calmer.

Almora

overnight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Taxi via Bhowali and Kwarab, about 60 km (37 mi)

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep a night there.

Kausani

overnight

Door to door: 3.5–4 h

Taxi via Almora, about 100 km (62 mi)

Himalayan views need a clear morning; go as a stop, not a day trip.

Ranikhet

caution

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Taxi via Bhowali and Kwarab, about 60 km (37 mi)

Doable as a long day, better with a night.

Pithoragarh

skip

Door to door: 5–6 h

Taxi via Almora, about 150 km (93 mi)

A separate trip, not a Sattal day out.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Near Purna Tal (main lake)

Guesthouses and stalls within walking distance of the jetty and the lake path; noisier at weekends.

Approach road from Bhimtal

Family-run guesthouses with hot water and parking; a short walk or drive to the lakes.

Forest fringe camps

Swiss tents and eco-huts with meals and guided walks included; basic facilities, book ahead.

Sattal Christian Ashram

Simple rooms inside the ashram estate; book direct, meals and morning prayers with guests.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
Mid
₹2,500–4,500 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
High
₹4,500 (≈ US$55)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Family-run guesthouse double1 × 2 nights × ₹1,500₹3,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹3,000₹12,000
Shared jeep Bhimtal → Sattal, both ways2 × ₹60₹120
Taxi Kathgodam → Sattal, one way1 × ₹750₹750
Local birding guide, morning walk1 × ₹750₹750
Paddle boat or kayak, one hour2 × ₹200₹400
eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800₹1,600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge₹1,860
Trip total≈ ₹5,120 per person per day, bed included₹20,480≈ US$250

2026 estimate in rupees; travel to Sattal excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Chai at a stall or dhaba₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
Kumaoni thali at a guesthouseOrder in advance for freshly cooked food.₹150–350 (≈ US$2–4)
Paddle boat or kayak, one hour₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4)
Shared jeep Bhimtal → Sattal₹20–30 (≈ under US$1)
Taxi Bhimtal → Sattal, one way₹300–400 (≈ US$4–5)
Butterfly Museum entry₹30 (≈ under US$1)
Local birding guide, morning walk₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Sattal is quiet and low-crime; the real risks are the narrow Bhimtal road, slippery monsoon trails, bold monkeys, occasional leopards at dusk and swimming in the lakes, which is not allowed.
  • No ATMs in Sattal: the nearest is in Bhimtal, 4 km (2.5 mi) away. Carry cash.
  • Sattal is a dry zone: no bars or wine shops, and drinking in public is discouraged.
  • The Bhimtal road is narrow with sharp bends and limited parking near the main lake.
  • Monsoon trails are slippery and leech-prone; avoid isolated paths in heavy rain.
  • Monkeys are bold around the lakes: secure food and do not feed them.
  • Leopards are occasionally seen at dusk; avoid solitary walks after dark.
  • Swimming is not allowed in the lakes, and life jackets for boats are limited — ask for one.

Emergency numbers

All emergency services
112
Police
100
Ambulance
108
Tourist helpline (24 h, multilingual)
1363

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Sattalसातताल

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

मुझे इस पते पर ले चलिएTake me to this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergency services112
  • Police100
  • Ambulance108
  • Tourist helpline (24 h)1363

Embassy

No embassies in the hills; the US, UK, Canadian, Australian and other missions are in New Delhi. Consular help for the Kumaon region comes from Delhi.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Kathgodam → Sattal, taxi: ₹600–900 (≈ US$7–11), about 45 min
  • Bhimtal → Sattal, shared jeep: ₹20–30 (≈ under US$1)
  • Nainital → Sattal, taxi: about 45 min via Bhimtal

Say or show

  • कितना है? — How much is it? (kitna hai)
  • झील कहाँ है? — Where is the lake? (jheel kahan hai)
  • यहाँ रोकिए — Please stop here (yahan rokiye)
  • आसपास एटीएम है? — Is there an ATM nearby? (aas-paas ATM hai)
  • शाकाहारी खाना, कृपया — Vegetarian food, please (shakahari khana, kripya)
  • धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)

Sattal has no ATMs, no bars and weak mobile signal; carry cash and download offline maps.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sattal. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon, leeches on trails) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 7 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for Delhi and Pantnagar: last-leg taxi rates from Kathgodam and Bhimtal field-checked.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Purna Tal loop, ashram and St. John's Church, Subhash Dhara, the seven-lake circuit.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Butterfly Museum, ashram, jetty) and eat pages with guesthouse meal times.
  4. Monsoon and leopard fixtures so arrival gates can go green or red.

Meanwhile

Back to India

Sources