- The Sutlej rises from the Manasarovar-Rakas Lakes in western Tibet at the height of 4,570 m within 80 km of the source of the Indus.
- Like the Indus, it takes a north-westerly course up to the Shipki La on the Tibet-Himachal Pradesh boundary.
- Before entering the Punjab plain, it cuts a gorge in Naina Devi Dhar, where the famous Bhakra dam (also known as Bhakra-Nangal Dam.
- The Beas joins it at Harike.
- From near Ferozepur to Fazilka it forms the boundary between India and Pakistan for nearly 120 km.
- During its onward journey, it receives the collective drainage of the Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers.
- It joins the Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot.
